New Watch | Tudor and the French Navy Collaborate Again: Introducing the New Pelagos FXD GMT “Zulu Time” Watch

Tudor has a long-standing history of collaborations with military forces, and their latest release is no exception. Following the 2021 launch of the blue Tudor Black Bay FXD, developed in partnership with the French Marine Nationale for combat divers, Tudor has once again teamed up with the French Naval Aviation. Together, they have crafted the new Black Bay FXD GMT Zulu Time watch. This release reaffirms Tudor's unique position in high-performance, military-grade timepieces.

Paying Tribute to Aviators with “Zulu Time”

Why is this new watch called “Zulu Time”? Zulu Time is the military designation for Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the standard time reference for pilots worldwide, which corresponds to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). To reflect this, Tudor has integrated a bold orange 24-hour hand that makes a full rotation around the dial every 24 hours. This clear, legible hand allows aviators to track multiple time zones effortlessly and stay on top of global aviation schedules at a glance without resetting the hand.

Professional-Grade Titanium Case Design

The new Pelagos FXD GMT watch features a titanium case with a diameter of 42mm and a thickness of 12.7mm, with a fully brushed surface for a rugged yet lightweight feel. The FXD series’ signature fixed lugs ensure secure strap attachment, enhancing durability. Although this restricts strap options, it fulfills military demands. This model has a water resistance of up to 200 meters, a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, and is engineered for extreme environments.

Powerful 24-Hour GMT Function and New Ceramic Bezel

Compared to the previous blue FXD model, this new watch has a major upgrade in the bezel. The black ceramic bezel, now with a 24-hour scale, is bi-directional and lumed for nighttime readability. This 24-hour scale allows the wearer to easily track multiple time zones, meeting the needs of aviators navigating across different countries and time zones.

Classic Black Bay and FXD Series Details

The new Pelagos FXD GMT keeps classic Black Bay and FXD details: bold applied hour markers, “snowflake” hands, and vintage-inspired beige Super-LumiNova® lume. This lume emits a blue glow in low-light conditions, contrasting beautifully with the green-glowing 24-hour hand and bezel markers, enhancing the watch’s visual appeal.

METAS-Certified MT5652-U Movement

This watch is powered by Tudor’s in-house MT5652-U movement, rigorously tested for METAS Master Chronometer certification. With a robust anti-magnetic rating of 15,000 gauss and a precision range of 0/+5 seconds per day, this movement ensures reliability in challenging conditions. The MT5652-U also features a silicon balance spring and a 65-hour power reserve, meeting both METAS and COSC certifications, making it one of the most cost-effective in-house GMT movements on the market.

Exceptional Value in the Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT

Priced at $4,630, the Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT is exceptional in value. With a titanium case, ceramic bezel, and in-house movement certified by both METAS and COSC, this watch offers features typically reserved for higher-end models. Unlike many GMT watches in this price range, which often rely on an added hour hand for multi-time zone tracking, the Pelagos GMT provides a fully integrated GMT function for optimal performance and accuracy.

The new Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT Zulu Time watch is another impressive collaboration between Tudor and the French Navy, designed specifically to meet the needs of professional aviators. With its titanium case, ceramic bezel, 24-hour GMT function, and advanced anti-magnetic properties, this timepiece is a standout in both design and functionality. If you’re drawn to military-inspired and multi-time zone watches, the Zulu Time watch is an unbeatable choice.