Pelagos 39... I wish I hadn't bothered

[Gary.]

So, Like many, I've been waiting for years for a smaller Pelagos.

I was never really into the mock-tudor (forgive me) faux-historical Black Bay stuff and I was convinced that a smaller Pelagos would hit all the sweet spots. My name hit the list immediately upon the announcement of the 39 and, at the end of last week, the call came in.

But, after a few days of living with it, I have to say that it has left me cold.

I'll start out with the subjective stuff. The "well, perhaps this is just me" stuff.

Firstly, the bracelet.
I cannot get a good fit.
I like my watches snug and, in the case of this watch, that is even more necessary as will be explained in the paragraph following the next.

I had it sized in the shop (on a very cold day) with the adjustable part at its tightest. My reasoning was that I would need to go the other way when the warm weather (possible nuclear winters aside) inevitably comes back but I was back at the shop having another link removed within 20 minutes because...

(Here it comes)

.... the bracelet is like a bloody saw blade. Having it rattling and rolling around on my wrist for 20 minutes made me feel like I was on a chain gang.

I have felt (though not worn) the famously rough new Speedmaster. It is like an oiled pebble compared to my Cartier Santos which was, up to this point, has the sharpest edge I have ever felt on an object not intended for hair removal, let alone a bracelet.
But the Pelagos is something else altogether. It is finished like the edge of a freshly-opened tin can.

So, I had a link removed to make it stay planted and straight and it felt better for a bit. The (new) problem is that it is now very snug and the fact that it is now at the maximum extension means there is nowhere to go with it when I find myself getting warm.

Ok. I'm spoiled. We all are. Twenty years ago there were no on-the-go adjustments, right? But that was when clasps were stamped rather than machined out of blocks of metal and left with edges that could cut glass. Any manufacturer that was machining these things was almost certainly taking the trouble to finish them properly.

So, what else?

Well, ceramic is great, right? Super hard and almost scratchproof?

Hmmm...

Apparently not when you etch a fine sunburst effect into the surface.

I have quite a few ceramic bezels on Rolexes, Omegas and even a Blancpain which have seen a lot of wear and still look pristine. But this Pelagos already has a scratch on it and I have no idea how.
The notoriously scratchable grade 2 titanium is spotless so it isn't as though I'm being hard on it but, whatever ever ill-treatment the watch has received was apparently too much for those microscopic striations on the surface of the bezel.

And there we are.
A beautiful, if unapologetically toolish, watch to look at.
Specs are on point.
Heritage?
Bags of it.
Owning experience?

Owning experience?

Owning experience?


....

[JC316]

The Speedy is famously rough? Oh! You mean sharp as a razor!

Nope, haven't noticed it. Didn't notice it on the P39 either.

But if it ain't for you, it ain't for you. Comfort is 100% very important to the experience.

[goldboy]

It just goes to show why we pay the extra buck for Rolex, sometimes the tiny details make a huge difference. In this case Rolex with the best bracelets in the industry.

I was also tempted on this 39mm Pelagos, but when I think about adding just a couple more grand to reach Rolex levels it makes it a tough call and I always end up just going for the Rolex in the end.

[Dan Pierce]

Just wasn't meant to be.
dP

[tifosi]

Not meant to be...it happens. I find you really need to live with a watch for a bit to know if you really want it. Trying it on doesn't cut it for me.

On a side note...I have yet to understand people's issue with the new Speedmaster. lol. I've owned so many generations of that watch and the new one is no different. You guys need some tougher skin. Sheesh.

[Gary.]

Originally Posted by tifosi

Not meant to be...it happens. I find you really need to live with a watch for a bit to know if you really want it. Trying it on doesn't cut it for me.

.

True

I agree that the fuss over the new Speedy is a little over the top- even more so given my new perspective.

[fskywalker]

Sorry to hear…


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[rushca01]

The sharp bracelet is exactly what I sold my Pelagos a couple years ago. It was just too sharp and honestly too wide.

[amh]

Ditch it and don't look back. (I tried to love a Speedmaster chrono but it felt like a rejected organ transplant... sold it)

[kieselguhr]

Shame it didn’t work out. I’m sure you could easily trade it towards something else that is closer to perfect for you.

People have complained about the North Flag having razor sharp edges on the H-Link bracelet. I have never noticed it. Look forward to seeing if it’s the same thing on the Pelagos 39

[WatchGuy1966]

I enjoyed your writing style. It was straightforward to read and easy to follow. Are you a copywriter?

[MHB]

I couldn't get along with a ND Sub 114060 due to comfort. It was disappointing but it happens.

The design of the new Pelagos 39 leaves me cold. There are Seiko Prospex watches at 1/8 of the price that I'd rather wear.

[mfm22]

Sorry to hear this , I've been hoping to get called on the P39 for a while .

I'm going through the size issue with a BB58 - love the watch ,size is perfect , keeps time accurately etc . The Bracelet although nicely made - sucks !

You can try the US half links may help ...didn't really help me

Interesting because you have a few micro adjustments plus the on the fly adjustment .

The BB58 does have some hot spots on bracelet - surprised more folks don't mention that .

[indianmachine]

how do you like the sunburst dial?

[JC316]

https://youtu.be/Mj23Ya4ccKY

1:30 for those of you who are curious but haven't had the opportunity of try it on.

Literally just dropped this video. LoL

[JSol1]

I was at a private Tudor event last night and I was really interested in this piece as I’d like to add a Ti utilitarian watch to my collection. Granted they were unsized so it was hard to get a feel for it.
However another attendee had one but he switched it out to a cloth strap and let me try it on. I really liked it on the wrist! Didn’t buy it as I’m still on the fence so your write up is quite timely for me. Thank you!
I’m also not sure if the type 2 concerns is something that is really an issue or not??

[subtona]

Entertaining.

The more you wear it the more the does will soften. Purposely built as a Beater tool watch.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by subtona

Entertaining.

The more you wear it the more the does will soften. Purposely built as a Beater tool watch.

I hope you mean that your wrist will harden up rather than the edges soften.

[watchwatcher]

Sometimes knowing what doesn't work is just as useful as knowing what does.

[Chevalier88]

I was at the same Tudor event as JSol1. Not even the Tudor reps had a P39 available for exhibition. One of the AD organizers asked that same person who actually had one on wrist if I could take a look at it, but at that point I think he got tired of everyone asking him. This post is quite timely for me too, as I wanted to take a look at the P39 for myself. My AD says the lag in inventory is due to the movement it shares with Breitling....some logistic issue with production.

[Harry-57]

Wearing comfort and legibility are my two primary considerations. I have been in two situations before where I've been unable properly to try a watch before buying and ended up regretting it. They were both sold on. No comfort, no point.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

I hope you mean that your wrist will harden up rather than the edges soften.

Ha

Typo the case edges will soften over time. Can’t say I noticed particularly rough edges on my Pelagos fxd.

The clasp/bracelet on my speedy makes me want to throw it down the garbage shoot.

[Ascari_2]

Had a somewhat similar experience with the BB Pro. Had (and still have) the BB58 for a few years on a bracelet and love it. Went for the BB Pro with the bracelet and it annoyed the hell out of me. Was about to let it go but decided to put it on a leather strap and ... wow, instant change of heart.

Now I know you might say what the point of the bracelet then etc., etc. I don't disagree with that. But to me the point was that that I found a configuration which made the watch work perfectly.

So my vote would be to try it on a strap that you think might work for you and see if that makes a difference.

[zacnpeters]

Uncle seiko makes a half link for the BB58 and 42mm Pelagos FYI. Thinking of trying it on the Pelagos.

[S7gpt]

know your pain, bought an SD43 and tried to live with it but eventually sold it - sometimes the watch just is not right, move it on as you will never really enjoy it

[samson66]

Plenty of folks in here have bought watches because they loved the specs, looked great in pictures, "ticked all the right boxes" etc. just to realize it wasn't for them when they finally lived with it for a few weeks or months. No shame in that. Sell it and move on. I've been there, the sooner you move it the quicker you can really enjoy your other watches. Good luck

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[SS Oyster]

Thanks for the report and feedback on a new model. Some love it, others like you don't, but more information is better than less, so appreciate the write up.

[JC316]

Originally Posted by zacnpeters

Uncle seiko makes a half link for the BB58 and 42mm Pelagos FYI. Thinking of trying it on the Pelagos.

If you're having an issue with comfort and fit, I highly recommend!

[JC316]

Originally Posted by samson66

Plenty of folks in here have bought watches because they loved the specs, looked great in pictures, "ticked all the right boxes" etc. just to realize it wasn't for them when they finally lived with it for a few weeks or months. No shame in that. Sell it and move on. I've been there, the sooner you move it the quicker you can really enjoy your other watches. Good luck

Sent from my Galaxy S20 using Tapatalk

Facts!

I usually buy because I like how it looks but if I can't get a good fit, it's probably not going to stay in the collection. Having said that, I've been extremely lucky!

[Chewbacca]

I recall all the ‘catch and release’ threads years ago before the bloggers and vloggers. Sometimes you just gotta buy and try, which is part of the fun. Then see where it goes.