Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT Zulu Time Watch

The Coolector’s love for functional timepieces that blend military heritage with contemporary style knows no bounds, and the Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT Zulu Time Watch fits the bill perfectly. Priced at a cool £4000, this impressive offering from TUDOR expands on the Pelagos FXD platform, initially crafted for the French Navy’s specialist units. Now, it’s taking to the skies, tailor-made for French Naval Aviation, with a new GMT function that allows pilots and support crew to keep tabs on “Zulu time” – the military term for Universal Time Coordinated (UTC).

The Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT is a robust yet refined tool, capable of tracking time in up to three time zones at once – a feature that’s undeniably handy when taking on the critical missions that French Naval Aviation is known for. The key addition here is the bright orange Zulu time hand, a 24-hour arrow that ensures UTC can be referenced at a glance. For any aviator, Zulu time is the heartbeat of global operations, and this timepiece brings it front and centre.

TUDOR has a storied history with the Marine Nationale, having provided them with reliable diving watches since the 1950s. The first Pelagos FXD came to market in 2021, and the “FXD” designation refers to the watch’s rugged FiXeD strap bars, which deliver a level of robustness that’s perfect for high-octane environments. The new FXD GMT carries on this legacy, offering precision and practicality in a handsome, military-inspired design.

With a 42mm case crafted from lightweight grade 2 titanium, this watch is built for adventure. Waterproof to 200m, the Pelagos FXD GMT is ready for the depths as much as it is for the skies. The combination of a high-contrast dial, the vivid orange Zulu time hand, and TUDOR’s signature Snowflake hour hand makes for impeccable readability in all conditions. The watch’s hands, hour markers, and bi-directional bezel are all treated with potent luminous material, ensuring you can read the time effortlessly in the dark or during night flights.

Powering the Pelagos FXD GMT is the impressive Manufacture Calibre MT5652-U, a masterclass in technical watchmaking. Rather than simply adding a GMT module, TUDOR opted for an adaptable movement architecture that integrates the GMT functionality at its core. The tungsten monobloc rotor is open-worked, giving the watch a distinctive edge, and the movement’s bridges proudly bear the “Master Chronometer” mention, emphasizing its superior performance.

No mention of TUDOR would be complete without a nod to their iconic fabric strap. Woven in France on traditional Jacquard looms by the skilled craftsmen at Julien Faure, the 22mm green polyester ribbon strap is a masterpiece in itself. It’s built for comfort and durability, featuring a titanium pin buckle and the French Naval Aviation’s roundel embroidered with finesse. The strap and the watch work in harmony, making sure that the Pelagos FXD GMT looks just as good as it performs.

Further cementing its place in the ranks of military-issued timepieces, the Pelagos FXD GMT’s case back bears the emblem of the Aéronautique navale – a winged anchor topped with a star – as well as the engraving “M.N.24” for “Marine Nationale 2024,” highlighting its official commission and year of production.

Whether you’re a seasoned pilot, an enthusiast of military timepieces, or just someone who loves a well-crafted, purposeful watch, the Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT Zulu Time Watch is the complete package – ready to take on adventures on land, sea, or air.


Leo Davie