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The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Discussion area for watches, clocks and all other timekeepers.
PetWatch
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The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Post by PetWatch »

I was hoping one of our modders would introduce the contest this year, but here we go... Same rules as last year.

We have some very good watch modders here, and no doubt other folks who send their watches out for modification, so it's only fair that you have a place to showcase your creative ideas and talent in a friendly competition.


ENTRIES:

Mod must be completed in 2020.

One entry per post. Post as many separate entries as you like. Contest is open to entries until votes are tallied.

State whether you modified it yourself or sent it out for modification.

Before and after pictures would be helpful. Feel free to provide as much or as little insight into the process.


VOTING:

Vote by liking an entry. Vote for as many as you like.

Votes will be tallied Sunday, January 17, 2021, at 9pm PT or as soon thereafter as I can.

There will be no tie braker unless requested, and only for first place. Any party in a first place tie may request a tie braker runoff within three days after I post results. Runoff will start a few days later and last seven days. Results will be final.


I don't mod myself, even though I've already purchased a few tools of the trade, maybe one day... same old story.

Good Luck Everyone.

Last edited by PetWatch on Sat Dec 12, 2020 7:26 pm, edited 2 times in total.
HWA
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The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Post by HWA »

I’ll bite, although I’ve seen many better!

If you can’t buy it, build it. That’s my mantra for mod projects. I’ve wanted an early 1016 for years, but they’re priced well out of reach. So, dusted off my OG Jester build, got some font help from a friend, had the dial made to spec, and here we are!

- JMB case.
- ETA 2836 with date parts removed by a friend to give it better stack, further modded to remove phantom date click
- custom dial
- Riyi Rivet.

When the Pro’s show up, I’ll step away!

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And a closing family portrait, with apologies to two off visiting.
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Last edited by HWA on Sun Dec 13, 2020 9:35 am, edited 3 times in total.
LapYoda
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Re: The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Post by LapYoda »

Here is my mod. I don’t have the tools to do it myself so I bought the parts and had a local watchmaker install them this summer. It’s a retro-mod of my Seiko SBDC053 to make it a little more like this year’s 62MAS editions. I used a Crystal Times top hat crystal and Seikoparts 62MAS hands. The lume on the new hands is a good color match but disappointing in the dark. Bracelet is a Strapcode Angus Jubilee (now renamed).

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Sussa
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Re: The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Post by Sussa »

I think this is the only mod I did this year. 2020 has lasted roughly a decade though, so who knows?

Original: Vostok Komandirskie (stock photo)
Screen Shot 2020-12-13 at 11.25.14 AM.png
Mods:
Added a white/red radio room dial and Seamaster-esque hands
RadioRoom.jpg
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Split-Time
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Re: The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Post by Split-Time »

LapYoda wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 9:54 am Here is my mod. I don’t have the tools to do it myself so I bought the parts and had a local watchmaker install them this summer. It’s a retro-mod of my Seiko SBDC053 to make it a little more like this year’s 62MAS editions. I used a Crystal Times top hat crystal and Seikoparts 62MAS hands. The lume on the new hands is a good color match but disappointing in the dark. Bracelet is a Strapcode Angus Jubilee (now renamed).

Image
That is great! Seiko could not have done better themselves!
PetWatch
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Re: The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Post by PetWatch »

What a start!

I can see this is going to be very tough on the judges, and a great challenge to our defending 2019 Champion Dub Rubb.

Show your mods whether you think it's a winner or not. We can appreciate them all.

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Re: The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Post by MoT »

I'll obviously disqualify myself, though I do have a great entry in mind. It'll be fun looking at the other entries.

Also, I just may have a prize for the winner. 🤔
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PetWatch
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Re: The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Post by PetWatch »

ManOnTime wrote:I'll obviously disqualify myself, though I do have a great entry in mind. It'll be fun looking at the other entries.

Also, I just may have a prize for the winner. [emoji848]
Wonderful!

Post your entry. I promise our judges are fair and impartial.

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Stretch44
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Re: The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Post by Stretch44 »

ManOnTime wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 2:20 pm I'll obviously disqualify myself, though I do have a great entry in mind. It'll be fun looking at the other entries.

Also, I just may have a prize for the winner. 🤔
Yeah, at least post it!
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Re: The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Post by MoT »

PetWatch wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 3:00 pm
ManOnTime wrote:I'll obviously disqualify myself, though I do have a great entry in mind. It'll be fun looking at the other entries.

Also, I just may have a prize for the winner. [emoji848]
Wonderful!

Post your entry. I promise our judges are fair and impartial.

Image

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Stretch44 wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 4:08 pm
ManOnTime wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 2:20 pm I'll obviously disqualify myself, though I do have a great entry in mind. It'll be fun looking at the other entries.

Also, I just may have a prize for the winner. 🤔
Yeah, at least post it!

Ok, ok! :lol:

This:

Image

Image

Started off as this:

Image
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PetWatch
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Re: The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Post by PetWatch »

ManOnTime wrote:
PetWatch wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 3:00 pm
ManOnTime wrote:I'll obviously disqualify myself, though I do have a great entry in mind. It'll be fun looking at the other entries.

Also, I just may have a prize for the winner. [emoji848]
Wonderful!

Post your entry. I promise our judges are fair and impartial.

Image

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Stretch44 wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 4:08 pm
ManOnTime wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 2:20 pm I'll obviously disqualify myself, though I do have a great entry in mind. It'll be fun looking at the other entries.

Also, I just may have a prize for the winner. [emoji848]
Yeah, at least post it!

Ok, ok! [emoji38]

This:

Image

Image

Started off as this:

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Wow! That's a contender. Doesn't matter how simple or complex a mod is, naturally excluding strap and bracelet changes.



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Sporkboy
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Re: The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Post by Sporkboy »

I guess I will have to defend my 2nd place finishing from last year.

I modified an Altoids tin with a 3D printer insert to store my most used sizes of springbars, some 3D printed tweezers and a cheap springbar tool. OK, not a watch mod, but a watch related mod and it is super useful.

The 5th slot on the left is a springbar sorter with slots for 4 springbars that are glued down. You can then drop a springbar of unknown length and figure out where it belongs.

18, 19 and 20mm springbars are shown with a slot remaining for 22mm. Springbars are 1.8mm from AliExpress. This is shown with 20 springbars in each slot.

The model for this insert can be found on Thingiverse. It is under development and I need some more space in the springbar sorter for the insets. Otherwise, it is ready to go.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4659798
88157B0E-0C80-425D-9A87-9CE48763A467.jpeg
Don’t worry, I will post some more traditional mods.
Last edited by Sporkboy on Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:33 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Dub Rubb
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Re: The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Post by Dub Rubb »

ManOnTime wrote:
PetWatch wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 3:00 pm
ManOnTime wrote:I'll obviously disqualify myself, though I do have a great entry in mind. It'll be fun looking at the other entries.

Also, I just may have a prize for the winner. [emoji848]
Wonderful!

Post your entry. I promise our judges are fair and impartial.

Image

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Stretch44 wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 4:08 pm
ManOnTime wrote: Sun Dec 13, 2020 2:20 pm I'll obviously disqualify myself, though I do have a great entry in mind. It'll be fun looking at the other entries.

Also, I just may have a prize for the winner. [emoji848]
Yeah, at least post it!

Ok, ok! [emoji38]

This:

Image

Image

Started off as this:

Image
First off, I have to STOP using likes as place markers, but this one was intentional. I absolutely adore this mod. It's one of the best Amphibia cases, and it also works great with straight end link bracelets. With those hands and that bezel/insert combo? Straight [emoji91].

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PetWatch
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Re: The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Post by PetWatch »

Sporkboy wrote:I guess I will have to defend my 2nd place finishing from last year.

I modified an Altoids tin with a 3D printer insert to store my most used sizes of springbars, some 3D printed tweezers and a cheap springbar tool. OK, not a watch mod, but a watch related mod and it is super useful.
88157B0E-0C80-425D-9A87-9CE48763A467.jpeg
Don’t worry, I will post some more traditional mods.
Well done!
That could win the "Alternate Mod" contest.

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Sporkboy
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Re: The 2020 Watch Mod of the Year Competition

Post by Sporkboy »

9A064D1F-3640-48CF-85D2-74540C21AB06.jpeg
Painted Bezel
Lumed Chapter Ring
Replaced Hands (removing original lume and adding lume to match the chapter ring.)
Painted Seconds Hand (filled in lume spot and painted tip red.)
Painted 18, 21 and 24 Red (suggested by [mention]DogOnTime[/mention])
Filled Watch with Fluorinert hydraulic fluid

Last year I did my first fully lumed dials, so this year I decided to push my modding abilities/capabilities to include the well know ‘hydro mod. That is, filling a watch with a non- conductive liquid. The watch still functions, but you gain increased legibility and increased water resistance. Since liquids don’t compress like air trapped in a watch does, the water resistance is effectively infinite.

This watch was for my brother’s Christmas gift and inspired by the Brietling Colt Skyracer as it is a watch that he covets. I am hoping that this watch scratches that itch.
9F89D527-1D8B-45DA-8DEE-610B5BF5428A.jpeg
79CF3B15-0838-40E4-85D0-00F57B096EC7.png
Here is a stock MRW200 and the watch that inspired the mod.

I had to make a prototype to figure out the lume and hydromod situation. The day wheel on the prototype got slightly messed up, so I am glad that I had a practice run here.
FF9747C2-EB18-40CB-B3E6-52FBE5520529.jpeg
Lume was carefully placed, but trimmed up with a hobby knife to match the original markers. I put a drop of resin on top of the lume for durability purposes.

It took some practice to get the filling part down, but I think I did well in the end. I am pleased with how this mod turned out.
654FBD28-496A-490B-91F2-953F0624038E.jpeg
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This shows the depth of black and clarity achieved with this mod.

My main resource regarding materials and technique for this mod were the youtube videos by Darak Watches II. If you are interested in performing this mod, I highly recommend these videos and will be glossing over details that are covered in detail in these videos.

Note that they mention a method for fully filling a watch using a syringe, but don’t show this technique and I couldn’t replicate it. Fully submerging the watch was the only thing that worked for me. Fluorinert is also highly volatile and not good for the environment, so next time I will use silicone oil.

How To - The Hydro Mod (Oil Filled Watches)



How To - The Hydro Mod V2 (Oil Filled Watches)



Here are some pictures of the final mod in progress and completed. Don’t forget that your like counts as a vote.
FBF96A6C-1EB8-4689-926E-330731A7C8FD.jpeg
6898AA08-19A3-4A14-B6A0-371585A0DEFE.jpeg
9A064D1F-3640-48CF-85D2-74540C21AB06.jpeg
9B6A4D23-1C73-47E7-A4F6-5476EDE70E53.jpeg
BDA701E9-008B-496D-A004-A46DC28B3888.jpeg
DD21E26B-112B-4271-AC60-6DA76DFA8333.jpeg
I would like to note that this watch is currently lost in the USPS system and hasn’t shown up in the system as another package sent at the same time was shipped. I may have the chance to make this watch again and further refine it.
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