Mercedes hands on Tudor BB58

[b4d4bing]

So I’ve done a bit of research and it turns out the pinion size for the black bay 58 is the same as for the 3135 Rolex movement. I have the blue 58 and was considering getting a set of Rolex Mercedes hands from a sub and have them swapped over. Easy to change in the future. I think it would look ace. What’s the dial size of a sub versus the BB58. Want the hands to be the correct length.

Thoughts?

[Harry-57]

I personally don't like the snowflake hand design that Tudor uses. It's one of a couple of things that put me off. But without them it wouldn't be a Tudor. The anesthetic of the latest design would look unbalanced. Would the Mercedes set not need to be thicker and chunkier to balance on the Tudor design? I suppose there is one way of finding out. My inclination is to leave well alone, but it's your watch and your choice. And as you say, it will be an unusual beast, possibly unique.

If the hands are easy to swap it's surprising someone hasn't done it already and posted pictures online. By the same token, if you convert it and don't like it, you can easily swap it back.

[CPRWATCH]

Sounds like a great idea & well worth trying if you can . Be great to see some pictures of it if it works out . And here is a comparison picture to Give you an idea of what it could look like ,

[Shadow Play]

I wasn’t sure about the snowflake hour hand when i bought m6 BB58. It wasn’t a deal breaker so I didn’t hate it. Now - it’s one of my favourite things about the watch. Helps give a different look to it.

[Gerardus]

I like the snowflake hands on my 58 just as much as I like the mercedes hands on my Rolex. Besides that, I am a huge fan of keep it all original, but thats just my opinion. To each his own

[uncleluck]

I’m prepared to be proven wrong but I’d be very surprised if Mercedes hands will suit the Tudor’s dial markers, can’t see them matching the 3/6/9 marks.

[Tikandtokalot]

Seriously bad idea.
Wrong in so many ways but it's your money.

[bremersm]

The BB58 is 39mm and the Sub is 40mm. I believe that is the case diameter and not the dial diameter which is the important spec. It appears that the hour hand is shorter and the minute hand slightly longer for the Sub so I do not think this would work.

Personally I wouldn't do it unless you are having the BB serviced as I wouldn't want to open up a watch for no reason other than to do this. Buy the handset, wait for service, then try it out.

[travisb]

I think the snowflake hands suit the BB perfectly.

[Minimalist]

Originally Posted by CPRWATCH

Sounds like a great idea & well worth trying if you can . Be great to see some pictures of it if it works out . And here is a comparison picture to Give you an idea of what it could look like ,

Nice vintage Tudor that. Why couldn't they just not do the faux riveted bracelet, would look so much nicer with the bracelet they used on the eta versions.

[1William]

I prefer the OEM hands. They work very well with the design of the watch.

[Speedsleev]

The snowflake is what sets the Tudor apart from the crown, I love it and its a bit more fun than some of the traditional pieces. Plus, NO ONE knows what it is, at least in my circles.

[MMPutnam]

Originally Posted by Minimalist

Nice vintage Tudor that. Why couldn't they just not do the faux riveted bracelet, would look so much nicer with the bracelet they used on the eta versions.

I thought the same initially about the rivets. But I had a chance to try one on at an AD and I totally forgot about the rivets. After a couple minutes admiring it on the wrist I thought “wait, what about the rivets I don’t like?” and had to look for them to see them. For me, they just don’t show when looking at the watch head on.
Now, to be fair, I was a bit on cloud nine at the time. I had stopped by the AD to say hello and confirm I was still on the list for a Sub 41. They confirmed and offered one that had just arrived. This was my first AD purchase of an awaited watch so I was pretty giddy with the experience.
Regardless, I truly loved the look of then BB58 and have totally moved on from my rivet hangup.

[Jackie Daytona]

I’d be really interested to see how that works/looks. I’m getting more and more into Tudor aesthetics lately as they remind me of vintage Rolex but I really can’t get into the snowflake hands. That’s the only thing that really irks me. I like that they are original design and kind of funky and all, I just wish they had a different design that could still evoke that original sort of design philosophy.

[thefollandgnat]

Rolex should put snowflake hands on the Daytona. Then you might be able to use the watch to tell the time.

[winst]

I have the BB58 Blue and an Explorer 39mm. I previously had a BB41 Blue that I sold when I bought the Explorer but I missed the blue dial and also the Snowflake hands so bought the BB58. I actually prefer the Snowflake hands to the Mercedes ones in terms of legibility and like the uniqueness of them. I wouldn’t put Mercedes hands on a BB58 Blue, it would make it look like a Smurf wannabe.

[Krash]

I’d stick with the originals. Mercedes hands look great on a Rolex. That’s where they belong.

Snowflake hands look great on a Tudor.

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[kieselguhr]

It’s been done by forum member Jwlife37. He has the same handle on Instagram so you can see what it looks like on there.

On the BB58ln it looks off because the hand set is supposed to be rose gold plated to match the rest of the aesthetic. Would probably look decent on a BB58bl

[Hampshirescott]

Found it. He even changed the crown. Lume doesn’t match but I assume the blue would be easier as it’s white.


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[breitlings]

Originally Posted by thefollandgnat

Rolex should put snowflake hands on the Daytona. Then you might be able to use the watch to tell the time.

but not the sub dials. Daytonas don't even use mercedes hands.

I would be interested in this mod too.

[Tikandtokalot]

Originally Posted by thefollandgnat

Rolex should put snowflake hands on the Daytona. Then you might be able to use the watch to tell the time.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by MMPutnam

I thought the same initially about the rivets. But I had a chance to try one on at an AD and I totally forgot about the rivets. After a couple minutes admiring it on the wrist I thought “wait, what about the rivets I don’t like?” and had to look for them to see them. For me, they just don’t show when looking at the watch head on.
Now, to be fair, I was a bit on cloud nine at the time. I had stopped by the AD to say hello and confirm I was still on the list for a Sub 41. They confirmed and offered one that had just arrived. This was my first AD purchase of an awaited watch so I was pretty giddy with the experience.
Regardless, I truly loved the look of then BB58 and have totally moved on from my rivet hangup.

Agreed, love the rivet bracelet.

As for Tudor's use of snowflake handsets, the design has historical significance w/ the brand, holds lots of lume, and makes it easily identifiable. A winning combo, IMHO.
dP

[dontbeshort]

In the words of Simon Cowell - “Its a NO from me”!

[garyk]

Originally Posted by b4d4bing

So I’ve done a bit of research and it turns out the pinion size for the black bay 58 is the same as for the 3135 Rolex movement. I have the blue 58 and was considering getting a set of Rolex Mercedes hands from a sub and have them swapped over. Easy to change in the future. I think it would look ace. What’s the dial size of a sub versus the BB58. Want the hands to be the correct length.

Thoughts?

Sounds cool maybe. Your comment "it would look ace" if that's correct, I love that. I love all things British and especially the slang. I lived in Fulham in 1971 with my then girlfriend (wife), had the time of our lives!!!

[VincentM]

Snow is just perfect! Gives BB its character and uniqueness.




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[Jackie Daytona]

Originally Posted by Hampshirescott

Found it. He even changed the crown. Lume doesn’t match but I assume the blue would be easier as it’s white.


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I like it overall, I just wish Tudor had something that wasn’t snowflake hands, but not exactly Mercedes hands either. I still feel Ike they’re an improvement. I wish they had something that kinda keeps the Tudor vintage inspired originality, but not a big square on a stick to use for pointing.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by Dontknow

I like it overall, I just wish Tudor had something that wasn’t snowflake hands, but not exactly Mercedes hands either. I still feel Ike they’re an improvement. I wish they had something that kinda keeps the Tudor vintage inspired originality, but not a big square on a stick to use for pointing.

The North Flag and Ranger spear hands would be interesting

[winst]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

The North Flag and Ranger spear hands would be interesting

This sums it up for me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJWM5FmZyqU

[Mendota]

I loathe the snowflake hands but would gladly buy it if it came with the more typical Rolex Mercedes hand set. I'd even buy it if it came with the original, vintage Tudor pencil hands. Anything would look better than the snowflake.

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[Lew Archer]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Agreed, love the rivet bracelet.

As for Tudor's use of snowflake handsets, the design has historical significance w/ the brand, holds lots of lume, and makes it easily identifiable. A winning combo, IMHO.
dP

A winning argument. I've never owned a Tudor...but, I am considering, at some point, the Black Bay 58 in blue. I can't think of a reason in the world to buy it--I have a perfectly fine old school Submariner...but it's simply a handsome watch with its own distinct characteristics. So, were I to buy one, I'd leave it as is. I'd likely get it on the bracelet and look to procure either the Nato or the "soft touch" strap.