I am the owner of a blue M.N. 22 FXD model for about a year. Regarding the thickness and wearability: The Watch Steward proposes an elastic, MN type strap especially designed for fixed bars watches, which allows the watch to be worn directly against the skin, avoiding the extra thickness caused by a traditional or one piece NATO. Another good option are the rubber NATO's by Bonetto Cinturini as sold by the Watchgecko. The second layer of the NATO can be removed quickly (it is articulated), leaving just one thin layer of rubber. This too wears quite thin and comfortably. Lastly the actual lug to lug (tip to tip), is just under 50mm. It's the shape of the fixed bar that adds 2mm, which disappear under the strap itself. It certainly wears more like a 50mm than a 52mm, and should be manageable for most wrists > 17cm. Mine is 17.5cm (~6.9 in.) and the watch wears very well. I love my FXD, but have to concur with you that a U50 is a better option as an actual tool / dive watch. Especially if it is fully tegimented, like mine is. As a matter of fact, I like my Sinn so much that I have ordered another one: an EZM 3F, which is almost like a cross between the U50 (general tool feel) and my blue FXD (bi-directional countdown bezel).

you're underestimating the number of navy seal cosplayers with 4000 to spend

Picked mine up the other day, it is now my go to watch. It is perfectly legible in every situation.

Always a great, well detailed, review of watch brands. Keep up the great work.

These reviews rock. The voice of reason - becoming THE essential step before making decisions. Brilliant!

Why are u so calm? damn loving it

love your analysis as always!

Great content as always. Thank you. 👍🇬🇧

Picking up my black FXD on Monday! 🙌👍 I agree with a lot of what you said in the video, but not all. I think you’re actually underestimating the number of collectors that already own a Pelagos (and other Tudors), that are simply excited about a new edition. I think the vast majority of buyers of this model are picking this up as simply another addition to their collection, not really looking at it from a comparison standpoint. Since it’s an entry level luxury piece at an entry level price (relatively speaking), I don’t think the buyers are making choices about “this vs that” but rather, “Yeah, ok, I like that and it’s different enough from some of the other models to justify the purchase.” I could be wrong, but I don’t think Tudor is cannibalizing Pelagos sales with the FXD offering. I think purchasers of the FXD are either current/prior Pelagos owners and/or fans of the nato style design. I already own a fairly substantial number of watches and several Tudors, including the 2nd gen black Pelagos on bracelet and the Heritage Bronze diver (not a brag, just a qualifier) and I’m pretty excited about this model. I’m not even a fan of nato style straps, but the Velcro and rubber options, the case size, red lettered no-date dial, fully marked bezel and fixed lugs are all appealing variations. Part of me wishes they would have kept the angled chapter ring with cut-outs for the hour markers (Pelagos) just to give it a little more depth, but again, that small difference between the models also makes the additional variation more appealing as a new piece for the collection. If I had to choose between the FXD and the Pelagos, sure, the Pelagos is definitely more versatile, overall…but I don’t think I’m the only buyer (in a fortunate position, I know) that isn’t forced to make that kind of choice? These are all “luxury” pieces, so I suppose we’re all in a fairly fortunate place in our lives, even if there is a choice to be made.

I have a fxd blue and a pelagos 39 would definitely add this to my collection just love the dial on all of these

I tried on the new black FXD at the AD that sold me the FXD MN21, Submariner 124060, Pelagos LHD and Pelagos 39. I quite liked the new addition to the Pelagos range, however I couldn’t justify adding this as I had already sold the LHD and P39 for a reason - my no date Submariner and FXD MN was getting most of the wrist time. Had Tudor made a 39mm FXD, l would add that to my collection for sure.

Great video. Thank you!

The most unique diver is probably the Seiko Tuna. I love my SBDB013 spring drive tuna with it's black dial and titanium shroud.

What a great detailed video 👏👏👏

One of my favourite dive watches is the Longines Ultra Chron, it's very distinctive with it's vintage aesthetics and a red minute hand. Also, it's great value since it has a high beat movement inside. I also quite liked the recently released Sinn T50.

I have worn my fxd as a daily for 13months now, and it is the best watch I have ever worn. Every other 42mm to 43mm watch I have feels uncomfortable in comparison. The legibility is fab, and they are eye catching because the dial is very close to the top surface and not sunk down in a deep rehaut, which makes even non watch people look twice.

Your videos are awesome. Seriously 👏👏👏

Great video. I’m starting to come round to this one. I still don’t like the missing graduations on the bezel, but that aside, it’s a pretty well rounded tool watch.

I tried this watch on earlier today and the supplied straps are super thin so the watch really doesn’t sit high on the wrist at all. This did surprise me. First impressions were it’s super light and comfortable on wrist. Also sits well in this configuration which you may have thought was head heavy on paper. Decent watch for the money.

I love it, but as a LHD owner with a wishlist, I have trouble imagining circling back to it. I think that helps make your point for you.

The distinction is the super strong fixed lugs, this watch is awesome for those who like tool watches

I totally get you, and you have extremely valid points. But for some reason I still like it so much 😅 I feel like the Pelagos 39 was such a smart decision, but they took away from it the things I love the most: the so many levels on the dial, and the black mate roughness the 42 mm has

Great review, very technical and mind blowing. But, where would you rate the Seiko SKX 007 (the plain black bezel black dial)? Is it going into the basic and toolish or distinctive and toolish?

I like your style - comprehensive, accurate (but not boring), relaxed and to my own taste. Error at 9 min 12 sec "No applied markers" - but I think it has, just like the blue version.

Good analysis. Very interesting.

I hope you're right, and in a year or so can pick one up at a 30% discount on the secondary market. I like the aesthetic of this one so much more than the regular Pelagos. The bezel looks better and 42mm suits me perfectly. Also prefer a count up bezel to a countdown bezel, which is a difference between this and the Marine Nationale and Red Bull FXD models.

Excellent content

I think you’re over thinking it. This gives FXD buyers another option…which is great.

Eterna Kontiki Diver! Beautiful and very good build without the scamming price tag

Big fan of the Sinn EZM3 and can’t wait to pick one up

I have the LHD pelagos, and the FXD... the fxd is a different thing to the original pelagos. The main difference is the height which makes the original fell too tall and bobbly in comparison. The flatter profile of the fxd makes it so much more comfy. I might even buy the balck fxd if I got the chance. I am surprised how much I miss the date function, even though I really didnt think I would😮

My first video watching you. Great analysis. I love that you are doing something different. I love my fxd black. I fell in love instantly when I saw it and despite picking up a new rolex at a similar time frame I'm just enjoying the FXD. I'd argue that from a visual perspective it's firmly a basic / plain tool watch. Sure, fixed spring bars are a unique element, but visually, its just a strapped diver like any other. It's another step down from the busy MN FXD for me because the bezel numbers are going in the correct direction. To me... it just screams "utilitarian" and nothing more.

I would love a Blue FXD and the original two liner Pelagos as a really nice pair

I love the "spring bars" being integral to the case. And, since I hate date windows, the FXD is even more appealing. Makes it a little thinner too. That said, I do prefer the bezel of the regular Pelagos

The key feature for me is the count up timing bezel. Couldn’t stand the idea of a countdown bezel like that on the MN FXD. I feel that it’s just going to be too stressful having a countdown tool being presented to me all the time on my wrist reminding me of all the deadlines in my life and demanding me to commit to them. I dont need my watches to say that to me. Hence this is finally the FXD that I could consider wearing.

I don't understand why they would keep the bezel the same but change it to uni-directional. That completely goes against the function of the watch. I was on the fence between the 39 Pelagos and the FXD and two things tipped in favor of the FXD; the bi-directional bezel and the fixed lugs. I've only had the FXD for two months it is incredibly comfortable and even work as my cross country and downhill mountain bike time piece which is no easy task. When I miss having a bracelet I put on my trusty Helson Shark Diver 38 also blue and Ti.

For anyone interested in a black diver which adds some more premium feel: union glashütte has the belisar datum sport pro aswell. super classy with some very well made shine for the price. I bought one, couldnt be happier.

I have fallen in love with Titanium and adore the blue FXD, but Tudor is too rich for my blood. I subsequently bought the Squale Master x Palombari Comsubin which is half the price of the Tudor, a limited edition, and in grade 5 Titanium to boot. Chuffed to bits.

Iv had my first gen eta Pelagos on a marine national strap for over a year not. Black with the single white central stripe. It looks amazing with only 2 lines of dial text win,win,win.

It’s got enough character to be interesting - but not so much that you can’t wear it every day. The bezel is nice and symmetric. It’s perfectly imperfect! I went out to buy the blue but the colour was such a clash with the shirt I was wearing and the black looked so good - I realised that black would be more versatile for me.

Just picked up a black FXD. I feel that it is the perfect watch for me. I waited for the black model. I love that it does not stand out. If I was a sane person and only had one watch it would be the black FXD.

You can put leather on fixed bar watches. In winter my fixed bar CWC Diver wears a leather strap.

I wear an lhd strictly on NATO’s and find the watch wears extremely flat. Very comfortable vs bracelet so hopefully I’ll track either a MN 23 or this beauty soon.

Great video! Having just tried on the black FXD at a boutique over the weekend right next to the P39, the FXD did feel quite different in its execution. Hard to see it in renderings, but in person, the toolish nature of the FXD really pops, and that either speaks to you or it turns you off. The P39 has that beautiful bracelet and clasp, but it also has the slight sunburst brushing on the dial. For me, I dislike that aspect. I get why they did it, but it feels like they have pushed it more towards the luxury category, but didn't quite get it there. If I could only have one of those, I'd buy the FXD (admittedly because I have other watches that give me the luxurious feel if/when I want it).

I like the bezel insert, but my wrist is thin, so I imagine what it would have been like for Pelagos 39 to bezel insert like this

Great video. Personally, I got the FXD Black over the regular Pelagos due to the fixed lugs. While I have never broken a spring bar, the beefy lugs on the Pelagos FXD, paired with the black bezel sold it for me. This is due mainly to wearing the watch to work where there is a high probability of it getting into a tussle. Take it as ease of mind. I personally would not have had a regular Pelagos on my "watch" list if this one hadn't come out - and the Blue Nationale was too "eye popping" for me. Of course, I am only a sample size of one and I totally get where you are coming from. Personally, I think all fixed spring bar watches are completely "tool" watches due to the enhanced robustnest. I do find the bezel to be "busy" - especially under lume, compared to what I am used to.

I genuinely love the look of the bezel so much that it blows the 39 and standard out of water for me, having said that I’ll likely buy a Sinn u50 over this

I think the subtlety of the FXD along with the thickness not being overbearing makes for a good daily wear; obviously other points as well. I have the 39 as well as which I found to be small on the wrist for a comparison. Additionally, being a time piece man, and working in manufacturing, this watch checks a lot of boxes for me for appreciation of design/construction without being ostracized by projecting stature. A tool watch which I find to be appreciated. ...yes time pieces and subjectivity; I stand by it. Also the Marathon JDD is just too damn big. And the Speedmaster, you can't read at 3AM.

I own both the FXD MN and the Black FXD and can speak to why I bought this watch over the regular Black Pelagos and the 39 Pelagos. The regular Pelagos is simply too thick, and for me the 39 Pelagos a bit too small for my wrist. The FXD is perfect size for me, plus I love the look and feel of this watch on the wrist. I also have plenty of watches in bracelet including the 41mm Sub, so the fact you can only wear it on a nato strap isn't an issue for me.

It’s good looking, a well done dial design, but for me it only makes sense as a watch you actually go diving with it; it’s size (big, especially thickness and lug-to-lug), nato-style-only wearability (no other practical option with fixed lugs), very tooly aesthetic with legibility the top priority, deliberately plain (the plainest plain of fxd plainville). Great on a neoprene-covered arm as a backup to an actual dive computer. For any other use cases however my guess is it will stay in the watch box. Whatever the fxd dial colour, that’s how it is (I expect fanbois to predictably disagree). But from my perspective anything costing well over $4k doesn’t work as a tool watch, let alone a dive beater. It’s firmly a luxury price - and Tudor has to recoup the cost of flying all their favoured watch journos out to Panama City out of the SRP, so you’re paying for all the schmoozing too. So, yeah, whatever.

I tried it on at the AD. It is too big for anyone with less than 7 inch wrists. I also tried on the Pelagos 39 which is the perfect fit for non combatants wrists. The black FXD is only better for you if you have big wrists and prefer the macho marketing over the unisex lifestyle diver. Although I imagine the FXD would make a better knuckle duster with no spring bars.

Having finished your video, your point is interesting about how the FXD fits in the lineup. You're right. When it was released, admittedly, I was disappointed. I don't know what I was hoping for, but it wasn't this. I do love the execution of it, and find it really nice. But to your point, it doesn't completely make sense. The FXD feels more like a niche product, so why not have fun with it? Personally, I love green watches. How great would this watch be if executed in a green bezel and dial? A dark forest green in that matte execution would look incredible! It would be unique, still tool-focused, but with a nod towards some fun. I hope Tudor goes that route moving forward. I have always wanted to see a green Pelagos. I owned a blue pelagos years ago, but sold it after a short while. The blue was too BLUE for my taste. It was a fantastic watch, but I just found myself leaving it at home more than it was worth.

Well, the fixed lugs and the fully graduated bezel are the sole raison d'etre of this watch. This makes it unique and justifies its presence in Tudor's lineup. For instance, while I find the standard Pelagos too big and over-speced and the Pelagos 39 not that interesting as I already own a Seiko SPB 143 and the BB54, I find the black FXD intriguing, especially as I'm not into blue-dialed watches. The nod to mil-spec watches of the past and that fully graduated bezel is what compels me to, at least, try it on :)

You can wear the original velcro strap against the skin by routing it as a zero pass Or you can use a leather single pass nato Making it a bit more volatile Love my MN24

My bias is showing here but proof of the enduring popularity of black divers, even in cheap offerings is the Casio Duro. Though I own the blue bezel and dial version, which has a very captivating sunburst dial, the black version has green and gold bezels and a sunburst dial too. These are aesthetically phenomenal too at a low price, at that. Alas, a quartz movement isn’t too appealing to most collectors. Still struggling to decide which mechanical watch to choose as my first

FXD is intended for military reqs. Rather than as your standard commercial diver watch.

Yes -- you've nailed it. In a vacuum, I'll usually take black over blue, but I wouldn't trade my blue FXD for a black one. When I think of comparisons for the blue model, I am thinking of watches in the tool/distinctive quadrant.

If you own a crown, this is the watch you can wear without getting too much attention. Oh, and i just got mine 2 days ago. 😅

I think people tbat live in citys and sip latès don't get it. I spend a lot of time in and on the water, another spring bar failure isnt an option. This is the ultimate tool, built perfectly for purpose. Its a home run for me

Watch Steward straps don't require the watch to sit on the fabric on your wrist - so it can be normal on the wrist.

Be nice if someone supplied a quality titanium bracelet to attach to the FXD's fixed lug bars.

I expect Tudor will discontinue their 42mm 25500TN Pelagos to avoid cannibalism in their lineup

I love it! not gonna use it as a tool (I don't dive) but I love the way it looks "very marine", the 200mts 🌊offers me the guarantee it won't get wet if I am cooking, swimming, or washing the car. it is extremely wearable! it does not feel like you are wearing a 42mm. I can not like it more. It is not a diving watch, for that purpose, I would be getting a more robust watch. This watch is not as robust as it looks like.

My only observation is that it didn't cost Tudor very much to offer the black FXD as they already had the tooling for the blue.

I love the black FXD for the following reasons: the fixed lugs, there’s no need to mess around with spring bars, you’re not going to scratch a watch taking on and off spring bars to use with a bracelet or NATO or leather, it’s simple. Also, it’s made to use in the water, with its titanium corrosion resistant case. This watch is perfect to use at the beach or pool. The only thing I would change is make it a bit smaller 39 mm/40 mm would be perfect.

Erika’s Original Marine National for the FXD. Really good.

I think the FXD is for someone who owns multiple watches already. I’m willing to bet a decent percentage of the buyers of the black own the blue already.

I really like this release. I think they should be more forth coming with a few colour options from the start and not drip feed them out with half baked stories. From Tudors perspective, this watch should have already been a thing with no additional fanfare. The big release should be some date models in their mid sized diver line-up, not colour variations IMO

All watches are necessary.

What about the red bull one ?

The biggest mistake they made with the black FXD is they changed back from the retrograde calibrations shown on the blue version bezel - it now looks like all other dive watches. You did not have to remember your allowed dive time towards the end of your dive - you set the duration against the minute hand at start, then when the minute hand hit the triangle you were done.

While I haven't seen this in the metal, it looks strange to me. I also dislike NATO straps generally, in part because of the added height. It seems to me that the expertly designed titanium bracelet is one of the best things about the Pelagos: it's a pure tool bracelet that is convenient for diving.

OMG i love this watch. I have a modern reference no date Sub as well and orefer the FXD. Its so legible and even mkre orecise than my Sub. Also, like me, its not fancy.

I’m just waiting to buy a blue pelagos 39 .

I just get the feeling $4k is a little excessive for a plain boring Tudor IMHO. I have several nato straps but don’t wear them-rubber or bracelet. Enjoyed the vid as always 😎!

2:44 it has applied markers!

Interesting discussion from a design perspective. In some way you got it right with the categorization of the Pelagos FXD in black, but in another way you did not. In my opinion the watch does make sense for Tudor and appeals to a lot of customers like me: it is simple, as the normal Pelagos, but not as thick and hefty on the wrist. You miss the option of a bracelet? Ok, but the strap might be more comfortable to wear. And the fixed lugs set the model apart from most other dive watches. Finally: Black or blue is just a question of personal taste. In the range of black divers it will also hit a sweet spot, because the price is very attractive in comparison to competitors in the luxury segment, e.g. to the Rolex Submariner or the Omega Seamaster 300m. So in my opinion Tudor did a very good job in launching this model.

I don't think it cannibalizes the regular pelagos, if you already have a sub as a main dive watch and are looking for interesting and niche dive watches like a panerai or a doxa. You need something different and quirky to compete, and a regular pelagos does not qualify because it would be dominated by the sub and sit unworn.

Well to start, the Marine Nationale is not what Tudor wanted but what the MN wanted. Also, for a tool watch, you seem not to score the presence of fixed bar as a plus, like ignoring the weak link that are the bars. Your categorizing of dive watches is more practical for desk diving or dive bars than to actually go to the deeps.

I've been overexposed to dive watches in general and black toolish ones in particular so this watch looks very generic to me - like countless Rolex, Sinn, Seiko etc. But each to their own - it's a popular style and lots will love it.

The Pelagos 39 has sharp edges on the clasp that made it unwearable for me. If they made the Pelagos with this thinness, t-fit titanium bracelet with smoother edges, and blue like the OG; winner. I have the black dial because I want a beater that can take all the straps. I don’t have to worry about a spring bar launching into infinity when I take on and off a bracelet or swap to a Zulu strap. The Velcro on this and the MN strap catch on clothes and I had to switch to my Zulu alpha strap or the rubber strap. The rubber strap does chafe if not snuggly put on your wrist but is stiff enough that it does t have the low profile that the Velcro strap does.

I've never liked any Tudor dive watch because I hate square indices on a dial,let alone the seconds hand! The nato-strap-only only isn't going to change anything.....I hate those also!

Maybe MN FXD collaboration will be discontinued at the end of 2023. Then the new black FXD will make more sense.

beautiful ❤❤

I wear my Christopher ward trident a lot more than the pelagos 39

There are leather nato-straps, you know?

Personally I feel it’s more visually appealing than the regular Pelagos (nice symmetry, no date and the dash of red), more specific than the 39 which tries (and in my opinion, fails) to do too much, and ultimately comes across as more “tooly” and more “military”. I think that’s a big draw to “manly men” who think “I just want a robust watch to chuck on a nato/rubber and won’t ever have a use for a bracelet”.

There might be better divers out there if you want to dive, but the fxd is just a better lookng and comfortable wath than any diver I have seen.

Any black dial diver must be benchmarked against the Seiko SNZF17.

the Pelagos, the Pela 39, the FXD and the blue FXD are so different….

FXD is marketing for Tudor, thay want to show their heritage...genius

The velco strap shoould be in monochrome.

If you have ever had somebody try to rip a watch off your wrist you would appreciate fixed bars.

Even if this is bad, dreadful ADs can still bundle them with the flipping divers.

You touched upon the titanium divers but failed to highlight any stealth divers. Tool watches that are finished in an all black hard coating & have an ultra modern & cool look about them. These dive watches cross the boundaries & are anything but boring.

Indecies are applied... As for the FXD... you wouldn't get it... The watch has a cult fanbase and I love mine. Nothing in Sinn's catalog can substitute or come close to FXD. I don't care if they bath it in Superman's sweat, FXD all the way, reject spring bar weakness, embrace fixed lugs masculinity

You think way too hard into this. Normally I like hearing some nerding out over watches but this came off as a chore to keep my focus. You talked way too much about other watches and hardly at all about the watch I came here for.

When I look at watches like Sinn, Panerai I have one question - who the hell wears such ugly watches and PAYS to do so??? But I guess watch world is diverse enough for everyone to find their thing.