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AR15.COM
8/6/2025 8:59:15 PM EDT
[Last Edit: marshjr][Edited]
A friend of mine bought me a watch that I dropped recently and the movement quit working. I took it to a local watch repair place called "its about time" and they quoted me $350 to replace the movement which seemed a bit high to me. I think that this is a Seiko clone with the NH34 movement that was designed to look like a Rolex GMT. Does anyone have a recommendation for an online shop/retailer/repair person that may be able to replace/repair the movement for less? I'd love to swap out the dial for something less "rolex" looking while they were in there but I don't want to get too complicated if it's going to get super expensive. If I have to pay that much to get it fixed I will likely just find a Seiko that I like and put the engraved case back on the new watch.

Any suggestions?




https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jrxjnaniel6xicbopgzwb/IMG_7975.png?rlkey=qq9s3val6l1v52mrs23z2p3p0&st=n4bp5gkr&dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0xdcqgx928qhph1wiqmgy/thumbnail_IMG_7974.jpg?rlkey=n7cn5byjc87jym9p775590l71&st=r8h7xv7g&dl=0

edit...not sure why my pics didn't post.
8/7/2025 5:05:37 AM EDT
[#1]
Feel for ya. I'm in the middle of a trip and knocked my Longines spirit Zulu time off a desk onto a hard floor. Landed on its side and is stopped dead. I can hear parts moving around inside. This is the second drop I've given this watch.

Anyway, I can't help because I'm sending it to longines and expect to pay 4-500 dollars.

I'm just replying with empathy.
Become prompt critical.
8/7/2025 8:39:01 AM EDT
[#2]
I bet you could find a member in the Roll your own Seiko thread that could do a movement swap for you

Those moments are cheaper to replace & to try & repair

For wayyy less

https://www.ar15.com/forums/General/Rolling-your-own-watch-Seiko-mods-and-frankenstein-watches/178-2699238/
8/8/2025 3:33:35 PM EDT
[#3]
Our very own Unreformed66 is a watchmaker. I’m certain he could take care of that for you.
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Sir RobertL, Charter Member of the Knights of Wonder
8/17/2025 3:17:11 PM EDT
[Last Edit: bnoji][Edited] [#4]
This is probably a pretty easy swap and Seiko movements are cheap enough to get spares. I keep a few 35s and 38s around.

Pop the case back, remove the crown and stem (keep it so you don't have to cut a new one), move hands/dial to new movement and reverse steps.

ETA: Push the crown in to the winding position, push in on the circled lever and pull out the stem at the same time. In/down... Push the dimple with your tweezers.



Now you can remove the movement from the case.

Flip it, pop the hands off with little pry bars and use some plastic to protect the dial face.



Set your day/date rollover time, stop the movement, then press the hands on. I always roll it over again and check the minute hand is right on when it rolls over at midnight.



Consider having a watchmaker regulate the movement if you didn't buy one pre-adjusted
8/25/2025 4:44:01 PM EDT
[#5]
Thank you for the guide. At some point I would love to start working on movements/watches myself. I bailed on this one and sent it to our own Unreformed66 for help!
9/4/2025 4:43:57 PM EDT
[#6]
Follow up on mine it looks like they're  repairing it under warranty even though I explained the damage was my fault!
Become prompt critical.
9/23/2025 10:44:11 PM EDT
[#7]
Received back! Perfect. Another box. Very happy with the service from Swatch Group US, and that the place I bought it from online, Time Machine Plus, was actually an authorized dealer.
If buying isn't owning, piracy isn't stealing.

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