PELAGOS FXD

DIVE INTO THE CORE OF

Since the 1950s and TUDOR's creation of one of the first modern professional divers' watches to the 1980s, the brand has been an official supplier to the Marine nationale (French Navy). With the Pelagos FXD model, where FXD refers to the extra robust FiXeD strap bars of the case, TUDOR is reviving this historic collaboration.

Developed to a set of unique specifications created in collaboration with a specialist unit of the French Navy, the Pelagos FXD model is designed for underwater navigation and optimised for professional use.

UNDERWATER NAVIGATION

Underwater navigation consists of reaching a precise location by sea, without surfacing, by following a meticulously planned route. Divers carry out this underwater navigation in pairs, connected to one another by a strap known as a "life line", and complete a series of straight swims guided by a magnetic compass. They swim at a constant speed for a set time in each section, completing as many sections as necessary whilst timing each one exactly.

Underwater navigation entails restarting a countdown at each change of course. The anticlockwise graduation and luminescence of the bezel of this model make it easy to set up and monitor each countdown, by aligning the time set for the section to be covered on the bezel with the minute hand. When the minute hand arrives opposite the triangle, the team changes course and the diver in charge of timing begins the next countdown. The Pelagos FXD has also been fitted with a large bezel ring, which exceeds the diameter of the case for optimum grip, even with neoprene gloves and hands that are numb from long dives in cold water.

TUDOR AND THE MARINE NATIONALE

TUDOR announced joining forces again with the Marine nationale (French Navy) in 2021, and in doing so reviving a relationship that started in 1956 and lasted decades. Back then, the Groupe d’Étude et de Recherches Sous-Marines (G.E.R.S.), a scientific body attached to the French Navy and based in Toulon, took delivery of some Oyster Prince Submariner watches in order to assess them in real-life situations.

They were references 7922 and 7923, both waterproof to 100 metres (330 ft) and fitted with self-winding and manual movements, respectively. The waterproofness of these watches was judged to be "perfect" and their performance "entirely correct" by the G.E.R.S. commanding officer at the time. Persuaded by the potential of the instruments offered by the Genevan brand, he quickly placed more orders, enabling TUDOR to attain the status of "official supplier to the French Navy" in 1961. A status that TUDOR enjoyed through the 80's.

A BRACELET WOVEN IN THE FRENCH NAVY'S HERITAGE

The single-piece fabric strap is one of the hallmarks of TUDOR, which in 2010 became one of the first watchmaking brands to offer it with its watches. Woven in France on 19th century Jacquard looms by the Julien Faure company in the St-Etienne region, its manufacturing quality, robustness and comfort on the wrist are unique. For the Pelagos FXD model, a new, highly technical strap construction was developed by TUDOR and Julien Faure, adapted here to the rustic nature of the French Navy divers' work.

Made up of a 22 mm navy blue polyethylene woven ribbon with a grey central thread, a titanium "D" buckle and a self-gripping fastening system, it adapts to different wrist sizes and is very comfortable to wear. By notable coincidence, Julien Faure, a family firm created in 1864, has for many years woven decorative ribbons exclusively in its workshops, bearing the names of French Navy ships and forming an integral part of the legendary bachi, the red pompom hat worn by French sailors and quartermasters.