The legendary off-road vehicle race has a new timekeeper in Tudor
The Dakar took place in Saudi Arabia for the seventh year
“One thousand miles of merciless vibration!” was the headline above an early 1950s advertisement for Tudor’s then-newly launched Oyster Prince, which, ran the text “…was worn by a competitor in the Monaco International Trophy for Motorcycles. For 29 hours, over a course of rough, winding, alpine roads, it was subjected to an ordeal by dust, rain, and especially the constant, merciless vibration of high-speed riding. And yet, at the end of the gruelling test, it emerged ticking smoothly, having maintained perfect time throughout…”
That 1,000-mile ride might have been impressive 75 years ago, but it was nothing compared with the latest vehicular challenge that Tudor has aligned itself with – the 4,800-mile Dakar rally, the legendary off-road race that is frequently described as the toughest automotive competition on the planet.
Originally called the Paris Dakar, it was the brain child of French motorcyclist Thierry Sabine, who was inspired to create an ultra-long-distance, off-road race after getting lost in the Ténéré desert while competing in the 1977 Rallye Côte-Côte, starting in Abidjan, in Côte d’Ivoire, and finishing in Nice. First run from Boxing Day 1978 until 14 January 1979, the Paris-Dakar followed various routes between France and Senegal for 30 years before security concerns saw a move to South America from 2009-2019, since when the race (now known simply as the Dakar) has been held in Saudi Arabia.
Tudor Ranger with 36mm steel case and beige domed dial, £2,750
The original 1978 event covered 6,200 miles and attracted 182 entrants, most of whom were privateers. But the mystery, romance and undeniable danger of the rally quickly saw its popularity grow as multiple car and motorcycle manufacturers entered teams of professional riders and drivers.
This year’s Dakar, held from 3-17 January, saw 787 competitors (including a healthy turnout of amateurs) race a variety of motorcycles, production and purpose-built cars, “side-by-side” buggies, heavy trucks and “classics” around a circular loop that started and finished in Yanbu on Saudi Arabia’s western fringe, taking in AlUla further north, Riyadh to the east and Wadi ad-Dawasir in the south.
Although the big manufacturer teams from marques such as Ford, Toyota, Dacia and JLR turn up with multiple support trucks, mobile workshops, hospitality suites and luxurious motorhomes for their riders and drivers to sleep in, it’s still possible to take part on a budget. Racers in the Original by Motul motorcycle category, for example, must carry out all their own repairs and maintenance and are allowed to bring only a travel bag, a tool chest and a tent, all of which are transported between overnight stops (known as “bivouacs”) by members of the organising team.
Tudor ensures each second of every stage is accounted for
With some stages covering almost 500 miles in a day – mostly over sand, rocks and giant dunes – and participants being required to navigate using basic road books in which way points are marked by rudimentary symbols, the Dakar is undeniably a serious test of man (or woman) and machine. Which is exactly why Tudor signed up as official timekeeper in 2025, ramping up its involvement this year by creating Dakar-inspired versions of its three-hand Ranger field watch for both commercial sale and to give as prizes.
A Tudor spokesperson said the new Ranger model had been chosen for its simple tool-watch aesthetic and an inherent toughness that should make it capable of withstanding the ‘merciless vibration’ experienced during the Dakar. Available in 36mm and 39mm diameters and with a choice of matt black or “dune white” dials, the watches can be had on steel bracelets or nylon straps and cost from £2,700-£3,070.
Only the winners of each of the eight Dakar categories, however, earn a unique Ranger engraved with details of the event and their personal entry number – watches which will undoubtedly remind them of pain and glory in equal measure every time they check the time…
From £2,700-£3,070, tudorwatches.com
