FAQ:
The dial on this watch is 28.0 mm in diameter. If you're ordering a replacement for your own Sandoz-Singapore Submariner from MKII
Watch Co. you will need the 28.0 mm size to fit a Swiss Movement.
The bezel insert on this watch is NOT the same size as a Rolex Submariner. Original and aftermarket Rolex bezel inserts will NOT fit the
Sandoz-Singapore Submariner.
Project Review
After considering a number of other watches, I purchased this watch specifically to modify into a “Milsub” homage using aftermarket parts.
Here’s what was done:
Replace dial and hands
Replace crystal with domed acrylic
“Sterilize” the caseback
Re-lume the bezel dot to match the dial/hands
Install shoulderless spring bars
Pressure Test (to 6 ATM/198 ft.)
Project costs:
Watch: $225. (The Poor Man’s Watch Corner)
Parts: $80. (MkII Watch Co.)
Labor: $95. (IWW)
Shipping: $47.
TOTAL: $447.
Specifications:
Diameter: 40mm (measured across the bezel)
Length: 47mm (lug tip-to-tip)
Thickness: 13mm w/ original flat sapphire crystal, 14.5 w/ replacement domed crystal
Lug width: 20mm
Case: Stainless steel with screw on back. The sides are polished, the top surfaces are brushed. The edges are a bit sharp, a light
chamfer before final finishing would have been nice.
One detail that attracted me to this watch is the lugs are drilled all the way through, allowing use of full-width shoulderless spring bars.
This method is nearly as strong as solid fixed bars, and allows easy strap and bracelet changes. This watch came with light duty spring
bars, and I was a bit disappointed to find that the holes are too small to accommodate the larger Rolex type shoulderless bars. I
considered having the holes drilled to a larger size, but instead substituted a set of bars from a Marathon SAR, which fit just fine. While
smaller in diameter than the Rolex bars, they should be plenty strong.
Crown: Where most Submariner look-alikes are equipped with a too-small crown, this one is large and looks right. Care must be taken in
operation, as it’s not the easiest to engage and presents only 2 turns of thread.
Crystal: The original crystal was a flat sapphire with a magnifier “Cyclops” above the date window. It has been replaced with a domed
acrylic crystal.
Bezel: Unidirectional with 60 clicks. It turns smoothly with a little bit of backlash and lateral movement. The edge knurling is smoother
than a Rolex (which has sharper-edged, machine cut knurling), making it a bit more difficult to get a grip on. Overall, I would say the bezel
operation on this one is just average, not bad but not great.
NOTE: Original and aftermarket Rolex Sub bezel inserts will not fit this bezel, the dimensions are different. I was hoping the bezel
insert on this watch was the same size as a Rolex, as I have an aftermarket Milsub style insert I had hoped to use. The Sandoz insert is
slightly larger in its outside diameter, so Rolex inserts will not fit.
Dial & hands: The original dial and hands have been replaced with a “369 Milsub” dial and “MOD” sword hands from MkII Watch Co. The
lume on the hands is a bit better than the dial.
Movement: ETA 2824-2. After a few weeks, it’s running +2 sec per day, making it one of the better regulated new watches I’ve seen. I
have owned a number of watches with 2824s and found them all to be solid, reliable and easy to regulate to a very high standard of
accuracy.
Bracelet: This watch comes with a solid-link, split-pin Oyster style bracelet. The clasp has a safety lock, but no dive suit extension. The
hollow end links fit the case nicely. The center links are polished, the outer links brushed.
Packaging: Signed vinyl covered clamshell style watch box with signed outer sleeve box warranty card. There were no operating
instructions include (not that instructions are really necessary with a watch of this type).
Fit & finish: Overall good. All surfaces are nicely polished or brushed with no visible tool marks. The edges are crisp and everything fits
and operates reasonably well.
While this project was a bit expensive (it's still just a customized Sandoz), I’m generally pleased with the result. After wearing this watch
continuously for a few weeks, I can say that I like the look, and am quite pleased with the overall quality. The timekeeping of the ETA 2824
keeps getting better, this one now running at about +2 sec/day.
The only thing missing from this project are fixed strap bars and a Milsub style bezel insert. Like many others, I will continue to look for the
“ultimate” Milsub homage.
The dial on this watch is 28.0 mm in diameter. If you're ordering a replacement for your own Sandoz-Singapore Submariner from MKII
Watch Co. you will need the 28.0 mm size to fit a Swiss Movement.
The bezel insert on this watch is NOT the same size as a Rolex Submariner. Original and aftermarket Rolex bezel inserts will NOT fit the
Sandoz-Singapore Submariner.
Project Review
After considering a number of other watches, I purchased this watch specifically to modify into a “Milsub” homage using aftermarket parts.
Here’s what was done:
Replace dial and hands
Replace crystal with domed acrylic
“Sterilize” the caseback
Re-lume the bezel dot to match the dial/hands
Install shoulderless spring bars
Pressure Test (to 6 ATM/198 ft.)
Project costs:
Watch: $225. (The Poor Man’s Watch Corner)
Parts: $80. (MkII Watch Co.)
Labor: $95. (IWW)
Shipping: $47.
TOTAL: $447.
Specifications:
Diameter: 40mm (measured across the bezel)
Length: 47mm (lug tip-to-tip)
Thickness: 13mm w/ original flat sapphire crystal, 14.5 w/ replacement domed crystal
Lug width: 20mm
Case: Stainless steel with screw on back. The sides are polished, the top surfaces are brushed. The edges are a bit sharp, a light
chamfer before final finishing would have been nice.
One detail that attracted me to this watch is the lugs are drilled all the way through, allowing use of full-width shoulderless spring bars.
This method is nearly as strong as solid fixed bars, and allows easy strap and bracelet changes. This watch came with light duty spring
bars, and I was a bit disappointed to find that the holes are too small to accommodate the larger Rolex type shoulderless bars. I
considered having the holes drilled to a larger size, but instead substituted a set of bars from a Marathon SAR, which fit just fine. While
smaller in diameter than the Rolex bars, they should be plenty strong.
Crown: Where most Submariner look-alikes are equipped with a too-small crown, this one is large and looks right. Care must be taken in
operation, as it’s not the easiest to engage and presents only 2 turns of thread.
Crystal: The original crystal was a flat sapphire with a magnifier “Cyclops” above the date window. It has been replaced with a domed
acrylic crystal.
Bezel: Unidirectional with 60 clicks. It turns smoothly with a little bit of backlash and lateral movement. The edge knurling is smoother
than a Rolex (which has sharper-edged, machine cut knurling), making it a bit more difficult to get a grip on. Overall, I would say the bezel
operation on this one is just average, not bad but not great.
NOTE: Original and aftermarket Rolex Sub bezel inserts will not fit this bezel, the dimensions are different. I was hoping the bezel
insert on this watch was the same size as a Rolex, as I have an aftermarket Milsub style insert I had hoped to use. The Sandoz insert is
slightly larger in its outside diameter, so Rolex inserts will not fit.
Dial & hands: The original dial and hands have been replaced with a “369 Milsub” dial and “MOD” sword hands from MkII Watch Co. The
lume on the hands is a bit better than the dial.
Movement: ETA 2824-2. After a few weeks, it’s running +2 sec per day, making it one of the better regulated new watches I’ve seen. I
have owned a number of watches with 2824s and found them all to be solid, reliable and easy to regulate to a very high standard of
accuracy.
Bracelet: This watch comes with a solid-link, split-pin Oyster style bracelet. The clasp has a safety lock, but no dive suit extension. The
hollow end links fit the case nicely. The center links are polished, the outer links brushed.
Packaging: Signed vinyl covered clamshell style watch box with signed outer sleeve box warranty card. There were no operating
instructions include (not that instructions are really necessary with a watch of this type).
Fit & finish: Overall good. All surfaces are nicely polished or brushed with no visible tool marks. The edges are crisp and everything fits
and operates reasonably well.
While this project was a bit expensive (it's still just a customized Sandoz), I’m generally pleased with the result. After wearing this watch
continuously for a few weeks, I can say that I like the look, and am quite pleased with the overall quality. The timekeeping of the ETA 2824
keeps getting better, this one now running at about +2 sec/day.
The only thing missing from this project are fixed strap bars and a Milsub style bezel insert. Like many others, I will continue to look for the
“ultimate” Milsub homage.
| Sandoz (Singapore) Submariner Milsub Project Review |
