Surprised to see a watch missing the crown on the usual right caseband by the date window? Well, yesterday, Tudor released a new iteration of their Pelagos watch, especially designed with people that are left-handed in mind. Named LHD for 'Left Hand Drive', the new Tudor Pelagos LHD ref. 25610TNL for left-handed divers features a winding stem positioned to the left of the case, so that the watch can be worn on the right wrist. In a nod to its past, the new Tudor Pelagos LHD evokes the brand’s history of dive watches designed specifically for left-handed professional divers. During the 1970s, the French Navy commissioned bespoke models for it’s left-handed divers under the Tudor ref. 9401 —see picture below.
Equipped with manufacture calibre MT5612-LHD and featuring a matte black dial and matte black ceramic bezel, each example is individually numbered following the style of watches provided to the French Navy.
The Case
Fitted with a satin brushed titanium case measuring 42mm in diameter, the new Tudor Pelagos LHD maintains the same design and look of the Pelagos collection but with a few nuances in addition to the obvious crown position. This time, while the crown is located on the left caseband, the helium release valve is on the right caseband. Since the Tudor Pelagos is waterproof to a depth of 500 meters it is equipped with a helium escape valve, an essential device for preserving the watch during the so-called “saturation” dives. The helium escape valve allows the gas to escape freely from the watch without damaging it, thus protecting it from over pressure.
The Dial
As far as the dial goes, the new Tudor Pelagos LHD ref. 25610TNL is fitted with a matte black dial with off-white luminescent material —between beige and white— and an eye-catching roulette calendar disc featuring red even numbers and black odd numbers.
In addition to the red dates, the dial also features red writing for 'Pelagos', a touch that is reminiscent of the vintage Red Subs. In all, the dial is really nice minus the too many lines of text for the COSC and depth rating -something we've already pointed out during Baselworld 2016 when the Pelagos was fitted with the new in-house movement and its dial changed. Regardless of this, the new Pelagos LHD is really nice and quite sexy looking.
The Bezel
The new Tudor Pelagos LHD is fitted with a matte black ceramic bezel. The bezel is unidirectional and features the usual hashmarks and markers for decompression intervals while diving.
The bezel just like the dial, features ultra bright luminescent material that when slightly exposed to low light, glows very strong and long lasting and with a a nice blueish color to it just like Rolex's chromalight.
The Bracelet & Strap
The new Pelagos LHD is delivered on the Pelagos matching titanium bracelet, with an additional black rubber strap with titanium pin buckle and with a black rubber divers extension. The rubber utilized on the strap and diver's extension is of very high quality and very supple to the touch.
The titanium bracelet on the new Tudor Pelagos LHD is just like the one on all other Pelagos feturing a steel folding clasp with a unique auto-adjustable spring mechanism developed and patented by Tudor. This technical system allows the bracelet to be adjusted during the dive, contracting when the combination is compressed at greater depths, and expanding when the pressure decreases again during the diver’s return to the surface.
The Movement & Case Back
Powered by the Tudor in-house Calibre MT5612-LHD —a variant of the 2015 released MT5612—, this robust automatic movement with 28 jewels provides a power reserve of 70 hours when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph —4 Hz. The movement certified a superlative chronometer —COSC— is protected by a solid case back that for the very first time in the history of the brand, features each watch's individual consecutive number. This new feature not only makes the watch more appealing, but also adds tremendous value from a watch collecting standpoint, not to mention that some buyers might be even more motivated to buy the watch if their lucky number happens to be engraved on the case back of that new Pelagos LHD at their favorite authorized dealer.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the new Tudor Pelagos LHD ref. 25610TNL wears true to its size and quite light due to its titanium construction. While many might feel that not being left-handed could prevent them from wearing this watch as intended, we feel that the watch wears quite comfortably on either hand. Additionally, there's something special about wearing a 'lefty' watch on the wrong wrist as the 'average Joe' will tend to be intrigued about why your watch is missing its crown —we've added wristshots on both hands so you can see for yourself.
Now, for those left-handed watchlifestylers that enjoy wearing their watches on their right hand, the new Tudor Pelagos is simply a must have in their watch collections.
Sticker Price $4,400 USD. For more info on Tudor click here.
