how hard is it to build your own watch ?
Discussion
http://www.manbushijie.com/
Manbushijie sell cases, dials, hands, movements, and an assortment of tools. However once all the necessary stuff is ordered, that's where I'd get stuck ... How does it all go together?
Manbushijie sell cases, dials, hands, movements, and an assortment of tools. However once all the necessary stuff is ordered, that's where I'd get stuck ... How does it all go together?
Ikemi said:
Hoofy, out of interest, were you trying to mod a watch or were you building one from scratch? What went wrong?
On one, I was trying to mod a dial to give it a vintage look. The dial doesn't look bad (IMO!) but I cocked up the mechanism when putting it back as I didn't properly engage the crown or something and now I can't push the crown in properly any more!On another one, I tried to reseat the hands after regulating it. I didn't use the correct tools ie I just used tweezers and a mini screwdriver. Hands bent and not sure what the movement is plus new hands would probably cost as much as I paid for the watch. If I had used the proper tool to push the hands in place, I would not have bent them.
Caruso said:
I'd like to do some of my own case designs, and have been thinking about using a 3D printer to make a case which I would then get cast in metal.
Interesting idea. The simplest way would be to find a watch with a movement that has an assortment of dials and hands you can select from eg Seiko then make the inside of the case match the movement housing. The external of the case can be any design you want! Just pop in the movement and hands - should all fit fine.TZ's Mods & Wreckers would be a good place to have a flick through for info and ideas.
Edited by CardShark on Friday 17th February 13:51
Eighteeteewhy said:
1) See how many different tools you need.2) See how the only professional watch makers are dwarves.
Eighteeteewhy said:
That's one of the best YouTube videos I've seen. Such skill.
Hoofy said:
I sense a story of woe needs telling. 
More than one 
A Poljot had a little corrosion on the hands so I thought I would see if I could scrape it off with a scalpel. Scratched the dial instead.
I tried cleaning off some marks from the dials of an old Titoni and a Longines. I bought some Rodico to do it with, but ended up leaving a bigger smudge on the Titoni and damaged the dial markings on the Longines. They were both pretty tatty examples anyway that didnt cost a great deal. I learnt my lesson then to inspect photos much more carefully before buying.
I have a Vostok chronograph that had a super shiny case and bezel. I thought it would look better brushed, so I bought some of those abrasive blocks (can't remember the name) and removed the bezel and did an experimental scraping on the back. I didnt scrape enough, because when I started on the front I realised that the bezel was chromed base metal (I think copper). Poxy Russians not using stainless steel! Anyway, the bezel is now sitting in a glass of cola in the hope it will remove the rest of the chome. I actually think the copper colour will look better than the chrome did on the bezel so this isnt that bad. I might get it bead blasted to tone it down later.
Fifth and final disaster was on another Vostok. About 50% of the paint on the bezel had chipped/worn off so I thought I would put it in some spirit to get the rest off. This had no effect on the paint at all. Meanwhile I had disassembled it because the case was dirty and I think there was a tiny hair under the crystal or something. When the crystal was off I noticed a fat fingerprint right on the dial. As the spirit was handy, spur of the moment decision, I thought I would wipe a little spirit on the dial to get rid of it. I had read about people using lighter fluid for the same thing. An utterly stupid unthinking moment. Whilst the spirit had no effect on the bezel paint it f
ked the dial as soon as it touched it.I was furious about that last one for ages as I really liked that watch and I have not seen another one like it
GALLARDOGUY said:
That's one of the best YouTube videos I've seen.
Such skill.
You'll love these then, how the guy concentrates with all the noise/distractions is beyond....Such skill.
Grand Seiko Watchmaker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVwuE13bq2s&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOE0FoBddb8&fea...
Edited by Eighteeteewhy on Saturday 18th February 10:28
Eighteeteewhy said:
You'll love these then, how the guy concentrates with all the noise/distractions is beyond....
Grand Seiko Watchmaker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVwuE13bq2s&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOE0FoBddb8&fea...
Before clicking on them I think I know what they are. Grand Seiko fella at a trade show or something similar.Grand Seiko Watchmaker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVwuE13bq2s&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOE0FoBddb8&fea...
Edited by Eighteeteewhy on Saturday 18th February 10:28
Forgot about the Timex I was trying to regulate. The lever is in a difficult place and I had to insert a screwdriver down the side of the movement to push it. Somehow I prodded the balance wheel and knocked one end out of its seat. I sent it to Ryte Time for an overhaul after that!
It's not all been bad though
And writing this has been quite therapeutic.
It's not all been bad though
And writing this has been quite therapeutic.
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