JSebWC Posted January 5, 2023 Report Share Posted January 5, 2023 As some of you know, I am not a sub guy. It was one of my first watches back in the late 90's and after a number of years I got tired of looking at it. Fast forward to Nov / 22 I thought I would dip my toe back in the pool to see if I can rekindle the love I once had...but this time I wanted to try something a lil different, so I decided to build a Tudor Snowflake Sub to see if the design cues of the Tudor could sway me back.... I went with the standard issue parts .: Raffles case set and bracelet Raffles 29mm blue dial & Insert raffles snowflake hands T19 superdome crystal a whole lot of ageing and patina. I wanted it to look like it had a very adventurous life and was left in the bottom of a gear bag to be found years later. I really wanted to like it but it didn't scratch the itch. I did like the case and the crystal , but the fact that I couldn't get a proper fade on the bezel insert, just left me uninspired. I ghosted a few bezels and they were cool but again, not what I was after . So after a few attempts, I hated it and lost that feeling and thought about selling it on......then after creeping online at Mil Subs .. I wanted to go that route, however with the fixed spring bars, I am more of bracelet guy than a nato and I didnt want to go half way. so I dropped that idea. That and the lack of available engraved case back Then after looking further at the other dials offered in this size I decided to go 5513 Matte Maxi . so I added one to my last order and it arrived earlier this week. Having some time today, I thought I would do the transition . After a bit of aging on the dial and hands I swapped the parts and dropped it back in the case. Now that's more like it!! Oh , and I made one last attempt at fading out an insert. after baking it for close to an hour at 450 and checking it every 10 mins , I achieved what turned out to be a very cool fade. It started off as a blue insert now its a Ghosted Mauve....again not what I was after but I dig it. looks authentic IRL I think I will pick up a few black inserts on my next parts order and see if I can get a nice faded grey. The raffles inserts dont respond well to bleach and if you use anything a bit stronger, it strips them and are blotchy. Bunk. So does this scratch the itch?? YOU BET!! I am really diggin it thus far. from an abandoned project collecting dust to new hotness in rotation. The explorers are going to be collecting some dust for a while during the honeymoon . Oh and the Tudor parts are up for grabs if anyone is interested , if you have been itching for an aged blue snowflake sub on a budget, I got what you need. Thanks for looking , Questions and comments welcomed as always. cheers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtools Posted January 5, 2023 Report Share Posted January 5, 2023 Beautiful! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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