Tudor Pelagos FXD Now Arrives In Black
I must confess that when I heard about this unexpected launch I almost wished it was something exciting like the return of the Ranger in 36mm for example. Still, I quickly realized from the signs that something else was coming, and yesterday when I saw the first images of the “new” Pelagos FXD shortly after I had it in my hands I asked myself – What was new besides a new colour variation? Some people who had also been invited to the presentation said that it was the titanium case, but that was not true as we never met the Pelagos in a different material, with the exception of the FXD Alinghi Red Bull Racing in carbon fibre, unfortunately, or not, in the end, I was right and there was very little new to add.
Having made the introductions or rants if you prefer, let’s move on to the new Pelagos. If in 2021 the narrative that served as inspiration for the introduction of the new Pelagos FXD Marine Nationale (MN) was the French Navy, the stimulus of the newcomer is the MilSub (Military Submarine) used by the US Navy Seals in the 60s, animated in a set of photos and films from the archives.
The new Pelagos FXD arrives with exactly the same characteristics as the previous one, wearing a 42mm diameter titanium case with fixed lugs (which in reality should rather be called fixed spring bars), satin-brushed finish, unidirectional titanium bezel with a black ceramic insert and scale filled with Super-LumiNova, fluted crown at 3 o’clock protected by crown guards, steel screwed case back now without any special inscriptions, and the same 200m water resistance.
The black dial that matches the tone of the bezel is the “big” new feature if you remember that in the MN version, they came in shades of blue, almost everything else remains unchanged with applied indices and snowflake hands filled with the same luminescent material of the bezel, no date window, logo and brand’s lettering at noon and the same four lines of text at 6 o’clock, with the name Pelagos now painted in red on the mirror of the FXD Alinghi Red Bull Racing Editions introduced already this year.
And if on the outside everything is very similar, on the inside everything is the same, powered by the In-house Caliber MT5602 automatic movement, which is a COSC-certified Chronometer, with a silicone hairspring, operating at 28,800 Vph and offering up to 70 hours of power reserve.
It comes attached to a one-piece khaki-green fabric strap with a red stripe, which is also joined by a one-piece black rubber strap that completes the set.
As for prices, the black version of the Pelagos FXD reaches €4,220, remembering that the blue MN version in 2021 cost €3,740, two years (not yet done) later it’s 13% more expensive.
Our Opinion
Although it is frustrating to sometimes create great expectations around just one new variant, we have to recognize that the black version of the Pelagos FXD is very welcome as many people continue to prefer the classic black to blue, it is no coincidence that brands usually choose to launch neutral colours first and then gradually introduce new colours. And we prefer this unique colouring to the previous one.
We also have to recognize that Tudor has been doing a great job in storytelling, very well explored in videos and promotional material, after all who doesn’t like wearing a watch that is reminiscent of the models worn by the military of the navy’s special forces, be it US, French or other?
Read more on www.tudorwatch.com.
General Specifications:
Brand: Tudor
Model: Pelagos FXD Black
Reference: 25717N
Dial: Black
Lume: Super-LumiNova X1
Case Material: Titanium
Case Dimensions: 42 mm Diameter, 12.75 mm thickness
Crystal: Sapphire Glass
Case Back: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 200 Meters
Strap: Khaki-green and red fabric strap, and an additional black rubber strap
Calibre: MT5602
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vph)
Jewels: 25
Power Reserve: 70 Hours
Chronometer Certified: COSC
Price: € 4,220
Availability: Now
