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BLACK BAY VS PELAGOS - WHICH TUDOR DIVE WATCH RULES?

When it comes to dive watches Tudor have been making incredible strides in the development of their watches. Improved bracelets, claps, movements and managed to slim down the cases too. And within Tudor’s catalogue, two names dominate the conversation around which is the best dive watch, the Black Bay and the Pelagos. Both are formidable in their own right, but they represent two very different philosophies. So which Tudor dive watch truly reigns supreme? That’s what we are going to take a look at today.

Introduced in 2012, the Black Bay pays tribute to Tudor’s dive watch legacy. Inspired by models from the 1950s and ‘60s, it captures the essence of vintage tool watches while incorporating modern materials and movements. Whether it’s the iconic “snowflake” hands, large unguarded crown, or domed crystal, the Black Bay is all about nostalgic charm. The large amounts of the warm rose gold gilt used for anything Tudor can really give that vintage aesthetic but without compromising on modern specifications. But it’s not just about looks, recent Black Bay models house Tudor’s in-house MT series movements, offering COSC-certified performance and up to 70 hours of power reserve.

Tudor Pelagos blue dial on nylon strap at wrist

The line has grown to include popular variations such as the Black Bay Fifty-Eight (BB58) in a compact 39mm case with perfect vintage proportions. For those looking for even more out of a dive watch you have the option of the Black Bay Pro with its GMT functionality and rugged styling. If the whole vintage style really is not for you then do not worry, Tudor has been playing around with many other designs and materials like the Black Bay Bronze, Steel & Gold, and Ceramic. All three are stylish takes on the classic dive design from Tudor but still wear like a dream without being too bold and unique.

If we take a look at its sibling the Pelagos, from a first glance they might look a bit similar however they are two very different lines. Where the Black Bay looks back, the Pelagos looks forward. This is Tudor’s most technical dive watch, designed for professional use and this is echoed loudly in the designs. With a full titanium case and bracelet, helium escape valve, and a whopping 500m water resistance, it’s engineered to perform under pressure. The Pelagos features a clean, legible dial, fully lumed ceramic bezel, and a unique spring-loaded clasp that adjusts as your wrist changes underwater. The clasp on this is one of the best, from a practical usage point of view, in not just Tudor’s catalogue but in the dive watch world altogether!

PRODUCTS FEATURED IN THE ARTICLE

Rubber Strap for Tudor® BLACK BAY 41 Monochrome (Since 2024)

Rubber Strap for Tudor® PELAGOS 39

Rubber Strap for Tudor® BLACK BAY 58 Blue

22mm wide Single Pass Rubber Strap for Tudor® Pelagos FXD Black Dial

In terms of the models you have to choose from, the main variants include the Pelagos 42mm which is nothing short of a full-featured tool watch with left- and right-hand crown options. Very few brands offer that choice which can exclude people who prefer to wear the watch in their right arm. The Pelagos FXD is another staple in the collection with a slightly more utilitarian look and feel to it. Built for military use with fixed bars and a no-nonsense mission timer. Lastly, the Pelagos 39 which is essentially a sleeker, more wearable version, blending everyday versatility with Pelagos DNA.

If we take a look at the advantages for each, the Black Bay is best for someone looking for a vintage inspired dive watch that can be worn that works with a suit or jeans. If a smaller case size and a large variety of colour options is important to you then you really cannot go wrong with the Black Bay range. However, if you either need or want high-spec performance, like for saturation diving and prefer a lightweight watch that disappears on the wrist, then the Pelagos is for you. The Pelagos is a true tool watch in both form and function so at the end of the day it really comes down to what you are looking to get out of your Tudor watch. Neither watch is objectively better, one is only better depending on what you are after but you really can’t go wrong with either.

Tudor Pelagos FXD Blue on ZEALANDE NATO Single pass rubber strap blue

Tudor Black Bay 41 monochrome black on ZEALANDE black rubber strap

Regardless of whether you choose the Black Bay, Pelagos or even both, ZEALANDE have crafted the perfect rubber straps for every model of each allowing you to get a sporty feel and look. With many colours to choose from and strap styles to suit different needs and styles, ZEALANDE have spent years developing their straps to perfectly fit Tudor. With a sturdy 316L stainless steel pin buckle you can be sure that the strap is going to keep your Tudor nice and safe on your wrist. For those of you lucky enough to own the black Bay 41, ZEALANDE have managed to design their straps in such a way that you can use the original Tudor T-Fit clasp!

Both the Black Bay and Pelagos are phenomenal in their own rights. Tudor didn’t build just one dive legend, they built two. One for the vintage enthusiast and one for the tool-watch purist. Whichever you choose, you're getting top-tier horology with unmistakable Tudor DNA. And that's a win either way. They can both easily last a lifetime and be passed on to future generations and because of their designs, you rest assured that they will still look great in the future. Regardless of whether you opt for the Black Bay or Pelagos, ZEALANDE can give your Tudor the look you’ve always wanted with a large variety of straps and colours to choose from.

James Talbot