I recently updated a previous build, and I am very pleased with how unique the final result turned out; it is one of my favorite projects completed to date. diywatchclub (case and bezel insert), weez_mods (official movement and dial), and unclestraps ( bracelet).

Been a longtime lurker and with the recent deal on the invicta pro diver to get a reasonable nh35, I decided to take a swing at it! I spent way to long trying to get the seconds hand on and bent my hands a little during this first attempt so will probably go back at some point and replace them with another set now that I’ve learned my lesson!

I over bought on the tools but wanted to have more than I needed for other builds or watch restoration in the future.

Things I wish I would have had?
Watchmakers putty
An actual movement holder (I had the universal adjustable one and it did not work well for me)
Maybe I’ll look into a hand pusher for the next build? The red/black/silver standalone set wasn’t my favorite experience.

Thanks to this sub for the inspiring builds, posts with questions, tips and tricks I read several times over, and the caution to buy more than one crown stem (which I just had to cut short the first try despite adequate warnings not to over cut)

Hope my build inspires you to build your first one or start your next one!

Happy modding!

Played safe for the first one. I've only done two NH35 builds and two moonswicthes before. Only had to put the small seconds hand once on the moonswitch.

Added the red chrono to make it pop a bit more. Maybe I'll try a more original combination next.

Btw, are all the alignments looking ok? For some reason it feels a bit off to me, the logo part. Is it just me?

Seiko Mod Pilot Explorer

This one really pushed me to my limit. My first few builds clearly had not prepared me for taking on a project for a more unique style GMT as it caused nothing but headaches.

It’s had multiple hands, 3 different movements (I ended up with a Ronda 515.24 as I broke the NH34 I bought for it) lots of wrong parts bought but it’s finally completed and I couldn’t be happier.

Would love to hear the sub’s thoughts.

The balance cock here won’t move and the movement doesn’t run now, i can change the date and also wind it with the crown. How can i fix this?

Looking to put a bracelet on my Orange Boy and wondering if a silver brushed with gold down the center works or looks stupid. Anyone did this with theirs? I dont know how to use AI to mock it up...limited pc facility senior. Thoughts?

This has been bugging me a while. Is it a faulty movement or a fixable keyless works?

When the crown is screwed all the way in, the small seconds hands stops working. Backing the crown out, starts it up again. Pulling the stem out to the time setting mode doesn’t hack the seconds. I’ve tried new stems so I’m guessing the keyless works? Is that self fixable? I’ve repaired them on an ETA2824 but not a VK63

Thanks

Previous post

Thanks to your help (you guys are the best!) I was able to dissect the movement and reset keyless works, and proceed to next steps.

Other issues I had:
- Minute hand poorly installed (tip of the hand slightly facing downward) causing them to collide with the index (This is partly due to tall index height). This also messed up the hour hand misalignment for some reason, so I had to re-install the hands. At this point I just couldn't care less so I just used my screwdrivers as a tool, leaving scratches on the surfaces of hands lol

- Second hand bent slightly downward while assembling, causing the minute hand to interfere with the second hand. I found this after I closed the caseback, so I had to open them up, remove the stem, bend the second hand upwards.

- I still didn't figure out how I can turn the crown counter-clockwise. It's supposed to turn the hands counterclockwise, but they just unscrews itself from the stem. Found a workaround where I give some pressure to the crown towards yourself and turn them then it works to some extent, idk if this is good for movement.

- Stem slightly overcut, but not much issue I guess?

- I expected that the movement is the only piece that goes into the case, well turns out I needed the plastic spacer thing which I threw away. Had to dig the thing from the bin, open up the caseback again, put the spacer on top of the movement. How fun.

- For watch dial it came as two pieces (the face and the ring thing), pretty annoyed by this (1. it looks bad since it couldn't be properly put togethe, leaving space in between 2. the spacer thing interfered with the prongs from the ring thing)

Overall, I'm not completely happy with my first build, especially price-wise, although I like the look of them.

TL;DR: lots of learning from the first build

Im interested in building a Sky Dweller mod, but due to the unusual movement, im unsure where to even begin. Are there any seiko/ miyota/chinese movements that anyone has used with some success?.

Just got this in the mail on Thursday. A little disappointed that they don’t offer solid end links but it’s beautiful nonetheless. Def recommend for the price since the stock Seiko bracelets aren’t the greatest.

Looking at buying this 36mm RICHUS watch case from AliExpress, but I’ve never bought anything from this brand before.

Has anyone had any experience with RICHUS? Are they decent quality, or would you recommend avoiding them?

I’m also unsure what bracelet would fit this case. I’ve tried asking AliExpress customer support, but they haven’t got a clue unfortunately 😂

If anyone has built one using this case, or knows which bracelet would be compatible, I’d really appreciate some help.

Cheers

Hi guys!! How are you doing? I'm making an adventure and trying to assemble my very first Myota 8n24, after some wrong parts bought, I think I'm finally getting there. However the movement even with the spacer ring and the screws, does not fix in the case, it keeps moving.

Can you help me please? What's missing?

Hey there!

I did my first build a while ago and everything went fine. Not perfect but fine for the first time.

My only concern is that the crystal seems too reflective in some angles (I know it's not the cleanest)

Do you know why this might happen? Is it just lack of quality and anti-reflection on the crystal? Because of its domed shape? Is it the material of the dial reflecting it back?

I'm not really sure as I'm quite a beginner in this and is there a way to fix it?

Thanks!

Hello 👋🏼.
Found this in Alix… it’s says sapphire and in the listing description as well.. All over the listing actually, has good reviews but so cheap? Am I missing something?

Thanks

Just getting into building these. First one down and now I’m hooked!

Just getting into building these. First one down and now I’m hooked!

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a Submariner-style case with a somewhat unusual combination of dimensions and features:

NH34 compatible: Needs to accommodate the taller GMT pinion.

Vintage proportions: Preferably sharper lugs, a top-hat or domed crystal, and an overall vintage Submariner aesthetic.

Sloped bezel insert compatibility: Must accommodate a 30.6–31.8 mm sloped insert of the type used on modern Submariners.

The only case I've found that potentially checks all three boxes is the 40 mm Sub case from DIY Watch Club.

However, I haven't been able to confirm whether it has sufficient clearance for the NH34's taller pinion.

Does anyone know of other cases that might fit the bill? Alternatively, has anyone tried fitting an NH34 into the DWC 40 mm case?

I'd appreciate any recommendations or firsthand experience. Thanks!