First watch build
Well I decided to have a go at building a watch, got all the parts from aliexpress (38mm case,dial and hands) and cost around £86, I already had a spare nh35 movement. Reason for the build is I have quite small wrists so wanted a smaller case also with age I wanted an easier to read dial and their was no need for a date. Always loved the seiko 62mas but I'm not paying seiko prices anymore.
I think its turned out pretty good, definitely going to have a go at another 62mas build in fact have already ordered another case and dial 👍
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Jason
Old in body young at heart, into motorcycles,mountain biking,hi-fi,80's music rock and metal and obviously watches. Favorite watch brands are seiko and fortis.
Tewkesbury
Member since
Last active: 1 week ago
Interesting option & great looking
I might have a go at assembling a Tuna if I can find the right parts
Well done!!!
Very nice. I had a look at the case before, how does it sit on you wrist, especially with the relatively straight lugs? The orange hands do look great against a silver dial.
Interesting option & great looking
I might have a go at assembling a Tuna if I can find the right parts
Thanks im pretty happy with it 👍I've ordered the same case again but gonna go with orange sunburst dial this time.
Give it a go mate 👍
Very nice. I had a look at the case before, how does it sit on you wrist, especially with the relatively straight lugs? The orange hands do look great against a silver dial.
Watch sits ok, on an average size wrist would be even better. Seems very good quality as well and unlike seiko the bezel lines up 🤣🤣🤣👍
Nice build!
I am sure you will be enjoying this built on your next motorcycle outing❤
I am sure you will be enjoying this built on your next motorcycle outing❤
I definitely will, just need some decent weather 👍
WOW! Any chance you could list the parts from Ali so I can have a go at it please?
Aliexpress is cheap but I found quality parts hard to find. Their movements are mostly all clones poorly built. Dials with the feet slightly out and cases with rough finishing. Out of 3 2813 movements none worked properly, A NH35 movement where the second hand post wouldn't fit the hand. 2 VK63 movements that had minute hand posts that would stop. 3 dials that had bad Alignment.
The case is from DS-watchmod store its the 38mm 62mas case, they also sell hands and dials, the dial size is 28.5mm.
Aliexpress is cheap but I found quality parts hard to find. Their movements are mostly all clones poorly built. Dials with the feet slightly out and cases with rough finishing. Out of 3 2813 movements none worked properly, A NH35 movement where the second hand post wouldn't fit the hand. 2 VK63 movements that had minute hand posts that would stop. 3 dials that had bad Alignment.
All the parts I got were good quality and fitted perfect, but I didn't go for the cheapest parts and read reviews on the product before I bought them. Like any market place you'll get good and bad.
I had an AliExpress case back cross-threaded beyond repair, and a few seconds hands that were out of spec, or slightly bent.
Some AliExpress hands have rough finishing, and the same can be said for cases. Overall the quality has improved.
About 30% of dials had slight alignment or other QC issues.
Never had any issues with NH35 clones. Most of the tools were usable, but some required an immediate upgrade.
It's truly a question of what components you are looking for.
There are a few AliExpress cases I still like. With dials I'm usually looking elsewhere. Cases will probably follow.
However, it still pays to look at AliExpress first, IMHO.
Awesome build, man!
Awesome build, man!
Thanks 👍
I had an AliExpress case back cross-threaded beyond repair, and a few seconds hands that were out of spec, or slightly bent.
Some AliExpress hands have rough finishing, and the same can be said for cases. Overall the quality has improved.
About 30% of dials had slight alignment or other QC issues.
Never had any issues with NH35 clones. Most of the tools were usable, but some required an immediate upgrade.
It's truly a question of what components you are looking for.
There are a few AliExpress cases I still like. With dials I'm usually looking elsewhere. Cases will probably follow.
However, it still pays to look at AliExpress first, IMHO.
For sure, theirs plenty of cheap rubbish but I never went for the cheapest parts and always read the reviews, all the parts I ordered were very good luckily.
For sure, theirs plenty of cheap rubbish but I never went for the cheapest parts and always read the reviews, all the parts I ordered were very good luckily.
Yes, you will certainly get more if you pay more. But not everything you may want is available as an individual or unbranded part. Watch hands in particular are a bit of a gamble. Also, if you know what to look out for on dials, it's hard to unsee imperfections that are hardly noticeable.
Some of this you can bypass by buying a complete watch on AliExpress, and modifying it to your liking. Often enough I find myself using a mix of sources.