These days, mechanical dive watches have become de rigueur. Transitioning from the beach to the boardroom, stylish men and women everywhere are increasingly opting for this popular watch style. As a result, there are a range of models available to choose from. Few, however, offer better value for the money than the Tudor Pelagos. Understated and underrated, this is why you should put a Tudor Pelagos on your wrist.

If you’re not yet familiar with the Pelagos collection, don’t dismay. You are not alone. Developed with purists in mind, the Pelagos is for those who want a serious dive watch on their wrist. Case in point, Tudor Ambassador and French freediving champion Morgan Bourc’his wears a Pelagos on his wrist when he goes swimming in the freezing cold waters under the ice in a remote area high in the Alps. An extreme example, to be sure, but one that attests to the model’s robust construction.

Although it looks slightly more modern than its siblings in the heritage Black Bay collection, the Pelagos actually takes the majority of its design DNA from a select group of Tudor Submariners from between 1967 and 1975. Measuring 42mm in diameter, the case is made from a lightweight combination of titanium and steel and boasts a satin finish. It’s paired with a titanium bracelet with folding clasp and safety catch in steel with bracelet extension system developed and patented by Tudor.

The dial – available in blue or black – features contrasting white indexes, along with Tudor’s trademark snowflake hands. Designed for optimal legibility, all indications on the dial have been generously treated with a luminescent coating. The only exception being the date window at 3 o’clock. Framing the dial is a unidirectional rotatable bezel in titanium, graduated over 60 minutes with a ceramic matt blue disc. As with the dial, the graduations have been finished with a white luminescent material.

Inside the case is the Manufacture Calibre MT5612. Certified as a chronometer by the COSC, this highly precise, self-winding mechanical movement features a bidirectional rotor system. That means the rotor winds the movement regardless of the direction it’s moving in, helping keep the 70-hour reserve at maximum capacity.

Given that it’s been made for hardcore divers, it makes sense that the Tudor Pelagos is waterproof to an impressive 500m (50 bar/ 1,640ft). Dives that deep are only undertaken by professional divers and usually done with the assistance of diving bells. It’s for this reason that the Pelagos features an automatic helium escape valve on the side of the case at 9 o’clock. This allows helium and other natural gases that may build up in the watch case during decompression stops on the diver’s way back to the surface to escape.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear it while snorkelling off the coast of Marbella too. Or better still, while lazing on the beach working on your tan. Whatever you throw at it, you can be sure the Tudor Pelagos is up for the challenge.

Come in to our Winsor Bishop boutique in Norwich to try out this practical yet stylish watch for yourself. Putting one on your wrist might just be the perfect excuse to start making some early plans for summer.