- Make: Sandoz
- Model: Submariner (Singapore)
- Movement: ETA 2824
- Dial: Aftermarket MKII Milsub Dial with aftermarket Tudor snowflake hands from classicwatchparts.com
- Complications: screw down crown
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Crystal: Sapphire
- WR: 100M
- Width: 40mm
- Height: 13mm
- Lugs: 20mm
- Lug to Lug: 48mm
- Date Purchased: May/June 2007
- Purchase Price: Watch: $265; Hands: $70; Dial $60; Assembly: $60
- Source: PMWC, Classic Watch Parts, MKII Watckes, Northeast Watchworks
- Status: TRADED December 31, 2007
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| The Story Behind This Watch |
This watch actually started with the hands. I’ve been a fan of the Tudor “snowflake” hands since I first saw them a while back; the hour hand is different and not something that frequently seen. So when I saw this watch on Duarte’s Northeast Watchworks site, I knew the hands were available as aftermarket parts. Cool. But, the dial chosen (nothing against the owner, just my personal preference) did not work for me. The round markers against the hour hands edges and corners was just too much of a contrast. But, I knew that MKII had other dials, so I did some searching and found the Milsub Dial that I thought would be a much better fit for the hands. Once I knew what I wanted to do I asked Duarte for some advice (since I knew I wanted him to assemble the thing) and after I had my answer I was off to buy the watch and the parts.
Once I had it all in my hands I sent the batch off to Duarte for a) dial swap, b) hands swap, c) removal of date magnification from the crystal. Duarte also relumed the hands and the bezel dot so the lume would be stronger and more consistent with the dial.
When I got the watch back I was most pleased with the final outcome. Even moreso as I wore the watch for a week and really let it sink in. It’s a great look, I love the hands and the clean, no date dial. It was running +20 seconds when I got it but I’ve slowed it down to about -2 seconds a day. Hopefully it stays there. I swapped out the original, lightweight Sandoz bracelet for an aftermarket oyster, using the original Sandoz endlinks brushed to match the rest of the bracelet. It gives the watch a bit more heft than it had originally.
Funny thing is, I wanted to build this originally as a “summer beater” watch, to wear biking, mowing, at the lake, etc. Now that I have it and it looks so good, I don’t think it will get abused as much as I first thought.
