Is The Pelagos 39 A Full On Pelagos?
(Photo from Hodinkee) So when I first found out about the Pelagos 39 I was excited beyond belief as I'm sure many of us were. But it was when I saw this photo from Hodinkee for the first time that I realized that it had a sunburst dial and bezel. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about a Pelagos having such flourishes, especially considering that the brutal efficiency and matte finishes of the original Pelagos are what made it my favorite watch that I own.
But after a little time, the sunburst finishes are exactly what I loved about the new Pelagos 39 after I began to see it not as just a smaller Pelagos, but rather as a Pelagos that was designed for real life as opposed to the inside of a dive bell. So perhaps the lack of the trick spring loaded clasp, the lower water resistance, and the addition of aesthetic flourishes make this "not a Pelagos," but for me its these aspects and deviations from the Pelagos formula that make this new watch so compelling.
What do you think? Is this a "real" Pelagos?
I'm just an idiot who's way too obsessed with watches and thinks about the details of watches way too much. My YouTube channel is my outlet www.youtube.com/c/TheWatchIdiot
Yes, it is a real Pelagos. Does it have the specs of the original? No, but it does not take away from this one. Just a different spec’d version.
I think Tudor realized that the market for "toolish" luxury divers wasn't as large as the market for luxury divers with a little "flash", so they updated the Pelagos 39 to match market demands.
I quite like the Pelagos, and Pelagos 39, but between the two I'd definitely buy the 39 before the original.
IMO not much can ever get better than the pelagos 42 with in house movement. To me it is as close to perfect as I’ve ever seen, and the brutal tool watch aesthetics are what draws me to it.
Yes, it is a real Pelagos. Does it have the specs of the original? No, but it does not take away from this one. Just a different spec’d version.
Yeah agreed! in the end the experience of a titanium tudor diver will be special no matter the form factor.
IMO not much can ever get better than the pelagos 42 with in house movement. To me it is as close to perfect as I’ve ever seen, and the brutal tool watch aesthetics are what draws me to it.
I echo this sentiment. I own the OG blue, so some would say I'm biased. However, based on my past selling history, me owning a watch does not make me love it.
The OG Pelagos is a tool watch, which also happens to be gorgeous (imo). The new 39 Pelagos really feels like sub replacement, albeit it in titanium with snowflake hands and square indices. So yes, the new Pelagos is a real Pelagos. But to me, it doesn't evoke the same feelings as the OG. To that end, I think it is a regression.
I havent thought of it that way! For me the pelagos has been the collection of defining features that make the Pelagos, the Pelagos, like the awesome clasp, the stepped chapter ring, and the titanium construction all put together. And all together it makes the Pelagos a unique watch amongst all watches for me.
But thinking of the pelagos as the unique modern line within tudor is true as well and it being the unique dive watch within the brand is a big reason why it holds such a special place for me. In the end the essence of a watch is more important than the spec sheet!
Pelagos line has become a little less defined with the fxd and 39 unless titanium is what makes a Pelagos a Pelagos (Tudor submariners had square hour markers and snowflake hands). I don’t know if case material defines a product line for any watch maker?
It’s definitely a Tudor. I’m just not sure what makes a Pelagos a Pelagos other than the name on the dial.
I’d have to see it in person but just from looking at the online photos, I personally would have preferred they kept the original matte finishes and just gone all in on the “tool” aesthetic rather try to cover their bases between tool & flashy, but I can understand the decision.
I’d have to see it in person but just from looking at the online photos, I personally would have preferred they kept the original matte finishes and just gone all in on the “tool” aesthetic rather try to cover their bases between tool & flashy, but I can understand the decision.
They still make the 42mm "tool" diver, and the FXD.
I suspect Tudor wants to capitalize on the popularity of divers, and smaller sizes. The BB line covers the vintage lovers, and now the Pelagos line can cover the modern dive watch fans.
If someone really needs a tool watch, they likely buy from brands that specialize in tool watches, Seiko, Citizen, CWC, Marathon, Sinn, etc..
The Pelagos 39mm is truly part of the Pelagos family.
It's the Pelagos for the divers who still need armband floaties.
This 39 version lost me at bb58 movement and sunburst/sunray dial and bezel. Otherwise, a great release, just not for me.
I'm a big Tudor fan. I currently own three Black Bays: BB58s in both black and blue, and a BB Steel.
Been thinking a lot about the new 39mm Pelagos and it strikes me that this is more of a Pelagos-styled-BB-58, than a downsized-42mm-Pelagos. The movement and specs of this new model more closely resemble the BB58s than they do the original Pelagos.
From a sales point of view, this seems to be a good move. 39mm is the current sweet spot for many watch enthusiasts and Tudor now has a whole range of sport watches in that size: five different BB58s, the GMT BB Pro, the Range and now the smaller Pelagos. I don't doubt that this watch will be a big seller.
From an enthusiast point of view, however, I can’t disagree with those who wish that the Pelagos had maintained the same specs and aesthetics of the original. Obviously, most of us don’t need the increased depth rating nor the HEV, but the presence of those items plus the stark aesthetics are what made the original Pelagos distinctive in the Tudor lineup. This new model seems to blur the lines between the Pelagos and Black Bay lines. At least it does in my eyes.
Having said that, I still really like this new watch. If I come across a good deal in the future, I’ll probably buy one and sell my black/gilt BB58.
Pelagos is a range now. I love that. Something for everyone.
Of course it is.
I guess pelagos will always be tied to titanium as the main material. So yes it’s pretty much a pelagos albeit with a little more bling and class.
When is a range a range? When Tudor release 50 versions in 6 months. We can add “Pelagos” to Tudor roulette now, alongside “Black Bay”, “Tudor is the new Rolex”, and “which one should I buy”. Prize is a slot on the Rolex waiting list with an AD of your choice.
Good luck…
Still has War and Peace written on the dial, so yes!
I think it is a Pelagos for sure. Saying its not is like saying Submariners stopped being Submariners when they introduced the shiny ceramic bezel insert. Watch models evolve with finishes and slightly with aesthetic, but the base is all there still.
I think you also made an excellent point in your video which is that Tudor (and all Swiss watch brands) are clever and they likely made the 39 just different enough that if you are a Pelagos fan you might be compelled to buy both the 39 and 42! If you are a "purist" youll stick to the original but point is they widened potential purchases for both the current fan base and people that didn't consider the model before.
I can't get past the hour hand.
I'm a big Tudor fan. I currently own three Black Bays: BB58s in both black and blue, and a BB Steel.
Been thinking a lot about the new 39mm Pelagos and it strikes me that this is more of a Pelagos-styled-BB-58, than a downsized-42mm-Pelagos. The movement and specs of this new model more closely resemble the BB58s than they do the original Pelagos.
From a sales point of view, this seems to be a good move. 39mm is the current sweet spot for many watch enthusiasts and Tudor now has a whole range of sport watches in that size: five different BB58s, the GMT BB Pro, the Range and now the smaller Pelagos. I don't doubt that this watch will be a big seller.
From an enthusiast point of view, however, I can’t disagree with those who wish that the Pelagos had maintained the same specs and aesthetics of the original. Obviously, most of us don’t need the increased depth rating nor the HEV, but the presence of those items plus the stark aesthetics are what made the original Pelagos distinctive in the Tudor lineup. This new model seems to blur the lines between the Pelagos and Black Bay lines. At least it does in my eyes.
Having said that, I still really like this new watch. If I come across a good deal in the future, I’ll probably buy one and sell my black/gilt BB58.
I agree with this, a Pelagos styled BB58 rather than a full on Pelagos. As someone else also pointed out, it looks somewhat comparable to Seiko's SPB143 now.
That being all said, I'd still love to see the original and the 39mm in person.
It's full-on gorgeous.
It really depends on if you define the pelagos range for being Tudor’s more modern diver range, or Tudor’s more purpose built diver range. If the former then yes, but he latter then no.
Whether you call it a “True” pelagos or not, I am very excited about it and I’ll be happy to call it my next watch
Seeing as no-one has actually specified the exact things that makes a watch "a Pelagos", this is a pretty random question.
To quote the great Gino D'Acampo, "If my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a bike."
To me it is the evolution of the early mil sub. Take everything that works about the 9401 and make it that much better with titanium and sprinkle in any fit. what’s not to love. I am withholding final judgment till I see it as I am concerned with the sun burst dial.
I would have loved for the 39 to remain matte finished as for me that was a defining and attractive factor on the original Pelagos.
Other than that I think It’s a Pelagos lite in terms of specs but still a Pelagos nonetheless.