Are you an avid Seiko watch collector? Do you know that you can change your watch designs according to your desired style?
Seiko watch modding allows you to rebuild or reconstruct your watch. If you are a fashionable person, you can modify from the straps to your Seiko dials. You can even change the crystals and hands of your Seiko watch.
Seiko is a Japanese brand that is well-known to professional watch modders. Due to the ready availability of the parts in the market, Seiko watch modding isn’t that painful to watch enthusiasts.
Aside from the availability, Seiko also produces every single part of their watch. This is a great edge for Seiko since not many brands are capable of manufacturing their own watch parts.
Types of Seiko Watch Modding
If you are a newbie when it comes to watch modding, you might think that it is tricky. Honestly, watch modding is easy and fun.
Aside from that, there are an increasing number of groups of watch modders. They are willing to help newbies by sharing their experiences. And you can find them online, through facebook groups, websites, or forums.
When it comes to modding your Seiko watch, there are two options that you can do. Here are the types of Seiko watch modding.
Full Overhaul
If you want an overall modification on your Seiko watch, you can try a full overhaul. You can combine different parts from other brands and models to create a watch that is specific to your style.
Recreating your Seiko watch isn’t impossible, since finding the parts needed for your watch modification isn’t too difficult. All you need to do is to search for the matching parts anywhere.
Subtle and Classic
If you are aiming for a simple, yet sophisticated-looking Seiko watch, you can change its color. Choose from a wide selection of simple and elegant colors in the market. You may also vary the colors of the watch’s hands. But, make sure that your choice of color would match your outfit.
Changing the bezels and crystals would also help in achieving an elegant-looking Seiko watch. You won’t even notice that simple modifications like those could pose a great effect on your Seiko watch.
Seiko Watch Modding Tools
The tools for Seiko watch modding aren’t that difficult to find. You can purchase them from the hardware stores. Some of them may even be readily available at your home.
Before we go to the process of modding, here are the tools that you will need.
- Gloves or Finger Cots
- Case Back Remover
- Crystal Presser
- Cleaning Putty
- Hand Remover
- Hand Setter
- Dust Blower
- Toothpicks
- Tweezers
- Screwdrivers
- Gorilla Tape
Ways to Seiko Watch Modding
Now that you have an idea on what watch modding is, let us go to the most important part, the modding itself.
These are the steps to your Seiko watch modding journey.
Step 1: Strap Removal
Remove the strap by pressing the flanges of the strap, then gently pull it out.
Step 2: Open the Case Back
Using the case opener, carefully open the case back. You will see the movement of your watch.
Step 3: Crown and Stem Removal
With a toothpick, gently push the lever to remove the crown and stem. Then, nudge the movement to remove it from the casing.
Step 4: Align and Remove the Hands
Before removing the hands, make sure that they are facing in the same direction. You can turn them to 12H. Then, use a hand remover to pull them altogether.
Step 5: Dial Removal
Lift the stock dial from the plastic bracket by using a flathead screwdriver.
Step 6: Dial Replacement
Replace the dial by aligning the new dial’s legs to the holes on the plastic bracket.
Step 7: Hands Replacement
Replace the hour hand first, but make sure that it is facing the 12H. Hold it down with tweezers, then put the minute hand facing the 12H as well.
Step 8: Hands Alignment
You would know that the hands alignment is correct when they land accurately on every hour. You can now place the seconds hand.
Step 9: Crystal Replacement
Using a crystal removal tool, gently push the crystal out. Place the new crystal and put a gentle pressure into the case.
Step 10: Movement Alignment
Put the crown and stem back to its place. Then, press the movement firmly into the case. Lastly, connect a new strap.
Mod Specialists and Professional Watchmakers
Are you hesitant to do the modding on your own? You can ask mod specialists and professional watchmakers for help.
If you lack the right tools needed for modding, or you do not trust your modding skills, you can reach out to mod specialists. You can ask them to help you with your modifications. You can also ask professional watchmakers to do the modding for you.