TUDOR Chronicles; Chapter 10 - The TUDOR Pelagos LHD
Wednesday - 25 October 2023
The Destro Diver – we get up close and personal with the TUDOR Pelagos LHD as we explore yet another part of the famous dive watch’s unique story…
The Pelagos is TUDOR’s answer to those searching for a modern-day dive watch. With options available in titanium and stainless steel and dials executed in blue and black - the models from this collection are incredibly classic but underscore modern aesthetics with an innovative bracelet and clasp design, a scratch-resistant rotating bezel, and a flat sapphire crystal glass front. Although modern in so many ways, one particular design tips its hands in a clear direction towards the brand’s vintage dive watches. The TUDOR Pelagos LHD.
The TUDOR Pelagos LHD
The TUDOR Pelagos LHD is defined by its left-sided crown. It takes inspiration from the brand’s earlier dive watches and for these two reasons alone, it taps into a very niche sector of the watch-collecting circle. In most respects, it is almost identical to the Pelagos blue and black models. It is still powered by the collection’s MT5612 movement, still features a helium escape valve and still boasts the iconic “Snowflake” hands. If you plan to do saturation diving with the watch strapped to your wrist, that’s great news. If not, it’s still a superb watch to own.
The black dial of the Pelagos LHD is a slightly different shade and the model also features a unique number displayed on the caseback, relating to the numbered edition of each timepiece (note – it’s not a limited edition watch). Putting the watch into perspective in terms of modern dive watches, both TUDOR and Rolex are owned by the same Hans Wilsdorf foundation. They are both separate companies, of course, but they share a lot of stuff. One major thing to note about TUDOR is that it has spent a considerable number of years forging its own identity and although it borrows from some of Rolex’s material research and development, it offers watches at a significantly more affordable price. Whilst its older brother sticks to what it does best, TUDOR is considered more of an experimental brand.
Since 2015, TUDOR has been equipping its Pelagos design with an in-house movement, which includes the Pelagos LHD. Its 42mm case size is a sweet sport for many. What’s more, it is a tool watch first and foremost and a stylish statement secondly. It comes in lightweight titanium and is incredibly masculine-looking. Its matte dial and matte titanium case give it a subdued and sophisticated look. Pulled directly from the brand’s history, the dial features the Snowflake hands which many collectors consider a key design feature of this series.
What makes the Pelagos LHD watch even more intriguing is that it’s a page out of TUDOR’s history book. The brand released its first dive watch with a left-handed crown back in 1981. It was named the ref 9401 TUDOR Oyster Prince Submariner “Left Hand” watch. Its design has been specifically produced for members of the Marine Nationale, many of whom were lefties and were keen to rid the days of wearing a Submariner watch upside down on their right wrist.
Since TUDOR pays homage to this design in the Pelagos LHD watch, its retro-inspired elements are clear to see. The hands and hour markers, together with the markings on the bezel are executed in a beige colour, nodding to the brand’s vintage wristwatches. The colour echoes the tritium material used as lume in many of the brand’s older dive watches. The material tended to turn a shade of beige over time. Since its release in 2016, the TUDOR Pelagos LHD has remained a popular model for fans of this era, as well as those who are seeking out a left-handed dive watch.
One key feature of the TUDOR Pelagos LHD watch is its roulette-accented date window at 3 o’clock. Here, the even numbers are represented in a red colour, whilst the odd numbers are shown in black. It’s not necessarily a feature that is going to strike you on first impressions of the watch, but the subtle design feature is an exclusive detail to admire in the left-handed version of the Pelagos alone. The design nods to the year 1969 when TUDOR released the Prince Oysterdate Submariner ref 7021 – the first to feature a date window under a cyclops lens. The flat anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass top also grants you a clear view into the dial from every angle, free from any undesirable distortion.
The Takeaway
Upon reflection of the Pelagos LHD by TUDOR and the purpose of its design, it becomes apparent that it not only offers a viable option for left-handed watch wearers but is also a worthy tribute to so many of the brand’s triumphs to date.
If you’d like more information on the TUDOR Pelagos LHD watch, you can call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team today on 01335 453453.
