Thought I'd detail a complete novices build on a Tudor 9411/0 using Raffles parts, which was heavily influenced by 369mafias and Singapore9s threads.
This is my first build so hopefully themistakes I've made along the way can help others if they want to build a similar watch and avoid my mistakes!
To start off I ordered...
Raffles 1680 Case
Raffles 9411/0 Snowflake Dial
Raffles Snowflake Handset
Raffles Tudor Oyster Bracelet
Miuksi PT5000 Movement
So the parts from Raffles turned up first and I noticed that the bezel insert was horribly chipped on the inside edges between the 12 and 3 markers, I thought that this would be a good excuse to attempt some bezel insert fading whilst I asked Raffles for a replacement.
So that meant the bezel needed to be popped off, which after watching a few videos looked easy enough...
Unfortunately I somehow managed to damage both the seal and the retaining spring in the process...
So another few bits to add to my next order from Raffles I thought.
I then faded the bezel insert in some blue tinted bleach based bog cleaner, which unforuntely was a little too strong and stripped most of the colour off the bezel in mere seconds - which resulted in a bit too much fade and some smudging from me touching the face whilst removing it from the bleach.
The dial I aged by putting it in the oven for about an hour at around 160 degrees C, I am happy with the level of age given from this method as I didn't want to go too far.
I tried to age the hands by putting them in the oven at a higher heat, but they absolutely refused to yellow even a little even after 2hrs at 200 degrees.
So I made a concoction of coffee and turmeric and applied these onto the hands and then baked in the oven at 200 degrees for around 20 minutes.
By sheer dumb luck this actually provided a very similar aged look to the dial face.
I then attempted some crown guard shaping using some needle nosed files to more closely match the genuine crown guards.
Here's halfway through doing one - the small scratches will be dealt with later once I've ordered a dremel for some touching up.
Next the movement turned up, so I attempted to install this along with the hands.
My first mistake was thinking that the dial spacer was the small metal ring that came with the Raffles case, which after installing between the dial and the movement left me with almost zero of the center wheel poking through the dial face.
I then removed this and reinstalled the dial to the movement without a spacer, as it looked like it didn't need it - the date wheel changed freely.
I then installed the hands with much swearing and hand shaking - hour hand was easy enough, but the minutes hand was a complete pig.
After getting all three hands on, I made sure that the watch ran - and it did. For less than a minute...
Upon closer inspection, the seconds hand was snagging on the minute hand - so off the minute hand comes again!
10 minutes later, all hands back on with much gap checking - we have a running watch!
Next was trimming the stem to fit the case, removing all the bloody cat hair from inside the case with Rodico and send an email to Raffles asking for a new bezel insert and a replacement gasket and spring.
A few days later much to my excitement, my free replacement parts from Raffles turned up.
And the bezel insert is the wrong colour...
So I whacked the bracelet on and had a look at both of the bezel inserts in the sunlight, the 'wrong' blue is nice but certainly doesn't suit the watch in my opinion and the original faded dial is a little too faded in my opinion - so I will definitely be on the lookout for a replacement insert to faded 'just a little bit'
Hopefully these links work as they wouldn't embed, but here are some wrist rolls of the first finished attempts with the different bezel inserts.
Next steps will be:
Anthaya 702 Crown
More case shaping
New bezel insert - any recommendations?
Blue Nato strap
Overall, it was an enjoyable first build - I've learnt quite a bit and will be attempting a few others down the line once my imminent house move and first child arrival has happened!
Feel free to share your thoughts and comments
This is my first build so hopefully themistakes I've made along the way can help others if they want to build a similar watch and avoid my mistakes!
To start off I ordered...
Raffles 1680 Case
Raffles 9411/0 Snowflake Dial
Raffles Snowflake Handset
Raffles Tudor Oyster Bracelet
Miuksi PT5000 Movement
So the parts from Raffles turned up first and I noticed that the bezel insert was horribly chipped on the inside edges between the 12 and 3 markers, I thought that this would be a good excuse to attempt some bezel insert fading whilst I asked Raffles for a replacement.
So that meant the bezel needed to be popped off, which after watching a few videos looked easy enough...
Unfortunately I somehow managed to damage both the seal and the retaining spring in the process...
So another few bits to add to my next order from Raffles I thought.
I then faded the bezel insert in some blue tinted bleach based bog cleaner, which unforuntely was a little too strong and stripped most of the colour off the bezel in mere seconds - which resulted in a bit too much fade and some smudging from me touching the face whilst removing it from the bleach.
The dial I aged by putting it in the oven for about an hour at around 160 degrees C, I am happy with the level of age given from this method as I didn't want to go too far.
I tried to age the hands by putting them in the oven at a higher heat, but they absolutely refused to yellow even a little even after 2hrs at 200 degrees.
So I made a concoction of coffee and turmeric and applied these onto the hands and then baked in the oven at 200 degrees for around 20 minutes.
By sheer dumb luck this actually provided a very similar aged look to the dial face.
I then attempted some crown guard shaping using some needle nosed files to more closely match the genuine crown guards.
Here's halfway through doing one - the small scratches will be dealt with later once I've ordered a dremel for some touching up.
Next the movement turned up, so I attempted to install this along with the hands.
My first mistake was thinking that the dial spacer was the small metal ring that came with the Raffles case, which after installing between the dial and the movement left me with almost zero of the center wheel poking through the dial face.
I then removed this and reinstalled the dial to the movement without a spacer, as it looked like it didn't need it - the date wheel changed freely.
I then installed the hands with much swearing and hand shaking - hour hand was easy enough, but the minutes hand was a complete pig.
After getting all three hands on, I made sure that the watch ran - and it did. For less than a minute...
Upon closer inspection, the seconds hand was snagging on the minute hand - so off the minute hand comes again!
10 minutes later, all hands back on with much gap checking - we have a running watch!
Next was trimming the stem to fit the case, removing all the bloody cat hair from inside the case with Rodico and send an email to Raffles asking for a new bezel insert and a replacement gasket and spring.
A few days later much to my excitement, my free replacement parts from Raffles turned up.
And the bezel insert is the wrong colour...
So I whacked the bracelet on and had a look at both of the bezel inserts in the sunlight, the 'wrong' blue is nice but certainly doesn't suit the watch in my opinion and the original faded dial is a little too faded in my opinion - so I will definitely be on the lookout for a replacement insert to faded 'just a little bit'
Hopefully these links work as they wouldn't embed, but here are some wrist rolls of the first finished attempts with the different bezel inserts.
Next steps will be:
Anthaya 702 Crown
More case shaping
New bezel insert - any recommendations?
Blue Nato strap
Overall, it was an enjoyable first build - I've learnt quite a bit and will be attempting a few others down the line once my imminent house move and first child arrival has happened!
Feel free to share your thoughts and comments
