TUDOR Chronicles; Chapter 7 - The TUDOR Pelagos

 Gone are the days when TUDOR was classed as the poor man’s Rolex. The company has made an exceptional name for itself in the industry, forging an identity of its own and releasing some seriously stylish icons. For many of us who take considerable interest in the luxury watch world, the harsh label couldn’t be further from the truth. Although the Swiss company borrows some invaluable knowledge from its big brother in terms of material development and craftsmanship, the gap between the two brands has narrowed considerably over recent years. All the while, the individuality of the brand stands out more now than ever before.

With that in mind, it makes perfect sense to explore each of TUDOR’s renowned watch collections, one by one. We want to give the different designs a chance to show off their best features and characteristics under the spotlight. Despite the nostalgia-drenched design of the iconic TUDOR Black Bay watch, the Pelagos watch shows us a new direction. A direction that looks forward rather than back to the dive watches of yesteryear. While both models are exceptionally beautiful, they each offer something different to the wearer. Today, it’s all about the TUDOR Pelagos.

Function, precise and light – the Pelagos

The TUDOR Pelagos watch is a professional diving tool with considerable style. The model is known for two things in particular. One is its lightweight titanium case that serves as a comfortable alternative to conventional stainless steel. The other is its helium escape valve, which prevents the build-up of gasses inside the case. The helium escape valve enables for helium to be released safely without damage caused to the delicate internal parts of the watch. Both features make the Pelagos watch a perfect companion for saturation diving. The models from this collection are also fitted with an in-house movement that offers an impressive 70-hour power reserve. It means that if you want to alternate the watch with another favourite over a few days, you can do, and it will keep perfect timing.

The TUDOR Pelagos has a linear design and is exceptionally robust. It was brought to the market back in 2012, offering a staggering 500-meter water resistance and was powered by an ETA movement. Three years later, however, the watch was fitted with an in-house movement for superior mechanical performance. One other highlight of the Pelagos watch is its patented fold-over clasp. This feature attaches a three-link titanium bracelet to the wrist comfortably and quickly. This clasp can also lengthen or shorten itself depending on environmental pressure.

Why should you buy the TUDOR Pelagos?

Like any respectable design, there are many pros to be had from a diver’s watch, especially if it shares some features with the Pelagos. TUDOR’S most expertly crafted dive watch has so many advantages to offer the professional or recreational diver. That said, it may just appeal to you because you love the style of the dive watch. No one ever said you had to use the Pelagos for its functional purposes alone. Many hardcore dive watch fans never take to the water, they just love its archetypal design.

• It features a max of 500-meter water resistant rating for scuba diving, swimming, and extreme water sports
• It features a helium escape valve for releasing the damaging build-up of helium inside the case
• The Pelagos has been outfitted with an in-house developed movement since 2015
• Its case is made from robust yet lightweight titanium for hour-upon-hour of wear
• Its titanium bracelet has a self-adjusting fold-over clasp

The TUDOR Pelagos variations

The TUDOR Pelagos watch in its most standard form features a 42mm satin-brushed titanium case. Its unidirectional rotating bezel is designed for diver safety and has a legible blue or black ceramic insert that makes the countdown timing easy to extract from the watch at a glance. The helium escape valve is situated at 9 o’clock on the case, balancing the dimensions of the case nicely, thanks to the usual location of the screw-down crown at 3 o’clock. The dial of the Pelagos is recognisable for its squared hour markers treated with Super-LumiNova, enabling them to stand out in dark conditions. The same can be said for the hands, designed in the signature “snowflake” profile. The dial also benefits from a date window at 3 o’clock and an inverted triangular marker at 12 o’clock. These hands are powered by the in-house Calibre MT5612, which, as mentioned, delivers a 70-hour power reserve. It is also fitted with a silicone balance spring that is anti-magnetic.

The TUDOR Pelagos LHD

The TUDOR Pelagos LHD is a variation of the standard model and takes its name from the unique positioning of its crown at 9 o’clock. It is the left-sided version of the standard Pelagos. The brand stands out against others for this feature alone, since it is one of very few manufacturers that offers a left-sided dive watch. It also looks different in the way that its design is inspired by the TUDOR Submariner from 1981, developed for the French Navy. Compared to the other models in the collection, it offers a subtle retro edge. Elements that contribute to this look include the beige hands and, indices and the bezel markings. If you have a particularly keen eye for detail, you’ll notice the roulette pattern in the date window instantly. Each even number is presented in red, while the odd numbers are represented in black. A slightly different movement is used for this model. The Calibre MT5612-LHD has the two-tone date display combined with the position of the crown, making it different to the standard movement for the series.

The TUDOR Pelagos FXD

The TUDOR Pelagos FXD watches pay homage to TUDOR’s successful partnership with the French Navy and were released in 2021. During the 1980s, this relationship with the Marine Nationale Francaise brought about the birth of the TUDOR Oyster Prince Submariner. The TUDOR Pelagos FXD is a symbol of this partnership and features a case and lugs crafted from one single piece of stainless steel. These fixed lugs ensure the strap will never fall off since there is no spring bar to come loose. The watch is water resistant to 200 meters and offers the option of a no-date version of the MT5612 movement.

Closing thoughts

There is no doubt that the TUDOR Pelagos watch is one of the coolest diver’s tools on the planet right now. It has an urban edge and appeals to those with a diving lifestyle, as well as those who just love the dive watch look. It looks superb on the titanium bracelet, yet the straps of the FXD series exude a sportier spirit and are perfect for pairing with casual attire.

If you’d like to learn more about the TUDOR Pelagos watch, you can call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team today on 01335 453453.