Seiko AstroBoy Mod! Done…but not finished…

Ok!! Finally finished the mod for my Seiko 5 Astro boy and had some issues with the seconds hand and decided to stick with the original seconds hands instead of the green electric hands for some reason it wasn’t setting right. Also Kudos!! To you watchmakers I don’t know how you guys do it?!! The setting of the hands is a pain in the butt especially the second hands…anyways the watch is done but still need to fine tune a little things like the hour an minute hands kinda rub each other to I have to do some alignment. Anyways! Watchmakers!! Your guys are the best for a NOOB like me to try modding!! I appreciate watchmaking more!! This is one of the reason why watches cost so much…the labor of love 🥰😂

ok end rant …kinda…

Before…

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After…

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The main issue of the watch was legibility so made few slight changes to make it legible…also now it has more lume kinda cool…to me anyways 😂🍻

Reply
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It is really a shame, sort of, how easily some watches are easily improved. Bravo for taking the chance and working on it yourself. 

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Righton brother looks good!!! Doing hands Is terrifying to me.

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Great job, man!

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Well done buddy, it looks great 👍 better than me, I can do most of the modding but when it comes to the hand‘s that’s it for me, I get frustrated and end up bending or breaking something 🤣 leave it to the professionals like yourself 👍

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Nicely done.  Added functionality and style.

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3hander

Nicely done.  Added functionality and style.

Thank you sir!!

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TonyXXX

Well done buddy, it looks great 👍 better than me, I can do most of the modding but when it comes to the hand‘s that’s it for me, I get frustrated and end up bending or breaking something 🤣 leave it to the professionals like yourself 👍

Thanks man!! I was nervous dealing with the hands took me 3 hours only on the seconds hand damn pinion is soo small but in hindsight a better magnifying glass will help next time.. 🍻

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Mr.Dee.Bater

Great job, man!

Thanks dude!! 

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MinnKonaMike

Righton brother looks good!!! Doing hands Is terrifying to me.

I agree 100% my back hurts from being hunch over working on it 😂

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Aurelian

It is really a shame, sort of, how easily some watches are easily improved. Bravo for taking the chance and working on it yourself. 

Thank You  Sir! You are absolutely right on this watch such a simple update even just the bezel made it more legible…it also made this watch a bit more special since I worked on it kinda really cool. 🍻

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This watch would look great with a black leather jacket while riding a Harley Heritage. 

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use rodico or sticky-tack to hold the hands to place them. tweezers will launch them into Narnia. It is more forgiving and helps not bend them. It is also good for dust on the face. Don't try to straighten them on the pins as they are fragile.

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If it is any consolation, it will get easier quickly. I personally place the hour/minute hands with brass tweezers w/o a problem. The seconds hand I lift, and lift, and lift again in the right position with a small rod. Under magnification it becomes obvious when it is centered, and when not.

Even after a few watches you'll develop a feel for it.

If the hands are angled, you can adjust them by angling the pusher. If they are bent they need to come off, just like @OldSnafu said. It's also possible the hour hand is not placed low enough.

And congratulations on your mod!

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OldSnafu

use rodico or sticky-tack to hold the hands to place them. tweezers will launch them into Narnia. It is more forgiving and helps not bend them. It is also good for dust on the face. Don't try to straighten them on the pins as they are fragile.

Yes definetly!! the seconds hand did go flying and hence I placed the original cuz I can’t find the stupid seconds hand launch into the black hole 😣😅

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hbein2022

If it is any consolation, it will get easier quickly. I personally place the hour/minute hands with brass tweezers w/o a problem. The seconds hand I lift, and lift, and lift again in the right position with a small rod. Under magnification it becomes obvious when it is centered, and when not.

Even after a few watches you'll develop a feel for it.

If the hands are angled, you can adjust them by angling the pusher. If they are bent they need to come off, just like @OldSnafu said. It's also possible the hour hand is not placed low enough.

And congratulations on your mod!

Thank you sir!! I hope it gets better 😉😁

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Ichibunz

Thank you sir!! I hope it gets better 😉😁

I'm postive. I assembled my last watch while I was on a conference call. (I only had to listen in.) I think it took me an hour to install the seconds hand on my first.

But I have to ask: Did you remove the bezel from just above the lower left lug?

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hbein2022

I'm postive. I assembled my last watch while I was on a conference call. (I only had to listen in.) I think it took me an hour to install the seconds hand on my first.

But I have to ask: Did you remove the bezel from just above the lower left lug?

Yes did you see the scratch lol this YouTuber mentioned it’s the best place to remove the bezel so I’d id but off course i did it with some casualties…

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Ichibunz

Yes did you see the scratch lol this YouTuber mentioned it’s the best place to remove the bezel so I’d id but off course i did it with some casualties…

I have to admit that I've seen a number of odd bezel removal videos myself... whereas a straight push with a sharp blade is usually enough. 

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OldSnafu

use rodico or sticky-tack to hold the hands to place them. tweezers will launch them into Narnia. It is more forgiving and helps not bend them. It is also good for dust on the face. Don't try to straighten them on the pins as they are fragile.

Tweezers?  So that's why I've never gotten back to Narnia.

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hbein2022

I have to admit that I've seen a number of odd bezel removal videos myself... whereas a straight push with a sharp blade is usually enough. 

Yes…unfortunately I have to learn the hard way..I guess practice makes perfect😔

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Ichibunz

Yes…unfortunately I have to learn the hard way..I guess practice makes perfect😔

Yep, my first two builds had those blemishes. First was pure incompetence on my part, second was not realizing how sensitive matte dials can be. No worries, there will be another round. Modding is a hard habit to break.

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Well done. The setting of hands is difficult when you start out but, with time and practice, it becomes relatively straightforward. There are videos online that give pointers but I think you need to find a technique that works for you.

Just take your time and importantly... don't panic and rush.  

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GasWorks

Well done. The setting of hands is difficult when you start out but, with time and practice, it becomes relatively straightforward. There are videos online that give pointers but I think you need to find a technique that works for you.

Just take your time and importantly... don't panic and rush.  

Thank you sir!! Really appreciate it! 🍻

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It looks so much better now! Great work 👏

Do you have the bug now? Got any more mods planned?

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DeeperBlue

It looks so much better now! Great work 👏

Do you have the bug now? Got any more mods planned?

Actually my Seiko monster manual winding is not catching so I might mod it and change the crown if the crown is the issue…100% got the bug now it’s awesome and I appreciate these watches more and more…😁