Tudor Submariner Snowflake 9411/0

[Paka]

Hi! Does anyone here own Tudor Submariner Snowflake (9411/0)? I think it looks cooler than sub (just my peronal opinion ) and I'm considering to buy one. It would be nice to hear experiences/opinions on the watch. I plan to do some water sports/activities with the watch.

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by Paka

Hi! Does anyone here own Tudor Submariner Snowflake (9411/0)? I think it looks cooler than sub (just my peronal opinion ) and I'm considering to buy one. It would be nice to hear experiences/opinions on the watch. I plan to do some water sports/activities with the watch.

Tudor Subs, like Rolex Subs, can be made waterproof 40-60 years later if they have a good case. They are, more or less depending on ref, the exact same case.

Things needed to make a vintage sub fully submersible can run counter to watch makes a vintage sub highest evaluation.

For example, that watch would have left factory with a 7070 tube and 702 crown, but replaced with a later 7030/703 combo, while not period correct, would enhance water proof.

The original crystal will have more visual charm, but a new service crystal would enhance water depth resistance.

Then there is question of value in harsh conditions, I know of several 60s-80s submariners (70s 5513 T Milsub anyone?) on the bottom of the ocean in their first year of life, would you risk it on a dive? The pool is a little different.

The watch in your photo is likely a 96x,xxx or later serial from 1981 or later.

This 1980, freshly serviced Blue Snowflake might not pass now but could be made to pass. It was serviced with keeping as roiginal as possible.

This 1961 7928, with original tube & a 703 crown, and 10 year old service crystal, passed a 6 ATM vacuum test.

[Dan S]

Gorgeous 7928, @linesiders.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by linesiders

Tudor Subs, like Rolex Subs, can be made waterproof 40-60 years later if they have a good case. They are, more or less depending on ref, the exact same case.

Things needed to make a vintage sub fully submersible can run counter to watch makes a vintage sub highest evaluation.

For example, that watch would have left factory with a 7070 tube and 702 crown, but replaced with a later 7030/703 combo, while not period correct, would enhance water proof.

The original crystal will have more visual charm, but a new service crystal would enhance water depth resistance.

Then there is question of value in harsh conditions, I know of several 60s-80s submariners (70s 5513 T Milsub anyone?) on the bottom of the ocean in their first year of life, would you risk it on a dive? The pool is a little different.

The watch in your photo is likely a 96x,xxx or later serial from 1981 or later.

This 1980, freshly serviced Blue Snowflake might not pass now but could be made to pass. It was serviced with keeping as roiginal as possible.

This 1961 7928, with original tube & a 703 crown, and 10 year old service crystal, passed a 6 ATM vacuum test.

! = Nice.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by Paka

Hi! Does anyone here own Tudor Submariner Snowflake (9411/0)? I think it looks cooler than sub (just my peronal opinion ) and I'm considering to buy one. It would be nice to hear experiences/opinions on the watch. I plan to do some water sports/activities with the watch.

I like them.... but a 37mm Big crown (Rolex or Tudor) is my preference. Your 9411/0 has the square writing dial version btw.

[Paka]

Oh that's not my Tudor. I just took that photo from the internet for anyone to see what kind of watch I am talking about (those who's not familiar with this ref of course).

[Filipão]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

! = Nice.

Nicer than nice!


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[linesiders]

Thanks ! Had this one for 7-8 years, or so

[Paka]

It has ETA 2784 movement. Do you guys know about that movement, is it a good one and robust? Propably yes, because it is ETA movement? :)

[TuRo]

Yes. It is the Honda K series* engine of watches.

*Most reliable car engine out there.

[tekno]

The Snowflake date or no date is my favorite watch. I had a blue 94110 for a couple years and I finally found my ideal black dial watch.




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[brandrea]

Anything with a domed crystal grabs my attention

[swish77]

Snowflakes look super cool, but the amount of tritium on those large hour hands always scared me away. So many of them seem to be cracked or age poorly. For example, look at the hour hand on the OP's example. That's not uncommon, from what I've seen anyway. Maybe I'm too picky.

[TuRo]

Nice later square text 9411/0 - I'm a stickler for originality...a top hat though on a date for me :^)

[tekno]

The hands definitely are a downside, same with the 76100 lollipop hands. They also are tricky to relume but there are guys that can do it.

Thanks Paul!

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

Nice later square text 9411/0 - I'm a stickler for originality...a top hat though on a date for me :^)

Me too. Date window requires a top hat crystal with a cyclops. Dome is just a bit too...kinky.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by swish77

Snowflakes look super cool, but the amount of tritium on those large hour hands always scared me away. So many of them seem to be cracked or age poorly. For example, look at the hour hand on the OP's example. That's not uncommon, from what I've seen anyway. Maybe I'm too picky.

You're right Aaron that the s/f hands do often patinate or discolour differently to the hr. plots, but usually they reach a point and then stay there. For me it's part of the charm.

The so-called lollipop (so-called because the real lollipop is like the second hand on a Rolex 6204/6205 i.e. circle right at the end) of the 76100 Tudor though you're spot on.... they can deteriorate.

Btw, they went to this design as part of the divorce from Rolex, and as part of the agreed slow switchover to not using Rolex coronets on crown and case back.

The irony is that the Mercedes HR hand isn't a Rolex patent or even a Mercedes patent (only the laurel leaves surrounding the 3 prong star are) as it's a Hindu religious symbol like a swastika (used by Finnish Airforce in logo until 2017), is too....so Rolex hadn't a leg to stand on, and the Merc hands were reintroduced.

Just as well as the lack of surface tension in such a large area of the 76100 second hand frequently causes the lume in the circle to shrink and crumble.

[linesiders]

Starting around 1979, you will see the Factory Snowflake hands have lume stabilization, you will see a semi-gloss coating on the top of the hands to provide extra resistance to cracking.

[SAAS]

Originally Posted by linesiders

Starting around 1979, you will see the Factory Snowflake hands have lume stabilization, you will see a semi-gloss coating on the top of the hands to provide extra resistance to cracking.

Interesting always thought stabilization was after market good info!

[1675-David]

love mine!!

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by SAAS

Interesting always thought stabilization was after market good info!

Aftermarket stabilization tends to be on the back of the hand, leaving the fine sandpaper-like texture on the top of the hand intact. Factory stabilization is a semi-gloss that protects from top and the trit/lume compound ages underneath.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by linesiders

Starting around 1979, you will see the Factory Snowflake hands have lume stabilization, you will see a semi-gloss coating on the top of the hands to provide extra resistance to cracking.

Interesting stuff ✓

[tekno]

I may go back to the top hat later. I love the look of the dome crystal. I know it’s not correct. If I could, I would own a nice 94010 and a 94110. This is my poor man’s 94010.

When wearing my 76100 or 94110 with relumed hands I wasn’t too worried about bumping it around. I actually had to have my 76100 hands fixed twice because the first time the hour hand lume split.

Now that I have one with original hands I am less confident. I will be much more careful with this one.


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[harry in montreal]

I just bought a 79090 Tudor submariner. The crystal seemed ok under magnification. Crown and tube also were very good. I just ended up rolling the dice and showering with it and taking a few swims. Best not to do this and get it tested by a watchmaker. However, these watches are really well built. I have a nice seiko Willard. The crown is such a crap design. Impossible to really make waterproof.

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by linesiders

Aftermarket stabilization tends to be on the back of the hand, leaving the fine sandpaper-like texture on the top of the hand intact. Factory stabilization is a semi-gloss that protects from top and the trit/lume compound ages underneath.

Good info again.

I remember thinking my 9411 didn't have the semi-gloss hands but after looking closely it also had it. It explains why the hands on mine are still pretty intact.

[Paka]

Originally Posted by tekno

The Snowflake date or no date is my favorite watch. I had a blue 94110 for a couple years and I finally found my ideal black dial watch.




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Wow! I think this Tudor Sub goes extremely well with that kind of grey nato. Maybe even better than bracelet. It is so rugged looking watch.