Building a watch vs Buying a watch?
Don’t know if Building is the right word? But for this let’s just say it is. I’ve done some modding here and there mostly on Invicta Pro Divers, but I’ve been on a military vintage watch obsession lately. So I decided to browse Aliexpress and decided to put these piece in my shopping cart.
Still deciding.
Case with dial and hands $45.00
Movement NH35A $25.03
10 piece stem set $4.29
Stem cutter $3.20
Total price $84.95
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The Joker
@TheJoker007
Hi Everyone Im just your average watch collector I wouldn’t say I own or even have anything “Expensive” I usually collect brands like Citizen, Seiko, Mostly Invicta and other brands. Besides watches I...
Member since
Last active: 11 hrs ago
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
I don't have the patience for these. Gotta respect those who do. HAVE FUN!!
hold up, I can built a W10 homage on the cheap? And it's 36mm? I'm pretty sure my meager experience is sufficient for this.
Here's my one and only attempt at a build.
Valjoux 6498 movement salvaged from a smashed 70s pocket watch.
40mm case. Screw-on front and rear crystal which hold the movement meaning no retaining screws/clips and ring which reduces bullk, I believe (French seller on ebay). Also makes fitting a skeleton movement without any dial easier.
Still a bit large for my tastes but it's my go-to when I need to explain to anyone how a mechanical watch works. The gilt perlage finishing is also jolly nice for a cheap 70s novelty product.
From my brief modding misadventures I concluded that producing a good-looking, non-derivative watch is bloody hard and I could buy nice, original vintage pieces for not much more. Made me appreciate what micro-brands do though they're not my cup of tea and I've never bought one - hats off to them!
Here is one I made earlier.
I also did some "watch building" out of parts from AliExpress:
The dial colour was not the one I thought it would be, but all-in-all it's not too bad for my first mechanical pilot-ish home made watch 😅 There is a clone of eta6497 inside, the st3600 from seagull. Quite accurate out of the box.
I'm currently considering building a bronze diver because I can't find something in my budget.
Green light it
Just be patient when cutting the stem. I had difficulty in the past trying to get it right. I would also recommend a touch of glue for the part that goes in the crown. NOT THE END INSIDE THE WATCH of course. 🙃 message me an image when it’s done!