Hands-on + Video: Tudor Pelagos 39
Eqotime takes a closer look at the new Tudor Black Bay Pro that was launched during Watches and Wonders. A watch many have been waiting for.
Text/Photo: Aleksandar Mladenovic
A couple of weeks ago Tudor launched a new Pelagos. A long-awaited launch in a smaller and more compact package. Eqotime has taken a closer look at the Tudor Pelagos 39.
A long-awaited novelty
Many have asked for a smaller version of Tudor's stalwart Pelagos. The tool-like diver in titanium at 42mm has been around for a while now and a more wearable version has been on many enthusiasts' wish lists for a long time. So quite a few were probably very happy when Tudor, in the middle of the hectic Geneva Watch Days, presented its new Pelagos in a 39mm case and of course in titanium.
The case is 39mm in diameter, with the bezel sticking out slightly it measures 40mm, has a length of 47mm and a thickness of 11.8mm. Like its bigger sibling it is made in Grade 2titanium and has a titanium bezel with a ceramic insert with a sunrayfinish, which makes it shift colour in different light conditions, from black to lighter grey. The markers in the insert are filled with SuperLuminova. The only thing on the watch that is not titanium is the screwed steel caseback. Between the lugs the watch measures a slightly surprising 21mm (16mm at the clasp).
The bracelet is also in titanium and has Tudor's T-fit clasp with 8mm of microadjustment as well as a 25mm long diver's extension. The clasp therefore becomes rather long and takes up a large part of the wrist, above all for those with smaller wrists like the undersigned.
The crown is screwed down and Tudor's shield adorns it. The crown guards are on the pointier side, which brings to mind so-called pointed crown guards found on some Rolex Submariners from the 1960s. The Tudor Pelagos 39 is water resistant down to 200m.
A very nice black rubber strap is also included when you buy the watch, and the rubber strap too has a diver's extension and a brushed titanium buckle.
When it comes to the dial, that also has a so-called sunrayfinish, which differs from the other models in the Pelagos family. This finish is however very subtle and is barely noticeable unless the dial is viewed in direct sunlight.
Earlier this year Tudor launched the Black Bay Pro which we covered and on the new Pelagos 39 they have also chosen to use indices in a mix of ceramic and SuperLuminova, which gives a very nice three-dimensional effect.
The model has no date and has the Pelagos text in red, that too a nod to big brother Rolex and early versions of the Submariner.
Naturally we find the characteristic hands of the so-called "Snowflake" type as well as angular indices. Indices, hands and bezel glow strongly in the dark with impressive lume that is blue in colour.
Inside the watch ticks their in-house calibre MT5400, which is a robust automatic movement with a power reserve of 70h and which is specced to a rate deviation of -2/+4 seconds per day.
On the wrist and closing thoughts
Thanks to its relatively compact package the watch wears very well on the undersigned's 16.5cm wrist. Thanks to its titanium case and bracelet the watch is very light and comfortable to wear without feeling "rattly". It gives the impression of a solid watch that without a doubt works for everyday chores as well as for slightly tougher going.
With the sunray finish of the dial and the bezel it becomes a bit "flashier" than the older siblings and feels like it becomes more appealing to the broad masses than the slightly more "hardcore" siblings. The water resistance of 200m is more than enough compared to the earlier 500m and it also lacks a helium valve. It becomes a slightly more "urban" interpretation, to use Tudor's description, of a diver's watch. What then becomes a bit odd in our view is that they have chosen to equip the watch with a diver's extension, something we would gladly have seen them skip in order to shorten the length of the clasp.
For those who are sceptical about the finish of the dial and the bezel insert (which the undersigned also was initially), it is as mentioned barely noticeable in normal light conditions or if it is exposed to strong direct light. Personally I would have preferred a matte dial, but after having test-driven the watch for a couple of days I can quite honestly say that for me the dial would not have been a dealbreaker.
Compared with the Black Bay 58 the Pelagos 39 is a more modern interpretation of a diver's watch without equally clear vintage-inspired elements such as riveted bracelet pieces and gilt details on the dial. The Tudor Pelagos 39 is in our eyes very close to a home run.
Read more about the watch on Tudor's website.
Technical specifications
Brand: Tudor
Model: Pelagos
Reference number: M25407N-0001
Diameter: 39mm
Thickness: 11.8mm
Case material: Stainless steel (316L)
Dial: Black sunray with SuperLuminova and ceramic mix
Water resistance: 200m
Bracelet: Stainless steel with T-fit clasp (8mm microadjustment) as well as diver's extension. Black rubber strap included.
Movement: In-house Calibre MT5400
Complications: –
Power reserve: 70h
Winding: Automatic
Price: 44,060kr
