Questions on assembling a DIY watch with sourced parts!
Hello everyone! I've been exploring the idea of assembling my own watch by sourcing parts from eBay or AliExpress. I do have some questions - any help would be appreciated.
If I were to assemble a watch with a case diameter of 40mm - do I need a movement that is also similar in size? I came across a few videos on YouTube that used a 28 - 29.5mm watch movement for a 40mm case, I couldn't wrap my head around this. Or does the size of watch dial need to be similar to the size of the case?
Similar question for assembling a watch with a case diameter of 30 or 32mm. What size does the movement have to be?
Suggestions on a no-fuss automatic movement to order?
Essential tools required to assemble?
I would also like to explore using a custom logo/wordings on the watch dial. There seem to be several methods on YouTube but all have varying results. One of the methods involved baking the dial in an oven with an applied water-slide decal paper. Any thoughts or work around this?
Thank you for taking the time in responding :)
Watch enthusiast from Bangalore! Hopefully I'll have my own watch boutique someday!
1 & 2 - The case dimensions aren't related to the movement size. You can have a 44mm or a 36mm case using the same movement. The product description should specify the compatible movement(s) and dial diameter to fit within the case. Most aftermarket parts are designed for NH35-36-38 movements and 28.5mm dials.
3 - Start with an NH35 or 36. They are inexpensive and have the most variety of parts compatibility.
I've not put my own watch together yet, but I've watched a bunch of YouTube videos and recommend that you do too. I have decided that I'm going to get a kit from https://diywatch.club/ I know that they aren't the cheapest, but they come with step by step videos on assembling their watches. You can also get the kit with their starter tool kit. The kit is basic and you can probably buy the same kit on Amazon or eBay for less.
@Beanna covered some of your questions with good answers. I'd like to add that there are some nice Chinese movements out there that you can get on eBay and AliExpress for cheap. I would recommend going with a Sea-Gull movement over any of there other brands. Look at the ST2130 (ETA 2824-2 clone), ST17 and the ST19 (the ST19 is a chronograph so you should work your way up to that).
But, seeing that you are in India. Why not look around locally to see if you can get a HMT movement and stuff to put it together? It won't be the most accurate watch you can put together, but it would be pretty cool to put one together from an Indian company.
I've not put my own watch together yet, but I've watched a bunch of YouTube videos and recommend that you do too. I have decided that I'm going to get a kit from https://diywatch.club/ I know that they aren't the cheapest, but they come with step by step videos on assembling their watches. You can also get the kit with their starter tool kit. The kit is basic and you can probably buy the same kit on Amazon or eBay for less.
@Beanna covered some of your questions with good answers. I'd like to add that there are some nice Chinese movements out there that you can get on eBay and AliExpress for cheap. I would recommend going with a Sea-Gull movement over any of there other brands. Look at the ST2130 (ETA 2824-2 clone), ST17 and the ST19 (the ST19 is a chronograph so you should work your way up to that).
But, seeing that you are in India. Why not look around locally to see if you can get a HMT movement and stuff to put it together? It won't be the most accurate watch you can put together, but it would be pretty cool to put one together from an Indian company.
I have been looking at those DIY watch kits too. I was looking at them for the tools. I know you can source those and get them cheaper on AliExpress but I really liked the quality of what they had and how it was packaged and how you would store it. I know they're not Bergeon but they don't look like crap either.
I have been looking at those DIY watch kits too. I was looking at them for the tools. I know you can source those and get them cheaper on AliExpress but I really liked the quality of what they had and how it was packaged and how you would store it. I know they're not Bergeon but they don't look like crap either.
Are you talking about the kit they show in the pictures? Well, you might want to check with them about that. I believe that kit is their upgrade kit which cost an extra $120.
Yeah, that's the one.