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| Tudor Submariner restoration | Rating: 
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| Posted: Wed Apr 21st, 2010 09:24 am |
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13th Post |
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Graham 3T WIS 
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Well, at long last the project is gaining momentum. I have received the case and caseback as well as the riveted bracelet back from Charles Bija (watchspot.net) who did a wonderful job of polishing these items. Look at the pic of the caseback posted at the beginning of this thread, and compare it to its current state:  Obviously there is only so much you can do to such a damaged caseback, but I am most impressed at the result. As you can see, the case and bracelet also came out really well. As with any 45 year old watch, there are obviously some remaining marks which are simply too deep to polish out. Overall, a result which far exceeded my expectations.   I used a dremel tool to trim the outside edge of the newly acquired plexiglass. It is quite a mission, and requires a lot of patience. The inner diameter is a very tight fit over the outer rim of the front of the case, without any gaskets. After installation, the retaining ring fits around the glass and secures it, while at the same time it allows the bezel to clip onto it. No gaskets anywhere, purely friction. Therefore the fit of the ring over the glass is crucial. (I'll admit to destroying one of these when I first tried to replace a glass on this watch years ago).  After having fitted the new bezel insert, the friction ring was put in place and the bezel clicked home. I couldn't resist screwing the crown and stem home and fitting the bracelet to see the result.....   As I mentioned at the start of the thread, I managed to find a complete replacement movement for the watch. I consider myself very fortunate, since the cal. 390 Tudor movement is really scarce. Spares are too. Anyway, this movement arrived from Denmark a while ago. It is running fine and has a good power reserve. The rotor winds the movement just fine. However, it needs a full service as the amplitude is in the low 150's. I have decided to swop the movements and keep the original as a spare. It still runs well, but the automatic wind no longer works due to wear of the reverser wheels. The movements are identical, although the original one was rhodium plated, not rose gold tinted like the replacement. I have seen both versions being used in the 7928 subs.  Interestingly, most sources will claim that this movement was made by Rolex. The fact is that it is actually a FEF calibre 350 movement. Back to the project: The dial and hands were sent to Kent Parks of Everest watchworks. He came highly recommended by a number of WIS. The brief was for him to do a sympathetic relume of the dial and hands so as to retain some of the patinated appeal. After a long and frustrating ordeal, he at long last sent me these pics yesterday of the completed job.   Obviously I will have to wait another two weeks or so for these to arrive from the US, so I will comment on the job once I get the dial and hands back. At this point I must add that I cannot endorse Kent's work ethic. I had a very bad experience with him. Anyway, I just hope this last hurdle won't hold up the project for too much longer. All that remains to be done is a full service of the movement. I'll post the final result once I have everything assembled. Thanks for your interest in my little project so far! Last edited on Wed Apr 21st, 2010 09:27 am by Graham |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 21st, 2010 09:44 am |
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14th Post |
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Paxman 3T WIS 
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The work on the case and bracelet look great, Graham. As does the dial. I can't wait to see this all put together. Great project!
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| Posted: Wed Apr 21st, 2010 12:14 pm |
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15th Post |
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natevan70 3T WIS 
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Some delays aside; it looks like a success!
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| Posted: Wed Apr 21st, 2010 01:40 pm |
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16th Post |
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oagaspar Site Founder 
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coming along with awesome results Graham....Congrats!...the end result will be a very much desired Tudor and an heirloom for you to enjoy for another 45yrs.!
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| Posted: Wed Apr 21st, 2010 01:53 pm |
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17th Post |
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Dragnattck 3T WIS
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Graham what an awesome watch and project. I wish i had your knowledge and skills.. I can not wait to see it all put together. Thanks for posting your progress and your descriptions. Greg
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| Posted: Wed Apr 21st, 2010 01:53 pm |
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18th Post |
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Tony Duronio 3T WIS 
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You guys amaze me with your talent and eye for restoration. Looks fantastic Graham, look forward to the finished product
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| Posted: Wed Apr 21st, 2010 04:41 pm |
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19th Post |
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Hammerfjord Moderator 
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Nice to see some progress on your old "Safari watch"! The case back result could not be better... Best luck for the rest Graham! Got me new phone on my side and mail between 2 steel plate cuts... 
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22nd, 2010 03:42 am |
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20th Post |
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Graham 3T WIS
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I appreciate the positive feedback, guys! I do find this project most rewarding. Tony, thanks for the compliment, but I'm nowhere near knowledgeable enough when it comes to watches. In this case I'm merely the project manager, farming the work out and taking care of payments! Will, don't get your new phone all banged up on the job! 
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22nd, 2010 06:51 am |
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21st Post |
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bigrustypig 3T WIS 
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I don't know how the heck I missed the original March 1 post, Graham. I must have been airborne or I got trapped in a freezer somewhere.Big Congrats on the development of your project and I really think you have tons of guts to embark on such a restoration. But as you said, it's a sentimental thing and with that, no value can be placed. Hoping to see your final transformation and the Rose resurrected.yahoo.gif Thanks for the tip on the other guy.
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| Posted: Sat Jun 5th, 2010 08:39 am |
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22nd Post |
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Graham 3T WIS
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Well, this morning the call came that I had been looking forward to for such a long time: "Ze vats ies ready" (German for the watch is ready and bring a lot of cash") I was busy working on one of my vintage cars, but before you could say TUDOR I was on my bike and negotiated the heavy Saturday morning traffic into downtown Cape Town to collect my watch. Incredible how many tourists have already ascended onto our neck of the woods for the FIFA world cup. Anyway, back to the sub. Manfred proudly removed the watch from the winder it has been living on for the last few days. He is still old school and likes to thoroughly check a watch before it goes out. The final result blew me away. Yes, I have already seen all the components, but somehow the sum total of the parts were more than I had expected: a beautifully restored Tudor small rose sub 7928 with just the right amount of patina! He assured me that the replacement movement was in excellent condition, and that in fact as far as he could see, he was the first watchmaker to service it! WOW! What a luck considering I bought it in good faith from a vandor in Denmark. When I got home, the sub went straight onto the timing machine to check Manfred's claims. I couldn't believe my eyes: running spot on, with no errors whatsoever and a very healthy amplitude to boot. To crown it all, it passed a 100m WR test! Enough said. Below are some Q&D's. I'm a happy chappy! I love it when a plan comes together! On the timing machine:  In the weak fall sunshine you can see the nicely patinated dial     with a sibling, the 14060 Rolex ND   .......and the obligatory wrist shot!  Well, thanks for taking an interest in my little project. Total cost to me was just under US$1K. Well worth it for me. Last edited on Sat Jun 5th, 2010 08:40 am by Graham |
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| Posted: Sat Jun 5th, 2010 09:33 am |
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23rd Post |
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Paxman 3T WIS
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Oh meine Güte!! (Tha's German for Oh my goodness!) Graham that turned out so beautifully. Just a fantastic culmination to a great project. That's a Tudor you can wear with a great amount of pride! I am so happy for you. Thanks for taking us through from beginning to end. You've got an unbelievable heirloom timepiece and your cash outlay was very reasonable. congratulations and wear this watch with pride!
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| Posted: Sat Jun 5th, 2010 09:50 am |
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24th Post |
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Nordstrom 3T WIS 
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Fantastic!!! Thank you for letting us along on your journey. That is a neat story and a great watch.
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