My second DIY watch
After trying #diywatchclub, I wanted to make use of the tools at least one more time, and thought I'd try sourcing my own parts. And since I can't afford a real 36mm Explorer in todays market, I thought I could at least enjoy one I assembled myself, especially if I put a nicely decorated swiss movement in there.
It turned out fairly good, despite being a comedy of errors: I ruined the first dial, USPS lost the second one. Then after getting the third one partially assembled to test fitment, I learned the hard way that there is a very specific way to remove the crown stem on the STP 1-11 (and other 2824 clones) I bought. Ended up having to disassemble the keyless works several times (a mess of tiny levers with spring plates holding them down) to get everything situated. I also had to learn a very specific way to insert the stem so that everything meshes correctly. Seiko movements are much easier to work with.
Good for you!!
That stuff is way above my pay grade. I have enough trouble putting together a sentence, let alone a watch.
Good for you!!
That stuff is way above my pay grade. I have enough trouble putting together a sentence, let alone a watch.
It's good to know your limits. 😉 I don't think I'll be building any more watches, it's too hard to clean the parts (or keep them clean), and not scratch the dial, etc. Feels like playing an extra small, but high stakes game of Operation.
It looks good! I must admit I am hesitant to try a DIY watch myself owing to having hands with all thumbs. 😂
This dial layout is best in rolex, pure class👍🏻
i m guessing this is a skx oyster like case, didnt know you can fit an eta / stp into it.
I practiced on an old watch with a GMT movement. Man did I destroy and scratch up that dial😭 I've got rhinoceros hooves for hands😝 I'm not going to try to actually swap out the real watch I want to repair. I'm paying a professional to do that! I did learn and appreciate the art of watch modding and making. Great job on your build man...it looks great! 👊🏽
That's awesome. I agree with foghorn, thats way outta my league, but it's gotta be great to get the watch you've always wanted plus have an awesome story to tell about how you buikt it.
Congratulations, nice job! I have only worked with Seiko movements myself, but from what I have seen only about ETA 2824-2, it seems that the stem is pulled from the time setting position, releasing it through a little plunger. Are the clones different in that regard?
This dial layout is best in rolex, pure class👍🏻
i m guessing this is a skx oyster like case, didnt know you can fit an eta / stp into it.
Lucasa Atelier sells the case I used. The case remains the same, but they send a different movement holder and case back depending on which movement you specify.
Mini review: The case is very good quality! The bracelet is simple but well made. The clasp isn't great, but it has the Rolex look. The watch+bracelet is heavier than I would have expected, but feels well balanced.
Congratulations, nice job! I have only worked with Seiko movements myself, but from what I have seen only about ETA 2824-2, it seems that the stem is pulled from the time setting position, releasing it through a little plunger. Are the clones different in that regard?
Yeah you are right, the clones aren't different in that regard: Must use time setting position, and you also need to use a screwdriver instead of your tweezers to push the release, otherwise you can push it in too far and jumble up the works.
What ended up being trickier is getting it back in. What worked best for me was rotating it back and forth a bit while inserting very slowly. Sometimes it didn't catch on the first try, but you could try again without disassembling the keyless works. I probably only needed to take apart the keyless works once, but didn't understand that until I'd mastered the insertion technique.
I also had a much harder time getting the second hand on this movement vs my Seiko build, I think Seiko may use a thicker post that makes alignment easier? Not sure.
Yeah you are right, the clones aren't different in that regard: Must use time setting position, and you also need to use a screwdriver instead of your tweezers to push the release, otherwise you can push it in too far and jumble up the works.
What ended up being trickier is getting it back in. What worked best for me was rotating it back and forth a bit while inserting very slowly. Sometimes it didn't catch on the first try, but you could try again without disassembling the keyless works. I probably only needed to take apart the keyless works once, but didn't understand that until I'd mastered the insertion technique.
I also had a much harder time getting the second hand on this movement vs my Seiko build, I think Seiko may use a thicker post that makes alignment easier? Not sure.
Ah yes, that makes sense. I normally use a tiny punch on the release lever with Seiko movements. But now I know should I try an ETA, Sellita, Soprod or PT5000.
In my limited experience setting the seconds hand largely depends on your experience, your frame of mind, but also on the particular seconds hand, how well it balances on the pinion or not. I would expect a lot of variation in the process on those factors alone. (I really can't speak to any other calibers.)
Awesome job.
Does it have a crystal on in that shot? Or is it just really good anti reflection coating?
Awesome job.
Does it have a crystal on in that shot? Or is it just really good anti reflection coating?
Hehe, yes, the crystal was already installed in the case. It has a clear AR coating, but the product listing didn't specify whether it's on bottom or both sides. Hopefully it doesn't get too scratched up.