Tudor Pelagos 39 at Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness

This in-depth subject assessment was created throughout a week-long mountaineering journey, with Tudor’s extremely engineered skilled dive watch, the Pelagos 39, on my wrist.

Vacation spot Transient

Pelagos is a time period derived from the Greek phrase πέλαγος (pélagos), that means “sea” or “excessive seas.” In historical instances, Pelagos referred to an oak forest on the highway from Mantineia to Tegea. Apparently, along with the well-known Aspen bushes, Oak bushes are additionally discovered inside the Snowmass Wilderness White River Nationwide Forest, the place the Maroon Bells are situated, serendipitously connecting with the identify Pelagos.  

The Maroon Bells are a pair of bell-shaped peaks (Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak), each fourteeners, within the Elk Mountains close to Aspen, Colorado. They’re a distinguished function within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, and one of the photographed websites in North America. 

Aspen bushes are particular for not simply their beautiful leaf colours (lime inexperienced, yellow, and orange), but in addition as a result of their distinctive “quaking” leaves produce a whispering sound within the wind. “Aspens” are additionally identified for his or her white trunks and talent to breed by way of root sprouts, forming massive genetically equivalent clonal colonies. They play an important function in forest ecosystems as a result of they shortly regenerate after fires, offering meals and habitat for wildlife. 

Journey Notes

Beginning in Denver, earlier this month, I drove roughly 3.5 hours to Aspen, throughout a time of yr when the climate is optimum. The mix of vivid solar, crisp mountain air (pure air con), and minimal visitors (weekday) made the highway journey as pleasing because the vacation spot. With the long-lasting Aspen leaves in bloom — everywhere in the Rocky Mountain area, not simply Aspen — and sunny 60-70 diploma highs every day, I couldn’t have requested for higher climate. I visited many areas on this journey, together with Aspen, Maroon Bells, Snowmass, Snowmass Nature Path, Beaver Creek, the Eagle River, the Colorado River, Clear Creek Canyon, Georgetown Overlook, Lookout Mountain, and ended again in Denver. Nearly all of the images proven had been taken at Maroon Bells in Aspen-Snowmass, Colorado. In whole, I spent roughly two weeks with the Pelagos 39 (Ref. M25407N-0001), each within the metropolis and within the mountains, earlier than returning the loaner unit to Tudor USA.

First Impressions

Tudor’s Pelagos assortment at the moment is available in three sizes, making it simpler to tailor-fit the look and ergonomics to completely different wrist shapes, sizes, and private preferences (like a correctly match go well with jacket). What stood out to me the second the Pelagos 39 arrived was how a lot the case measurement and proportions resemble a Rolex Submariner. The Submariner is a rugged but skinny sports activities watch — a refined dive watch — which makes the truth that they’re so shut in measurement an enormous good thing about the Pelagos 39 design. Upon first taking maintain of it, I immediately knew I had chosen the proper mannequin and that the (39 mm diameter case) was unquestionably the correct measurement for my 7″ wrist. Tudor additionally makes 42 mm and 43 mm diameter fashions.

Comparisons To Submariner

On multiple event, I’ve heard Tudor known as the “poor man’s Rolex,” and that’s not completely inaccurate, particularly contemplating it’s Rolex’s better-priced youthful sibling. Nevertheless, crucially, in contrast to a number of the blockier earlier era Pelagos fashions, the Pelagos 39 mm, which arrived in 2022, doesn’t look or really feel like a poor man’s something. I’d go as far as to say it’s maybe probably the most refined Tudor to this point, and simply pretty much as good as a Submariner that’s been crafted from titanium, apart from the truth that the Submariner’s not provided in titanium. The Yachtmaster is the closest factor you will get to a titanium Submariner with the Rolex identify on the dial. In case you’re prepared to sacrifice a number of the status and inherent worth retention, Tudor’s Pelagos 39 gives 80% of what makes a Submariner nice (see our assessment of the Submariner for reference), at about half the value.

Bracelet and Strap

The Pelagos 39 comes with a 3-link Oyster-style grade 2 titanium bracelet that tapers from 21 mm on the case to 16 mm on the smallest hyperlinks, that includes a Tudor “T-fit” folding clasp that’s 18 mm huge, a security catch, and a diver’s extension. As well as, a black HBNR rubber strap (a fabric you may study extra about right here) with a pin buckle and a diver’s extension is included. There are not any quick-release spring bars, so that you’re most suitable choice to vary that is with a tweezer-style spring bar elimination device. Having a 21 mm lug width versus the extra customary 20 mm just isn’t perfect, however there are nonetheless straps accessible in that measurement, together with rubber straps molded to the precise form of the case. The light-weight grade 2 titanium bracelet is superb. The T-Match clasp micro-adjustment can come free typically; nevertheless, total, it’s good to have the ability to manually alter forwards and backwards as your wrist measurement adjustments with ease. Keep in mind, this method does add thickness to the clasp, though I by no means discovered it cumbersome or an issue.

Titanium Case

Machined from light-weight Grade 2 titanium, the Pelagos 39 mm case measures 39 mm in diameter, because the identify suggests; nevertheless, with the bezel protruding over the sting, it successfully wears prefer it’s 40 mm in diameter. From lug to lug, the gap is 47 mm. Thickness is said at 11.8 mm; nevertheless, we measured, and it’s truly 12 mm, which suggests Tudor probably subtracted the thickness of the flat sapphire crystal, which protrudes about 0.2 mm above the airplane of the bezel. Both method, that is the thinnest Pelagos.

Grade 2 titanium is a commercially pure unalloyed materials that’s barely darker than Grade 5 titanium or chrome steel. It has a satin-like oxide layer, and in sure mild it appears like chrome steel, whereas in different mild it appears prefer it has a smoked grey look.

In comparison with grade 5 titanium, which is alloyed and has a silver-gray look and is more durable, Grade 2 is softer and extra susceptible to scratching, though it doesn’t appear to be problematic on this regard, and it’s value noting that each one watches will achieve scratches over time.

In comparison with 316L chrome steel, grade 2 titanium is usually costlier, and even in comparison with Rolex’s 904L chrome steel, grade 2 titanium prices extra. That makes the Tudor Pelagos distinctive.

Along with being light-weight and darker than 316L or 904L  chrome steel, grade 2 titanium has a hotter really feel towards the pores and skin as a result of it has considerably decrease thermal conductivity. Decrease thermal conductivity implies that titanium transfers warmth away out of your pores and skin at a a lot slower fee. Stainless metal has a better thermal conductivity and thus is a greater conductor of warmth; it pulls the heat out of your pores and skin extra shortly if you first contact it, making a colder sensation. This distinction is why titanium is commonly most well-liked for medical implants and watches, because it feels extra comfy towards the pores and skin. Over time, each metals will finally attain equilibrium together with your physique temperature. Nevertheless, the preliminary distinction in how shortly they switch warmth is what creates the distinct sensation.

One other good thing about titanium is that it’s extra hypoallergenic than metal as a result of it doesn’t include nickel, a standard irritant, and types a protecting oxide layer that forestalls reactions with pores and skin. Titanium is a biocompatible materials, that means it’s well-tolerated by the human physique. 

Tudor gave the Pelagos a stable Grade 2 titanium screw-down crown that measures 7 mm in diameter, and that has ridged edges which might be simple to grip. On the finish of the crown is the Tudor defend emblem, raised in aid. Whenever you unlock the crown and pull it out to wind the mainspring manually or set the time, you will note one of many black gaskets that assist maintain water out. Pulling out the crown stops the seconds and means that you can set the time with “to the second” precision. As an fascinating design element, Tudor gave the Pelagos 39 pointed crown guards, making it much less probably that you’d inadvertently unlock it, and additional tying it to the Submariner, and offering another reason to like the design.

In-Home Motion

The Pelagos 39 encompasses a 4Hz in-house Tudor/Kenessi (caliber MT5400) computerized 27-jewel motion that’s a COSC-certified chronometer, not the newer METAS-certified Grasp Chronometer. This issues, however not that a lot, contemplating it nonetheless gives unimaginable chronometer precision and a 70-hour energy reserve, which will be recharged by winding the crown manually, or by the bidirectional rotor that mechanically winds the mainspring in each instructions. Regardless of COSC-certified chronometers being required to run at -4/+6 seconds per day, Tudor states that this motion is regulated to a extra exact -2/+4 seconds per day, and it’s performed absolutely cased up, no much less. After sporting the Pelagos 39 for 2 weeks, I discovered the timing to be useless correct every single day, and even after I set it down for some time, the facility reserve by no means ran out. A traversing stability bridge, which is much extra sturdy than a single arm bridge, helps the stability wheel, which has variable inertia weights, permitting watchmakers to exactly regulate the timekeeping. A silicon stability spring resists magnetic interference, including to timekeeping stability. This can be a rock-solid motion, which, so far as I can inform, is pretty much as good as any Omega or Rolex, and that’s saying so much.

Area Notes

This skilled dive watch is rugged and designed for nearly any setting you throw at it, like a subject watch, together with functioning as a compass, aided by the rotating bezel. To make use of an analog watch as a compass, you level the hour hand on the solar, after which discover the midpoint between the hour hand and the 12 o’clock place on the dial. Within the Northern Hemisphere, the midpoint signifies south, whereas within the Southern Hemisphere, it signifies north. A rotating bezel means that you can mark the north or south bearing, to higher maintain observe of your path.

On the wrist, the Pelagos 39 match completely and felt as if it had been barely there. The T-Match clasp does add thickness to the underside, however not in a method that felt cumbersome. It additionally appears to stability out the bracelet look and provides the watch extra presence.

Studying the dial at a look in each situation, from vivid solar to whole darkness, was easy, due to the big palms, indices, and nice luminescence.

For good measure, I briefly examined the Black Bay “Monochrome” to check it with the Pelagos 39 at Tudor Denver, which is run by The 1916 Firm, earlier than happening my journey. At $4,800, it’s $200 lower than the Pelagos, and appears fairly good, with a extra showy look and extra heft and wrist presence. Comparatively, the Pelagos is barely smaller and far lighter, due to being crafted from grade 2 titanium versus 316L chrome steel. The Black Bay Monochrome, which measures 41 mm in diameter, and Pelagos 39, which is 39 mm (40 mm with the bezel), are the 2 Tudors I discover to suit my wrist and look the most effective. And each clearly resemble the legendary Rolex Submariner; nevertheless, for me, the Pelagos 39 will get the slight nod due to its device watch look and really feel, and premium light-weight titanium building. General, the Pelagos 39 case and bracelet look most like a Submariner, regardless of the Black Bay having the Rolex-style metallic surrounds and palms.

Professionals

• Seems extremely near a Rolex Submariner
• Exudes high quality in each element
• Delicate luxurious with no polished parts retains this below the radar
• Combination of brushed, sandblasted, sunburst, or satin finishes
• Comes with each a grade 2 titanium bracelet and an built-in rubber strap
• Each bracelet and strap have superior grade 2 titanium deployant clasps
• Case materials is hotter to the contact than chrome steel
• Grade 2 titanium has a barely darker hue than chrome steel
• The light-weight grade 2 titanium appears like nothing in your wrist
• Ergonomic design makes sporting this a pleasure
• T-Match clasp is straightforward to micro-adjust as your wrist measurement adjustments
• Diver extension is nice for these truly utilizing it for wetsuit base diving
• Grade 2 titanium screw-down crown is straightforward to regulate
• 60-click bezel has grippy notches and a very good click on mechanism that’s a pleasure to function
• Monobloc ceramic luminescent materials glows extremely vivid

Cons

• The manufacturing facility bracelet and strap wouldn’t have quick-release spring bars
• A 21 mm interlug width makes aftermarket straps more durable to seek out
• COSC-certified however not a METAS-certified Grasp Chronometer
• T-Match clasp can inadvertently alter, particularly when taking it on/off
• T-Match clasp provides some bulk to the underside
• Diver’s Extension can open inadvertently when taking watch on and off
• Titanium can scratch extra simply than chrome steel or grade 5 titanium
• Monobloc ceramic luminescent materials could not final so long as conventional supplies
• No polished surfaces lead to a much less showy look
• Retail at launch was $4,400 in 2022; it has gone up (13.64%) to $600

Verdict

As I discussed above, the Pelagos 39 is the closest factor to a titanium Submariner, at round half the value. No, it’s not a Rolex and won’t retain worth the best way a Rolex does. But, it was created by the makers of Rolex, and I do assume their refined Kaizen (steady enchancment by way of small adjustments) strategy to watchmaking and advertising will lead to larger worth retention over time.

Sure, I did nitpick fairly just a few issues as a result of that’s me being truthful and neutral, and offering you with correct intel. But I can guarantee you, nothing I discovered is a dealbreaker, and I give the Pelagos 39 my highest suggestion. It’s actually unbelievable.

The Tudor Pelagos 39 (Ref. M25407N-0001) retails for $5,000. Study extra at Tudor.

 

Score: Collector Grade

(Grades: Funding, Collector, Fanatic, Ungraded)

 

SPECIFICATIONS:

Tudor Pelagas 39

Reference: M25407N-0001

12 months: 2025 (launched 2022)

Complete Weight:  110.78  grams

Case Materials: grade 2 titanium (pure unalloyed)

Case Diameter:  40 mm, together with 1 mm bezel overhang (39 mm said)

Case Thickness: 12 mm (11.8 mm said)

Lug-to-lug:  47 mm

Crown Diameter: 7 mm (screw-down)

Glass: flat sapphire crystal

Motion: caliber MT5400 (discover accuracy score), bi-directional winding computerized, 4Hz 70-hour energy reserve, (COSC)

Depth Score: 200 meters

Bracelet: grade 2 titanium (pure unalloyed) 21 mm at lugs, 18 mm clasp width, 16 mm hyperlink width. Includes a security catch, a diver’s extensions, and a T-Match micro-adjustment of the clasp and not using a device, with about 8 mm of motion

Strap: features a manufacturing facility HBNR black rubber strap with a titanium deployant clasp and finish hyperlinks