Any Watch Builders on here?

[UK_Scat_Pack]

I’m looking at learning to build/modify watches, mainly Seiko types.

I would be interested to know from any watch builders:

• Where they get their Kits and Tools from?

• Where they get their parts from?

• How did they learn?

• Any Useful YouTube Video recommendations

I’ve always been fascinated by this and have been watching some YouTube videos.

Thanks

[pidsy]

There are some excellent builders on here. Find the modified seiko thread in watch forums.

[g4ry13]

I've actually just been watching a few videos on this and had the same thought.

It seems a lot of people get their parts from AliExpress.

[Ninjin]

UK_Scat_Pack said:

I m looking at learning to build/modify watches, mainly Seiko types.

I would be interested to know from any watch builders:

Where they get their Kits and Tools from?

Where they get their parts from?

How did they learn?

Any Useful YouTube Video recommendations

I ve always been fascinated by this and have been watching some YouTube videos.

Thanks

As a beginner, you'll going to make mistakes. AliExpress has everything you need but I wouldn't buy the movements there. You'll gonna be breaking hands, scratching dials, etc etc. all part of the learning fun. So just buy cheapest parts to learn with. Once you get the hang of it, you'll see and understand the quality differences. Once you are confident that you won't make damages during assembly, then you can start to use the better quality (and also more expensive) parts.

I would buy movements from Cousins in the UK. They are the biggest watch servicing related store in the UK. They have tools from entry level to high end.

[RustyMX5]

I don't know how good this place is but I bookmarked it a long time ago when I fancied having a go at building my own watch.

https://www.shop.sk-watchparts.com/

[Macneil]

re tools you'll need a good crystal press and dies, just ignore those lever models that look like a stapler, they just don't work.

[UK_Scat_Pack]

Thank you so much for the replies so far. Very helpful.

I’ve got a cheap broken watch here to practice on so far .
I will check out a few more videos first to see if it’s something I think I may be able to attempt. If it is, I will get a few parts and attempt to have a go from scratch.

I’m mainly just after doing it out of personal interest and to have a tinker with some watches, and if possible build myself a watch or two.

[Cupradupra]

Hi!

I've built a few Seiko based watches and also quite a few Vostok (excellent Russian brand) watches.

The key is to ensure you have all the correct tools.

DECENT caseback opener - I can't stress this enough unless you wanted scratched and damaged casebacks.
Precision scredriver set - when you think of a small screw, think even smaller!
Crystal/bezel press - a good one is well worth the money to ensure crystal and bezels and pressed in and on square.

Correct tools make the difference.

The is a LOT of fun to be had building your own watches. The Seiko NH35 movement has nearly unlimited mod parts such as dials/hands etc available for it. 28.5mm dial is the size you want for the NH35/36 etc.

Apart from that, most aftermarket parts come from China, whether you buy from there directly or though a reseller more locally. The key is to source a decent and reputable supplier of quality parts.

Once you start, the limit is you imagination!

[g4ry13]

Do people who build / assemble their watches oil the movement and regulate it?

A lot of the videos I've watched on YouTube they just use the movement out of the bag and don't tinker with it.

[UK_Scat_Pack]

I heard this is a must have:



Can anybody share the types of presses they recommend please?

There seems to be so many different varieties of tools.

Edited by UK_Scat_Pack on Friday 30th January 21:28

[Cupradupra]

g4ry13 said:

Do people who build / assemble their watches oil the movement and regulate it?

A lot of the videos I've watched on YouTube they just use the movement out of the bag and don't tinker with it.

Most people will be using the NH35 and at around £40 a go its not worth oiling etc. They are workhorse movements and will run until they stop, which is very rarely! Occasionally i'll pop one on the timegrapher and try and regulate it slightly, but that's very rare.

[g4ry13]

Cupradupra said:

g4ry13 said:

Do people who build / assemble their watches oil the movement and regulate it?

A lot of the videos I've watched on YouTube they just use the movement out of the bag and don't tinker with it.

Most people will be using the NH35 and at around £40 a go its not worth oiling etc. They are workhorse movements and will run until they stop, which is very rarely! Occasionally i'll pop one on the timegrapher and try and regulate it slightly, but that's very rare.

I guess that makes sense. A timegrapher is quite a big investment relative to the cost of those movements.

[Geertsen]

Does anyone know if you can mod (or even just change the dial) on a Seiko SUR quartz model? I can’t find a list of mod-able models anywhere.