Tudor Pelagos Review

Recently I purchased my first premium watch the ceramic matt black pelagos.

This was by far the most expensive watch purchase I have made to date so it was with much angst and anticipation I took the plunge!

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Am I happy with the Pelagos?

Absolutely! With only some minor negatives that to be fair I was already aware of from prior research.

It's a 42mm diver with 500 m of water resistance and a helium escape valve at 9 o'clock.

Necessary? No! Bragging rights? For sure!

The movement is an in house MT 5612 COSC with a 70 hour power reserve. What's not to like?

It's a big boy. 22mm lug width and 50 mm lug to lug. It's 14.3 mm tall so quite thick.

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Here in lies a challenge for a daily wearer. I have just over a 7 inch wrist. Any smaller and it may just look and feel too tall.

But it is mainly titanium so relatively light. It is grade 2 rather than grade 5 titanium so softer than steel but more corrosive resistant.

The highly legible dial and distinctive snow flake hands sit beneath a flat saphire crystal.

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Of course it has the tudor shield on the crown

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The bezel is a 60 minute unidirectional ceramic with a great sound and feel. It is lumed as is the rest of the dial indices and hands in a lovely blue

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Pictured here contrasting with my Phoibos apollo v3 another titanium diver.

The titanium bracelet on this watch is fantastic. I will not use the tudor rubber strap it also came with. Nice though it is.

The clasp has a unique extension system to allow expansion and contraction whilst being worn. All watches should come with this system!

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The clasp is steel presumably for durability but it is a scratch magnet!

In conclusion I have no regrets from this purchase.

For me today Tudor occupies the space which Rolex used to inhabit before their prices and availability went around the bend.

The Pelagos is a tool watch pure and simple that puts form and function before fashion and jewellery frippery.

It represents relative value for money and is as distinctive as it is built to last.

Highly recommended!

Tudor Pelagos Review

4.8
Yes No
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
4/5
  • Functionality
  • Value (relative) ..spec monster
  • Build quality
  • COSC movement
  • Bracelet with extension system
  • 14.3mm thick so tall!
  • Grade 2 Titanium not Grade 5
  • Too much script at 6 o'clock
  • Steel clasp prone to scratching
Reply
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Sounds like it's pretty much perfect for you!

Are you going to wear it to London??

Would be cool to see it. 👍

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Thanks for a great review,the watch looks great

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Love it, thanks for the writeup!

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DeeperBlue

Sounds like it's pretty much perfect for you!

Are you going to wear it to London??

Would be cool to see it. 👍

Yes I will! Our Swedish friend has already asked!

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SurferJohn

Love it, thanks for the writeup!

I probably reviewed it too positively thinking about it but it really works for me despite its faults!

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Beautiful timepiece.

Congratulations.

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EdWhite1964

Beautiful timepiece.

Congratulations.

Thank you! The Pelagos doesn't seem to attract as much attention as the many variants of the black bay 58!

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Guvnor64

I probably reviewed it too positively thinking about it but it really works for me despite its faults!

No apologies, its a gorgeous watch!

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I agree with your very positive review. I wouldn't mind having one in my watch box sometime in the future. For me, the size, excessive script, and scratchability of the clasp are the only possible negatives for such a fantastic watch. Quality and great looks ooze out of it. I know people go crazy over the BB58, but I think the Pelagos outclasses it by quite a bit. That's not to say that the BB58 isn't a nice watch, but it almost seems like BB58 is in the fashion watch category for desk divers and the Pelagos is a real deal high quality diver for all 3 of the people in the world who dive at 500 feet.

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MrFabulous

I agree with your very positive review. I wouldn't mind having one in my watch box sometime in the future. For me, the size, excessive script, and scratchability of the clasp are the only possible negatives for such a fantastic watch. Quality and great looks ooze out of it. I know people go crazy over the BB58, but I think the Pelagos outclasses it by quite a bit. That's not to say that the BB58 isn't a nice watch, but it almost seems like BB58 is in the fashion watch category for desk divers and the Pelagos is a real deal high quality diver for all 3 of the people in the world who dive at 500 feet.

I absolutely agree. I tried a couple of black bays on in an AD. I liked them a lot except for the faux rivets on the bracelet.

The lady brought out the Pelagos and I was sold straight away. I love titanium so it was a no brainer despite being a grand more expensive!

In the long term I will be after an FXD. I'm sadly fixated with Tudor. Lots of money but in comparison to the other premium brands pretty well priced I think.

Have you still got the first version of the Pelagos? I saw it on your wrist shot?

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No, I sold my Pelagos and a Rolex OP recently because having that much money invested in individual watches didn't feel right for me at this time in my life (retiree). Also, I felt self-conscious and like a poser wearing the Rolex. It seems like you can wear any other brand of watch in the world and no one will notice it. When you have a Rolex on your wrist, many/most people seem to pick up on it in a second and then they make some sort of comment about it.

I would like to get another Pelagos sometime in the future if I run across a super great deal. If I do get another one, I'd like to get an older ETA blue model although the black model is pretty nice too.

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MrFabulous

No, I sold my Pelagos and a Rolex OP recently because having that much money invested in individual watches didn't feel right for me at this time in my life (retiree). Also, I felt self-conscious and like a poser wearing the Rolex. It seems like you can wear any other brand of watch in the world and no one will notice it. When you have a Rolex on your wrist, many/most people seem to pick up on it in a second and then they make some sort of comment about it.

I would like to get another Pelagos sometime in the future if I run across a super great deal. If I do get another one, I'd like to get an older ETA blue model although the black model is pretty nice too.

I like a lot of the vintage Rolex stuff but I've had bad experiences in their AD and don't think they offer any value as a new purchase so I won't be getting a Rolex realistically. I think Tudor offer much more and like you say people either don't notice or don't take offence when you are wearing one!

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Great review buddy. I like Tudor a lot... Rolex have lost the plot for me and the only sensible option for a "Rolex" purchase is now Tudor. Of course, others may have a different opinion, and they're entitled to be incorrect.

I've thought long and hard about my next purchase and, for such a long time, it was going to be the BB58. I'm now settled on the Brietling SuperOcean... its probably not as much watch for the money but that's the thing with this affliction we have... it makes no sense whatsoever 🤣

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GasWorks

Great review buddy. I like Tudor a lot... Rolex have lost the plot for me and the only sensible option for a "Rolex" purchase is now Tudor. Of course, others may have a different opinion, and they're entitled to be incorrect.

I've thought long and hard about my next purchase and, for such a long time, it was going to be the BB58. I'm now settled on the Brietling SuperOcean... its probably not as much watch for the money but that's the thing with this affliction we have... it makes no sense whatsoever 🤣

No none of it makes sense! Great though isn't it!!?

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Thanks for the review. Looks great on you.

I tried on the 39mm and really liked it. The design of the Pelagos is thoroughly modern. In this particularly tough market sector, it stands out for me

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I appreciate your review man! I just recently acquired a Pelly 42 in blue! It has long been on my list of "one day" pieces and I'm so glad the day finally came for me. It's one of my most favorite modern watches and excites me for what Tudor will continue doing going forward. Wear it in good health man! Happy Tudor Thursday!!

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JLWatches

I appreciate your review man! I just recently acquired a Pelly 42 in blue! It has long been on my list of "one day" pieces and I'm so glad the day finally came for me. It's one of my most favorite modern watches and excites me for what Tudor will continue doing going forward. Wear it in good health man! Happy Tudor Thursday!!

Thank you my friend!

I was torn between the blue and the black. It came Fownhope to the fact they had the black one on my wrist or they would have to order a blue one so I left with the black one!

At some point hoping to get the Pelagos FXD and a Ranger. I'm a fully paid up Tudor fan!

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Guvnor64

Thank you my friend!

I was torn between the blue and the black. It came Fownhope to the fact they had the black one on my wrist or they would have to order a blue one so I left with the black one!

At some point hoping to get the Pelagos FXD and a Ranger. I'm a fully paid up Tudor fan!

I understand that big time! When I was at my AD around Christmas, all they had was Black and I was so close to pulling the trigger on it. It was the black dial 2 liner that I fell in love with originally actually. The issue I ran into was that I had recently got my hands on an Oris Aquis with the Cal. 400 in the black/gray configuration, and I just wasn't ready to let it go yet. The blue pelagos kept slowing growing on me and now here we are!

I also love the new Ranger, the FXD, and the BB Pro is really tempting for me as well. Hoping to snag a Ranger or BB Pro when the time is right myself! Long live Tudor!!

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JLWatches

I understand that big time! When I was at my AD around Christmas, all they had was Black and I was so close to pulling the trigger on it. It was the black dial 2 liner that I fell in love with originally actually. The issue I ran into was that I had recently got my hands on an Oris Aquis with the Cal. 400 in the black/gray configuration, and I just wasn't ready to let it go yet. The blue pelagos kept slowing growing on me and now here we are!

I also love the new Ranger, the FXD, and the BB Pro is really tempting for me as well. Hoping to snag a Ranger or BB Pro when the time is right myself! Long live Tudor!!

Yes the Pro is also on my radar! I've got a PO1 which is bloody lovely once you get over the unusual looks!

I really like the North Flag but missed the boat on that one!

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Guvnor64

Yes the Pro is also on my radar! I've got a PO1 which is bloody lovely once you get over the unusual looks!

I really like the North Flag but missed the boat on that one!

The PO1 is such a sick watch! Would love to try one on sometime. I think I'd fall for it pretty fast. Also a big fan of the North Flags. Tudor just has a way of design that continually pulls me in more and more. Extremely tool/utilitarian focused while still looking tasteful and modern. Love it!

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Great watch, Tudor know how to make a good looking timepiece.

Nice review, aiming to buy one of the Tudor stunners in the near future.

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dubby1

Great watch, Tudor know how to make a good looking timepiece.

Nice review, aiming to buy one of the Tudor stunners in the near future.

You can't go wrong with them in my opinion. I'm only a recent convert but it's a pleasurable obsession!