Doing something yourself is SOooooo rewarding and relaxing. Especially when you end up with something you can use and wear afterwards. Not only is it productive, you also create something very personal. Your very own watch that no one else has, with parts YOU have chosen and joined together. A watch you cannot buy anywhere.
I’m a furniture maker, this is not making, this is Lego. The parts for this watch on aliexpress are even cheaper again and the reason for that is they are made of substandard parts. I come across this same kind of thing in furniture making when I’m repairing a piece, you find people have used cheap parts because they looked the part thinking nothing of the quality. I get its nice to build something yourself but this is not that.
@@BigJonkulous Sorry, did I hit a snowflake on the way in? Put yourself out there and be prepared to be commented on, this is the internet, so don't get butthurt over it. I am an artist, and it took many many hours of training, it doesn't take hours of training to put a kit together, this isn't even as challenging as an Airfix kit. It stands to reason that you ignored the quality of the parts being mentioned. I don't care about you but what I do care about is people believing this is some sort of skill or craft, it's not, you can get the same watch for cheaper and already built from AliExpress.
I cant afford high end watches, and i cant see the point of just buying a knock off of a rolex or whatever. However I do make jewelry as a hobby and i love it. I love crafting and creating. So to create a watch the way you just did.... I can absolutely 100% get behind that! It becomes personal and custom, its something that you can actually take pride in. I love this. Thank you for the video!
This is why i dont watch TV anymore, where else would you find a video like this, the joys of RUclips :), epic video, thank you for taking the time to do this and share your knowledge.
There are people who make custom dials for watches all over the internet. My last custom needed a custom case bracelet and dial. But it was solid silver and used a higher end movement ripped from a true luxury watch. But paid like 300 bucks for the dial and was fully custom
@jeffalessi I typically just Google custom seiko dials and look for modders that do custom dials. Or use jewelers that customize luxury watches. The one person I would recommend doesn't do mods anymore and is working on trying to start their own micro brand. So no custom work at all anymore. However if it works out means there will be some nice budget luxury two tone gold watches on the market again within that old price bracket.
The best, most detailed, straight to the point watch assembly video I have ever watched. Thank you very much for sharing. I am subscribed now, and liked this video. Very best regards.
Great video. Only recently got into collecting watches and have really got the bug. Now thinking of building my own and this video has been so helpful 👍
I’ve currently got my face, case, movement and strap, just waiting on the hands to get this beaut built! I had been searching for the perfect everyday watch, and then I hear about modding! 🤯🥳👍 videos like yours gave me the confidence to attempt it, and taking “spares and repairs” watches and practicing has given me the knowledge of where the screws usually end up when the dog knocks my workbench! 😂 thank you for such a clear and easy to follow guide!
This is why I love the DIY Watch Club. They give you all the parts and tools (extras if you pay like $500, I think) and you are able to put the movement in the case, the crown, hands and all that on. I think when I move into my new house and I have my own office space, I am going to get one and give it a try. I want to build my own GMT.
Great, great video! Thanks for sharing the details on sourcing the parts. I´ve been thinking about putting together a sterile "date just" watch myself, so your video encourages me to go ahead. I need to point out a quick observation: the case you used has a GMT hour. I mean the bezel indicates the AM and PM hours that should be used with a ETA's 2893-2 movement. In that way you can set the second time zone and give the bezel the proper use. Aside from that, I love the watch you built
Really interesting video. I enjoyed seeing you searching eBay for parts as I wouldn't have had a clue where to start. Feeling quite inspired now to build my own watch.
Hi Peter, i did this myself a few years ago i used the NH35A servived it and fitted into a really well made case and nice bracelet with the glide lock system, looks like an explorer 1, but i'm on the hunt for a nice pair of douphine hands for it, a few weeks ago i decided to make myself a diver very similar to the one with red triangle, used same movement i've had great accuracy from them after i regulated them, enjoy them both, although i have a good few vintage pieces now, cheers
Hi Peter Thanks for the well detailed video I can tell the skill in your hands I have a few Invicta watches with PC32 movements with plastic spacers and would like to put better movements in them. One runs 5 min per hour fast. How do i pick the spacer for the movement or did I miss that in the video? Thanks again for sharing all of your knowledge Have a great day! Jimmy Q
Thanks mate, really informative. I’ll try my hand on something similar soon. What tools would I need for this? Also, why did you use a normal movement with a GMT bezel?
Great video, Aliexpress also has a excellent selection of cases, dials, bracelets, hands, bezels and movements. Basically anything and everything you need or could want. It may take a few weeks but the selection is much better and the prices are much better. I just built 2 NH35 powered watches with every part from them except for the movements. I had 2 new ones in a drawer. Just thought I would let everyone know another good parts supplier out there.
Hey I hate to ask this in a RUclips comment. But I have been thinking of building myself a watch. The thing holding me back is that fact I’ll have to buy a bunch of tools. Is there any good tool kits you’d recommend with everything in them? Thanks!
@@watchesandjewelry Hi thanks for the recommendation. I’d just want the tools I’ll likely source the parts from eBay and other manufacturers. I see the tool kits on their website also so I’ll look into those. Thanks again!
@@allowit.4855 I never ended up going through with the project but hopefully I will in the coming months. DIY watch club has a really nice tool kits and I may purchase one from this as it’s an easy all in one package.
I have two watch build projects in mind: one for my son's 21st birthday, one for my brother (50th birthday). These are both a year away. I probably have to build one for myself first too to iron out the kinks and technique.
Nice video. I’ve used eBay for watch movement and other parts. For modding, I also have a file of vendor sites that I have used. I also have a file of vendors for watch bands. All of my modded watches are Seiko 6309 and 7s26 divers. Over 15 and still going strong. The Seiko movements are relatively easy to service, which I have learned to do. These watch run as well as my high end watches.
Hi Peter, I found this very helpful, thank you. Two comments - you didn't mention the absolute minimum tools we'd need to construct a DIY watch. In particular the case back tighter looked very expensive. The other thing, you didn't oil the crown stem or lubricate the case back gasket. Is that standard? Thanks.
I got an old timex watch from the 60s I put a seiko nh35 in and I love that thing . I would have liked to repair the old timex automatic movement put it was such a pain to work on and I couldn’t get it to work accurately and I had a hard time with the date wheel so I gave up on that price of junk .
Thank you for the fantastic instruction. I've searching and am wondering what movement I could use to create a similar watch but GMT. My Google Fu tells me that this movement will work, ETA caliber 2893. However, that caliper is not listed as compatible on the watch cases available on eBay.
This has definitely inspired me to get into this. Though one thing I'm probably missing so obvious, where in the movement measurements do you know what watch case to get for it?
I have a quick question for you. First of all great video very helpful. If I want to design watches, but with movements I have from old watches, I have access to like 100 Invicta watches, most of them have Valjoux 7750s in them. How hard would it be to find cases for them?
Just bought a watch case like this on eBay but I didn’t get the case clamps and the screws for them. Did you buy those separately or did they come with the movement? Really enjoyed this video and found it to be very instructional. Thanks!
I got all my parts on Ali Express including movements and cheap too, I am building a Watch at the moment waiting on a NH34 for my NH34 case and GMT dial and Mercede Hands will look good when I do it I hope
Most people won't notice the 24h bezel with a 12h complication. Watches using those bezels normally have an extra complication in the form of a 4th hand. It moves around the dial once in 24hrs they're called, GMT movements (GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time) Jet Pilots wore these watches to track time across time zones, while being able change their normal 12h complication to local time. I digress. Nice watch, the hands aren't for me. Shame about the bezel faux pas. You could always get a GMT movement, make it real special. 😉
Wow. This video give me an idea to make my own digital watch, with blue as main colour. possible or not? By the way, what do you reckon the water resistant depth of that watch you made?
what size movement would I look for if I wanted to make a woman's watch? I was thinking about making a his and hers with a custom dial. I also really like the idea of the see through back so you can see the movement. what would I be looking for in a case to do that?
The only thing stopping me from doing this myself is that I can never put new hands on without damaging them. The second hand in particular, with the tiny pin that goes in last, even using fine tweezers. Any advice? Cheers
So does the spacer for the date wheel come with the movement? I noticed alot of cases don’t come with movement spacers. Is this because it doesn’t require one? Do the 2 movement locks that screw into the side come with anything or do you need to buy those separately? Want to do this but don’t want to have to try and find all the spacers and locks separately. Thanks. Your videos show that almost anyone can do this.
Most of these options will be available on AliExpress as well for much cheaper. They're all the same suppliers, but means that you're definitely getting it shipped from China which can add some time depending on where you are. I'm in CA right by the port so usually only takes a couple days for me, but I imagine FL would be much longer.
With my spacer ring in the case with the movement the clips will not reach the side of the case? They are also small and even if I was to install them before the spacer ring they will not reach the case? Should I try to secure the clips against the spacer ring? What shall I do?
What if you want to change the bezel insert? I've heard that the cheap Chinese cases don't have pop off bezels. You have to literally destroy the bezel insert to remove a spring so you can remove the bezel. I guess my question is how do you know what type of bezel you're getting when ordering?
I'm new to watch modding, your video has tough me about watch Boulding, anyway can you tell me how ordered the watch case for the sw 200 movement, the watches I bould are nh35 or NH36A, I sen in your video on how order the sw 200, how did you get the case 2824, wutz does mean.
When you buy a watch case fro either eBay or AliExpres does it come with the spacer ring? I’ve been looking to Buy a case on both sites but in the descriptions it doesn’t say about the spacer ring for the movement.
I have a 35mm Cartier Santos rep that I'd like to overhaul with a nice movement and change the dial so that it's not a "replica watch." Honestly, I just love the case & bracelet. I'm running into issues finding what I need to switch everything out. Where does one begin when looking for things to fit a 35mm case like this.
Doing something yourself is SOooooo rewarding and relaxing. Especially when you end up with something you can use and wear afterwards. Not only is it productive, you also create something very personal. Your very own watch that no one else has, with parts YOU have chosen and joined together. A watch you cannot buy anywhere.
Finally, found someone with the same mentality as mine
I’m a furniture maker, this is not making, this is Lego. The parts for this watch on aliexpress are even cheaper again and the reason for that is they are made of substandard parts. I come across this same kind of thing in furniture making when I’m repairing a piece, you find people have used cheap parts because they looked the part thinking nothing of the quality. I get its nice to build something yourself but this is not that.
@@ragetobe Dude, we get it; you're the real artist among us. Let the man enjoy his custom watch hobby.
@@BigJonkulous Sorry, did I hit a snowflake on the way in? Put yourself out there and be prepared to be commented on, this is the internet, so don't get butthurt over it. I am an artist, and it took many many hours of training, it doesn't take hours of training to put a kit together, this isn't even as challenging as an Airfix kit. It stands to reason that you ignored the quality of the parts being mentioned. I don't care about you but what I do care about is people believing this is some sort of skill or craft, it's not, you can get the same watch for cheaper and already built from AliExpress.
@@ragetobe Yeah, bro, you totally melted this little snowflake. Have fun with your purity crusade and (I'm assuming) all of your hand cut joinery.
I cant afford high end watches, and i cant see the point of just buying a knock off of a rolex or whatever. However I do make jewelry as a hobby and i love it. I love crafting and creating. So to create a watch the way you just did.... I can absolutely 100% get behind that! It becomes personal and custom, its something that you can actually take pride in. I love this. Thank you for the video!
This is why i dont watch TV anymore, where else would you find a video like this, the joys of RUclips :), epic video, thank you for taking the time to do this and share your knowledge.
TV stil exists?
Please post a link to your how to make a custom watch face. Thank you and have a most awesome evening!
There are people who make custom dials for watches all over the internet. My last custom needed a custom case bracelet and dial. But it was solid silver and used a higher end movement ripped from a true luxury watch. But paid like 300 bucks for the dial and was fully custom
Thank you, do you have a name I should search for?
@jeffalessi I typically just Google custom seiko dials and look for modders that do custom dials. Or use jewelers that customize luxury watches. The one person I would recommend doesn't do mods anymore and is working on trying to start their own micro brand. So no custom work at all anymore.
However if it works out means there will be some nice budget luxury two tone gold watches on the market again within that old price bracket.
Or if you know a person with a laser engraver.
The best, most detailed, straight to the point watch assembly video I have ever watched. Thank you very much for sharing. I am subscribed now, and liked this video. Very best regards.
Great video. Only recently got into collecting watches and have really got the bug. Now thinking of building my own and this video has been so helpful 👍
I’ve currently got my face, case, movement and strap, just waiting on the hands to get this beaut built! I had been searching for the perfect everyday watch, and then I hear about modding! 🤯🥳👍 videos like yours gave me the confidence to attempt it, and taking “spares and repairs” watches and practicing has given me the knowledge of where the screws usually end up when the dog knocks my workbench! 😂 thank you for such a clear and easy to follow guide!
Lube all the gaskets at final assembly. result will be silky soft gaskets that do their jobs 👌 great video
Thank you so much for putting so much information in this video. I appreciate it. I have learned a lot from it.
Fun to see the process but above my skill level yet. Thanks for posting this.
Much respect for showing us how to do it step by step Pete! I have subbed!!
This is why I love the DIY Watch Club. They give you all the parts and tools (extras if you pay like $500, I think) and you are able to put the movement in the case, the crown, hands and all that on. I think when I move into my new house and I have my own office space, I am going to get one and give it a try. I want to build my own GMT.
Great, great video! Thanks for sharing the details on sourcing the parts.
I´ve been thinking about putting together a sterile "date just" watch myself, so your video encourages me to go ahead.
I need to point out a quick observation: the case you used has a GMT hour. I mean the bezel indicates the AM and PM hours that should be used with a ETA's 2893-2 movement. In that way you can set the second time zone and give the bezel the proper use.
Aside from that, I love the watch you built
Really interesting video. I enjoyed seeing you searching eBay for parts as I wouldn't have had a clue where to start. Feeling quite inspired now to build my own watch.
Always wondered how you can build your own watch and then your video popped up. Going to have a go at this, thanks for the lesson, much appreciated 👍👍
Hi Peter, i did this myself a few years ago i used the NH35A servived it and fitted into a really well made case and nice bracelet with the glide lock system, looks like an explorer 1, but i'm on the hunt for a nice pair of douphine hands for it, a few weeks ago i decided to make myself a diver very similar to the one with red triangle, used same movement i've had great accuracy from them after i regulated them, enjoy them both, although i have a good few vintage pieces now, cheers
Awesome channel man! This and wristwatchrevival are absolutely top notch! Just started the hobby myself. Very satisfying.
A trick I use for second hands I hold them with rodico and have found it is easier than using tweezers. Great video sir.
Great video! I really want to do this and I will probably try it this January when the schoolwork slows down.
Thank you very much for this detailed video! Liked, subscribed! I always planned to build my own DIY watch, but didn't know where and how to start.
What a great video, i really enjoyed the walkthrough on how you source parts and what to look for!
I really like that dial lock setup on the ETA movements.
Hi Peter
Thanks for the well detailed video
I can tell the skill in your hands
I have a few Invicta watches with PC32 movements with plastic spacers and would like to put better movements in them. One runs 5 min per hour fast.
How do i pick the spacer for the movement or did I miss that in the video?
Thanks again for sharing all of your knowledge
Have a great day!
Jimmy Q
Thank you Peter always had a fascination with watch movements I wanted to dive into a project like this.❤
Thanks for the walkthrough in purchasing the parts.
I really want to do this. I like watches but I’m so particular that this makes sense.
That was awesome! Thanks a lot!
Thanks mate, really informative.
I’ll try my hand on something similar soon.
What tools would I need for this?
Also, why did you use a normal movement with a GMT bezel?
You make assembly look easy, but I realize that I would make a mess of it. Subscribed !
Excellent post to watch ,thank you.
Thank you for teaching me Sir!
Great video, Aliexpress also has a excellent selection of cases, dials, bracelets, hands, bezels and movements. Basically anything and everything you need or could want. It may take a few weeks but the selection is much better and the prices are much better. I just built 2 NH35 powered watches with every part from them except for the movements. I had 2 new ones in a drawer.
Just thought I would let everyone know another good parts supplier out there.
Hey I hate to ask this in a RUclips comment. But I have been thinking of building myself a watch. The thing holding me back is that fact I’ll have to buy a bunch of tools. Is there any good tool kits you’d recommend with everything in them? Thanks!
Esslinger has kits available with good tools. Figure spending about 150 for a starter kit
@@watchesandjewelry Hi thanks for the recommendation. I’d just want the tools I’ll likely source the parts from eBay and other manufacturers. I see the tool kits on their website also so I’ll look into those. Thanks again!
@@gingerdog2176update on tools you purchased?
@@allowit.4855 I never ended up going through with the project but hopefully I will in the coming months. DIY watch club has a really nice tool kits and I may purchase one from this as it’s an easy all in one package.
Thanks for the detailed video
Why would you use a 24hr bezel without a GMT movement and not a dive bezel?
I have two watch build projects in mind: one for my son's 21st birthday, one for my brother (50th birthday). These are both a year away.
I probably have to build one for myself first too to iron out the kinks and technique.
Thank you Peter
Nice video. I’ve used eBay for watch movement and other parts. For modding, I also have a file of vendor sites that I have used. I also have a file of vendors for watch bands. All of my modded watches are Seiko 6309 and 7s26 divers. Over 15 and still going strong. The Seiko movements are relatively easy to service, which I have learned to do. These watch run as well as my high end watches.
THX a lot for sharing this info ... ;)
Hi Peter, I found this very helpful, thank you. Two comments - you didn't mention the absolute minimum tools we'd need to construct a DIY watch. In particular the case back tighter looked very expensive.
The other thing, you didn't oil the crown stem or lubricate the case back gasket. Is that standard?
Thanks.
Apparently a rubber ball will tighten case backs in an entirely adequate way! Wristwatch Revival does it all the time
I got an old timex watch from the 60s I put a seiko nh35 in and I love that thing . I would have liked to repair the old timex automatic movement put it was such a pain to work on and I couldn’t get it to work accurately and I had a hard time with the date wheel so I gave up on that price of junk .
Awesome thanks mate
Great video can’t wait to try this !
So for the ETA movements , you remove the crown in which position?
Thank you 🙏
Thank you for the fantastic instruction. I've searching and am wondering what movement I could use to create a similar watch but GMT. My Google Fu tells me that this movement will work, ETA caliber 2893. However, that caliper is not listed as compatible on the watch cases available on eBay.
This has definitely inspired me to get into this. Though one thing I'm probably missing so obvious, where in the movement measurements do you know what watch case to get for it?
Great video thank you
Gosh dang it, that's a brilliant idea. Have done this before? Great video brother. NEAL APOLLO BEACH FLORIDA
I have a quick question for you. First of all great video very helpful. If I want to design watches, but with movements I have from old watches, I have access to like 100 Invicta watches, most of them have Valjoux 7750s in them. How hard would it be to find cases for them?
Just bought a watch case like this on eBay but I didn’t get the case clamps and the screws for them. Did you buy those separately or did they come with the movement? Really enjoyed this video and found it to be very instructional. Thanks!
My case came with them. You can buy them in packs of 10, 20 and 50.
Thanks for The video...do you have a video that talks about the tools you need and the names for them?
thank you mate.
That's Great i want to start a watch business
Great Video.
Beautiful watch, it looks great.
Just wondering how deep can this watch go under water?
Appreciate this video
Great video 👏👏👏👏
thank you so much!
I got all my parts on Ali Express including movements and cheap too, I am building a Watch at the moment waiting on a NH34 for my NH34 case and GMT dial and Mercede Hands will look good when I do it I hope
Great video.
Nice work
Most people won't notice the 24h bezel with a 12h complication. Watches using those bezels normally have an extra complication in the form of a 4th hand. It moves around the dial once in 24hrs they're called, GMT movements (GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time) Jet Pilots wore these watches to track time across time zones, while being able change their normal 12h complication to local time. I digress. Nice watch, the hands aren't for me. Shame about the bezel faux pas. You could always get a GMT movement, make it real special. 😉
Thanks- getting ready to make my first watch! Nice looking watch. Any tips for getting maximum waterproofing?
lube all gaskets before final assembly.
Nice job
It's probably much cheaper to buy a Pagani Design watch, and mod that instead. I.e. you get a nice case and a good Seiko movement for 50$.
That's pretty cool. What tools are required to do this?
How do you align the second hand to exactly? For example be at the 12 position when the minute advances?
Thank You
Wow. This video give me an idea to make my own digital watch, with blue as main colour. possible or not? By the way, what do you reckon the water resistant depth of that watch you made?
Brilliant video with great commentary that explains all you need to know 👍🏴
Great video! How much was the total cost of your components?
what size movement would I look for if I wanted to make a woman's watch? I was thinking about making a his and hers with a custom dial. I also really like the idea of the see through back so you can see the movement. what would I be looking for in a case to do that?
The only thing stopping me from doing this myself is that I can never put new hands on without damaging them. The second hand in particular, with the tiny pin that goes in last, even using fine tweezers. Any advice? Cheers
Might pick up this hobby
Recommended tool kit? Lupe probably mandatory!
Do you know if dial spacer comes as a part of the case?
So does the spacer for the date wheel come with the movement? I noticed alot of cases don’t come with movement spacers. Is this because it doesn’t require one? Do the 2 movement locks that screw into the side come with anything or do you need to buy those separately? Want to do this but don’t want to have to try and find all the spacers and locks separately. Thanks. Your videos show that almost anyone can do this.
Very nice work and video. You used a gmt bezel without a gmt hand though ;-)
Most of these options will be available on AliExpress as well for much cheaper. They're all the same suppliers, but means that you're definitely getting it shipped from China which can add some time depending on where you are. I'm in CA right by the port so usually only takes a couple days for me, but I imagine FL would be much longer.
I think he was avoiding mentioning them for obvious reasons.
Great vdo Im gather part for my Chronograph build ST1902, questing is the logo can you teach me?
I’ve had quite a few questions about making logos. I will make a video for all of you. Thanks.
Fabulous
Do case clamps at 25:00 come with the case, movement, etc or you have to buy those separately?
I have an invicta I want to gut out and put a much better movement and automatic in it. It's quartz right now. How do I find out what size I need?
When advancing the time and date before the hands are on to check the movement how do you know you are out of the danger zone ?
How did you get that italia logo on your watch dial? Looks badass :D
Should build a DIY Omega seamaster homage. I liked this watch besides the hands and white dial
I'm looking to build my wife a watch. For our 5 year anniversary. And was wondering what do I need to look for when building a watch for her?
I want to do this but , get very over welmed with it all .. I love watches an tinkering , is there a blog with written steps ?
With my spacer ring in the case with the movement the clips will not reach the side of the case? They are also small and even if I was to install them before the spacer ring they will not reach the case? Should I try to secure the clips against the spacer ring? What shall I do?
What tools would I get to start this hobby? Looks interesting>
Is the circle that block the movement in the case mandatory ? I havn't buy one. My other question is how do you "cut" the crown so it fit ?
Followed this video and made on almost like it
What if you wanted to use a vintage dial? Could you build a watch around the dial
I am planning my first bouild. Does the case clamps usually come with the case? What about the case spacer ring?
If my dial doesnt have date, should i take the datewheel off?
What if you want to change the bezel insert? I've heard that the cheap Chinese cases don't have pop off bezels. You have to literally destroy the bezel insert to remove a spring so you can remove the bezel. I guess my question is how do you know what type of bezel you're getting when ordering?
Do the clamps and separators come with the case/movements ?
I'm new to watch modding, your video has tough me about watch Boulding, anyway can you tell me how ordered the watch case for the sw 200 movement, the watches I bould are nh35 or NH36A, I sen in your video on how order the sw 200, how did you get the case 2824, wutz does mean.
sw200 is a clone I think of ETA 2824 .
Imagine you make an amazing watch and sell it for profit and make your way up to flipping $300,000 watches
When you buy a watch case fro either eBay or AliExpres does it come with the spacer ring? I’ve been looking to
Buy a case on both sites but in the descriptions it doesn’t say about the spacer ring for the movement.
Not always.
I have a 35mm Cartier Santos rep that I'd like to overhaul with a nice movement and change the dial so that it's not a "replica watch." Honestly, I just love the case & bracelet. I'm running into issues finding what I need to switch everything out. Where does one begin when looking for things to fit a 35mm case like this.
You got a gmt bezel, its supposed to rotate both ways
A GMT bezel with no GMT function from the movement 😅