Since finishing my first build earlier this year (a 16014 Datejust) I've been looking for a new project and, after seeing some parts come up on m2m, have decided to go with a Tudor snowflake.
I'm very much a novice when it comes to building but its great fun and a good excuse to buy new tools. Thanks to HawkZero I was able to pick up a Vietnam 9411 case, dial and bezel plus he was kind enough to also include some snowflake hands and pips. The case did have some issues with a thread tap snapped off inside the case but it was still a great price and pleasure to deal with.
I picked up a retaining ring, crown and tropic 19 crystal (all from Phong) from hanski who I would also highly recommend as a seller with very fast delivery to the UK.
I really struggled to find the right insert with the wide 4 (on 40) I see on 9411 pics (mainly on hqmilton) but in the end decided the tiger concept insert was the closest match so have ordered that. The existing insert is glued into bezel so can anyone recommend a good solvent to remove without damaging the bezel?
On to the build... the case set was cheap mainly because it had thread tap broken off inside the case. I was aware of this before I bought it but it was a good price despite this so figured worth the gamble trying to repair.
After some research I bought a specialist tap extractor from a company called Walton and it worked brilliantly to remove the broken tap without damaging the threads
The main missing parts (apart from gaskets, movement rings etc) are the spring washer, crown tube and most importantly a movement. I know the gen used an eta 2784 but I can't see these for sale at all. The 2783 I understand is basically the same but a lower beat. I'm tempted to use a 2824/2836 for cost/availability reasons but this would mean removing the dial feet and I'm not sure if a 2783/4 date wheel would fit. Any advise on the movement choice from more seasoned builders would be greatly appreciated.!!
I'm very much a novice when it comes to building but its great fun and a good excuse to buy new tools. Thanks to HawkZero I was able to pick up a Vietnam 9411 case, dial and bezel plus he was kind enough to also include some snowflake hands and pips. The case did have some issues with a thread tap snapped off inside the case but it was still a great price and pleasure to deal with.
I picked up a retaining ring, crown and tropic 19 crystal (all from Phong) from hanski who I would also highly recommend as a seller with very fast delivery to the UK.
I really struggled to find the right insert with the wide 4 (on 40) I see on 9411 pics (mainly on hqmilton) but in the end decided the tiger concept insert was the closest match so have ordered that. The existing insert is glued into bezel so can anyone recommend a good solvent to remove without damaging the bezel?
On to the build... the case set was cheap mainly because it had thread tap broken off inside the case. I was aware of this before I bought it but it was a good price despite this so figured worth the gamble trying to repair.
After some research I bought a specialist tap extractor from a company called Walton and it worked brilliantly to remove the broken tap without damaging the threads
The main missing parts (apart from gaskets, movement rings etc) are the spring washer, crown tube and most importantly a movement. I know the gen used an eta 2784 but I can't see these for sale at all. The 2783 I understand is basically the same but a lower beat. I'm tempted to use a 2824/2836 for cost/availability reasons but this would mean removing the dial feet and I'm not sure if a 2783/4 date wheel would fit. Any advise on the movement choice from more seasoned builders would be greatly appreciated.!!
Last edited:
