I always assumed that if and hopefully when I indulged myself in buying a luxury watch, it would be an Omega, possibly a Rolex. I could never justify such an outlay, but back in 2014 when I got engaged, I felt it was the perfect opportunity to warrant such a purchase. Well, the lady gets a nice, expensive diamond ring, why shouldn’t us guys get something too...?! I went in rather blind believing Rolex were the best of the best with their phenomenal marketing and image. As most watch enthusiasts will know, in reality they are second or even third tier compared to the truly esteemed giants like Patek Phillipe, Lange & Söhne etc. That is not to denigrate Rolex, I’d effectively be denigrating my own watch and some by doing so and Rolex is an utterly phenomenal brand with such a wide range of incredibly beautiful watches that I defy anyone not to fall in love with one. The Rolex Daytona Platinum Ice Blue is my such watch and I have no shame in admitting that is out of my price range...! Anyway, with a budget of up to around £5k I started looking and began with Omega in confidence. While many of the watches were/ are great, when it came to one that I wanted to own, wear and pay my hard cash for, nothing truly spoke to me. The Omega Seamaster garnered obvious interest, but just didn’t do it for me, despite Omega getting much critical acclaim about their wonderful Co-Axial movement. A touch despondent, I then looked at Rolex, a little reluctantly as I was put off by the admittedly subjective “look at me” stigma it would bring, but supremely confident I would fall in love with one nonetheless. Yet the more I looked, the more I was just underwhelmed and much as I love the aforementioned Daytona, even if I had that kind of money, it is a bit flash for me. The submariner range came closest to getting a bite, but just as with Omega, nothing that remotely convinced me. They were a little small, flashy/ glossy and I didn’t like the amount of text on the face. And I hate cyclops! Utterly despondent, I began browsing all ranges. A few Tag (I know...) watches looked nice, but ultimately meh, then when all hope was lost, something called a Tudor Pelagos leapt out of the screen. I’d never even heard of Tudor... a little research and I soon learned what we all know, in very crude terms Tudor is effectively made by Rolex at affordable prices, but in real terms that does a complete disservice to the rich heritage and individuality of Tudor in its own right. I loved that it was largely Rolex quality, but without the albeit subjective stigma’s that come with a Rolex. I loved that it looked like a submariner, but without the glossy, flashy elements. I loved that clean face/ dial with minimal, plain text as opposed to the cluttered, confusing dial of Rolex. The matt finish of the bezel and face made it majestically understated and wonderfully legible. The lume was resplendent, the clasp with its micro adjustments ingenious. The rubber strap included (though given the bracelets ingenuousness I have worn that almost exclusively). The snowflake hands, which after some research is a nod to the historical Tudor submariners that were provided to the French navy in the 1960’s, sums up much of the wonderful contradictions of the Pelagos; a contemporary, modern watch, yet with classic, historical connotations. And I simply adored that it was brushed titanium rather than shiny steel, a big preference for me. Oh, and it didn’t have cyclops!!! It just flew under the radar which I loved and was a watch you wouldn’t be frightened to wear, a proper tool watch. If ever a watch was made for James Bomd, this was/ is it ;-) After more research than is probably healthy ;-) I looked in to the movement which of course is a massive thing for watch enthusiasts, probably the biggest thing for most and of course the (original) Pelagos has an ETA 2824 movement (albeit a high quality one with Tudor enhancements) rather than an in-house movement. Now I understand my conclusions will be an anathema to those that believe a luxury watch simply must have an in-house movement, but given there was little real world benefit as the Pelagos comfortably runs within chronometer specifications and some, I regarded it unimportant. It would be easier and cheaper to service and though investment potential was and is irrelevant to me, hindsight, whilst still currently subjective of course, indicates the original ETA Pelagos will be more of a collectible that the in-house 5 liner Pelagos given the original 2 liner was only manufactured for 3 years. It is also the first titanium watch made by either Tudor or Rolex. There is precedent of ETA watches, even for Rolex (technically a Valjoux as they were purchased by ETA in 1966) being more collectible than in-house versions. So as you can probably guess, I bought the Tudor Pelagos and am absolutely delighted with it. Over 5 years later it is losing 1.9 seconds a day (this changes in the summer to around the same but gaining). The 5 liner is a beautiful watch too, I love the blue version, yet as per my stated enthusiasm for understated, non-flashy watches, I admire it yet wouldn’t want it. And I certainly prefer the 2 liner to the 5 as to me the original Pelagos is noticeably different to any Rolex which was a great allure for me, the 5 liner and the lines, pardon the pun, become more blurred. The loss of the marker at 3 is another negative on the new version, but which ever version you have, the Pelagos is amazing. I’ve never quite understood why the Pelagos doesn’t garner far more acclaim, even playing second fiddle to the Tudor Black Bay, albeit a fine, wonderful watch in its own right. Maybe one day it will be remembered as it deserves to be, but in the mean time I will enjoy wearing it and admire its understated majesty every single day.
It looks great on your wrist, the Tudor Pelagos is quite possibly the most underrated watch in the world. It seems like all Tudors watches fit a hole that Rolex used to occupy 20-30 years previously. I could definitely see a professional diver using this as a practical piece of diving equipment by day, and attending a black tie event at night with this gorgeous thing strapped to the wrist, it’s an all-round winner without breaking the bank.
Just bought the Pelagos and love it I’m sick of chasing the submariner secondhand prices for the sub are rediculas and the new prices have gone up more to the point you can’t get one I fully expect the Tudor range to become harder to get in time to come
truly awesome watch, good review and kudos on the purchase :) just watched your seiko vs swiss video (entertaining btw) and the pelagos is right up there with the best either way. i will not be parting with mine unlike several black bays and feel this is a watch future generations will look upon favourably for good reason (if watches will indeed still be a thing). try one on if you haven't had a chance. thank you for the review.
To me this is the perfect watch. Best quality and value for the money. And it's accurate. Mine is running -1/day. I've come to learn that I like certain watches but I'd they aren't accurate, I fall out of love with them.
Great review and owning both multiple Rolexes and Tudors I have to agree with everything you've asserted. Also about the text on the dial, it's designed to look like a the snowflake hands and the Sub have four lines of text and no one says anything about that😜 I'm an Omega fanboy and I agree with the Omega remarks as well... I sold my Planet Ocean and Seamasters with the exception of my Spectre when I got the Pelagos. Only negative is the Bezel gets sticky when it's wet and gets jammed easily with debris such as sand and this has happened on all of the Pelogos I've owned.
After lots of research and trying them on over a period of months, opted for the blue pelagos over the omega smp & rolex sub...so much more value for the money plus only watch nerds know what it is,
@@ChrisMarshall1978007 Having owned all of the Pelagos iterations, I'd try on the LDH before committing, IMHO, it's much better in pictures than in real life. Out of all three, I've preferred the blue in-house variant... It also resembles the tradition Marine Nationale issue the most as well. Cheers
@@fire_watch7735 Have to disagree. I am righthanded, but have also always worn my watch on that hand (I don't know why), I own the LHD. Looks much better in person. The slight difference in colour of the lumen matches the watch perfectly. It just seems to make it pop. I tried both on at the same time, and the LHD just seemed to hit the spot. Also the numbered back and tiny splash of red (date included) made it a no brainers for me. But both watches truly put submariners out of the tool watch game.
Great watch I got mine in 2016 when they first released the in house movement . sad to say that after almost 4 years of ownership it is losing 8 seconds per day . It started when i got it at plus 3 secs per day . Very disappointed i will be needing a service so early , but i still love it . its such a striking looking watch , imo.
@@ChrisMarshall1978007 Ive heard that with some of the in house movements versions they just swap the movement but if i am not mistaken the service is usually around $500 . The eta version is the one I wish I got honestly , that way any old watch maker could service it for around 50-100. I wouldnt mind the 4 lines of text either . Power reserve is meh , but whatever.
E VH Well Grand Seiko uses a grade 5 which is harder than stainless steel and more scratch resistant. So it’s just a lot softer it’s up to you to decide if it’s good enough.
E VH for me personally I would not pay it. But that is for each individual to decide what they believe it’s value is worth. I do like the the design quite a bit though
Marshall Time SJS - if know the properties of titanium, you know that grade 2 is a more pure version, and grade 5 is more of an alloy with aluminum etc.
A tool watch, not a going out watch. A big bulky watch for diving. Not a work watch, not a church watch not a pretty watch. A primitive look for a perfect tool watch.
