The Recce Seiko Mod: Homaging and Modernising a Classic
Large Arabic numerals, good legibility, and amazing lume. Just a few of the reasons that made the original Seiko 5s worn by MACV-SOG members so appealing to them.
A good base to start on, and upgrade. A well-worn SNXA07 would serve as a suitable donor for the dial. As a bonus, it had applied indices as opposed to printed ones.
Then came the hands - OEM SNX809 for the hour and minute, and Yobokies Red Spears with C3 for the seconds.
Then the movement, and of course, an NH36 with lumed day and date wheels was picked.
Now came choice of a suitable case. When one looks online, you would find a wide selection of 36mm cases similar in design to the ubiquitous Rolex Explorer. Yet, I wanted something different, and it would be Lucius Atelier’s 36mm GS Diver case that was selected. At first glance it was perfect. It was small, and one could say functional even, given the integrated crown guards.
However, it came with an issue: a chapter ring was required. While the case utilised SKX013 chapter rings, no existing chapter ring could accommodate the minute track markers of the SNXA07 dial - which sat at 1mm from the edge of the dial. Even LA’s own ultra thin chapter ring obstructed some of the markings.
Thus, I embarked on the painful and laborious task of manually sanding the inner diameter of the chapter ring, from 27mm to 27.5mm. And it worked.
And with necessary parts acquired, the modernised take on a Vietnam era classic could be completed.
It retains the good legibility and lume, and small size at 36mm. And yet, with a screwdown crown affording up to 200m of water resistance (according to LA), and a sapphire crystal, it stands head and shoulders above not only the Seiko 5s of old, but modern ones as well.
This, Praesidus, is how you make a proper modern take.
Parts List:
Case: Lucius Atelier 36mm GS Diver w/ Solid Caseback
Crystal: DD Sapphire with Clear AR
Dial: SNXA07 OEM
Hands: SNX809 OEM Hour/Minute; Yobokies Red Spears C3 Seconds
Movement: NH36 w/ Lumed Day-Date Wheel
Strap: CWC Issue NATO 20mm in light green (Dyed grey)
Specifications:
Diameter: 36mm
Thickness: 12.5mm
Lug-to-Lug: 43mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Water Resistance: Rated by Lucius Atelier to 200m; Self-tested up to 6ATM
Unprofessional Seiko Modder who thinks he knows better than Seiko
Fantastic build! Thanks for sharing, it was fun to read. I love Vietnam era watches.
*drools* oh my... That is one handsome watch.
Excellent work, looks great!
Nice. I'm guessing that's a 1911 making guest appearance?
Nice. I'm guessing that's a 1911 making guest appearance?
Nah, that's an M7 bayonet
Great job man! I bought a similar model, but the case was uninspired. I love the case you chose, and the hand set matches perfectly.
Great job man! I bought a similar model, but the case was uninspired. I love the case you chose, and the hand set matches perfectly.
I have the same case actually - I decided to manually sand the case to give it a satin look. It’s in my earlier post.
Lol, I would agree with the anti-shout-out to Praesidius. Have enjoyed some of their stuff from afar, but why would I spend the coin on their MACV-SOG when I can buy the Seiko 5 variant for a LOT cheaper.
Akso trying to figure out if that's a bayonet or Fairbairn Sykes knife in the background?
Just curious... Thought at first maybe 1911, or maybe even a Browning Hi-power, but looks like a cross guard there at the top?
Lol, I would agree with the anti-shout-out to Praesidius. Have enjoyed some of their stuff from afar, but why would I spend the coin on their MACV-SOG when I can buy the Seiko 5 variant for a LOT cheaper.
Akso trying to figure out if that's a bayonet or Fairbairn Sykes knife in the background?
Just curious... Thought at first maybe 1911, or maybe even a Browning Hi-power, but looks like a cross guard there at the top?
That’s actually an M7 bayonet
That’s actually an M7 bayonet
Thought so. Your last picture confirmed it. Incredibly useful tool/field knife actually.
Not it's intended purpose, but it makes a FANTASTIC digging/scraping tool in hard earth.
The JEOD ARL-P4 and other variants are basically modeled after them and/or the Fairbairn Sykes. Much better digging, scraping, excavating tools than a non metallic probe in my experience.
Thought so. Your last picture confirmed it. Incredibly useful tool/field knife actually.
Not it's intended purpose, but it makes a FANTASTIC digging/scraping tool in hard earth.
The JEOD ARL-P4 and other variants are basically modeled after them and/or the Fairbairn Sykes. Much better digging, scraping, excavating tools than a non metallic probe in my experience.
Absolutely. My country’s service rifle is a bullpup, which meant that the main purpose of the bayonet was often digging or as grounding.
Thought so. Your last picture confirmed it. Incredibly useful tool/field knife actually.
Not it's intended purpose, but it makes a FANTASTIC digging/scraping tool in hard earth.
The JEOD ARL-P4 and other variants are basically modeled after them and/or the Fairbairn Sykes. Much better digging, scraping, excavating tools than a non metallic probe in my experience.
“Non-metallic probe”. Careful, your EOD experience is showing, lol.
“Non-metallic probe”. Careful, your EOD experience is showing, lol.
Lol. Yea, Uncle Sam keeps throwing those "Anti-ferrous" build a probes at us every few years, all we really want is more carbon fiber/kevlar, resin coated daggers.
Rule No.1, "Always look cool." Trumps build-a-probe any day.
And at this point I could build prolly two more, from all the bits and pieces laying around. One tool, or ANOTHER pouch full of jangly bits I'll lose and then revert back to my digging knife anyway.....🤔😉😂
Lol. Yea, Uncle Sam keeps throwing those "Anti-ferrous" build a probes at us every few years, all we really want is more carbon fiber/kevlar, resin coated daggers.
Rule No.1, "Always look cool." Trumps build-a-probe any day.
And at this point I could build prolly two more, from all the bits and pieces laying around. One tool, or ANOTHER pouch full of jangly bits I'll lose and then revert back to my digging knife anyway.....🤔😉😂
Haha, yep. I carried a Glock field knife in country. Kind of a piece of junk, kind of absolutely bulletproof. Opened cans, cut straps, dug out all sorts of crap on bridge sites. You really don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
Haha, yep. I carried a Glock field knife in country. Kind of a piece of junk, kind of absolutely bulletproof. Opened cans, cut straps, dug out all sorts of crap on bridge sites. You really don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
Fixed blades are handy. Why I carry two on my kit (technically three since the ARL-P4 is stupid sharp actually) one for general hard work, and one for more specific sharp stick work. 😉
Yeah I always had two or three. The Glock, a folder, and a smaller, sharper fixed blade. There’s just lots of jobs for knifes in downrange.