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Originally Posted By teats: I've been checking the hours against the right dial. Its divided by 1/3's. At 08:00, the right dial is at 10. Twist again another 8 hours to 4 pm, and its at 20. Some kinda odd time keeping. https://i.postimg.cc/T1wYM8mC/20251014-183739.jpg I'm guessing that watch needs a movement that has a 30 minute feature in that dial. |
There are many like it, but this one is mine.
"Leaders love to point." - C. Hathcock
"Leaders love to point." - C. Hathcock
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I'll start a dedicated thread soon. Material and parts are coming in gradually. I'm experimenting with cloisonne using laser engraved blanks. I can surface grind to final thickness then fill the little indices with lume. It's currently 29mm and should finish at 0.4mm. I had to leave to pick up my son so I only had a few minutes to run it. The depth will be about .020".  I have some tools to finish designing/building. |
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Originally Posted By ColdboreDreamer: Sounds like it's a VK63 movement as that would be the correct hand position for the 24 tracking, no? I'm guessing that watch needs a movement that has a 30 minute feature in that dial. Originally Posted By ColdboreDreamer: Originally Posted By teats: I've been checking the hours against the right dial. Its divided by 1/3's. At 08:00, the right dial is at 10. Twist again another 8 hours to 4 pm, and its at 20. Some kinda odd time keeping. https://i.postimg.cc/T1wYM8mC/20251014-183739.jpg I'm guessing that watch needs a movement that has a 30 minute feature in that dial. Yeah, its a VK63 movement. I have 4 I've assembled. I ordered a diver style case for a VK63. I think I'm going to move my white Panda specimen into it, with a blue lumed, black bezel insert. |
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More experiments. I tried wet packing a copper blank I cut on an Amazon router I bought for pinewood derby cars. My second time enameling and I over fired it messing with my phone. Technically, it's still usable as a dial.  Going for maybe 10 lengthwise on the top and sides, .5 polish on the chamfer. I have an idea of starting Ra and processes to do a few different finishes on cases and case backs. Ignore the mismatch on the chamfer. Dro broke and I was in a rush so I did them by guessing. Im looking for a cheap, small mini mill to use the casting as a base for a perlage/Geneva stripe finisher 
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Got this watch from the 11.11 sale coming my way. Designed my own dial for them to print $40 then got the watch for $230 with a SW200 movement. Let's see if anyone can spot what I did there.... Hestur Automatic    November 25, 2025 |
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Installing the second hand is a pain. I've not used it yet but I found this 3d printed tool. Maker World Link to 3d Files. Reddit Link to Project.  |
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Originally Posted By doubleplusgood: anyone? You need a few tools and the correct parts. Building Your First Seiko Mod: A Beginner's Guide Looking to build your own custom watch? Seiko mods are the perfect entry point into watchmaking! This guide covers the essential parts and tools needed to complete your first build using the popular NH series movement. Core Parts Checklist (The "Recipe") Most beginner mods are built around the reliable and affordable Seiko NH35 or NH36 movements. The Engine (Movement) NH35 (Date) or NH36 (Day/Date). These are the engines of your mod. The Body (Case & Protection) Watch Case: Must be designed for the NH movement (e.g., popular SKX007 or Turtle styles). Crown & Stem: The stem must be cut precisely to fit your specific case/movement combination. Crystal: Usually upgraded to Sapphire for scratch resistance. Ensure it fits your specific case. The Face (Aesthetics) Dial: Diameter is typically 28.5mm. The Dial Feet must be for the NH movement (and match your crown position, e.g., 3 o'clock). Hands: Must match NH pinions: 1.50mm (Hour), 0.90mm (Minute), 0.20mm (Second). Strap/Bracelet: Must match the case's Lug Width (e.g., 20mm or 22mm). Essential Tools for Assembly A clean, dust-free environment is your most important tool! The Must-Have Tool List
Check Compatibility Twice: Ensure your case, dial, and hands are all explicitly listed as NH-compatible before purchasing. Go Slow on the Hands: Setting the hands is the most challenging step. Use steady, straight pressure and check alignment multiple times to ensure they don't touch each other or the crystal. Cleanliness: Always wear finger cots or nitrile gloves and ensure your workspace is free of dust, lint, and pet hair.  Build your own dream watch for $100 |
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Originally Posted By doubleplusgood: anyone? AliExpress is my go-to for movements, cases, dials, and hands. it’s also good for cheap watchmaking tools, but some are better than others. Starting out, a basic watchmakers toolkit from Ali or Amazon should be enough to get started. If you’re looking just to do modding (i.e., assembling parts), search for NH35 movements and corresponding parts and go with what you like. Buy an extra set of crown stems, just in case you cut too short. Full-on watchmaking is a bit more in-depth: stripping, servicing, and reassembling movements is its own skill and requires more tools. If that’s your interest, start with an ST36/ETA 6497 and work your way up to a NH35. Both are equally addictive…Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Originally Posted By MateFrio: More than a few videos out there. You need a few tools and the correct parts. Building Your First Seiko Mod: A Beginner's Guide Looking to build your own custom watch? Seiko mods are the perfect entry point into watchmaking! This guide covers the essential parts and tools needed to complete your first build using the popular NH series movement. Core Parts Checklist (The "Recipe") Most beginner mods are built around the reliable and affordable Seiko NH35 or NH36 movements. The Engine (Movement) NH35 (Date) or NH36 (Day/Date). These are the engines of your mod. The Body (Case & Protection) Watch Case: Must be designed for the NH movement (e.g., popular SKX007 or Turtle styles). Crown & Stem: The stem must be cut precisely to fit your specific case/movement combination. Crystal: Usually upgraded to Sapphire for scratch resistance. Ensure it fits your specific case. The Face (Aesthetics) Dial: Diameter is typically 28.5mm. The Dial Feet must be for the NH movement (and match your crown position, e.g., 3 o'clock). Hands: Must match NH pinions: 1.50mm (Hour), 0.90mm (Minute), 0.20mm (Second). Strap/Bracelet: Must match the case's Lug Width (e.g., 20mm or 22mm). Essential Tools for Assembly A clean, dust-free environment is your most important tool! The Must-Have Tool List
Check Compatibility Twice: Ensure your case, dial, and hands are all explicitly listed as NH-compatible before purchasing. Go Slow on the Hands: Setting the hands is the most challenging step. Use steady, straight pressure and check alignment multiple times to ensure they don't touch each other or the crystal. Cleanliness: Always wear finger cots or nitrile gloves and ensure your workspace is free of dust, lint, and pet hair.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaOXeDo1y6AOriginally Posted By MateFrio: Originally Posted By doubleplusgood: anyone? You need a few tools and the correct parts. Building Your First Seiko Mod: A Beginner's Guide Looking to build your own custom watch? Seiko mods are the perfect entry point into watchmaking! This guide covers the essential parts and tools needed to complete your first build using the popular NH series movement. Core Parts Checklist (The "Recipe") Most beginner mods are built around the reliable and affordable Seiko NH35 or NH36 movements. The Engine (Movement) NH35 (Date) or NH36 (Day/Date). These are the engines of your mod. The Body (Case & Protection) Watch Case: Must be designed for the NH movement (e.g., popular SKX007 or Turtle styles). Crown & Stem: The stem must be cut precisely to fit your specific case/movement combination. Crystal: Usually upgraded to Sapphire for scratch resistance. Ensure it fits your specific case. The Face (Aesthetics) Dial: Diameter is typically 28.5mm. The Dial Feet must be for the NH movement (and match your crown position, e.g., 3 o'clock). Hands: Must match NH pinions: 1.50mm (Hour), 0.90mm (Minute), 0.20mm (Second). Strap/Bracelet: Must match the case's Lug Width (e.g., 20mm or 22mm). Essential Tools for Assembly A clean, dust-free environment is your most important tool! The Must-Have Tool List
Check Compatibility Twice: Ensure your case, dial, and hands are all explicitly listed as NH-compatible before purchasing. Go Slow on the Hands: Setting the hands is the most challenging step. Use steady, straight pressure and check alignment multiple times to ensure they don't touch each other or the crystal. Cleanliness: Always wear finger cots or nitrile gloves and ensure your workspace is free of dust, lint, and pet hair. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaOXeDo1y6AThanks Man!!! |
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
This thread was linked in GD and made me do a thing.  TMI NH35 AliExpress carbon face AliExpress hands (advertised as lume but they don't at all which I only bothered to check after assembly like a retard) AliExpress case So far seems to work great but it's only been a couple days. The light in the photo is artificial and not quite how it looks in person. The detail is a bit more subdued in person. My first Seiko Mod build. The second hand wasn't bad. The dammed grown stem was diamond hard and the standard measure between the crown and body still made the thing almost 0.080 too long. |
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I just learned about this hobby and I’m waiting on all the pieces to arrive for my first watch build. It’s going to be a vintage styled dive watch that’s stylistically a hybrid of a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and a Rolex Submariner. At least that’s my current thought. It might evolve once I start putting things together. I’d like a rugged mechanical watch that I won’t feel bad about abusing in the performance of my duties as a construction worker and mechanic. |
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Originally Posted By TheRadBaron: I just learned about this hobby and I’m waiting on all the pieces to arrive for my first watch build. It’s going to be a vintage styled dive watch that’s stylistically a hybrid of a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and a Rolex Submariner. At least that’s my current thought. It might evolve once I start putting things together. I’d like a rugged mechanical watch that I won’t feel bad about abusing in the performance of my duties as a construction worker and mechanic. Make sure you put the hands on tight. On one of my earlier builds I learned I hadn't properly set them after using a reciprocating sawzall all day and the hands were loose. Had to tear it down and reaffix them. |
| Where are you guys getting your movements from? Ive watched a ton of videos as this will be my first, but if I am going to do this I want to do it right and get a quality NH34A (or is there another GMT movement I should be looking at?) but am a little warry of AliExpress and the overseas sellers. |
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Originally Posted By NoImpactNoIdea: Where are you guys getting your movements from? Ive watched a ton of videos as this will be my first, but if I am going to do this I want to do it right and get a quality NH34A (or is there another GMT movement I should be looking at?) but am a little warry of AliExpress and the overseas sellers. You can get them on amazon or find a legit us retailer. But I have 3 alie movements and have had no issues. They used to be less than $20 but tariffs made them more expensive. |
"Some people have issues. Sounds like he signed up for an entire subscription." ~Brohawk
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Arfcom St Jude Mafia 3 years
Arfcom callsign: trenchfoot
Proud member of Team Ranstad.
Arfcom St Jude Mafia 3 years
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Changed the second hand in this one. May go back to white but wanted something a little different. This was the 1st one I built.
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"Some people have issues. Sounds like he signed up for an entire subscription." ~Brohawk
Proud member of Team Ranstad.
Arfcom St Jude Mafia 3 years
Arfcom callsign: trenchfoot
Proud member of Team Ranstad.
Arfcom St Jude Mafia 3 years
Arfcom callsign: trenchfoot
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Originally Posted By NoImpactNoIdea: Where are you guys getting your movements from? Ive watched a ton of videos as this will be my first, but if I am going to do this I want to do it right and get a quality NH34A (or is there another GMT movement I should be looking at?) but am a little warry of AliExpress and the overseas sellers. I did AliExpress. Made sure to order one that was not a china build. Mine ended up being TMI. Seller said either Japan or Malaysia build. I think it was ~$60 shipped. |
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Originally Posted By NickOTime: Make sure you put the hands on tight. On one of my earlier builds I learned I hadn't properly set them after using a reciprocating sawzall all day and the hands were loose. Had to tear it down and reaffix them. Is there a trick to this beyond just pressing them on firmly? Any pro tips like using a super small amount of Loctite or something similar? |
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Originally Posted By TheRadBaron: Is there a trick to this beyond just pressing them on firmly? Any pro tips like using a super small amount of Loctite or something similar? Press firmly and look for seating with a magnifier . Friction fit.. no loctite. Hands, especially that second hand are the hardest thing about this for me. |
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I built this for my mom for Christmas Attached File |
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Originally Posted By RolandofGilead: I built this for my mom for Christmas https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/45602/1000019721_jpg-3703831.JPG |
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Originally Posted By RolandofGilead: I built this for my mom for Christmas https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/45602/1000019721_jpg-3703831.JPG That is awesome. details? |
"Some people have issues. Sounds like he signed up for an entire subscription." ~Brohawk
Proud member of Team Ranstad.
Arfcom St Jude Mafia 3 years
Arfcom callsign: trenchfoot
Proud member of Team Ranstad.
Arfcom St Jude Mafia 3 years
Arfcom callsign: trenchfoot
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Thanks guys! It's a Meridiano case which is the smallest available for an NH movement. The dial is from dial maker, and the hands are AliExpress specials which I've actually had good luck with and I've really not noticed a difference between these and $25 hands. |
Your boos mean nothing, I've seen what makes you cheer
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Originally Posted By MateFrio: Press firmly and look for seating with a magnifier . Friction fit.. no loctite. Hands, especially that second hand are the hardest thing about this for me. Once I stopped playing with the tweezers I found the second hand to be very easy. Little of that sticky rodico or whatever it is stuff on the end of a stick to pick up and set the second hand then press it with your tool. |
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Thanks for the tips. I didn’t figure Loctite would be a good idea since it sounds like a surefire way to lock up the movement but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask. I read about the rodico trick and that sounds like the way to go. Now if only my parts would arrive. A few of them have started to trickle in but not enough to do anything with yet. |
The Seiko NH05 Date only and NH06 Day and Date are great sizes for women's watches. Seagull ST6 is another one that is popular. Building a Teeny-Tiny Datejust For A Very Special Somebody |
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I just finished putting together my first homemade watch. It’s sort of a pilot/dive/GMT hybrid in a titanium Pelagos FXD knockoff case with fixed bars. Attached File |
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Anyone tried this yet? https://skxmod.com/collections/ana-digi-tuna  The Craziest Most Riduclous G-Shock Mod I've Seen! SKXMod CasiOak Tuna Mod Kit  If Seiko and G-Shock had a baby - G-Shock Tuna using SKXMOD!! I have a Seiko Prospex S802-00A0 (DigiTuna) on order... |
Now a real killer, when he picked up the ZF1, would have immediately asked about the little red button on the bottom of the gun.
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Originally Posted By ZF-1: Anyone tried this yet? https://skxmod.com/collections/ana-digi-tuna https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFq_lKWtLbA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_GdPS0_rSYI have a Seiko Prospex S802-00A0 (DigiTuna) on order... 
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Started a 3rd tonight. Got the dial assembled and everything was going smooth until the minute hand wouldnt fit tight. Checked the order....yep, I ordered nh35 hands. Contacted seller....seller changed the description and told me I ordered wrong ones. the games you play with China. Im only out $8. But still. 
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"Some people have issues. Sounds like he signed up for an entire subscription." ~Brohawk
Proud member of Team Ranstad.
Arfcom St Jude Mafia 3 years
Arfcom callsign: trenchfoot
Proud member of Team Ranstad.
Arfcom St Jude Mafia 3 years
Arfcom callsign: trenchfoot
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Originally Posted By d16man: Started a 3rd tonight. Got the dial assembled and everything was going smooth until the minute hand wouldnt fit tight. Checked the order....yep, I ordered nh35 hands. Contacted seller....seller changed the description and told me I ordered wrong ones. the games you play with China. Im only out $8. But still.https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/337946/1000013654-3714691.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/337946/1000013655-3714692.jpg Here is how I used that dial. 
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Pretty basic first build. NH34 movement, titanium 42mm case, and unbranded dial and hands. Took about 90 min because of the crap quality hand install tools I got from AliX. The next ones won’t take as long… Attached File Attached File |
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Originally Posted By NoImpactNoIdea: Pretty basic first build. NH34 movement, titanium 42mm case, and unbranded dial and hands. Took about 90 min because of the crap quality hand install tools I got from AliX. The next ones won’t take as long… https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/74034/IMG_5713_jpeg-3717534.JPGhttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/74034/IMG_5714_jpeg-3717535.JPG Very nice. Is that the fixed bar case? |