Has anyone ever considered assembling their own frankenwatch?

Same here. Never attempted to build my own. Getting parts is not that difficult. Tools could be cheap. But the case. Waterproof? Sapphire? Hands? Dial? And caliber. Miyota? Seiko NHx? Taking time to make. Each watch you make you learn a skill. How to cut the crown stem to size? I would not go for Seagull movement.

I plan on doing something similar to this in the future with a wrecked vintage Certina I have. The movement might be fine, but that's yet to be seen. No crystal or caseback, so I might just be guilty of being a hopeless romantic optimist.

I do think it is a wonderful idea however. I'd at least want to experiment with a tin of spray paint on the damaged dial seeing as I'm too lazy to source a complete case and crystal. My advice is "do it." It'll be fun. The memories and learning is worth more than anything.

Yeah, I've been hearing that about Seagull. Decent quality for money, but cost prohibitive to service. As for waterproofing? Caveat emptor. If I do it, I'll do more research and buy gasket and seals typically used. You could never build one and say "200 m guaranteed", but if I fry one, oh well. I want to take one apart and put it back together anyway. 😀

I'd likely stick to Seiko NH 35 or similar. I'm finding cases I really like and see what fits in them. As for dials, I'd really like to make my own. I've considered smelting bronze, making an alloy then buying the indices and putting them on. Hey, maybe my own logo. No one else would have it. I really love the Panerai Luminor style case. Just can't swing the Panerai price right now.

If I'm a big enough sadist to do this, I'll post pictures of this abomination.

Post it if you do it. I'd love to see it.

No, but recently I became aware of DIY Watch. They sell kits and tools. Sounds interesting and I may be ordering one in the near future. 😁

@GasWorks has assembled some gorgeous watches. (I don't think I'd be brave enough to refer to them as 'franken'!)

Building is a lot of fun. Hands are tricky for the first couple of times but after you get used to it they go on pretty easy. Here are a few of the random builds I've done. Let me know of you have any questions. I also have a 10% code for namokimods if you're thinking about ordering parts from them.

Yes. Designing one with a friend as we speak.

I have made a few. NH35,2813, Ronda 505,507 and 505-24. Don't use the Chinese 2813 movement...trust me.

Custom my dear. Not Franken. 😉

I knew there was a better word 😆

If you decide to build something, go with one of these dials! They are gorgeous!

Wow, that case is nice. And not cheap. Lol. Of course, it's German, so it's going to be flawless. The others are great too

Danger Will Robinson indeed! Oops, I think we’re both “dated” now. 😂

My fave is your green strapped beastie. Just perfect 🤩 ( Oris dial )

Interesting cases. U must shamefully admit that I haven't looked at ETA builds all that much. I know that the dial feet locking, and the spacer ring and clamps are different, but most of all, I wouldn't know where to get parts.

Thanks, that one's actually for sale if you're interested.

I've built two WWII inspired field watches, most of the parts came from Namoki. It's certainly fun, and can be affordable, or as expensive as you want. Water resistance can be dealt with, it depends on the case you get. Namoki's field cases are rated to 100M and come with sapphire glass already installed. If you go that route make sure you use silicone grease on the crown and casebook gaskets. The way I test if the watch is really water resistant... is wear it in the water, if the case is leaking the watch will fog up. It's never happened with the Namoki cases.

That's certainly not the best way to test WR, and you can buy a hand-pump pressure chamber, or make one fairly easily, though you don't need one to start modding/bulding.

It's a lot of fun. If you don't have any watchmaking/repair/handling fiddly bits experience, take a second to practice. Don't rush the process, I've spent close to ten minutes trying to line up a second hand before. 😂 It get's easier with practice, but parts are delicate. Also do yourself a favour and get a small air blower, nothing is more irritating than discovering a speck of dust on a dial after the final assembly.

The deluxe kit with the tools looks great.

I've never been too interested as it's always felt like assembling Lego to me. And I've never gone around doing victory laps of the internet showing off a Lego kit before, as if it's some monumental thing, so assembling a watch has never felt like it would have any sort of pay off, either. Now, if I had milled the case myself, and made the dial myself, and all that sort of stuff... wow... that would really be something. But let's face it; most people who say they've 'made' a watch, have just assembled some pre-made parts. And again, to me, that doesn't feel like it would have any sort of pay off. It just doesn't seem interesting.

I can see your point, but I don't have access to a CNC machine and metal lathe.

Well neither do I, so my point is, I wouldn't bother with just putting together some parts, myself. This isn't trying to rain on your parade in anyway way, it's simply in response to you asking us, 'Has anyone ever considered assembling their own frankenwatch?' Not everyone is going to have considered it, want to do it, or think it's meaningful. Horses for courses. Other folk seem to think they have 'built a watch' by just assembling some pre-made parts. Good on them. We all come at this topic from different angles.

😎, there is real large Seiko MOD group and also for some Russian watches. They have great communities to ask around.

Hope to see your build soon ⚡️👀

Yes. I’ve built a couple from parts just to see if I could do it. Seconds hand setting is a total bastard to do, but satisfying when you get it right. I destroyed about 5 sets of hands (bent, scratched etc) before getting it right. The tools used make a huge difference imho - those plunger style hand setting tools are awful - I prefer to use the manual ones.

Note - used NH35 / NH38 movements, regreased the gaskets etc. but didn’t assemble the movements myself - not ready for that yet.

I have done this before, I wanted a Rolex Submariner(but am extremely broke) so I decided to make a replica myself. It was fun but I should’ve spent a little more money on a nicer bezel it doesn’t line up and I am annoyed by it but, it is what it is. I will replace it eventually but not at the moment. But anyways moral of the story, spend a little more money to get nice parts(with my experience anyway).

Great. It's on my list. I feel that assembling one myself and with quality parts, would ultimately be worth more to me.