The Tudor Pelagos FXD had been on my radar for quite some time, captivating my interest with its unique allure. I couldn’t quite pinpoint what set it apart until I finally owned one. Now, with the MN22 as a staple in my collection, I’ve fully embraced the exceptional qualities of this watch. For those who dismiss it as just another iteration of the Pelagos, you’re missing out on what makes the FXD truly remarkable.
At first glance, the FXD might appear to be just another dive watch in Tudor’s lineup. However, it’s far from being a typical timepiece. Many dive watches can come across as merely functional or even a bit mundane, but the FXD is different.Tudor meticulously designed the Pelagos FXD with a specific purpose and user in mind, crafting it not just for aesthetics but to excel in performance for those who rely on it daily.
The FXD’s design is driven by functionality. Every detail, from its fixed lug bars to its robust build, serves a practical purpose. It’s not about aesthetic appeal, although it certainly looks the part. Instead, it’s about delivering on the needs of its wearers – professionals who require reliability and precision in demanding environments.
The FXD isn’t just about professional application; it’s also built for everyday wear. It integrates into daily life seamlessly, transitioning from demanding environments to more casual settings without missing a beat. This versatility is part of what makes it so compelling.
The Civilian MilSub
November 2021, Tudor revealed that their new Pelagos that was due to be released would, for the first time since the 1980s, bear an M.N. on the case back. This was to highlight that they had indeed picked up their historical partnership with the French Navy, the Marine Nationale.
The Marine Nationale’s relationship with Tudor dates back as far as 1956 with the release of the Tudor Submariner 7922 and 7923. These early models were only water resistant to 100m. It wasn’t until 2 years later, 1958 that the 7924 gained the extra 100m to its depth rating.
The issued models featured a unique signed caseback, with “M.N.” alongside the year of issue. This has been repeated on the FXD, these began with M.N.21. The model I have here is the M.N.22 (issued in 2022), although now they are issued to non-service personnel, so the likes of you and I can pick one up.
They were of course designed with one purpose, for underwater navigation and had been meticulously optimised for professional divers.
Navigating As A Diver
Photo Credit – Tudor Watches
Underwater navigation requires pinpoint accuracy, enabling divers to reach specific locations beneath the waves without needing to resurface. Typically, divers operate in pairs, connected by a lifeline, and execute a series of straight swims guided by a magnetic compass. Each segment of their journey is meticulously timed, with the divers maintaining a consistent speed throughout.
The Tudor Pelagos FXD enhances this navigation process seamlessly. Its bezel, marked with anticlockwise gradations and equipped with luminescent features, is designed to aid in setting and monitoring countdowns precisely. By aligning the designated time for each segment with the minute hand, divers can easily track their progress underwater.
When the minute hand aligns with the designated marker on the bezel, it signals the need to change direction and start the next phase of the dive. Tudor crafted the Pelagos FXD’s oversized bezel ring to ensure optimal grip, even when divers wear thick neoprene gloves or experience numbness from prolonged exposure to cold water.This thoughtful design feature is crucial for maintaining control and accuracy in challenging underwater conditions.
A True Mil-Spec Watch For The Masses
Photo Credit – Tudor Watches
Tudor employs their MT5602 automatic movement in the FXD, a familiar engine utilised in dateless Black Bay models since its debut in 2015. As indicated on the dial, this movement is a chronometer, officially certified. Boasting a power reserve of 70 hours
This calibre, introduced in 2015, features a bidirectional rotor system and a variable inertia balance with micro-adjustment by screw. Additionally, it is equipped with a non-magnetic silicon balance spring, enhancing its durability. Its robust performance mirrors the resilience of the watch itself.
This variant of the TUDOR Manufacture Calibre, specifically developed to power the Black Bay and Black Bay Dark models, bears the reference MT5602. Here, “MT” stands for “Manufacture TUDOR,” indicating that it is a manufactured movement. It displays hours, minutes, and seconds.
Photo Credit – Tudor Watches
Tudor meticulously crafted the dial of the Pelagos FXD with a focus on legibility, clarity, and navigational ease. The absence of a date display enhances the dial’s exceptional readability.The flat crystal, nearly flush with the bezel, contributes to its sleek profile. Additionally, the slim rehaut creates an illusion of a broader dial surface. Iconic elements like the Snowflake hands and square hour markers, dating back to 1969, are quintessential features of Tudor divers’ watches.
Tudor fills the bezel insert graduations and other markers with high-performance X1 Super-LumiNova, ensuring optimal visibility in any lighting conditions.The unidirectional bezel features a 120-click, 60-minute graduation and a dial-matching blue ceramic disc, which is as smooth as butter and has a definite click, with no slack.
A Remarkable Watch
The case sets the Pelagos FXD apart from the other Pelagos models, as Tudor crafted it in collaboration with the French Navy’s combat swimmers. An intriguing and distinctive feature lies in its fixed strap bars, denoted by “FXD” in the product designation.
This design choice eliminates removable spring bars, restricting the watch’s compatibility to straps such as NATOs, reminiscent of classic military dive watches from bygone eras.
The 42mm x 52mm x 12.75mm brushed satin titanium case with fixed bars, is machined from a single block. Being titanium, it wears extremely well and as the strap doesn’t pass under the watch, it sits low on the wrist and is particularly comfortable.
Is This The Perfect Dive Watch?
Measuring at 42mm, it might initially strike you as a sizable timepiece. However, the fixed bars and the way the strap threads through make it wear more comfortably, feeling smaller on the wrist. Its unconventional design seamlessly transitions between everyday wear and formal occasions with remarkable versatility. Switching out the strap offers endless styling possibilities, making it adaptable to almost any ensemble. Having so many Tudor FXD strap options makes this a dream watch, and one I rotate often. This departure from the typical dive watch aesthetic is what sets it apart and, in my opinion, makes it truly unique.
Truly Built For Purpose
Overall, everything about it just clicks—the size, the feel, the comfort on the wrist. Plus, there’s the peace of mind knowing there’s no risk of a spring bar breaking. It’s not about over-engineering a timepiece; rather, it’s about thoughtful design and a contemporary interpretation of a beloved watch style that remains popular today. This is a timepiece you have to experience firsthand, as I did when it first debuted a few years ago.
Owning the Tudor Pelagos FXD is more than just having a watch; it’s about appreciating a piece of engineering that embodies purpose and precision. For those who see it as merely another Pelagos, take a closer look. The FXD is a testament to Tudor’s commitment to crafting timepieces that not only meet aesthetic standards but also deliver unmatched functionality.
In conclusion, the Tudor Pelagos FXD is more than just a dive watch. Tudor meticulously designed the Pelagos FXD to combine rugged functionality with everyday practicality. Whether you’re a professional diver or a watch enthusiast, the FXD offers something truly special. It’s a watch that demands a deeper appreciation and rewards its owner with unparalleled performance and style.
For More Information On the Tudor Pelagos FXD – Click HERE
For More Articles and Reviews, Click HERE
You might also like
Leave A Reply