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recapt
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Re: Post your mods here!

Post by recapt »

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... 111ea2.jpg[/IMG]

Just finished this Samurai mod this weekend and I'm officially in love. It's actually a watch that never really caught my eye until I saw a company called namokiMODS post a picture of one with their sandblasted bezel and and vintage stainless steel insert. I had to have it. And I knew it would look great with an Erika's Originals Black Ops strap (22mm, patina hardware) which I had been looking for an excuse to try out. The whole thing came together just as I hoped it would.

I have pretty small wrists and never thought a 44mm case would be an option, but thanks to the short lugs (only 48mm lug-to-lug) it's extremely wearable for me. The MN strap only helps with it wearing small. Glad I tried one of these MN straps, they are super comfortable and look ridiculously cool (I already have another one on order). It just takes a few times to get the hang of buckling it.

By the way, namoki lists these bezels and inserts as being for the Turtle, which they are, but they also fit the Samurai when used in tandem. In other words, their Turtle insert doesn't fit in the stock Samurai bezel and vice versa. You have to buy them as a pair to do this mod.

Links:
https://www.namokimods.com/collections/ ... ted-finish
https://www.namokimods.com/collections/ ... tyle-black
https://erikasoriginals.com/mn-straps/blackops.php
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Re: Post your mods here!

Post by recapt »

Dub Rubb wrote:And lastly a cheap watch to practice on over and over and over before you attempt it on the watch you actually want to mod. Especially the seconds hand, eff that tiny little hole!!!!
THIS. I made the mistake of not doing this and burned through a few second hands on my first inside-the-case mod attempt. It was enough to make me decide to stick with only external modding... for now, anyway.
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Re: Post your mods here!

Post by Dub Rubb »

recapt wrote:[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... 111ea2.jpg[/IMG]

Just finished this Samurai mod this weekend and I'm officially in love. It's actually a watch that never really caught my eye until I saw a company called namokiMODS post a picture of one with their sandblasted bezel and and vintage stainless steel insert. I had to have it. And I knew it would look great with an Erika's Originals Black Ops strap (22mm, patina hardware) which I had been looking for an excuse to try out. The whole thing came together just as I hoped it would.

I have pretty small wrists and never thought a 44mm case would be an option, but thanks to the short lugs (only 48mm lug-to-lug) it's extremely wearable for me. The MN strap only helps with it wearing small. Glad I tried one of these MN straps, they are super comfortable and look ridiculously cool (I already have another one on order). It just takes a few times to get the hang of buckling it.

By the way, namoki lists these bezels and inserts as being for the Turtle, which they are, but they also fit the Samurai when used in tandem. In other words, their Turtle insert doesn't fit in the stock Samurai bezel and vice versa. You have to buy them as a pair to do this mod.

Links:
https://www.namokimods.com/collections/ ... ted-finish
https://www.namokimods.com/collections/ ... tyle-black
https://erikasoriginals.com/mn-straps/blackops.php
That watch is a real looker! It's one of those mods that makes me think that Seiko should have just made this to begin with, which is a compliment! What I consider to be an OEM+ mod in relation to the car world. Super sexy and timeless. Good work bud!

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Post your mods here!

Post by Sporkboy »

Speaking of hand setting tools, I made my own and will post a picture when I get back to my workbench. I saw the hand press tools, which appeared to be a tube with a tip on the end that is a cone that tapers to some outer diameter (OD) with a hole of some inner diameter (ID).

I guessed the diameters and made something that fits into the end of a ballpoint pen. 3D printed, it works great on minute and hour hands, but I need to make another for seconds hands.

For those that have purchased these tools, would you mind measuring and sharing the ODs and IDs of your tool tips? Once I have a set of 2-3 tools then I can release the files to the public. Thank you.
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... 42169e.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... 438ff2.jpg[/IMG]
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Re: Post your mods here!

Post by Sporkboy »

Vostok Amphibia with the shine knocked off with green then white scotchbrite pads.
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... 266631.jpg[/IMG]
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Re: Post your mods here!

Post by Dub Rubb »

Another mild mod. An SKX011 with a bezel from one second closer and a random ebay insert from the Philippines. Also on a Strapcode super oyster. Literally bought and modded this watch JUST for a Hawaiian vacation lol. It is now my beach/I happen to be wearing a shirt with some orange on it watch.
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... 019334.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... bc8e03.jpg[/IMG]

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Re: Post your mods here!

Post by Bbrou33 »

Dub Rubb wrote: Tue Apr 09, 2019 10:35 am Another mild mod. An SKX011 with a bezel from one second closer and a random ebay insert from the Philippines. Also on a Strapcode super oyster. Literally bought and modded this watch JUST for a Hawaiian vacation lol. It is now my beach/I happen to be wearing a shirt with some orange on it watch.
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... 019334.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... bc8e03.jpg[/IMG]

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I like you

Nice job on the watch
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Re: Post your mods here!

Post by Sporkboy »

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... d01dad.jpg[/IMG]

Added lume to the bezel of my other Amphibia. Looks good, but now I need to either brush it or polish it as I scratched the bezel halfway to hell in the process.
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... bbe475.jpg[/IMG]
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Re: Post your mods here!

Post by Bbrou33 »

Sporkboy wrote:[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... d01dad.jpg[/IMG]

Added lume to the bezel of my other Amphibia. Looks good, but now I need to either brush it or polish it as I scratched the bezel halfway to hell in the process.
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... bbe475.jpg[/IMG]
I vote brush

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Re: Post your mods here!

Post by Sporkboy »

Bbrou33 wrote:
Sporkboy wrote:[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... d01dad.jpg[/IMG]

Added lume to the bezel of my other Amphibia. Looks good, but now I need to either brush it or polish it as I scratched the bezel halfway to hell in the process.
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... bbe475.jpg[/IMG]
I vote brush

Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk
Then brushed it shall be...
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... b4c87b.jpg[/IMG]
Quite an improvement and easier to keep lookin nice.

I did mess up the retention spring, so it now spins more or less freely. I will need to try to fix that tomorrow. Then that will be it as far as easy, external mods go. Though I might paint the caseback as it is pretty interesting.
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Post your mods here!

Post by Sporkboy »

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... 0e6053.jpg[/IMG]
Two Timex casebacks. One I added a bit of enamel paint, squeegeed off the excess, let dry, did some clean up and hit it with some matte acrylic. The other one is stock for comparison.

Casebacks don’t get much attention, but given a little paint, they can really pop.

This also shows the underside of a Timex that I stripped down to the brass.

I know these aren’t your ordinary mods, but I have fun with them.
Last edited by Sporkboy on Wed Apr 10, 2019 2:51 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Post your mods here!

Post by watchpalooza »

Sporkboy wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 2:47 pm
Bbrou33 wrote:
Sporkboy wrote:[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... d01dad.jpg[/IMG]

Added lume to the bezel of my other Amphibia. Looks good, but now I need to either brush it or polish it as I scratched the bezel halfway to hell in the process.
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... bbe475.jpg[/IMG]
I vote brush

Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk
Then brushed it shall be...
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... b4c87b.jpg[/IMG]
Quite an improvement and easier to keep lookin nice.

I did mess up the retention spring, so it now spins more or less freely. I will need to try to fix that tomorrow. Then that will be it as far as easy, external mods go. Though I might paint the caseback as it is pretty interesting.
Looks good. What did you use to do the brushing? Brillo pad?
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Re: Post your mods here!

Post by Bbrou33 »

CVP33 wrote: Sat Apr 06, 2019 3:44 pm HMT redials in every flavor

[img]https://i.postimg.cc/k5fY79TR/IMG-7411.jpg[/img]

Seiko-mods

[img]https://i.postimg.cc/9M4hnn85/IMG-0334.jpg[/img]
Love both of your collections, but really curious about these HMT's. Never heard of them until seeing your post. Are these modable??
There are a ton on the fleabays and I'd be cool buying one for $15. Especially since I've wanted to pick up a smaller vintage looking watch for a while now
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Re: Post your mods here!

Post by MoT »

Sporkboy wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 2:51 pm [IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... 0e6053.jpg[/IMG]
Two Timex casebacks. One I added a bit of enamel paint, squeegeed off the excess, let dry, did some clean up and hit it with some matte acrylic. The other one is stock for comparison.

Casebacks don’t get much attention, but given a little paint, they can really pop.

This also shows the underside of a Timex that I stripped down to the brass.

I know these aren’t you ordinary mods, but I have fun with them.
That's really cool!
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Re: Post your mods here!

Post by Sporkboy »

FTE wrote:
Sporkboy wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 2:47 pm
Bbrou33 wrote:I vote brush

Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk
Then brushed it shall be...
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201904 ... b4c87b.jpg[/IMG]
Quite an improvement and easier to keep lookin nice.

I did mess up the retention spring, so it now spins more or less freely. I will need to try to fix that tomorrow. Then that will be it as far as easy, external mods go. Though I might paint the caseback as it is pretty interesting.
Looks good. What did you use to do the brushing? Brillo pad?
I used 2 grades of scrubbing pads-corse(green) and medium(white).

I am not sure if this is an international standard though. There are also red pads, which are supposedly finer than the white, but I haven’t found them. I also think it looks good with the medium level scrubbing pads.

In the states, the common brand is scotch-brite. I am not sure what Brillo makes, but I always think of the corse scouring pads that are imbedded with soap. I wouldn’t want to use one of those on a watch.

I will take some pictures of what I have later.

For these I mounted the piece on an electric screwdriver, which makes it easy to get the bezel looking nice. Getting around the crown required more work.

When brushing, you want to only brush in one direction otherwise you get diagonal scratches that look poor. You can always polish out the brushing later if you don’t like the look, though that has never been an issue for me.

If you do this on a plated watch, you have to be very careful not to go through to the base metal. Stainless steel cases are the best for brushing.
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