PROBLEM w/ Tudor Pelagos FXD Marine Nationale?! - Hands On Watch Review and Thoughts

Here we go hands on with the Tudor Pelagos FXD Marine Nationale. I enjoy this watch quite a lot. Though some serious collectors have a bit of an issue with one particular feature about it. I go hands on here with a closer look and review of the watch.
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[@scottt.4596]

I couldn’t agree more with your review, John. This is my hands on review: To those who are thinking about purchasing a Tudor Pelagos FXD but are still sitting on the fence, just do it! You can thank me later. After spending quality time with it I truly can’t find anything to complain about. It’s that good. It’s the definition of tool watch. Adjectives that first come to mind are purposeful, utilitarian, tough and rugged. Although it’s incredibly understated with its brushed Ti case, matte dark blue dial and ‘matte’ ceramic bezel, it surprisingly has great wrist presence. Don’t expect it to be showy or blingy. There is zero bling. The FXD’s design esthetic somehow offers a perfect balance between a relevant/trendy vibe and a vintage vibe. Like most Rolexes, this Reference has all of the good vintage details/DNA of its iconic ancestors and yet, still feels fresh and contemporary due to its lack of any faux vintage patina. It’s Ti light yet still feels substantial. It sits relatively low on the wrist and its two straps conform perfectly to the wrist so it wears comfortably. From a practical side, it’s the most legible watch I’ve ever owned. Highly recommended. PS It’s an M.N. 21. My wrist size is 7” /18cm

[@samuelWx]

Just purchased and received and couldn't agree more with your assessment!

[@dannysimenauer5745]

Thanks for doing this hands on video. I now have a better sense for this model. I look forward to you doing future videos like this content.

[@ErikL727]

People have a hard time coming to terms with the fact that this watch was not made for us. It's a fact.

[@triniboy05]

I agree with you completely. But then why even put it on the market then? Should be making things for the consumer. Anyway - I’m content with my 1 watch, just an interesting discussion!

[@ErikL727]

@@triniboy05 I think it's a matter of having all the R&D already completed, and a production run scheduled. I'm guessing they ran another few hundred, or thousands even, and figured "Let's see what happens." Worst case scenario, they find their way to the Grey Market, and Tudor doesn't seem to mind excess stock heading to that particular outlet. That's just my guess.

[@triniboy05]

@@ErikL727 I didn’t think about the R&D angle, that’s an interesting point. If it’s a hit, then maybe they continue down this path, if not - not much more of a loss. Thanks for the perspective.

[@andrewchesterong6577]

Love this watch! No date complications highly legible. Extremely comfortable, its a large watch but not chunky

[@charliedunne8027]

Excellent vid, John!

[@glennwheeler984]

The integrated bars are a major plus for me - I can't tell you how many times I've brushed my wrist against something and had spring bars let go. So never having to curse a broken spring bar again will be a great thing. And the bi-directional countdown bezel will be great for my work fighting wildfires. My life revolves around 30 minute countdowns to check in with helicopters, so now I'll have that on my wrist at all times. About the the only thing missing is a GMT timer to keep track of satellite fly-overs, but since they only typically happen 2-3 times a day, I can't justify spending an extra $1,000 or so dollars getting Muehle Glasshutte Seebataillon would cost (plus... spring bars. Ugh) . All-in-all, this is my Goldilocks watch.

[@uptheorg]

The design of the FXD reminds me of an idea from the car world and elsewhere: "purpose built". This has often ended up with a design that doesn't appeal completely to a lot of buyers -- compromises were made so that it fits that purpose and only that purpose. When "tool watches" first became a thing, there was very little attention to how "pretty" they would be -- they met a purpose and that was what mattered. If you think about it, the dive bezel is certainly is not a "pretty" feature. The purpose of the bezel, and need for same, are the reason they were added to dive watches. Taking the idea further, the FXD gives up some of the visually appealing virtues of other Pelagos (most notably ability to take a leather strap or a steel/Ti bracelet), but that is because it was built for a specific purpose.

[@angelobalto]

Great review and correct observations! Regarding claims about MN, everything needs a story .. a commando core, an Everest, a Moon. So real or not, it’s a nice compliment to every hi-end luxury product.

[@Lee_K_5555]

I bought my standard blue Pelagos from Delray last year and am happy as a clam! Still, there are many things I like about the FXD. The fixed-lug strap arrangement is appropriate for this admittedly niche purpose. The thinner profile is also appreciated, as are the fewer lines of text on the dial. We all know this is a marketing exercise for Tudor -- no French Navy frogman is going to actually use one of these for underwater operations (they probably all have G-Shocks like the rest of the world's military divers), but that's okay with me. It's still a nice well-made watch, definitely a conversation starter, and it looks quite good as well. The negative responses made by some in the watch community is unfortunately quite typical of any new watch release: too big, too thick, no bracelet, too expensive, and so forth. Sometimes I wonder why we even bother listening to them. Excellent review, John!

[@frankkollar2278]

I like it If it was mine I would seek out a MN style strap with Ti hardware and have the strap sown on and the hardware engraved for a OEM look Thanks for the review Cheers!

[@mikejensen9606]

The best from Tudor 😎, And a great story to it

[@WestCoastAce27]

Great job. Edit: looks like the std Pelagos is very similar but w/o the solid lugs. But $1k more.

[@RelojesYRelojes]

Thats my point of view too! This watch it was never intended to be in a bracelet it wouldn’t make sense. Thanks for the video John!

[@resolver388]

Great to have if i can buy it. No stocks.

[@daveho852]

overall hardly compares to its heavyweight ancestor Pelages, yet i find the FXD lug unique and super cool ... wishing a black or white version to come by😅🙏🏻

[@mikaxms]

It now comes in black 😉

[@aross924]

It’s beautiful watch.

[@JohnPWatches]

Agreed!

[@hslev]

I think the integrated "spring" bars is the coolest things about this watch. And there are a million NATO and single-pass straps you could use with this watch.

[@Romio666]

Would it make any difference,in terms of future collectibility, if it’s MN21 or MN22 ?! 🤔🤷‍♂️

[@AK-jl5xt]

The second round of production are released in a few months ie. the 2022

[@Norman-mn7gp]

the French brand YEMA also has a watch for that branch of the army...

[@stevenuk]

like it... wish it was steel though with a date.

[@rondj1965]

I think the slimmer diameter of the watch is not just the omission of the HEV, but also the removal of the date complication. I like the bezel but the lack of the date complication is a move backwards, IMO. And I know I am in the minority with the "fashion" watch date window aesthetic that everyone has a herd mentality about.

[@aussieexpat]

Lol. Springbars on a fixed springbar watch... wut. Id love to get the straps for my regular pelagos.

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

John killing it again!

[@TacBlades]

I prefer the nth Näcken as it has everything the fxd doesn't and is slimmer.

[@Potatowarrior89]

They should make 2 version the MN version with the FXD and engraved caseback and a retail version with the bracelet … pretty sure it will sell like hotcakes

[@rebolorto]

There is actually 2 versions. Seems that the one that frogmens can purchase has less text on the dial but you cannot get it in a boutique.

[@Potatowarrior89]

@@rebolorto I am aware of that but there is not much difference except for the dial writing … talking about it having a bracelet for retail clients We know they have the capability to make a full titanium bracelet

[@bobbydazzler1780]

Not a fan of the exposed velcro sections of any of these fixed bar variants. That exposed section looks wrong. Basically this watch has been made purely for strapping over a wet suit while surfing or diving. It’s no desk diver.

[@zgfvavw3037]

My friend asked to tell you that this is not the most flattering position to present..😉

[@MountainStandardTime]

I have the Blue “OG” Pelagos and I love it! Mainly because of the titanium bracelet and its spring clasp which the FXD lacks. OG > FXD

[@rondj1965]

I agree. I like the bezel on the FXD, but the date complication and bracelet makes the original version a better choice. Unless I had unlimited funds and then I'd get BOTH!

[@mdo5121]

This watch was never made for diving deep it was made for calculating time vs distance.

[@torreyinnewyorkcity334]

Love the watch. Hate the velcro.

[@wika1984]

I suppose it's a good thing they didnt incorporate a bracelet. There are 3 types of people that buy this watch: enthusiasts, collectors and flippers. Collectors arent going to buy a watch without a bracelet because it doesnt keep a certain status to them, which means flippers aren't going to profit on collectors since they make a majority of the watch community. This means this is going to be an enthusiast watch...and sold at reduced grey market prices. I always wanted a pelagos but not at pelagos prices.

[@Romio666]

It’s already trading for higher than retail 😀, since it’s a wishlist.

[@wika1984]

@@Romio666 all watches are selling above retail. Think of it like the Bb58. First few months you couldn't get one. Afterwards it was trading below. They have one iteration of this watch in blue. What makes you think theyll stop with just blue.

[@triniboy05]

@@wika1984 because it was made specifically for the French Navy. It’s not going to become what the BB58 has, in terms of consumer friendly. Thus the fixed lugs, timing bezel layout, etc. but hey, just a theory - what do I know? 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@Romio666]

@@wika1984 because blue is the color of the original vintage MN. I do agree with you. Yet, this is a collaboration model, time only will tell if it’s just hyped. It has a history though.

[@wika1984]

@@triniboy05 you know what was also made for the French navy months before Tudor? Yema marine nationale. They have bracelet and marine nationale strap and you can choose between quartz or mechanical. You think French navy is going to wear a wrist watch that's going to tear their hand off? I'm sure there will be insight on that later. Plus Tudor didnt get the marine nationale logo for license, just the strap. This means they produced the watch before the collaboration while having marine nationale in mind.

[@kimcoulter806]

Beautiful Blue but that damn chopped off hour hand is ridiculous.

[@deanspeer1]

Its a great watch but I say spend less and get a better watch by purchasing the Sinn U1 blue.

[@garyzimmerman6367]

For me its that there isn’t a date complication. For me that’s the main deal breaker. Also I’m not really happy with the bezel. I realize it’s what the marine national wanted but I don’t have to like it. Personally, I don’t consider it a dive watch. It’s function is to specialized and specific to marine national. It’s funny that other country’s’ military dive teams continue to use the standard dive bezel for search and recovery activities. And no one else is asking for it to be changed.

[@marcocastagnetti7086]

I think Tudor should of made this model separate from the Pelagos.

[@MrAstroshot]

While it is an interesting design, I personally think the story behind this watch is silly. It's claimed design requirements are pointless and serve no practical purpose. It'll never be used by the French Navy for the reasons stated, and it's too expensive for Navy officers to purchase. Yema's MN dive watch release is a much more genuine partnership. Practical, and affordable for military personnel to acquire themselves. Just a shame that Yema's quality control is receiving mixed reviews.

[@triniboy05]

Bingo.

[@contaygious]

More tool looking but would tear your arm off so not a good tool lol. I kid but funny.

[@TheBigWrist]

"toolie" is not a good description. "Toolish" is better.

[@mattys1467]

Would much rather have the Yema version

[@911JB32]

Clickbaith…

[@mrtee6678]

LHD walks all over it

[@hodad924]

The FXD is such a money grab by Tudor. It’s pretty meh. The bezel pisses me off with how there’s missing lines around the numbers. You can tell just from that it’s not a military spec watch, so it’s just a marketing piece for the company. Zero bling means zero skill polishing the metal. Hard pass. Total waste of money.

[@Nefville]

The FXD is frustrating because of how close they came to making a really great watch yet still managed to completely miss the mark and did so in a very unsatisfying way. They were so close. PS if you can make a strap that is LIGHT grey alligator on both sides I would buy it in a second, cannot find one anywhere. Even custom didn't work out, still to dark.

[@Nefville]

@@simplyvintagewatches5349 I really appreciate it, thanks. I've spent probably $600 on something like 8 different straps trying to get it right and its been very frustrating. I'll check them out and see if they can get it the right color, the other custom ones I did looked far lighter in the photos than it really was. I would even mail them a really cheap strap I have that is the right color if they could match it.

[@christianoliver4243]

I would say you haven't yet handled the FXD. You should.

[@jmbaug1229]

If Tudor wasn't associated to Rolex no one would care about these basic and overpriced ugly pieces. No one.

[@vijaymehra1101]

Enterly not true