I’ve to confess that over the previous couple of years I’ve grow to be one thing of a Tudor fanboy. However, when Tudor launched the Pelagos FXD in November 2021 I wasn’t instantly impressed. The watch regarded somewhat large, even for 42mm, and I wasn’t eager on the squared lugs and glued spring bars. Total, my first impressions had been that the watch was an oddly proportioned ugly duckling.
However, every time I’ve seen one in particular person, it is grown on me to the purpose the place I am truly contemplating getting one. And the explanation that I’ve grown to fairly just like the Pelagos FXD is that it is so a lot nicer within the flesh than Tudor’s advertising suggests.
How The Pelagos FXD Wears
Take the wearability for instance. On paper, the watch is somewhat giant at 42mm huge with a whopping 52mm lug size, however that final measurement is deceptive. The lug size is taken from the middle of the mounted spring bars, with the precise distance between the lug ideas being a barely extra manageable 50mm. And at 12.75mm thick, it is truly fairly slim. Which means while the FXD remains to be a big watch, it truly wears fairly properly, and even I can pull it off with my have 6.25-inch wrists. One other factor that helps with the watch’s wearability is that the case is long-established from titanium, with a metal case again, so the watch is exceptionally light-weight.
Two Straps For The Worth Of One
And, while we’re speaking about wearability, let’s check out the straps the Pelagos FXD comes with. For higher or worse, the 22mm mounted spring bars on the FXD imply that it does not come on a metallic bracelet like the opposite Pelagos fashions. As a substitute, you get two one-piece straps – one material and the opposite rubber.
Each are very comfy and of unbelievable high quality, however I have to admit that I am not eager on both. Each straps are too lengthy for my small wrists, which leaves me with lots of extra tail I can not do something with. The material strap is secured by velcro, which is one thing I am not that eager on. I do know it is a matter of non-public style, however I believe the fastening appears to be like fairly untidy. Personally, I might put the Pelagos FXD on both a grey NATO or a inexperienced and yellow “Marine Nationale” strap, as I believe each of these would merely look nicer.
Persevering with A Lengthy Custom
The general design can also be one thing you possibly can’t actually admire from Tudor’s press pictures, and I believe the watch appears to be like rather a lot higher within the metallic than it does on their web site. However earlier than we discuss that, let’s discuss in regards to the story behind why the Pelagos FXD exists within the first place. I will not offer you an exhaustive historical past however, for those who did not already know, Tudor has a protracted historical past of supplying watches to the Marine Nationale. The connection between the 2 started means again in 1956 when Tudor despatched its first-ever dive watches in for analysis. The watches had been judged to be good, and so Tudor grew to become an official provider to the Marine Nationale from 1961 proper up till the mid-Eighties.
The Pelagos FXD is the primary watch since then that Tudor has provided to the Marine Nationale, and the cool factor about it’s that the French Navy’s elite Commando Hubert unit truly had enter on its design. Because of this, the FXD is not only a regular watch that is had a navy connection slapped on it, however a correct purpose-built navy watch.
A Army-Authorized Design
The obvious navy affect is the mounted spring bars that give the Pelagos FXD its title. While they severely restrict the strap decisions for the watch, they do stop the watch from being misplaced throughout use, which is fairly essential for those who’re a navy swimmer counting on the FXD for timekeeping
The bezel has additionally been redesigned to go well with the Marine Nationale’s wants of aiding swimmers in underwater navigation. It is bidirectional, with the numerals on the ceramic insert being reversed in order that they rely down, somewhat than up. The distinguished enamel on the Pelagos FXD’s bezel additionally make it extraordinarily straightforward to grip, and the motion is as crisp as you’d count on from Tudor.
One thing that I do know did irk followers of the usual Pelagos is that the FXD dropped the 500m depth score and helium escape valve of the usual mannequin in favor of a extra common 200m. For me, it is a full non-issue, as I am going to by no means want greater than a 200m depth score, and I want the thinner case that dari from the change.
The dial and handset are similar to that of the usual Pelagos, however there is no date window and the hour markers do not lower into the remainder. What’s left is a straightforward and extremely legible dial, protected by a flat sapphire crystal. The handset and markers have a matte end that gives wonderful distinction, and which completely demonstrates the sensible nature of the FXD. And as for the lume? Nicely, that is naturally wonderful too.
Now, one thing else I actually like in regards to the Pelagos FXD is the shade of blue it makes use of. It’d sound foolish, however I believe that the blue used on the usual Pelagos is just too brilliant and that it cheapens the look of the watch. Then again, the blue on the FXD is a darker shade that is nearer to the colour of the BB58 Blue. The extra muted coloration fits the practical nature of the watch and helps give the Pelagos FXD its wonderful legibility.
The Pelagos FXD’s Motion
Beneath the dial lies Tudor’s caliber MT5602. This in-house computerized motion has a formidable 70-hour energy reserve, a 4Hz beat price, and a silicon steadiness spring. Moreover, the motion is COSC-certified, so it will likely be correct to -4/+6 seconds per day. Briefly, it presents all the pieces you may count on from a motion at this value level.
Closing Ideas
In fact, regardless of all issues I like in regards to the Pelagos FXD, I am beneath no illusions as to why it exists. And that is that Tudor clearly selected to rekindle their relationship with the Marine Nationale for industrial profit. I believe everyone knows that the French Navy did not want Tudor to make them this watch. On the finish of the day, that is nonetheless a luxurious product that Tudor created as a result of they know {that a} watch made for the French Navy will enchantment to us watch lovers.
Nicely, they’re fully proper. Nevertheless, that does not cease the FXD from being a real purpose-built navy watch. That is why it appears to be like considerably quirky and unconventional, and it is also why I’ve grown to like the marginally odd design. This can be a correct instrument watch that is designed for a selected objective, and it makes completely zero concessions for the sake of aesthetics or conference.
And, because of that, the Pelagos FXD has all the pieces I may need in a diver. It is correct, extremely legible, and light-weight. Plus with the mounted bars I am going to by no means have to fret about shedding it. And, with a retail value of £3,000 or $3,900, it’s fairly properly priced compared to Tudor’s different watches, being about 18% cheaper than the usual Pelagos. So, while I really feel that it is necessary to acknowledge the industrial actuality behind this watch, it is nonetheless a becoming successor to the unique Marine Nationale submariners, and I nonetheless really need one.
You’ll be able to learn extra in regards to the Pelagos FXD on Tudor’s web site right here.