I see Tudor as having distinct phases

Original: Tudor originally was made to use ETA or other “cheaper” movements in Rolex cases. A lot of the vintage tudors actually have Rolex stamps on their cases. If there was ever an argument for “poor man’s Rolex” this would be the period as the literal purpose was to be a cheaper alternative

Rebirth: basically the early 2010s (I can’t believe I’m referring to this in the past tense like this 😵‍💫) was when they launched their heritage line, this was really a throwback to some iconic pieces in their history that yes by nature (due to the shared cases prior) seemed a lot like vintage Rolex. They have since doubled down on this (BB58/54), and are pioneering, relative to Rolex, some other trends ( fixed bars on the FXD/ titanium on the pelagos).

It’s really 2 separate brands IMO, both have their charms and a lot of people collect both. These days it’s def not a poor man’s Rolex, the offerings are differentiated enough. If the price point argument held true, then couldn’t you say the same thing about omega or grand seiko? Both are cheaper relative to Rolex but you can’t get a seamaster from Rolex just like you couldn’t get an FXD, or a 37mm diver from Rolex either

Try both on, the original Pelagos is a bit big for me, the BB54 is workable but slightly on the small side, and the BB58 is perfect. I do prefer the Pelagos 39 to the BB58 thought so went with that + the 54. I have an FXD but like the orig Pelagos it’s slightly big on me imo.

If I could only keep one piece, it would hands down be the Pelagos 39. That piece imo is the most perfect watch out there currently

Attaching photos for your ref

BB54 on a rubber strap. Wasn’t able to get my hands on a bracelet one

Interesting that they gave him the fat font bezel, would have thought they would swap for a thin font service bezel 

my eyesight isn’t what it used to be but this looks authentic. The Xs alight with the 5 min markers on the right and the Rs on the left side of the rehault. I can’t see if there’s a crown at 12 but without feeling it in person/ opening it up, and purely from this one photo my guess would have been that it’s authentic 

Proportions are off as well, thats the first thing that jumped out to me. 
 

RE the screws: at least they are sorta kinda facing the general direction that they are suppose to! Remember the ones with the hublot type random direction ones?! 

I believe in the novels he did wear a Rolex (see screenshot) and Ian Fleming himself wore an explorer 1016.