Tudor Blue Pelagos arrival with a niggling complaint

[larryccf]

alright so the watch arrived Tuesday, and i figured i'd live with it a couple of days before posting (plus i hoped i would have my photo cabinet back up by now)

Was looking at it this afternoon and noticed the pearl in the bezel insert was rather small compared to other diver's pearls. Then got to looking at it real close and it's not even a real pearl, it's part of the silk screening on the insert, so it's a faux pearl. I mean really?? What do these luminova pearls cost them, maybe $1 - maybe $2?

I'm sure someone has already posted about this, but i kind of needed to vent. I've actually toyed with the idea of having the insert drilled and installing a real pearl. But i didn't buy this watch to re-manufacture it. Don't get me wrong, i still like the watch, it's just an irritating dis-appointment. But it makes me wonder - what's next - are they going to engrave the image of a gas escape valve on the side of the case to give the illusion of one on the next model?



FWIW

[037]

What? No. The whole darned thing glows. Hit it with a UV light and report back. Maybe your outlook will improve.

And this isn't a vintage watch. lol

Congrats no less. The Pelagos is a great watch.

[denmanproject]

They made it that way for a reason, your feelings were not a part of it

[Kingface66]

I think you’d probably get a better audience for venting if this was posted in the General Forum, rather than the Vintage Forum.

[Harry49]

I prefer it the way it is..looks amazing

[Dan Pierce]

I prefer it the way it is. A flush pip works well with the matte lumped ceramic bezel.

It seems you would have noticed this before purchasing.
dP

[037]

This image from Tudor's own site might help.

I think you'll find this superior to the traditional "pip". It's not a silkscreen. They're individual luminous pieces fitted in the ceramic insert.

[Mr Wolf]

Originally Posted by larryccf

alright so the watch arrived Tuesday, and i figured i'd live with it a couple of days before posting (plus i hoped i would have my photo cabinet back up by now)

Was looking at it this afternoon and noticed the pearl in the bezel insert was rather small compared to other diver's pearls. Then got to looking at it real close and it's not even a real pearl, it's part of the silk screening on the insert, so it's a faux pearl. I mean really?? What do these luminova pearls cost them, maybe $1 - maybe $2?

I'm sure someone has already posted about this, but i kind of needed to vent. I've actually toyed with the idea of having the insert drilled and installing a real pearl. But i didn't buy this watch to re-manufacture it. Don't get me wrong, i still like the watch, it's just an irritating dis-appointment. But it makes me wonder - what's next - are they going to engrave the image of a gas escape valve on the side of the case to give the illusion of one on the next model?



FWIW

I'm British and I normally get Irony, You're joking, right?

I've just re read your post. Still not sure you are I don't think you are are you?

[A-Wax]

I didn't realise there was any confusion about it being a real pearl, and actually prefer the "pearl homage" of the bezel design!

[Andad]

Hi Larry,

In all the pix I have seen the ‘pip’ looks like painted lume.

Seems you were not aware of this?

I don’t see how this can be a complaint?

It’s a nice watch, enjoy wearing it.

[mui.richard]

Sorry mate you lost me at "silly screening". Either you have a sense of humor/irony we're not getting, or you have no idea what you've got.

[bezler]

Originally Posted by mui.richard

Sorry mate you lost me at "silly screening". Either you have a sense of humor/irony we're not getting, or you have no idea what you've got.

He said "silk screening." It's a technique for transferring inked images onto surfaces. He may have been mistaken, but he wasn't joking.

Sent from my SM-J327P using Tapatalk

[Ian Macdermott]

Good grief man did you buy the watch blindfolded. For a Dive watch it seems to be a rather good solution to the pearl being knocked off underwater thus rendering it useless for its task.

[mui.richard]

Originally Posted by bezler

He said "silk screening." It's a technique for transferring inked images onto surfaces. He may have been mistaken, but he wasn't joking.

Sent from my SM-J327P using Tapatalk

Having worked in the fashion industry for 3 decades I'm fully aware what silk screening is.
Which is why I think he has no idea what he's complaining about.

[bezler]

Originally Posted by mui.richard

Having worked in the fashion industry for 3 decades I'm fully aware what silk screening is.
Which is why I think he has no idea what he's complaining about.

Then why did you pretend that he said "silly screening," and act like he had some strange sense of humor?

Sent from my SM-J327P using Tapatalk

[mui.richard]

Originally Posted by bezler

Then why did you pretend that he said "silly screening," and act like he had some strange sense of humor?

Sent from my SM-J327P using Tapatalk

I didn't realize I had a typo in my first response. Either way, I really couldn't care less. A silly post deserves silly responses.

[Biginboca]

The Pelagos solution may be better than a pearl, but it’s not what Rolex does on their dive bezels. Is that why you are upset? And the best part is you attributed the motive behind what Tudor did to cost cutting. Seems like you should have bought a Rolex instead.

[larryccf]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

The Pelagos solution may be better than a pearl, but it’s not what Rolex does on their dive bezels. Is that why you are upset? And the best part is you attributed the motive behind what Tudor did to cost cutting. Seems like you should have bought a Rolex instead.

sorry bud, but a painted on pearl i don't view as a solution or improvement in any sense of the word. A painted on luminova "pearl" is a cost cutting measure plain & simple. Tell me how you replace it when the painted on faux luminova "pearl" has died other than to replace the bezel insert? And yeah it glows but not nearly as bright as a pearl - and will be degraded from any abrasive contact, much easier than a real pearl.

Yeah, i bear some of the fault for not having gone over the watch with a loupe when looking at it in the store so I do feel some anger at myself for not thinking to adding "check the pearl carefully" to my checklist when viewing even a new watch.

Y'all's defense of it, though, seems purely subjective like it's a given that it's an improvement. And that's an assumption that isn't borne out factually. Since this is so innovative, i'll wait to see if Rolex adopts it. If Rolex doesn't, which i really don't expect them to, ..... that will say something in itself.

[mui.richard]

Originally Posted by larryccf

Tell me how you replace it when the painted on faux luminova "pearl" has died other than to replace the bezel insert? And yeah it glows but not nearly as bright as a pearl - and will be degraded from any abrasive contact, much easier than a real pearl.

As if Rolex would let you replace just the Pearl pip without replacing the entire ceramic bezel insert?

Technically, the entire bezel of the Pelagos, not just the dot in the middle, glows to indicate diving time elapsed. So I really don't get your argument that "it glows but not nearly as bright as a pearl ."

Just saying.

[larryccf]

As the Pelagos bezel insert ceramic coated or fabricated from ceramic - it's hard for me to tell reading Tudor's descripton of the bezel: "Unidirectional rotatable bezel in titanium, graduated over 60 minutes with ceramic matt blue disc and graduations with white luminescent material". What about non-ceramic bezel inserts - would your watchmaker not replace the pearl in that?

does it hold it's lume as long? - i haven't compared, maybe you can tell me

and why did they bother painting a small circle in the triangle? they could have easily left that detail out

i'm not sure you guys realize it but your reaction to my criticism is almost cult like....with most of the responses seeming to condemn me for having the nerve to criticize. Give me a break, this is a watch forum not a Scientology forum.....push away from the tree and see the forest.

This does not qualify to me as an improvement imho - i retired from manufacturing a few years back, and i see it for what it is - a short cut in the mfgring process to reduce costs including time & labor costs. Not having to bore the opening for the pearl, which that operation probably costs them a few inserts every hundred inserts or so, then obviously eliminating the pearl's cost and the time to bond/mount it to the insert.

You're happy with having to replace the entire insert when the lume goes - good for you. But for the life of me, i don't see why if i don't accept that i'm wrong.

Yeah if i had more carefully inspected it with a loupe (my eyes ain't what they used to be) i would have seen that - but the responsibility isn't all mine. Why would tudor bother painting a small circle in the triangle, to emulate a pearl? Plus at the time i was more focused on the "chapter ring" on the outside edge of the dial and noticing how it shrouded each hour marker. That was a nice design execution to me.

[mui.richard]

Originally Posted by larryccf

...and why did they bother painting a small circle in the triangle? they could have easily left that detail out

Perhaps for people who have trouble letting go of the idea that a diver's watch need a "pearl" @12 on the bezel?

Seriously, I believe the Pelagos is truly a diver's toolwatch. From the fully lumed bezel insert, to the self-adjusting clasp tension it was designed with the diver's needs in mind. Even the rubber strap is designed as an "add-on" so the rubber diver's extension can be attached/detached without any tools as needed. Low-light legibility is excellent and with 500M WR rating perhaps only the most seasoned divers would find it at all limiting.

For those of us who don't dive however, I think there's too much lume and totally unnecessary, makes the glowing watch looks busy.

[smym18]

Originally Posted by larryccf

Yeah if i had more carefully inspected it with a loupe (my eyes ain't what they used to be) i would have seen that - but the responsibility isn't all mine. Why would tudor bother painting a small circle in the triangle, to emulate a pearl? Plus at the time i was more focused on the "chapter ring" on the outside edge of the dial and noticing how it shrouded each hour marker. That was a nice design execution to me.

Tudor needs to put out a disclaimer and salespeople need to notify potential buyers of this wannabe pearl.

[golden_time]

This is mildly entertaining.

The Pelagos is a fantastic watch, sorry that it isn't made to your specifications..

[jvb.nc]

Originally Posted by golden_time

This is mildly entertaining.

The Pelagos is a fantastic watch, sorry that it isn't made to your specifications..

+1



the whole thing is ridiculous.

a ceramic or aluminum bezel insert doesn’t glow except for that wee pip.

the pelagos bezel is fully lumed.

you’re comparing apples to monkeys and being pissed off the monkey isn’t a fruit.

[zapokee]

I bought a new car, and it had fresh black tires. I wanted vintage white-walled tires. What the hell?? Very disappointed.

[larryccf]

come on bud you can come with a more biting remark than that, can't you??

bring your game up some

[037]

Originally Posted by larryccf

sorry bud, but a painted on pearl i don't view as a solution or improvement in any sense of the word. A painted on luminova "pearl" is a cost cutting measure plain & simple. Tell me how you replace it when the painted on faux luminova "pearl" has died other than to replace the bezel insert? And yeah it glows but not nearly as bright as a pearl - and will be degraded from any abrasive contact, much easier than a real pearl.

I'm repeating myself here but it's not painted on. The luminous pieces are individual inserts. The ceramic is cut clean through and the parts that glow are solid pieces that fit in the cutouts. Someone posted a photo of his Pelagos bezel broken from impact and you could see the individual lume pieces go all the way through the bezel insert.

Our responses are this way because we're trying to explain the design to you. If you think a three dimensional pip will somehow be superior without having tested back-to-back then you'll probably lose your audience. The Pelagos bezel glows bright and has more surface area than a pearl alone. It's very functional.

And, unlike a Rolex pearl which has been known to break or be knocked off, the flush design makes it an improvement in many eyes. You may disagree but it's difficult to accept that this is an inferior design when it's been proven to glow bright and with more surface area.

Good luck with your watch. It's an excellent dive tool.

[larryccf]

Originally Posted by 037

I'm repeating myself here but it's not painted on. The luminous pieces are individual inserts. The ceramic is cut clean through and the parts that glow are solid pieces that fit in the cutouts. Someone posted a photo of his Pelagos bezel broken from impact and you could see the individual lume pieces go all the way through the bezel insert.

Our responses are this way because we're trying to explain the design to you. If you think a three dimensional pip will somehow be superior without having tested back-to-back then you'll probably lose your audience. The Pelagos bezel glows bright and has more surface area than a pearl alone. It's very functional.

And, unlike a Rolex pearl which has been known to break or be knocked off, the flush design makes it an improvement in many eyes. You may disagree but it's difficult to accept that this is an inferior design when it's been proven to glow bright and with more surface area.

Good luck with your watch. It's an excellent dive tool.

I appreciate your response - it's the first one that explains the design. Thanks for that

[037]

Originally Posted by larryccf

I appreciate your response - it's the first one that explains the design. Thanks for that

[Ivan Drago]

Originally Posted by larryccf

sorry bud, but a painted on pearl i don't view as a solution or improvement in any sense of the word. A painted on luminova "pearl" is a cost cutting measure plain & simple. Tell me how you replace it when the painted on faux luminova "pearl" has died other than to replace the bezel insert? And yeah it glows but not nearly as bright as a pearl - and will be degraded from any abrasive contact, much easier than a real pearl.

Yeah, i bear some of the fault for not having gone over the watch with a loupe when looking at it in the store so I do feel some anger at myself for not thinking to adding "check the pearl carefully" to my checklist when viewing even a new watch.

Y'all's defense of it, though, seems purely subjective like it's a given that it's an improvement. And that's an assumption that isn't borne out factually. Since this is so innovative, i'll wait to see if Rolex adopts it. If Rolex doesn't, which i really don't expect them to, ..... that will say something in itself.

Buy a sub then and not a Tudor