Welcome to the Poor Man's Watch Forums - MOD CENTRAL

3-D watch design/printing ??? (2 replies)

stalkey — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:43:02 -0400

Hi, I'm new here.
I have an idea for a watch design.
I have previously worked with a 3-d designer who was able to take my drawings and create a 3-d file, which was then printed in a 3-d printer (in resin, it was not a watch).
3d printers are capable of printing in silver or steel.
Does anyone know of a company that prints watch housings?
I think some specialty templates would be required in order to match the size of the components and fittings, but as long as you can work within those restrictions, you sould be able to create any design.
Has anyone done this?
Thanks

3D G-Shock part 2 (2 replies)

TheCeladon — Wed, 08 May 2013 06:26:20 -0400

I had a new stainless print made with the modified drawing and what a difference. It's a perfect fit. It's so precise that it snaps into place. I also had a couple nylon prints made in color and those came out quite nice too. Next thing I plan on doing is adding lugs to the stainless version. Should be interesting.

Casio MD.V 102 Movement questions... (4 replies)

Pwag — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:02:31 -0400

I got this watch in a bulk auction and someone has snapped the stem, So I need new one of those and since they had the watch apart the second hand also got borked.

I need to replace that. Luckily the rest of the watch is in GREAT shape. Looks really good.

I need to either rebuild it or mod it. Looking for ideas on what way to go.

It's got a date and looks like a nice watch, should I give it a new movement since Casio after market parts are as rare as hen's teeth?

Where can I find the stem size and the post size for an after market second hand?

new 3D print experiment (9 replies)

TheCeladon — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:57:55 -0400

This latest 3D print experiment was with stainless steel. It came out pretty good, not perfect but not bad. I like the look of it. This watch is definitely going to see more wrist time. It has a slight bronze tint to it due to the firing process after printing. It's very strong. The watch is a DW-6900 G-shock.

Seiko 7S36 hands replacement (1 reply)

mike734 — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:57:26 -0400

Will a set of hands that says it will fit 7S26 and 7S35 movements fit on a 7S36 movement? The seller doesn't have 7S36 listed but are the hands all the same size for all these popular Seiko movements?

Thank you,
Mike

Replacing Seiko SNZG dial and hands (2 replies)

mike734 — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:54:16 -0400

I'm planning on replacing the dial and hands on a SNZG45 but I wanted to make sure this could be done with my limited watch-tinkering experiences and tools.
I saw a tutorial online [www.thewatchsite.com] on how to replace the dial and hands for the 7S36 movement. I have a cheap 3 pin caseback wrench but no vise to hold the watch in. How necessary is this. I've opened up a Vostok Amphibia before and regulated it but this is the extent of my tinkering.

How tough of a mod is this. It looks like the entire movement is held in by the crown screw, which seemed odd. It seems that the hands are just pressed onto the main shafts and the dial is pressed onto the movement.

If I'm going to be in over my head here please let me know. I would like the satisfactino of doing it myself but don't want to break a perfectly good watch.

Also anyone have any good places to find a blue Dial for the 7S36 movement or orange minute plongeur hands?

Any tips on ensuring the watch is water tight after tightening the back on again?

Thanks,
Mike

Edit: I just saw online the SNZG35 which seems to be a very available watch here in the USA. I'm having a hard time find reliable specs about this watch. Can someone tell me the case diameter (without crown) of the SNZG45 and 35? On amazon it says 43 and then shows a photo that indicates 40mm. Are they both the same size? Also I can't find what movement is in the 35. Thank you.

Help with dial (8 replies)

Doc_vic — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 21:38:54 -0400

Hi All,

I managed to get my case back off finally, the local watch store couldnt get it off so I superglued a bolt to it and put it in a vice. I thought for sure something was going to break but it came off. Now however the dial I purchased has feet that arent in the right position. I need feet in the 11 and 6 position. Its a 28mm dial, is there any other info i need to order a new dial? I dont see any marks on the movement, do I need to know what that as well? Any links to vendors would be appreciated as well.

thanks

Vic

Customizing a Rolex? (2 replies)

kevay — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:08:27 -0400

Rolex does have a very specific design quality. The clean lines, the polished metal, the shine. But sometimes, when you own the perfect Rolex, wearing the watch all year round is tempting. For a casual event, that perfect watch might be a little out of place.

I decided to customize. I know, third-party parts can be a risk, but I decided to try out rubber straps from RubberB. Does anyone else have a customization option worth talking about?

Hopeful First Time Watch Mod (2 replies)

Kevin_D — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 14:09:22 -0500

Hi all,
I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, or if I even know that I'm asking the right question. I recently became interested in going beyond looking at my mechanical watches, and want to dive inside of them. However, I don't have any non-working watches that I'm willing to sacrifice to science.

I attempted to purchase a non-working vintage Vostok Amphibia on the bay to toy with, because I know that parts are readily available. However, someone stole it out from under me at 3:30am!

What I'm looking for is an inexpensive watch with readily available parts, so that I could run the gamut on it - replace the bezel, gaskets, crystal, and maybe, if I man-up a little, toy around with the movement itself. What I DON'T have, is a ton of money! (That's why getting the Vostok for around $15 was my first choice!)

Any suggestions for types/styles/brands of mechanical watches to look that would offer lots mod options, but that won't break the bank?

(P.S. - I swear that I did some searching both here and on WUS before asking, and didn't find much. I do research for a living, but can't manage to make the search functions on either site be nice to me!)

Thanks in advance for any help you might offer!

-Kevin

Looking for a bargain case for a 31mm dial.. (EDIT) (8 replies)

Pwag — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:25:20 -0500

I have a Wonder Woman Dial from an 70's era wrist watch heading my way, and I know this is backwards, but I was hoping to find a case for it so I could put together a watch for my wife. I was planning on using a simple quartz movement and keeping it basic, but I'm having a devil of a time finding a case with a 37mm opening for this dial that's not $200.

I'm open to new or used. It's just gotta be a clean piece. If you know of a watch model that'd accept a 37mm dial I could hunt for as a donor please let me know!

I think my next one will start with a case then hunting for a dial...but she's a huge wonder woman fan so here I am.

(edited because I am a huge doofus)

Anyone have changed a crown gasket :S I remember a very old post... (5 replies)

cmoy — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:08:40 -0500

on SCWF that showed how to remove and replace the gasket. Can't find the post :( Want to change the gasket for my Jenny. Thanks guys!

This isn't a question about mod but cleaning... (4 replies)

cmoy — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 14:36:25 -0500

What is safe to use to clean a st st case? Hand soap and a toothbrush :S What about case gaskets :S Can these be cleaned or do they have be replaced :S They're not in bad shape, still round in profile and diameter. Thanks guys!

Suunto T4 case modification (2 replies)

thelostboss — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 06:38:00 -0500

Hi
I am interested in modifying the case on my Suunto T4 to accept a Nato strap. The plan is to create a pair of case extensions that will attach using the standard Suunto screw-pin assemblies.

Before I invest the time and effort I thought I would check to see if anyone has already done it and can offer advice on the best method.

At present I am thinking of either hand fabricating the extensions or else carving them in wax and having them cast.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Michael

Fabricating bezel spring wires... (3 replies)

Dave M — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:45:52 -0400

Removing link from Bulova ladies diamond - 98P125 (5 replies)

islander84 — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 16:51:31 -0500

I recently bought this watch for my wife for Christmas and we live overseas
on a US Army base. The AAFES location we have here does not have a jewelry
center so they don't offer watch sizing so we have to do it ourselves. I
have sized several people watches for them before out here, but cant size
this band. Each link has two pins in it and the links with arrows show the
arrows in the middle. Can you tell me if this style has push pins and which
ones I should be pushing out? if they aren't push pins, can you tell me how
to remove links on this model? The pins i think should be removed have a small
pin inside of the main pin only on the side i should be pushing on. Please see the picture.
Any help is appreciated as i wont be going off island for another 6 months.

Stem release Ronda 4120 (2 replies)

DarkJuliet — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 19:41:38 -0500

Okay guys, maybe one of you out there can help me out.

I have my hands on a ROnda 4120B Alarm module and the stem broke off with the crown. A portion of the stem is still stuck inside but enough remain so that I can get a hold of it with tweezers. Problem is, when I try pressing the stem release dimple, the stupid thing refuses to fall out!

I've worked with dozens of other movements before ranging from ETA, Miyota and Citizen movements and this is the first time I've encountered this particular problem. Anyone out there know of the secret to releasing this broken stem?

arrhgh! Lost the tiny little battery grounding screw... (1 reply)

rockandroller — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 21:42:00 -0500

In my wife's favorite GUCCI, no less. ( Model 6100L)

This watch has an easy-snap back (happily) but I had the watch sitting disassembled on the workbench when a small disaster nearby scattered the parts far and wide.
Found the battery clip, but its little screw is GONE :-(

I had to grind down a miniature screwdriver to make something small enough to get this screw out, it had a head diameter of about 1mm but a shaft diameter of only .33mm - and probably half a mm long overall. "Gone with the wind" could not find it on the shop floor...

Is there some standard package of micro watch screws that fit 90% of quartz watches?
I emailed gucci about it but they were not the least bit helpful.

I guess if I took it to a busy watch repair guy they probably could round up a suitable screw for it - but since I'm an hour from even a small town I'm pondering how I might be able to "McGyver" it.

I notice that the watch appears to have FOUR of these screws originally (at least they appear identical on the outside) - one for the battery hold-down, one in the movement plate, and two that appear to be holding down the ends of a long red "coil". I was wondering if it was adviseable to attempt to borrow one of the "coil" screws (assuming that they do not have an electrical function like the battery hold-down screw) - and just tack one end of the coil down with some glue... I suppose its only a slim chance that the screws for the coil are the right length - but still...

Silly idea, or possible? ( I don't want to mess with that coil if its something real fragile... )

Any and all advice is appreciated. See attached pics!

Need help opening military issue watch (5 replies)

MikeM — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 22:55:40 -0500

I have a Marathon GG-W-113 from late 1984 that has the two-piece case. I need to replace the crystal and believe it to be an armored crystal. So, I need to open the case. I understand that the case back is a screw on design, but without any notches I can't get the thing to budge. Basically, the only method at my disposal is the ball-type opener. Any suggestions?

-Mike

3D printed G-shock bezel experiment (2 replies)

TheCeladon — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 19:44:10 -0400

This is an experiment with 3D printing for a G-shock case/bezel. I bought this inexpensive G-shock on Amazon to experiment with. (about $50) It's a DW-6900, a very popular model of G-shock. The rubber bezel comes off with the removal of just 4 small screws. I took photos of the naked case and imported the 2D photos into SketchUp and created a 3D digital model from them. I 3D printed a test case first to make sure that I had the dimensions correct. The dimensions need to be very precise and I knew that the first test would be off slightly here and there. I made corrections and ordered another print but with some design elements added. I used the cheapest material available. A material called White Strong Flexible or WSF. You'll notice that the texture of this material is rough. Smoother plastics are available but more expensive. The prints are about $6 or so. I'm not too happy about some of the design elements but this is an on going experiment and now that I have a precise case that fits exactly, changing the design is easy. I've just learned that a new type of high detail stainless steel printing has come available from i.Materialise. That might be the next material that I experiment with.

poor man's "watch case press" ?? (5 replies)

rockandroller — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:11:50 -0500

Can anyone suggest a useable 'McGyver' substitute for a watch case press?

Have a nina ricci quartz my wife asked me to change the battery on... and it seems the case back won't snap back on by hand (oops!!)

I'm pondering the wisdom of rigging something up from a vicegrip...

I never thought of this before.....subjectsmiley10! (1 reply)

Jose5 — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 03:02:26 -0400

But I've always thought this was the place to post our new customs. But, after going over all the recent posts, I noticed most of the posts were on questions, tips, and techniques. So I searched the index on Modifying watches sub section, and figured out the other sub sections. So I will be posting all my newest projects in the appropriate sections. I don't know how many people will actually check out those sub sections, but Ill just keep posting anyway. FYI, I have a new one in the pocket watch conversion section if you want to take a look. Thanks

Question For the Seiko Guru's...... (2 replies)

MCS — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 22:08:35 -0400

Is the pipe diameter the same on a 7S26 and 7S36 superior? In other words can hands from a 7S26
fit a 7S36 23j superior.

subjectsmiley71! Can Anyone Recomend a Good Hand Setter.... (3 replies)

MCS — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 12:14:53 -0400

Thanks

Drilled lug holes (8 replies)

Moose — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:34:42 -0500

I've done quite a bit of searching and have yeilded little. I'm looking for someone capable of drilling the lug holes on my Seiko divers and others.

If you would happen to know a source, I would greatly appreciate it.

Removing INVICTA engraving (3 replies)

AbsoluteCramer — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 02:48:00 -0400

Hey, new here. Found this site while surfing for some 8926 mod tutorials. First being removing cyclopse, which I never wanted to do with my first pro diver 8926A but when I snatched up the new 8926ob nh25a for $65 on amazon last December I wanted to change the look between the two to keep them both in rotation. The 8926A became my NATO beater.

Recently, after rooming with a buddy with a Rolex oyster on vacation I fell in love with that terrible brushed finished that made the other roommate think my prodiver was the more expensive piece without looking at the brand names. I just brushed mine with the scotchbrite method and love it. Except I kept the sides polished because I knew that if I brushed the case side it would only accentuate the INVICTA engraving. Week later I searched around to see if anyone had sanded it off. I wasn't totally impressed with the one or two examples I found. It looked like they didn't get down deep enough to remove the deepest pits. So I abandoned the idea.

Then figured it was only a $65 and $80 watch and I practically had two. So I set to work on the OB first since it would be a brushed finish that would hide the mess left.
I sanded it with dremel stone bit til the letters were gone. Then used a sandpaper bit back and forth strokes to level the surface. After it looked uniform I wet sanded it with 600 to 800 to 1000 at which point it began to shine brilliantly so I knew it was possible to mirror polish the other. This point I dry brushed with scotch pad.

On the second watch, the 8926A, I did same until 2000 grit and kept wet sanding until the paper lost its abrasiveness and began to mirror polish itself. I touched it up with brasso on polish dremel wheel.

Bulova Snorkel Bezel Restoration (11 replies)

Jose5 — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 23:50:29 -0400

Picture of Bulova w/o bezel

double lip on top of case w/crystal retaining wire groove

pic taken after first cuts were taken to make inner double lip to seat bezel flush on the case. Note how crown is pulled all the way out to setting position because bezel is too wide, and coin edge extends all the way down past crown

Before cutting started. Note depth of ratchet teeth and outer lip of bezel

Note length of coin edge bezel

Bottom of bezel has been shave flat, and starting to cut clearance bevel for double lip on top of case.

After cutting double lip, refit and found retaining grooves in case and bezel were still not lined up. So had to cut bottom of bezel, check fit, cut double lip bevel, check fit, check grooves, and back and forth, keeping in mind that if I cut too much for the double lip, there won't be a bottom lip to the groove to hold the retaining wire on the bezel.

Bezel bottom cut flat and flush to case. Time to work on the outer diameter of the bezel. Shaved down the sides till it didn't look so bulky.

Then studied the shape of the crown, and design of the bezel, and decided I would cut a bevel the bottom of the bezel to clearance and match the inner end of the crown, and it would also match the top bevel on the bezel. And then shaved the bottom of the bezel horizontal to the case for a straight clean 90 degree wall.

Made a few retaining wires till I had the right gauge, and shape. The hardest thing was waiting for the new inserts to arrive from the Philippines. Almost a month. Phil liked the Black, so here it is.

Hope you enjoyed the show. Thanks for checking out the post. subjectsmiley01!

SKX007 Sapphire?? (1 reply)

ckaro4 — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:27:25 -0400

Looking for a sapphire crystal for my 6 year old 007 but am having no luck on the net. I've tried "yokobies" several times over the past six months, but the website always says "coming soon" on that item. Anyone know of another source? Thanks very much for any info. subjectsmiley01!

I had the hands customized by Northeast Watch Works several years ago, so I'm hoping to have him do the sapphire as well.

Thanks

Dave, would you use D5 on... (4 replies)

cmoy — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 15:28:17 -0400

the center wheel pinion where the cannon pinion goes, on the cannon pinion where the hour wheels goes and the pinion for the minute wheel? Thanks! :)

Can the bezel on an Orient Mako XL be changed? (2 replies)

CavemanRadio — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 09:17:59 -0400

I am a complete novice when it comes to watch mods and have never owned an automatic watch (even though my 92 y.o. pop worked for Bulova for 30+ years).

I really like the Orient Mako XL (EM75005R) with the white face. But I do not like the black bezel.

The MAKO XL CEM75004B has a black face w/an orange bezel...(me likey anything orange)

1) Is it possible to change a bezel on a dive watch or will it ruin it's abilty to be "water proof"?

2) If it is possible to change a bezel without ruining it's water tightness, how would one get the extra bezel?

3) Is there a way to contact Orient and see if they will do it themselves?

4) Does it make more sense to get the orange bezeled Orient and swap-out the face?

Or is this whole idea just dumb?

Thanks for any advice.

-Chris

Gruen World Time Mod Help? (7 replies)

surfcjw — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 14:06:12 -0400

Good afternoon everyone. It's been a while sine I was here.
I recently purchased a NOS case from ebay, and I want to build a watch. It is a complete case with crown. It has no movement, stem, dial or hands.
Using my HF calipers, it looks like the dial would have to be between 26.23 and 27.15mm. Too bad most dials are 28mm. Also, it looks like the movement would have to be 28.96mm or less.

1. I am looking for ideas for dial, movement and hands.
2. Does anyone know if this is really a Gruen case.
3. After recieving the case, I am unsure of how the dial will fit inside the internal rotating chapter ring. Does anyone know?

Here are links winth info:
1. The listing on ebay: ebay listing

2. An old listing with the same case and Gruen dial (original?): old ebay listing

3. Image site with the old listing's pics: pics of a finsihed watch

Thanks!