The Tudor Pelagos is a 500m titanium diver introduced recently and the first titanium diver to be produced by the Rolex family. Its not sold in the United States so its more difficult than usual getting your hands on one. Because of Tudors lack of sales presence in the US many people in the US are unaware of the Tudor brand or if they do know about it they arent aware that its owned by Rolex. But since everything is made for the Pelagos by Rolex (apart from the movement) you get the same type of quality control but at a more entry level price.

Functionally the Tudor Pelagos is an unabashed tool watch – a watch you can wear every single day and will last through anything. By the way the name Pelagos is an old Greek word for sea, and is still used in modern Greece, it means Sea but as a body of water smaller than the major “seas” where it can be found.

Tudor Pelagos – The Case

The Tudor Pelagos case is made from Titanium and steel with satin and matt finishes, it is finely milled with strong, distinctive bevelling. It is 42mm wide and 13.8 mm thick. The large and flat caseback has lugs that curve down to hug the wrist, the lug-to-lug distance of the watch is 50mm so it could be a tad long for people with smaller wrists.

The Bezel is injected with Ceramic and is a matt ceramic bezel something you dont often see, the matte finish making it less flashier than the Submariner and implying its more tool like character. The uni-directional bezel has a faux pearl marker at the 12 o’clock position, and luminous markings. The case is water resistant to 500 meters it also has an automatic helium release valve, and from a what I gather a very precise rotating diver’s bezel that is a pleasure to use.

The overall matte finish of the watch is stunning and gives the watch a clean no-nonsense tool-like look. The quality of the case finishing is thanks to the use of the sophisticated Rolex CNC machines.

Tudor Pelagos – The Strap

The strap is probably the most unusual aspect to the watch. It features an ingenious clasp that can expand and contract based on the wearers movements, making the bracelet exceptionally comfortable. It has a micro adjust mechanism and has three fixed positions and a fourth (spring-loaded) variable position, despite all the mechanics Tudor have still managed to keep it compact. The video provides a clearer understanding of this notable aspect. But you not only get the oyster bracelet that is arrives on but also a rubber strap as well as a divers extension rubber strap for wearing on the outside of a diving suit.

Tudor Pelagos – The Dial

The dial has a distinct monochromatic look to it that is slightly reminiscent of its Submariner brother. The high-contrast black and white design with large hands makes for high legibility, something that is necessary in a dive watch. Those familiar with Tudor watches will recognize the “snowflake” hour hand design, which is taken from the Tudor Submariner.

The dial colour is a beautiful anthracite, it has applied markers and chapter ring with its cut-outs for the markers. There is a generous amount of blue lume applied to the hour markers as well as hours for good low light readability. Lume has also been applied to the tip of the seconds hand, this is necessary since a divers watch requires good readability of seconds.

The date marker coresponds in height to the hour markers and when combined with the adjacent 3 o’clock marker it is equal in length with the 9 o’clock marker, this makes the dial very balanced. To help give a clear view of the dial the Sapphire crystal has an AR coating.

Tudor Pelagos – The Movement

A regulated version of the Swiss ETA 2824 automatic beats inside the Tudor Pelagos and in three-hand Swiss dive watches this is arguably on of the most commonly encountered movements. Tudor use a high grade version of the ETA 2824 as it runs within COSC specifications.

Tudor Pelagos – Conclusion & Pricing

The Tudor Pelagos is a true tool watch and meant to be taken diving. You can clearly sense this by its complete absence of colour on the dial and the sober matte finish to everything which gives the watch an austere pragmatic look. As a quality divers watch it is up there with the Rolex Submariner but at a much more affordable price, the only main difference being the lack of an in-house made movement. It also features an exceptional strap.

The Tudor Pelagos is sure to be on the radar of most active divers in search of a divers watch, as well as those looking for an attractive divers watch for everyday use with the Rolex quality but conservative looks. It retails for around $4,200.