Pre-modded Seiko SRPD sold as brand new?
Hey everyone.
A couple of weeks ago I bought a Seiko SRPD63K1 from a second hand app, and as far as I could tell, I thought it was legit.
Today I received some pieces to do my first modding project and I was extremely hyped. Sadly, the hype and emotion didn’t las long, as I got stuck during the watch disassembly, more specifically: on the bezel removal. I tried everything, watched all the YouTube videos and it seemed SO easy, but couldn’t take off mine. Then, after more than an hour of trying and even hammering the bezel removal tool, I could remove it, by bending it. Thing is I saw that the bezel click spring from the videos is different from the one mine had, and I don’t know if that means it’s a fake one or what.
I’m extremely frustrated because on the process I scarred the watch case badly, which will be visible, but hey, I’ll have to live with it, I’ll remember this first time 😂
Byeeeee!
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
I’ve owned the SRPD53 and I can say everything looks as it should be… but the lume in the indices gives the fake away. The application of the lume looks like nothing you’d ever find in an SRPD reference. Also the circular brushing on the lugs is coarser than it should be. Very sad that there’s people out there making fakes of an affordable Seiko 5…
The watch looks fake. At least in your photos, you don't see the gold colors of the time apps on the dial.
I’ve owned the SRPD53 and I can say everything looks as it should be… but the lume in the indices gives the fake away. The application of the lume looks like nothing you’d ever find in an SRPD reference. Also the circular brushing on the lugs is coarser than it should be. Very sad that there’s people out there making fakes of an affordable Seiko 5…
The circular brushing seemed a little bit bad from the beginning, not gonna lie. Also, it’s true that the lume appliance seemed… strange too. Damn, I really got scammed with a cheap Seiko 😂
The watch looks fake. At least in your photos, you don't see the gold colors of the time apps on the dial.
That’s because of the lightning, but the color is… kinda there? I’ll add a photo. The inner part of the crystal is dirty and that’s why it looks so bad, it’s because I closed it without cleaning it as it’s still an ongoing (almost failed) project.
I have not been able to do this removal but chickened out before I got it done. I have been considering a different kind of removal tool.
Local man vandalizes watch. Complains it’s fake. News at 11.
Hey fellow seiko watch Modder here! By the looks of things I’d say you purchased a previously modded watch that you then continued to mod. I agree with you, the click spring is definitely not one found in current seiko 5kx models (not sure about older models) but the click spring that you have looks like the ones I mostly find in aftermarket “diver” or “sub” cases (which isn’t always a “bad” thing) as long as the watch is properly tested and regulated. Same can go for the dial and why it may seem “off.” Most likely an aftermarket dial (which again isn’t technically a “bad” thing) as long as the lume is bright and long lasting. The crystal on a factory 5KX is flat and yours looks to be domed which when matched with the factory seiko bezel/bezel insert would usually cause rubbing or lock up of your bezel so thats most likely why they changed the bezel and why you weren’t met with the original click spring you are used to seeing. Too sum it up, I wouldn’t say this is a “fake” seiko but definitely a heavily modified one. As long as it was listed as a “modded” watch and you paid accordingly I’d say you should be in the clear👍🏽 but send pictures of the movement once you get the case back open and see if it’s at least a genuine seiko movement 👌🏽 hope this helps
Local man vandalizes watch. Complains it’s fake. News at 11.
Not quite true thought, is it? It’s true that I’ve vandalized my own watch, ain’t gonna lie 😂 but I knew from the beginning this watch was purchased for my first modding attempt and that it could go either very well and smooth, or… like it did, quite awfully. Now, I don’t think I need to explain anything about the “fake” part, it’s been discussed by other watch lovers that some of the pieces seem a little off, so… just wanted to confirm. It’s not like I’ll go and ask for a refund after literally hammering it, I was just sharing my frustration 😇
Hey fellow seiko watch Modder here! By the looks of things I’d say you purchased a previously modded watch that you then continued to mod. I agree with you, the click spring is definitely not one found in current seiko 5kx models (not sure about older models) but the click spring that you have looks like the ones I mostly find in aftermarket “diver” or “sub” cases (which isn’t always a “bad” thing) as long as the watch is properly tested and regulated. Same can go for the dial and why it may seem “off.” Most likely an aftermarket dial (which again isn’t technically a “bad” thing) as long as the lume is bright and long lasting. The crystal on a factory 5KX is flat and yours looks to be domed which when matched with the factory seiko bezel/bezel insert would usually cause rubbing or lock up of your bezel so thats most likely why they changed the bezel and why you weren’t met with the original click spring you are used to seeing. Too sum it up, I wouldn’t say this is a “fake” seiko but definitely a heavily modified one. As long as it was listed as a “modded” watch and you paid accordingly I’d say you should be in the clear👍🏽 but send pictures of the movement once you get the case back open and see if it’s at least a genuine seiko movement 👌🏽 hope this helps
That's what I meant by "fake", maybe I labeled the post incorrectly, should've said pre-modded, which is what I thought it was after what happened. Just as you said, aftermarket watches with aftermarket parts are not always "bad", that's the type of what I'm trying to build, literally 😂. And yep, I agree with you about all you said. The watch seems to be pre-modded, and it wasn't listed as one, it appeared as "brand new", but hey, as I said in another comment, I bought this watch specifically for modding purposes, so I didn't intend to keep the parts, but didn't expect to destroy the bezel during the removal either (again, it seemed so easy on all the videos 😅). Well, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Have a nice day!!
That's what I meant by "fake", maybe I labeled the post incorrectly, should've said pre-modded, which is what I thought it was after what happened. Just as you said, aftermarket watches with aftermarket parts are not always "bad", that's the type of what I'm trying to build, literally 😂. And yep, I agree with you about all you said. The watch seems to be pre-modded, and it wasn't listed as one, it appeared as "brand new", but hey, as I said in another comment, I bought this watch specifically for modding purposes, so I didn't intend to keep the parts, but didn't expect to destroy the bezel during the removal either (again, it seemed so easy on all the videos 😅). Well, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Have a nice day!!
Hey trust me we all have to destroy a bezel or two to perfect our art I’ve been in the EXACT same situation before🤣👍🏽 happy modding!
Hey trust me we all have to destroy a bezel or two to perfect our art I’ve been in the EXACT same situation before🤣👍🏽 happy modding!
Given the fact that you seem an experienced modder, I'm going to kindly ask you for extra advice if you don't mind 😁. Now that I've EASILY (lol) removed that bezel, I have an aftermarket one (attached photo) that I don't know if I can install with the click spring that the previous bezel had or if I should buy another click spring. About the second case, I don't know what click spring would fit my watchcase (as you can see, I'm a real noob when it comes to modding).
If you'd like to share some of your wisdom with me... I'll gladly wait for it 😋. Thanks a lot!!!
Oh you are too kind🤣🙏🏽 I’m a novice modder at best🤣 but I learn from experience so to answer your question, sadly I don’t believe your new bezel is compatible with the case you currently are using. The new bezel is 1 to 1 Seiko part which pairs perfectly of course with the factory case which I can send a picture of for reference, you can see that the “teeth” of each bezel are different so you would have to use a factory seiko click spring which wouldn’t be compatible with your current case
This is a factory seiko case and you can see the recess where the factory click spring would sit
And this would be the click spring that you probably are more familiar with. So my advice would be to either get a factory seiko case that would fit all your new parts or buy a submariner style click spring and new bezel that would be compatible with said spring and case.
Sorry if that wasn’t the new you were wanting to hear but I’m always here if you need anymore help or advice!
Not quite true thought, is it? It’s true that I’ve vandalized my own watch, ain’t gonna lie 😂 but I knew from the beginning this watch was purchased for my first modding attempt and that it could go either very well and smooth, or… like it did, quite awfully. Now, I don’t think I need to explain anything about the “fake” part, it’s been discussed by other watch lovers that some of the pieces seem a little off, so… just wanted to confirm. It’s not like I’ll go and ask for a refund after literally hammering it, I was just sharing my frustration 😇
I got that : ) but I could not resist the joke.
I see people here are already saying what I was about to say, which is why stop there, keep hammering!!
You have an opportunity to replace the case and the bezel assembly and anything else you want. However, once you get the parts, consider getting a watchmaker or fellow enthusiast involved to rebuild the watch. You’ll also need a few pieces of equipment, and while not expensive, they can add up quickly, making one mod too costly
also, the movement may not have taken kindly to all the shocks, so see if it still runs within spec
I got that : ) but I could not resist the joke.
I see people here are already saying what I was about to say, which is why stop there, keep hammering!!
You have an opportunity to replace the case and the bezel assembly and anything else you want. However, once you get the parts, consider getting a watchmaker or fellow enthusiast involved to rebuild the watch. You’ll also need a few pieces of equipment, and while not expensive, they can add up quickly, making one mod too costly
also, the movement may not have taken kindly to all the shocks, so see if it still runs within spec
Ohhh don't worry about the movement and the rest of the parts, I took them all out before "hammer time", so they're all fine 😀. It was the first time I tried to remove a bezel, but I've been practicing disassembling/assembling a watch movement/crown/dial/hands a few times with some of my old and discarded pieces. That's why I initially thought it'd go way smoother than it did.
About the necessary tools, I've been buying all of them for a while now, even a crystal press (I didn't have in mind buying one, but If I want to change the chapter ring...), so I think I'll do just as you and @Kannscustomwatches, I'll buy a new SRPD case and a click spring that fits it, so I can use the pieces I've ordered, which, by the way, I'll attach here so you can see them, as I REALLY like them!! 😍
The end result I expect is something that looks like this:
Thanks a lot for stopping by and spending some time reading my blabbering. This community is truly awesome!!!