Need Advice on Modding a Tudor BB54 (ZF) – Hand Fitment Issue

[esquivo]

Hey everyone,

I just got my Tudor BB54 (ZF) and wanted to attempt the True Patina mod (this one: Instagram link). I picked up some pencil hands from Rafflestime, but I quickly realized that the hand posts are much shorter than the original ZF hands (Rafflestime hour hand on the left for reference).


I’m looking for advice on how to move forward. From my understanding, my options are:

1. Find different hands that have the correct post height – Any recommendations on where to source hands that will fit?

2. Modify the hand height – but this seems too risky and beyond my skill level.


I have some basic modding experience and I’m comfortable swapping hands (and the occasional keyless works reset ), but replacing a hand height kit is probably out of my technical reach.


Would appreciate any guidance, recommendations, or alternative solutions! I’ll attach a picture for reference.



Thanks in advance!

 

[Cubatobaco]

Let me see if I can find @KJ2020 post on his alteration of hands. It's an awesome resource!

 

[KJ2020]

Finding long collar hands will be difficult. Assuming you are using a 2824, the easiest route would be to install a kit of taller (H4) hands pinions. The hour and minute wheels are quite simple. The only challenge is the fourth wheel (seconds hand) but it's really not that bad. After removing the train bridge, it's the wheel on top so a quick swap. Refitting the train bridge onto 4 pinions can be a minor nuisance sometimes, other times it's a plop and go. LMK if you choose this route, I can offer assistance. I also recently found a good vendor for these parts that is quite inexpensive.

 

[esquivo]

Finding long collar hands will be difficult. Assuming you are using a 2824, the easiest route would be to install a kit of taller (H4) hands pinions. The hour and minute wheels are quite simple. The only challenge is the fourth wheel (seconds hand) but it's really not that bad. After removing the train bridge, it's the wheel on top so a quick swap. Refitting the train bridge onto 4 pinions can be a minor nuisance sometimes, other times it's a plop and go. LMK if you choose this route, I can offer assistance. I also recently found a good vendor for these parts that is quite inexpensive.

Hey KJ2020,

Really appreciate your insight and the (encouraging) breakdown—thank you! I'm always amazed how knowledgeable people like you in this community are always willing to jump in and help!

I had a feeling finding long collar hands would be tricky, and while swapping to H4 pinions is definitely beyond what I’ve done before, your explanation makes it sound a bit less intimidating. I may need to build up the courage (and skills) to attempt it! I’d absolutely appreciate both your assistance and the contact for that vendor.

Thanks again for taking the time to help!

 

[KJ2020]

Hey KJ2020,

Really appreciate your insight and the (encouraging) breakdown—thank you! I'm always amazed how knowledgeable people like you in this community are always willing to jump in and help!

I had a feeling finding long collar hands would be tricky, and while swapping to H4 pinions is definitely beyond what I’ve done before, your explanation makes it sound a bit less intimidating. I may need to build up the courage (and skills) to attempt it! I’d absolutely appreciate both your assistance and the contact for that vendor.

Thanks again for taking the time to help!

Glad to help bro. If you are going to be around reps for a while, starting to learn how movements work is a logical step toward maintenance freedom. It's greatly rewarding and also cost effective and convenient. The 2824 is a great movement to start on, it was my first.

There is a phenomenal 3D tutorial breakdown of the 2824 in the link below. Even if you don't want to begin mastering watchmaking now, this link will show you so much detail in such a unique way you won't be able to quit looking at it, haha. And ofc it will help you do the small part you need to do in switching out the fourth wheel.

Bartosz Ciechanowski 2824 breakdown

Here is the link for the inexpensive parts. You'll need 1 each of the H4 hour wheel, cannon pinion and fourth wheel (often mislabeled second wheel). They are $3.70 each

You may have to create an account to see these parts, you have to when buying anyway.

ETA Spare Parts | finest watch parts

ETA Spare Parts | Watch parts category

www.jkhorological.com

ETA 2824 #227 H4 Second wheel H4 (h=5,57 mm)

ETA 2824 #242 H4 Cannon pinion with driving wheel H4 (h=2,70 mm)

ETA 2824 #255 H4 Hour wheel H4 (h=1,75 mm)

LMK how it goes.

 

[esquivo]

Glad to help bro. If you are going to be around reps for a while, starting to learn how movements work is a logical step toward maintenance freedom. It's greatly rewarding and also cost effective and convenient. The 2824 is a great movement to start on, it was my first.

There is a phenomenal 3D tutorial breakdown of the 2824 in the link below. Even if you don't want to begin mastering watchmaking now, this link will show you so much detail in such a unique way you won't be able to quit looking at it, haha. And ofc it will help you do the small part you need to do in switching out the fourth wheel.

Bartosz Ciechanowski 2824 breakdown

Here is the link for the inexpensive parts. You'll need 1 each of the H4 hour wheel, cannon pinion and fourth wheel (often mislabeled second wheel). They are $3.70 each

You may have to create an account to see these parts, you have to when buying anyway.

ETA Spare Parts | finest watch parts

ETA Spare Parts | Watch parts category

www.jkhorological.com

ETA 2824 #227 H4 Second wheel H4 (h=5,57 mm)

ETA 2824 #242 H4 Cannon pinion with driving wheel H4 (h=2,70 mm)

ETA 2824 #255 H4 Hour wheel H4 (h=1,75 mm)

LMK how it goes.

Man, I’m absolutely astonished by those 3D animations—what an incredible resource! I’m pretty sure I won’t be doing much else this weekend other than diving into that, haha. Seriously, thanks for sharing it!

I went ahead and ordered the parts from the link you provided, so I’m all set to tackle this project. In the meantime, I already removed the ghost date and considering changing the lume on these new hands to match the dial (another first for me!).

Really looking forward to getting my hands dirty and learning more about the movement along the way.

I’ll keep you posted on how it goes, and I appreciate all the help!