Thoughts on building your own designs
For the past several months, I have been gradually getting more comfortable with taking apart watches, movements and putting them back together. Now I’ve “graduated” into ordering raw parts and putting them together to make own watch, at least for three handers (chronographs are still hard). This experience gives me a greater sense of appreciation for watchmaking and also it feels great when I’m wearing something I built.
This one pictured here is something I put together last night. A 40mm case with a PT5000 movement (ETA 2824-2 clone). It runs at about +7spd
I’m now curious about how can I create my own dial designs and start making something more unique. Has anyone tried something like this? Would love to hear thoughts on how to go about this.
Sharing my love for watches and photography
If you take existing dials and repaint them then you either have to repaint the indicies or use applied. Repainting is either hand applied or stamped with a lot of expensive equipment. I'm working on a Cricut template system to paint the markings on. Picture transfer is an option too I will try at some point.
Another option is to have someone customize a watch for you. There are tons of smaller suppliers on Instagram or Etsy. (You may have to cut your own dial feet.)
I use Inkscape for drawing my dials and this paper for doing the transfer:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RP35SFQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
and
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003W0A19U?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
I cut out my dials out of thin brass and aluminum sheets
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KRLB7N5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
Unfortunately I do not have access to a good color laser printer, so I have to do with my old inkjet.
Here a few of my designs
I use Inkscape for drawing my dials and this paper for doing the transfer:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RP35SFQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
and
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003W0A19U?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
I cut out my dials out of thin brass and aluminum sheets
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KRLB7N5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
Unfortunately I do not have access to a good color laser printer, so I have to do with my old inkjet.
Here a few of my designs
Wow this is great information, thanks! What do you use to cut out the dials?
I cut out the dial with "Aviation Snips" (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-10-in-Straight-Cut-Aviation-Snips-48-22-4530/302716396) Cut it out about 3-5 mm larger in diameter than what I need, and then, drill a hall in the middle, and using a rotary tool and a file, adjust to the size I need.
It is useful to have a case available, so you can try and see how it fits. Go slow, do not take off too much. I've ruined a few pieces by being impatient and cutting too much.
BTW, I also used aluminum roof flashing (https://www.homedepot.com/s/aluminum%20roofing%20flashing?NCNI-5). It is event thinner (and much much cheaper), so it is easier to work with. You buy 1 sheet for about $20 and you can probably make over 50 dials with it.
Next, I plan to get a lume kit so I can make dials with lume.
Wow this is great information, thanks! What do you use to cut out the dials?
See above.