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Final week, Tudor invited us to take a look at the brand new Pelagos FXD “MN” watch. Do I prefer it? Do I would like it? We’ve had a couple of week now to let it sink in (no pun meant), however I’ve come to the conclusion this watch will not be for me. It may have been, nevertheless it isn’t. Let me clarify to you why.
Sinara (our social media supervisor) and I on the introduction occasion for the Tudor Pelagos FXD
The Tudor Pelagos FXD in a nutshell
We defined what the brand new Tudor Pelagos FXD is all about on this introduction article on the day it was launched. On the wrist, the Pelagos FXD wears fantastically. The case measures 42mm in diameter, 52mm lug-to-lug, and simply 12.75mm thick. That’s a really acceptable thickness for a watch with a water resistance of 200 meters, however remember that the NATO strap (be it the material or the rubber) will make it somewhat bit thicker. I’ve a 19cm wrist, and as you possibly can see, the watch doesn’t look dangerous in any respect!
On the wrist
In comparison with the common blue Tudor Pelagos, the FXD model has a darker tone to it. I choose the darker blue of the Pelagos FXD over the Pelagos M25600TB-0001, however the tone of blue wouldn’t be the decisive issue anyway.
What’s attention-grabbing is that the watch wears somewhat bit bigger than a 42mm diameter would counsel. That’s in all probability as a result of the diameter of the bezel is bigger than the 42mm case. The Tudor Pelagos FXD jogged my memory a little bit of these Sinn (UX) watches utilizing Hydro expertise, during which the motion, dial, and arms are immersed immediately in a crystal-clear tub of oil. It seems to be like there’s nearly no house between the dial and the crystal, and that is additionally the case with the brand new Tudor Pelagos FXD. It’s not as excessive as with the Sinn watches, nevertheless it’s sufficient to make me discover. What I additionally like in regards to the Pelagos FXD is that it doesn’t have a date window. Kudos to Tudor for leaving it out.
The case design of the Pelagos FXD
The “FXD” of this Tudor Pelagos M25707B/21-0001, or “M.N.21,” stands for “mounted” and refers back to the lugs of the watch. I all the time thought this meant that the pins had been mounted to the case, and in a approach, they’re. However to me, this seems to be extra like a kind of built-in case design.
It’s a bit like Omega’s “manta-ray” design of the Planet Ocean Extremely-Deep idea watch. However, it seems to be good, and it provides you extra safety than spring bars. However it additionally will make it unimaginable to connect a two-piece strap or bracelet. Until, in fact, Tudor comes up with a bracelet you possibly can connect to this fixed-lug design.
It additionally must be stated that this watch is light-weight. In fact, it’s — it’s fabricated from titanium. I’m not accustomed to sporting titanium watches, and though I’ve one in my assortment, I hardly put on it. For individuals who need consolation, although, titanium is the best way to go, and it does give the watch a utilitarian look & really feel. Apparently, the blue ceramic bezel is bi-directional, as an alternative of the everyday unidirectional bezels that you just discover on most diver’s watches. However in contrast to the friction-fit bi-directional bezels of the previous, this one includes a full 120 clicks.
Mil-Spec however not ISO
I used to be very impressed with the Tudor Pelagos FXD after I noticed it for the primary time, and much more so after I put it on my wrist. It ticks many packing containers, due not solely to its design but additionally to the attention-grabbing Marine Nationale story. Though the watch doesn’t meet the ISO (6425:2018) requirements for a dive watch as a result of bi-directional bezel, it’s a watch that’s tailor-made to the wants of the French Navy. A correct mil-spec watch, you may say. Inside is Tudor’s MT5602 in-house-developed motion with chronometer certification. That’s proper — no “Grasp Chronometer” on this, which wouldn’t have sounded illogical to me, given it’s a mil-spec piece.
I’ve learn some feedback about its “restricted” water resistance, which is dropped to 200m as an alternative of the same old 500. However this additionally made it doable to maintain the watch comparatively skinny. Apparently, the French Navy divers won’t go under 200 meters anyway. It additionally signifies that an computerized helium valve will not be a necessity on this watch.
Worth and availability
Personally, I don’t thoughts the 200-meter score as such, however 500 meters of water resistance and a helium valve are options that I really feel belong on the Pelagos. So I can think about a few of you weren’t tremendous excited when studying the specs of the watch.
Then, there’s the engaging price ticket of €3,680 / $3,900. For this, you’ll get the extra rubber NATO strap with it as effectively. The opposite Pelagos fashions will set you again somewhat extra, as they’re all priced at €4,320 / $4,575. It’s a distinction that’s straightforward to clarify, because the others all include a titanium bracelet and a further strap. The Pelagos FXD is obtainable instantly, which is kind of transfer from Tudor.
The way it seems to be on a small wrist
Civilian and army variations
Is there a draw back to this watch? Nicely, not a lot from an aesthetic perspective, as I sincerely like its seems to be. What I don’t like, nonetheless, is that this watch is totally different from the one which will likely be delivered to the French Navy. Tudor knowledgeable us that the Pelagos FXD for the Marine Nationale may have a barely totally different dial, with out the chronometer-certified wording. As an alternative, it can simply say “Pelagos 200m”. Additionally, I’ve been informed by Tudor that there will likely be plenty of left-hand fashions obtainable solely to the French Navy.
I feel it could have been good to have precisely the identical mannequin, because the mounted lugs and bi-directional bezel are additionally obtainable on the business launch. Additionally they may have additionally stored the identical printing on the dial, as I don’t suppose many would care in regards to the COSC textual content — not less than I don’t. An providing of a left-hand model would even have been cool, nevertheless it may jeopardize the demand for the Tudor Pelagos LHD M25610TNL-0001.
The definitive Tudor
When Tudor launched the Pelagos again in 2012, I used to be blown away by it. Keep in mind that on the time, Rolex had no 40mm Sea-Dweller in its assortment anymore. The 16600 was discontinued in 2009 and the 116600 was solely launched in 2014. The Rolex Sea-Dweller was by no means a giant vendor (busting a rhyme right here) in comparison with the Submariner. My ideas had been that Tudor was providing an alternate for the fanatic with this Pelagos 500m. It additionally had the automated helium escape valve within the case band, similar to the Sea-Dweller.
However I used to be unsuitable, as Rolex got here again with the 40mm Sea-Dweller 4000 (116600). Nonetheless, to me, the Pelagos is the Tudor. I do know in regards to the model’s Submariner historical past, and I’ve an appreciation for all of the Black Bay fashions, however the Pelagos is the place Tudor clearly exhibits its personal DNA in a recent watch. You may disagree, in fact, as a result of I understand how well-liked the Black Bay (58) fashions are. However the Pelagos is the one I might purchase myself. Simply not the Pelagos FXD. Though I just like the Pelagos FXD, regardless of the actual fact it’s considerably totally different from the one which will likely be utilized by the fashionable MN, it’s the Pelagos LHD that I wish to personal in some unspecified time in the future.
The Pelagos for me
The LHD has all of the options of the common Pelagos, together with the WR score and the helium gasoline valve, but additionally this quirky crown on the left. You could possibly additionally say the lug design of the FXD is quirky. However a left-hand crown, to me, is even quirkier, as it’s seen always. The “mounted bar,” however, will simply be hidden beneath a strap. I’m additionally not a fan of sporting NATO straps myself. I like bracelet, and the Tudor bracelets are fairly good certainly. The Pelagos LHD can also be a numbered version, which, to me, makes it somewhat totally different as effectively. I like having a singular quantity on a watch (apart from a 21-digit serial quantity). It makes it a bit extra private one way or the other.
The Tudor Pelagos FXD comes with a five-year worldwide guarantee. See all specs under and click on right here for the official Tudor web site.
Additionally, tell us what you consider the Pelagos FXD within the feedback. Did Tudor do the Pelagos justice, or is there a better option within the lineup? We need to hear your opinions.
| Model | Tudor |
| Mannequin | Pelagos FXD “MN21” |
| Reference | M25707B/21-0001 |
| Dial | Blue |
| Case Materials | Titanium, ceramic bezel insert |
| Case Dimensions | Diameter: 42mm, Lug-to-lug: 52mm, Thickness: 12.75mm |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Case Again |
Titanium, with particular MN21 engraving
Motion
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