Tudor advice (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 11/22/2025 11:52:26 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Couch-Commando][Edited]
A month ago, I went to a dealer and tried on a black bay 54, a blue pelagos and a blue black bay 54. Of these, the black bay 54 was the clear winner. I prefer the size of the BB58, and while I like the red triangle, i hate the gilt dial markings in photos.  In person, I thought i was looking at the older 41mm with the red triangle, since the gold dial markings were so unnoticeable. So my main complaint with the BB58 isn't a big deal. I like the size better. It feels just like my steinhart but thinner. These two are now neck in neck. I think I still prefer the simple look of the BB54, but it is close enough that I wouldn't feel bad getting a BB58 instead if I found a deal.  A watch i like the idea of, but didn't expect to like in person, was the Pelagos FXD. I tried the blue and black. The blue is the clear winner. It felt both robust and super light. It doesn't feel too big on my girly limp wrist. I like it. It isnt too thick like the standard Pelagos. I really like the blue color. In a two watch collection, this would be my camping, hunting, beater watch. It is sufficiently "different" i wouldn't feel silly owning it like I would a black and blue BB58. Now I'm wondering if I should aspire to two nice watches, and if I'm committed to this, if i should get the less classy/more robust one first. The fact is, 5 years ago, I'd be expected to look more dressey at work, but today rocking a pelagos FXD would be no problem.   I don't know what I want. But I'm definitely buying a tudor at some point.  |
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| I wear a BB58, after trying on a Pelagos I just felt the size of the 58 was perfect. It just fits right and looks right. |
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The Black Bay 54 Is the best looking of the three. I do not care for the red triangle on the Black Bay 58 But not sure about the case size of the 37mm case size of the BB54 Not a fan of the bezel on the Pelagos. I had a Black Bay blue bezel, black dial. I LOVEd that watch. Great looking!!! But not having a Date. Killed it for me and ended up selling it. |
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Originally Posted By S-1: Looks like you tried on the FXDs. Did you try on any Pelagos with a bracelet? However, after reviewing photos of vintage beat to crap gilt dial subs, I'm thinking it might be a better plan to get a BB54 and wear it to death, and then get a second one to baby around once the first looks like it survived Vietnam.
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BB58 guy checking in. Over the years, I've owned numerous Rolex, Omega, and Tudors. The BB58 is my favorite watch. I think you are on track with the 39mm size for your wrist for a daily. I would definitely check out the Pelagos 39. For me personally the full sized Pelagos are too big for a daily, but the 39mm would work. It's definitely lighter and more of a tool watch vibe vs the 58. In my experience the 58 looks great with a t-shirt or suit. Not sure the same can be said for the Pelagos 39, but I've tried one on several times it's a nice watch. Also, did you try on the newer 41mm Monochrome BB? Worth a look at as well. Especially the newer ones are thinner. I love the red triangle on the glint BB58 (its more subtle than most think), I love the snowflake hands, I even like the faux rivets. I did add a Steel Reef 1/2 link and extension to the bracelet, and it fits like a glove now. Also, don't forget about the blue BB58 - another great watch. Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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| Buy the one you like the most. I would suggest you check the OG Pelagos in blue, too. It's a much nicer color in real life than it is in pictures and with it being light it wears a lot easier than you'd think. |
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Originally Posted By steviesterno16: Buy the one you like the most. I would suggest you check the OG Pelagos in blue, too. It's a much nicer color in real life than it is in pictures and with it being light it wears a lot easier than you'd think. Basically, I think if I'm going to have one watch, it will be a bb54 or bb58. I love the classic styling. I was totally set on the BB54, because I don't like the gilt bezel insert photos of the BB58. But on my wrist, I didn't even notice it. I think overall I still like the BB54 more, but the BB58 is a very close second. If i decide to eventually have two nice watches, I think number two will be a blue pelagos or pelagos FXD. I'm going to get a NATO strap for my steinhart to make sure I actually like NATO straps. I love the gilt dial/black bezel look, but tudor also does a great blue. |
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Black Bay line rundown 58 vs 54 Good (albeit long) video of Black Bay line history and 41 vs 58 vs 54. |
| I love my blue FXD, it's my daily wear watch that get's more wrist time than my Sub. You can beat the crap out that thing and it will keep on ticking. The lume on it is spectacular as well, much better than the Rolex to be honest. If you do end up going with the FXD, look up Erikas Originals for new Nato straps as the Tudor factory velcro strap wears out easily. |
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Attached File I thought I didn’t like Tudors. Then I bought this and now I like Tudors. |
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Originally Posted By mclark202: Before you buy anything you need to try on the PELAGOS 39. It’s amazingly comfy. https://i.postimg.cc/g2NdXkn7/IMG-2011.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/MpWqpjKC/IMG-7703.jpg Yes |
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Originally Posted By S-1: Yes    The BB54 is still "the one." The 41mm monochrome and GMT are big and thick. I kind of like the GMT BB58. I could see it as a third watch for vacations if in different time zones. I also really like the Pelagos 39. But I think for an every day watch, the BB54 wins, and if i went to two watches, I still prefer the blue pelagos FXD. |
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Originally Posted By Couch-Commando: Went to another AD and tried the rest on the list, including the Pelagos 39. https://i.imgur.com/4QyK9dM_d.webp?maxwidth=1520&fidelity=grand https://i.imgur.com/AHw9XCr_d.webp?maxwidth=1520&fidelity=grand https://i.imgur.com/BUTq2ay_d.webp?maxwidth=1520&fidelity=grand The BB54 is still "the one." The 41mm monochrome and GMT are big and thick. I kind of like the GMT BB58. I could see it as a third watch for vacations if in different time zones. I also really like the Pelagos 39. But I think for an every day watch, the BB54 wins, and if i went to two watches, I still prefer the blue pelagos FXD. Nice. Get the BB54. It looks good. |
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Originally Posted By 5thLegion: OP - Based on your last photos, I would lean towards the 54 or 58. The 41s and Pelagos look too big in my humble opinion. For some reason even the Pelagos 39 looks a bit large. Just my opinion, I'm old school.  But that also looks awesome, so maybe I'll get the BB54, and then buy a second one to treat nice when the first one needs a servicing. I do have two kids to inherit stuff.
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Good luck OP, I say go with the 54 then make the multi-watch decision after you wear it for a bit. Do it!  I tried a Pelagos Ultra recently and it wore smaller than I expected. I liked it a lot. I like everything about the 39 except the size. I'm a big guy and it feels small. I don't want a date, but could live with it, and the 5 rows of text on the Pelagos just irk me. I'm definitely in the, going-to-end-up-with-a-Tudor camp though. |
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Originally Posted By DV8EDD: Good luck OP, I say go with the 54 then make the multi-watch decision after you wear it for a bit. Do it! I tried a Pelagos Ultra recently and it wore smaller than I expected. I liked it a lot. I like everything about the 39 except the size. I'm a big guy and it feels small. I don't want a date, but could live with it, and the 5 rows of text on the Pelagos just irk me. I'm definitely in the, going-to-end-up-with-a-Tudor camp though. The Ultra is a bad ass watch. |
| I'm super annoyed at the FXD GMT still not being available. |
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I know. But a few posts above this there’s a perfect demonstration that people don’t want reality, they just want to be mad.
And angry retards always find something retarded to be angry about.
I know. But a few posts above this there’s a perfect demonstration that people don’t want reality, they just want to be mad.
And angry retards always find something retarded to be angry about.
| Tudor subs truly take a licking and keep on kicking. Am wearing my Sub now, purchased at Adak NEX in 1991….it has never failed me, and have only had it serviced twice. I wore it daily until I bought my Rolex GMT in 2001…then put it back in its’ box to rest for about 6 -7 years…then thought WTF….so now rotate daily and both are accurate to a T! |
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Originally Posted By bcw107: I'm super annoyed at the FXD GMT still not being available. I got mine a couple of months ago. Did they slow production or something? Originally Posted By bundeswehrvet: Tudor subs truly take a licking and keep on kicking. Am wearing my Sub now, purchased at Adak NEX in 1991….it has never failed me, and have only had it serviced twice. I wore it daily until I bought my Rolex GMT in 2001…then put it back in its’ box to rest for about 6 -7 years…then thought WTF….so now rotate daily and both are accurate to a T! Need pics of the sub. |
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Attached File |
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Originally Posted By bundeswehrvet: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/57358/IMG_0276_jpeg-3675560.JPG Great combo! A birth year Tudor Sub is my grail. Mind if I ask how much you paid for it back then? |
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Truth in lending….I was TDY at Adak in late summer 1991 from Fairbanks…our AK ANG C130 went tits up for 3 days, delaying our flight out to Shemya…USN had begun major standdown of Adak thus many of base elements had left and the NEX was geared up for major sales just to move products. I wandered through the jewelry area over the 3 days I was there repeatedly and saw the lonely Tudor just begging to go home with me. Manager noticed I wanted it after the second day so it was time to make a deal. I told since all the submarines had left, not a lot of extra pay hanging round. I asked him to make a deal…he admitted that since it was considered high value, if he didn’t sell…he would have to ship it to Yokuska Japan NEX via pain in the ass mail…. So….I asked him what it would take right then and there what he would take to be done with his problem….. $520 and it was mine! Btw, my GMT II had a sort of similar purchase background. Working as a DoD CTR in Germany in 2001….spied an innocent note in Stars and Stripes that AAFES was getting out of the Rolex AD bidness, worldwide. All Rolex stock in Europe consolidated at Ramstein, all in Asia at Yokota. When sold, no more. I was about a 4 1/2 drive from Ramstein so I simply called and asked to speak to the manager….he told me what he had in stock….told him I would buy the GMT on the phone….exchanged my .MIL Star card info, APO address and such. $2350 and about 4-5 days later, it showed up at my Hohenfels AAFES as a special order. I was lucky, twice! |
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Originally Posted By bundeswehrvet: Truth in lending….I was TDY at Adak in late summer 1991 from Fairbanks…our AK ANG C130 went tits up for 3 days, delaying our flight out to Shemya…USN had begun major standdown of Adak thus many of base elements had left and the NEX was geared up for major sales just to move products. I wandered through the jewelry area over the 3 days I was there repeatedly and saw the lonely Tudor just begging to go home with me. Manager noticed I wanted it after the second day so it was time to make a deal. I told since all the submarines had left, not a lot of extra pay hanging round. I asked him to make a deal…he admitted that since it was considered high value, if he didn’t sell…he would have to ship it to Yokuska Japan NEX via pain in the ass mail…. So….I asked him what it would take right then and there what he would take to be done with his problem….. $520 and it was mine! Btw, my GMT II had a sort of similar purchase background. Working as a DoD CTR in Germany in 2001….spied an innocent note in Stars and Stripes that AAFES was getting out of the Rolex AD bidness, worldwide. All Rolex stock in Europe consolidated at Ramstein, all in Asia at Yokota. When sold, no more. I was about a 4 1/2 drive from Ramstein so I simply called and asked to speak to the manager….he told me what he had in stock….told him I would buy the GMT on the phone….exchanged my .MIL Star card info, APO address and such. $2350 and about 4-5 days later, it showed up at my Hohenfels AAFES as a special order. AWESOME story!! Very cool!! I was lucky, twice! |
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Originally Posted By bundeswehrvet: Truth in lending….I was TDY at Adak in late summer 1991 from Fairbanks…our AK ANG C130 went tits up for 3 days, delaying our flight out to Shemya…USN had begun major standdown of Adak thus many of base elements had left and the NEX was geared up for major sales just to move products. I wandered through the jewelry area over the 3 days I was there repeatedly and saw the lonely Tudor just begging to go home with me. Manager noticed I wanted it after the second day so it was time to make a deal. I told since all the submarines had left, not a lot of extra pay hanging round. I asked him to make a deal…he admitted that since it was considered high value, if he didn’t sell…he would have to ship it to Yokuska Japan NEX via pain in the ass mail…. So….I asked him what it would take right then and there what he would take to be done with his problem….. $520 and it was mine! Btw, my GMT II had a sort of similar purchase background. Working as a DoD CTR in Germany in 2001….spied an innocent note in Stars and Stripes that AAFES was getting out of the Rolex AD bidness, worldwide. All Rolex stock in Europe consolidated at Ramstein, all in Asia at Yokota. When sold, no more. I was about a 4 1/2 drive from Ramstein so I simply called and asked to speak to the manager….he told me what he had in stock….told him I would buy the GMT on the phone….exchanged my .MIL Star card info, APO address and such. $2350 and about 4-5 days later, it showed up at my Hohenfels AAFES as a special order. I was lucky, twice! Great story! The value of those two pieces now compared to what you paid is impressive. |
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True, am pleased that I was able to obtain my grail watches at a good price. But this pales with the stories the CW3/CW4’s in my Air Cav troop in 1980 shared about their Vietnam R&R purchases…..back in the day. What hurts now is to go into any airport AD and see nothing but display only. I went to the Heathrow AD this past June, showed the rep my Sub and whipped out my AMEX and asked what they could make a deal right then and there…..damn…guy offered me $3K for my Sub but I countered with but what to you have to trade or sell me…..crickets…no deal. Frankfurt AD however, did have very nice selection of Tudors….but not doing trades. Just keep what I have and be satisfied. |
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Originally Posted By bundeswehrvet: True, am pleased that I was able to obtain my grail watches at a good price. But this pales with the stories the CW3/CW4’s in my Air Cav troop in 1980 shared about their Vietnam R&R purchases…..back in the day. What hurts now is to go into any airport AD and see nothing but display only. I went to the Heathrow AD this past June, showed the rep my Sub and whipped out my AMEX and asked what they could make a deal right then and there…..damn…guy offered me $3K for my Sub but I countered with but what to you have to trade or sell me…..crickets…no deal. Frankfurt AD however, did have very nice selection of Tudors….but not doing trades. Just keep what I have and be satisfied. Great watches both! I miss the good old days when AAFES sold Rolex. Those Tudor Subs in that condition are highly desirable, I’d keep it! |
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Originally Posted By Lucky-Charm: Good choices OP....n They won't disappoint. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/310667/IMG_6858-3676923.jpg I just got a cheap NATO strap for my steinhart to judge if I could live with a fixed lug watch, and really like it, so being stuck with rubber or nylon isnt a deal breaker. |
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This thread is not helping. Every time I walk by the Tudor store I feel the urge to go in. Wife told me today that if I go in, I'll have to buy something.  I didn't go in this time...I'm thinking of either the Ranger Dune, BB54 or the Pelagos 39. I know, get all 3 right, but which one first? |
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Originally Posted By HansohnBrothers: This thread is not helping. Every time I walk by the Tudor store I feel the urge to go in. Wife told me today that if I go in, I'll have to buy something. I didn't go in this time...I'm thinking of either the Ranger Dune, BB54 or the Pelagos 39. I know, get all 3 right, but which one first? P39 |
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I went through a similar dilemma.. I was set on a BB58 and then the monochrome on jubilee hit all my wants. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By flashooter: I went through a similar dilemma.. I was set on a BB58 and then the monochrome on jubilee hit all my wants. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/1077/F2CEB153-B81A-44E6-9DBE-ED8E2FCDF0F7_jpe-3684037.JPG wow, that's sharp. |
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