TUDOR PELAGOS FXD GMT Zulu Time

Since the 1950s, TUDOR has been officially supplying the Marine Nationale (French Navy) with reliable diving watches used to carry out the daring duties of naval troops. The first Pelagos FXD model – “FXD” referring to the extra robust FiXeD strap bars of the watch case - was introduced in 2021, continuing the legacy of TUDOR and the French Navy. After years of use in the field, the Pelagos FXD platform has a proven track record of service. In 2024, the FXD family is expanding to the meet the needs of the Aéronautique Navale (French Naval Aviation), the force responsible for naval aviation operations. The Pelagos FXD GMT can keep track of time in up to three time zones at once, one being Zulu time, the military name for Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) and the standard reference time for all aviators—a valuable tool when undertaking crucial missions. Zulu time corresponds to zero-meridian time, commonly known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). It’s standardized use in global aviation prevents confusion in communications between nations and time zones. The word “Zulu” is the standardized phonetic alphabet code word used in aviation for “Z”.

Zulu time is tracked by the highly legible bright orange hand that completes a full lap around the dial every 24 hours. Once set, this hand typically is not reset, allowing sailors of the French Naval Aviation to check the global aviation reference time at a glance. The hour hand, commonly nicknamed “Snowflake,” indicates local time. It is set through the winding crown and “jumps” in increments of one hour for easy setting when changing time zones. The date changes when the hour hand passes midnight, in either direction—backwards or forwards. A third time zone can be checked using the 24-hour luminous bi-directional bezel and the orange Zulu time hand.

The 42 mm satin-brushed case with fixed strap bars is made of titanium and machined from a single block. The case back is engraved with the Aéronautique navale (French Naval Aviation) logo and the inscription “M.N.24” (Marine nationale 2024), inspired by the original TUDOR M.N. engravings of the 1970s and ’80s. The bidirectional rotatable bezel in titanium has a ceramic insert, while the 24-hour graduation is filled with grade A “Swiss Super-LumiNova®” green emission for excellent legibility. The black matt dial features applied hour markers filled with grade A “Swiss Super-LumiNova®” with blue emission. Manufacture Calibre MT5652-U, certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) guarantees a 65-hour power reserve. The one-piece fabric strap is in flight-suit with titanium pin buckle and the logo of the French Naval Aviation.

Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT is designed for tough, responsible, and complex naval aviation operations – to be a precise and reliable tool of the aviators and navy personnel. But it is also a symbol of the ever-aspiring Tudor spirit, ready to challenge itself and the status quo. Exactly like the people who will put the watch on their wrist.