9401/0 Snowflake Tudor Submariner

As pumpkin lumed 76100 snowcones, and MN milsubs are growing astronomically more expensive by the day, it’s worth considering the base original. I wouldn’t wear an MN on the daily for fear of bashing it or worse, theft. But I would wear this 9400-series. Every damn day. There’s a lot to be said for the beauty inherent in dependability. The classic black on tritium snowflake will never go out of style. In fact, it’s just entering peak appreciation.

Unappreciated upon release, it has been on a slow and steady rise of popularity since the late 1960s introduction for the Tudor Sub. The 76 Snowflake generation of Tudor Sub is really where they branched in design from Rolex. This is really the birth of the experimental sibling vibe we love Tudor for today. Interestingly, this reference was available with both a snowcone and snowflake handset at various dates in either black or blue. If you didn’t know, the snowflake look was created after working in tandem with the French MN, who complained about legibility underwater. A base 2776 ETA beats slowly inside with hacking seconds and a quickset date, operated through a Rolex trip-lock. Early examples had a paint defect which caused bubbling in age, it is believed that Tudor correct this fault in the mid 70s. This example hails from near the end of production in 1984.

This example is something of a hybrid restoration, with a professionally ‘refinished’ case and original dial. I applaud AS for noting the work done, and the case looks sharp, if a bit clinical. The dial is evenly aged, with a darker cream, yet even, tritium application. It comes recently service from a well-regarded NYC retailer.

Find this 9401/0 here from Analog Shift for 12900 USD.