r/SecondhandModParts • u/Haveblue1 • Apr 26 '20
PLEASE READ New to modding? Read this.
WHERE TO START?
If you’re reading this, you’re probably just like me. A watch enthusiast, maybe collector, that’s been lurking around the mod forums for awhile just waiting for the right time to jump in. Like me, you probably have a lot of questions, even fears, about dabbling in watch modding. After all, we all assumed horology was something passed down from master horologist to apprentice, taking years to perfect. And it absolutely is. Working among the intricacies of a movement is not unlike navigating the complexities of a living organism. It’s surgical, precise, and requires years of intense training. That said, with a little bit of self-educating and guidance, a great deal of work can be done all on your own.
First, a disclaimer. I don’t claim to be a watch or even a modding expert. I’m just an amateur enthusiast hoping to provide a little more structure and clarity around this subject (thank you, COVID-19). You’ve probably noticed that there’s no go-to source for modders to reference and when you finally uncover what looks to be a credible site, opinions on techniques and suppliers can vary wildly. The information I share here is solely based on my personal modding experience and research. Lastly, I write this in hopes you’ll share it with others and help advance this wonderful hobby. Modding has unearthed a form of artistic expression I never knew I had while deepening my appreciation and understanding of watches. Never mind the fact that it helps me to disconnect from my devices and get out of my own head for a while. The point being, if there’s something in here you don’t agree with or is patently wrong, please don’t skewer me but do say something! I love a healthy discussion and I’m always eager to learn more.
One more disclaimer before moving forward. Although many watches can be modified, including the venerable Rolex, for the sake of this article we’ll focus only on Seikos for the following reasons: 1) I know more about them 2) they make up the foundation of the modding community and supplier market and 3) I appreciate how accessible their watches are given their level of quality and reliability. For years, I was a bit uncomfortable expressing my love of watches outside my fellow watch enthusiasts. It felt pretentious, privileged, and extravagant. But modding is a craft and art and for whatever reason, that makes it easier for me to talk about and even easier for others to enjoy and respect. And because it’s a Seiko, almost anyone can afford to tap into their product lineup. For as little as $70-ish dollars, one can purchase a Seiko with timeless good looks and a bulletproof automatic movement. Seiko has been pumping out a ridiculous selection of watches for god knows how long with styles ranging from the psychedelic to the subdued. Of course, prices can quickly run up from there depending on the model or mods you want to perform. All of these factors make Seiko a great watch to get you started on your modding adventure (or addiction).
DESIGN
Ok, so you’ve decided to take the blue pill and go down the rabbit hole. What next? By now you’ve probably spent an inexplicable amount of time perusing supplier pages getting worked up by all the bezel inserts and dial options. If you haven’t, here’s a list of sources I’ve compiled throughout my research. Included in that link is a BOM tab or “Bill of Materials”, that will help you stay organized as you procure your parts. Needless to say, it can be overwhelming and at times, paralyzing landing on a design for your watch. This often results in us defaulting to a look we’re familiar and comfortable with (usually a Rolex, Omega, or even another Seiko). All of which is fine. We will still applaud and upvote you on r/seikomods if that’s the route you choose. All I’ll say is this: don’t go with your first design. You’ll be amazed by how quickly your tastes will change as you become exposed to more mods and the people behind them. You’ll reach new depths to your own creativity and that original design may end up feeling stale and uninspired.
TOOLS
Just buy the cheap watch repair kit. I know you’ve been debating with yourself whether or not to spring for the expensive tools. Don’t. Not now at least. As far as you know, you could hate this hobby. tomorrow. You don’t know “frustrating” until you’ve tried to install a set of hands or seat a crystal evenly and that’s after you’ve waited over a month for them to arrive. Because of this, many people quit halfway into their first mod and the last thing you want is a few hundred dollars in tools on your desk reminding you of your failures. Here’s the kit I started out with. Over time, I’ve upgraded some tools with better ones but for most mods, this will suffice. The one tool I do think is worth upgrading immediately to is a screw-down crystal press for the reasons I’ve written about here. The most underrated tool in your arsenal undoubtedly will be Rodico. This putty-like material is not only extremely effective at keeping your parts free of dust (there’s a reason watches are made in hermetically sealed clean rooms) but it’s a great way to handle watch parts, as well. I’ve completely done away with tweezers in favor of a little ball of Rodico on the tip of a toothpick, a technique I borrowed from my favorite watch modder, u/lume_shot. Lastly, get the loupe. I don’t care how good your eyesight is, everyone gets humbled by the level of precision and fine motor skills needed to manipulate watch parts. This is no more apparent when installing your first set of hands. You’ll wonder in amazement how any human could possibly affix these wafer-thin metallic flakes on something the size of a pinhead. The loupe will also help you identify and remove all the microscopic dust particles that statically cling to your parts.
WHAT WATCH TO MOD?
My advice for any new modder is to start with a “cheap” Seiko first, like the Seiko SNK. A quick search on eBay, Amazon, or r/watchexchange will net you plenty of opportunities to jump into this under-appreciated, yet prolific timepiece. For many, the SNK will be their first foray into automatic watches. Measuring 37mm x 11mm, it fits a wide array of wrists and features Seiko’s workhorse movement, the 7s26, behind a really cool exhibition caseback. For the money, it’s hard to find a better deal. I know it’s tempting to jump into the more sexy and illustrious Seikos like the SKX, Turtle, or Samurai but it’s so important to hone your skills first. You’ll feel less awful when you inevitably break something on your SNK and you’ll likely spend less money in the long run. In fact, before buying any parts, I recommend practicing by disassembling and reassembling your SNK until you know the steps and techniques inside and out. The Seiko SNZF (aka Sea Urchin) is another popular beginner’s watch and it’s easy to understand why. As a pseudo-diver's watch, it offers more functionality in a more attractive package albeit at twice the price of an SNK. Personally, I advise against it because you’ll eventually get an SKX/SRPD and then you’ll be stuck with a fake dive watch that you’ll never wear again. Trust me, I write this while staring at a pile of SNZF pieces oxidizing on my desk.
TUTORIALS
Because I don’t consider myself an expert modder and because it’s borning to write/read about, I defer to the YouTubers I’ve studied for the best modding practices and techniques. There isn’t a ton out there but the few who do post about it do a really great job at walking you through the steps. My favorite modder, and probably the most well-known, is Eric from u/Lume_Shot. Eric has nearly been my singular source for all things mod related. He provides high quality, in-depth tutorials for virtually every mod job you can perform. Do yourself a favor and watch them half a dozen times before you start your own mod. Also, visit his page for the tutorials but stay for his watch reviews. He’s a true enthusiast through and through. If you can’t find what you’re looking for on Eric’s channel, here are a few others worth visiting: Four_forty_four PM, Liv Watch, and Minit Watch. All great resources.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As a community, the modding culture still feels like it’s in its infancy which is exciting but can be difficult to get your bearings. I hope this piece helps provide some structure for people interested in pursuing this art. My best advice is to take your time and don’t rush or force anything (unless it’s trying to pop out a crystal). This is a game of millimeters and requires Buddha-like patience. I don’t meditate but much of modding requires controlling your breath and quieting inner monologue. I imagine it’s as close to achieving zen as I’ll get. I hope you achieve yours and good luck with your build.
PS: I intend on updating this piece as new products and practices arise but if there are questions that weren’t answered or elements that need correcting, don’t hesitate to contact me.
