THE DIVE WATCH PRODUCED FOR LEFT-HANDERS

The Red Shield brand offers a version of its Pelagos dive watch specially developed for wearing on the right wrist.

If, like most of us, you are in the habit of wearing your watch on your left wrist, with the crown facing your hand, how would you feel if you decided to wear it on the right wrist? Awkward, no doubt, or even uncomfortable, like left-handers and many right-handers who like to wear their watch on their right wrist. Thirty-five years after producing a dive watch for left-handers in 1981 at the request of the Marine nationale française (French Navy), Tudor presents the Pelagos LHD model. LHD stands for Left Hand Drive, and in fact, the screwdown winder crown usually found at the 3 o’clock position on the body is positioned at the 9 o’clock position on the case of the Pelagos LHD.

It measures 42mm in diameter, and is made of titanium, a lightweight metal which is rustproof (essential for a dive watch often immersed in salt seawater), and is watertight to a depth of 500 metres. The steel back of the watch has Arabic numerals corresponding to the production number, since the Pelagos LHD is numbered series. A titanium unidirectional rotating bezel covers the case, with a black ceramic ring on which is written in beige the dive scale graduated from 0 to 60 minutes. An automatic helium valve placed at the 3 o’clock position completes the “left-handed” version of this tool watch.

The matt grey armure watch holds a self-winding mechanical movement designed and produced by Tudor, MT 5612 calibre. This powerful heart, beating at 4Hz (ie 28,800 vibrations per hour) is a COSC-certified chronometer and has a big power reserve of 70 hours. It marks the date as well as the time.

On the sand-blasted black dial, the indicators have the typical configuration of Pelagos watches: the hours are alternately marked by geometric shapes and “snowflake” hands, all coated with a luminescent beige substance. An open display at the 3 o’clock position shows the date on an ivory background, displayed alternately in red (even dates) and black (uneven dates). This system of colour nicknamed “roulette” by the aficionados of the brand made its first appearance on a Tudor model dating from 1969.

Last but not least, the watch is attached to the right wrist using a bracelet with titanium links ending in a steel buckle with a security clasp. A second strap in black rubber fastened with a pin buckle is also supplied with this Pelagos LHD.

Price: 4,200 CHF

By Sharmila Bertin