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.