Building your first Seiko MOD? (Learn from my Mistakes)

Buckle up, and get comfortable. This two hour un-edited video is made for those who want to know what it’s really like build a Seiko Mod watch from start to finish.
If you are interested in building your own Seiko Mod Watch check out NAMOKIMODS
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#seiko #watchmaking
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[@vredehuman5242]

Don't go hating on someone who's new at this. Keep learning my friend.

[@Tom_H327]

I learned from your mistakes. 😂 I didn't wear finger cots. I used metal tweezers instead of plastic. I bent one seconds hand, scratched the crap out of the second one. Didn't have magnification to help apply the hands. My hands were shaking like leaves in a tornado. Everything worked out fine.....after 5 hours. 😂

[@Timesradical]

Awesome 😎 Seiko modifications are a good time, every time! I did eight this year. Lol each one drove me crazy 🫠

[@dominikrohde1561]

Love the dial! Thanks for this video! Your skills in watchmaking and explaining everything patiently in your videos is awesome. Keep up the good work!

[@Timesradical]

Thanks! Yeah, the dial is my favorite part of the watch.

[@mstrwul1]

All seiko modders were shouting at the screen, "What are you doing man". 😂😂

[@Timesradical]

I’m sure! Lol

[@f1hotrod527]

What did he do wrong?

[@henrylee8510]

​​@@f1hotrod527fter 30min, I didn't see any mistake but he didn't seem to know how to align the dial and movement by removing the correct feet. It's a simple step. Also no need to mess with the movement ring. My first mod took me an hour (dial, hands, bezel, bezel insert) but most of it was spent on the seconds hand. I watched enough videos first so I knew each step He could have made a 1hr video.

[@atheistplanet]

Oh boy, I was Soooo screaming at the screen! All that expensive gear too!. He could have spent an hour watching Seiko mod videos and saved himself a ton of problems! Wow!

[@Timesradical]

But, where is the fun in that? Going in blind is always more exciting.

[@charlesd820]

Really enjoyed watching this journey of highs and lows :)

[@Timesradical]

Was really a nice into into Seiko mods. Crash course.

[@sonnymoorehouse1941]

Great video !!!! this helps show what to look out for

[@Timesradical]

Hell yeah! Thanks a lot

[@nickjohnson217]

Did you have a spliff before embarking on this mission! 🤣🤣🤣👏👍 during a service of a nh35 you have to fit the plastic ring on before you totally build the keyless side I found that out the first time I did an nh35. We all have to learn one way or another.

[@Timesradical]

Haha! More often than not. I was making more problems from myself expecting seiko modding to be more complicated. Lol fifteen seiko mods later i know what to expect. Even though this was the my first one it was actually one of the easier ones.

[@brucebarlow6604]

It’s unreal how these cheap movements keep great time. Regulated better than a new Seiko from the factory. Nice looking mod. Keep well from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@Timesradical]

They really work so well. I Think a lot of micro brands are using movements like these to build new watches. Thanks, you keep well also ✌️

[@carolbravo2595]

Wow! That’s some crazy trouble shooting! Gettin’ it done!

[@Timesradical]

Thank you! Happy Turkey 🦃 day ☀️

[@maxq3372]

Great tutorial, thanks Mate... From Australia....

[@Timesradical]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you

[@EU-hj7xe]

Fantastic! I like this watch!.

[@Timesradical]

Thank you

[@vitoralmeida3484]

I noticed that the timegrapher had a lift angle of 52 degrees. I am only a learner (hobby), but I read that the lift angle of the NH35 is 53 degrees. Why didn't you insert the correct value of the lift angle before you tried to correct the movement? Thank you for your video, I learned a little bit more.

[@Timesradical]

I didn’t know it was 53

[@charliepugh9436]

Loved your video ❤❤❤❤

[@Timesradical]

Thank you 🙏

[@clark3830]

You should always adjust them on a timegrapher to see how much to adjust and when you are there.

[@brianmsahin]

Thanks a lot! To see it being done mistakes included is invaluable. I have two pastimes, scuba diving and mountaineering! Retiring soon so will keep up the diving as I live near the Mediterranean coast but the mountaineering has to take a back seat as getting older can make it a bit more dangerous! I've been looking for a second more relaxing hobby and as I'm a watch enthusiast, particularly dive and field watches this is something I can enjoy. I have two questions, one from curiosity and one for advice. Firstly when you put the hands on can you feel them click into position or is it guess work to some extent? Secondly is there any watch modding toolset that you can recommend or will those sets you can find on Ali Express be ok for beginners. Any just subscribed too so look forward to watching more of your videos!

[@Timesradical]

The hands usually slide on firm with a friction fit. And depending on the movement there might be a step on the wheel that stops the hand from sliding down too far. If the hands are too tight then you have to open the hands up a bit from the inside. Sometimes the hands will make a snapping sound if they are tight then all of the sudden slip down fast because of force or if they are too loose. Different manufacturers have different feels to the hand fit.

[@brianmsahin]

@@Timesradical Thank you!! Appreciate the reply.

[@Timesradical]

@@brianmsahin For Sure!!

[@PilgrimInProgress]

Those Samurai cases are the best.

[@Timesradical]

Super original design

[@brunotulliani]

Very Cool!

[@Timesradical]

Thanks Bruno, I really fumbled through parts of this build but, it came out really well in the end.

[@mstrwul1]

Nh35 and nh36 have different sized thickness plastic round the movement. Nh36 has black plastic. The reason is to make a tight fit case and movement. You could change the grey ring on the nh35 for the black ring of nh36. nh35 and nh36 have different case backs.

[@Timesradical]

Wow thanks for the tip. This is a very helpful comment. I really like a lot of these Seiko mods I’ve been seeing lately

[@mstrwul1]

Oops my mistake. What I should've said is the seiko 7s26 movement has the black plastic ring is thicker which can be fitted to nh35/36 movements.

[@clark3830]

The dials for the NH-35 or 36 usually come with 3 feet on each side to fit the movement you have. You have to cut off two of the on each side to fit it. The Seiko 4H34 GMT is as reliable as the Rolex GMT. I know because I have both. Just put it on the timegrapher and set it.

[@Timesradical]

Absolutely 💯 I have both as well

[@clark3830]

@@Timesradical great job. I wish you did a video on resetting the keyless on either the 3135 or 3235 movement. I have them and bought them cheap from a guy who wanted to build a watch but pushed the stem back in messing them up. I have never tried to work on those movements. Very afraid. The movements work if you shake the rotors around to wind them.

[@clark3830]

You make very good videos.

[@Timesradical]

@@clark3830 Thank you very much. I want the channel to grow. More difficult than I expected.

[@neraklrllessur8844]

Get a rubber mat (mouse pad) to keep your jigs from sliding around while you work.

[@paulthompson3816]

Hi, love the dial but I can’t find it on aliexpress or namoki mods, any chance you could post a link for it? I managed to find the samurai cases and bezels etc on aliexpress but none of the dials on there have the Seiko logo on them.

[@Timesradical]

Email sent

[@Northrhino11]

Where did you get the dial?

[@Timesradical]

Ali express

[@AndreMartins2010]

Hi! Congratulations, this video is great. How can I buy this dial? Could you help me?

[@Timesradical]

I found this dial on Ali express

[@ButtMan8888]

I've built a couple of mods and while this was part amateur hour, there was some pro stuff as well. None of the watch modding videos I watched when I was starting out ever showed the regulation process. While this was a long video, I enjoyed it a lot. Makes me want to get into my next build. Oh and you'll get that silver play button for sure!

[@Timesradical]

Thanks!! Definitely some amateur hour here with this being my first mod. I was expecting everything to go wrong in basically got in my own way in the beginning. That would be amazing to get a silver play button!! I’m thinking of the next mod as well. Haven’t been able to post anything in a while. Life is wild. Thanks again!! Hope you’re next project goes well

[@mstrwul1]

That is a cool dial and would be perfect for a build am doing. I checked all through Ali express and can't find it. Can send me a link pls. 👍

[@Timesradical]

It’s on Ali Express look up nh35 dial and keep scrolling. I use the app un able to provide the link

[@candidcamel]

1:20 thanks for shopping at your local Seiko authorized dealer 😀

[@Timesradical]

Absolutely 💯

[@clark3830]

Seilo makes the movements so all you do is push it on the dial with the plastic retainer already on the movement. Simple.

[@Timesradical]

I love learning the hard way. I totally thought it was going to be more complicated.

[@publicname]

I wonder how would this dial go with the red/yellow bb58 bezel and a NATO strap

[@Timesradical]

Probably pretty cool 😎

[@publicname]

How is the lume on this dial?

[@Yo_Fabio]

@@publicname bright green I ended up selling the watch on eBay to get into another project

[@Chris40899]

Would you be able to link all the parts you purchased to make this awesome watch?

[@Timesradical]

Yes, I can do it in a couple of days🙏

[@Chris40899]

@@Timesradical thank you! Can’t seem to locate that same dial.

[@Timesradical]

@@Chris40899 Hi Chris I just looked it all up. I’m not 100% sure but, looks like the dial might be unavailable. However I did take a screen shot of the order. Reach out to me through email @ [e-mail] and I can send you a copy of the screen shot of the order. It will be much easier for me rather than posting the links. Thanks, Fabio

[@AR-dx4zi]

Hi, I am extremely new to watch building and am in the process of building my first ever watch, using the NH35 movement. I only have tweezers and a hand putting tool and a hand removing tool. I've managed to put the hour and minute hand on relatively easily, however I can't seem to put the second hand on at all, and have spent around 6 hours across multiple days attempting to put the second hand on, and I'm starting to think its just not possible and just leaving the hour and minute hand on there, any advice on applying the second hand??

[@Timesradical]

The seconds hands are usually pretty tight

[@Timesradical]

Try opening up the seconds hand post with a cutting broach. Or a sewing needle 🪡. You can file the sewing needle making the sides rough so you can cut open the hand

[@AR-dx4zi]

@@Timesradical thanks for the reply, sorry for the newbie question but is the second hand post on the actual second hand or the post that’s on the movement??

[@Timesradical]

@@AR-dx4zithe post on the seconds hand itself.

[@rafaels1984]

What loctite number you use to attach the crown? Loctite 271?

[@Timesradical]

2701

[@biol.alfredoe.viteramirez3497]

Hello, I think that the screw-in tube of the crown is not well aligned with respect to the caliber of the watch, which causes the shank to be out of center and, in turn, the crown does not screw in properly. Lack of quality control in the manufacture of the watch case. I'm telling you because the same thing happened to me, I made a Samurai mod, and the stem with the crown, were not centered with the screw-down tube for the crown, it fit very tight. Your video is very instructive. Greetings

[@Timesradical]

I think so also.

[@brianofireland148]

Truth be known all of them other watch making videos would be 2:11:22 as well. If they left in all their mistakes and did not edit them out. Well done for giving everyone a heads up in the process. and keep it up. IRELAND CALLING Can you send link for dial please.

[@Timesradical]

Thanks man! Thought it was a good opportunity to share

[@WATCH-4U]

i bought this case off ali express n built it n it stopped working.. the case back when full tightened up stops the movement

[@Timesradical]

I had the same issue in the video. Someone was telling me you can replace the movement ring to a thinner one to get full lock on the case back. I ended up screwing the case back down just enough to compress the case back gasket and it ended up passing waterproof with out stopping the watch. Find the middle ground.

[@6tplus233]

Did you water pressure test the case to Prove that the watch is a true Diver even at 50 meters?

[@Timesradical]

I did ill post a short video of the test. Today.

[@LS-uv9gg]

I am less than even the most amateur of amateurs' noobs here, so I'm not trying to state facts lol (and ya, I get the likelihood of shenanigans going on as far as what constitutes "real" Seiko movements etc.,) but when you said: "this is not original Seiko, but from Namoki you're getting original" Hmmm. Honestly, I would bet they're getting their stuff from all the same suppliers anyway, and from what I understand- NH35 or NH36 etc., indicate real Seiko movements, but ones that are sold to outside suppliers. The TMI is Seiko's Hong Kong Subsidiary, part of the Seiko Company Conglomerate. 4R , 6R etc., with the SII marking are identical movements to the NH's, except put in an entire Seiko branded watch, and sold by Seiko Japan affiliates.

[@Timesradical]

Wow! Thanks for the information, I had no idea and was curious if they were all related to each other. That makes a lot of sense, thank you 🙏

[@mstrwul1]

It's those knurled crowns. I had a few and they were all the same.

[@Timesradical]

I guess it’s much more difficult to have it clutch

[@Smitty65721]

It would be nice if you posted the links for the parts for this mod. I would like to try this project, but for life of me I can’t find these things on Alipress. I will be subscribing cause I like your style. Thanks!

[@Timesradical]

Ohh wow, thank you! I use the Ali express App. I search “nh35 samurai case” and it all comes up. I’ve noticed it’s easier to find the components when I start the search with the movement caliber number I’m building from then the component I’m looking for. since I use the app there isn’t a real link I’m able to copy and paste to the description. But, I hope the search bar tip helps. I’ve definitely spent a lot of time searching as well. But, when I started searching with “nh35 samurai case, sword hands, dial, etc.” I think the dial is hard to find now I’ve gone back to the seller’s store and found it unavailable. Sometimes the available dials go in and out of production. Which I think is cool. could find something that ends up being unique in the future.

[@mstrwul1]

When I began modding I destroyed a lot of parts. Its trial and error as you go.

[@keefw361]

The second hands are a nightmare I gave up and just went with hour and minutes

[@Timesradical]

Open up the inside of the seconds hand post. If you don’t have a broach make one with a sewing needle 🪡

[@6tplus233]

Man I've never seen anybody make soooo much hard work for themselves over such an easy MOD. painful to watch. 2 HOURS??????????????

[@Timesradical]

I agree! My first MOD. Soo much easier than I thought it would be. I work on stuff that is so much more difficult that I really made it more difficult.

[@mr.h4284]

I think he was playing dumb to drive comments

[@Stanjara]

A watch maker gets baffled by a Seiko mod. My god and two hours... I've fallen asleep, woke up, got a hair cut. Come home, washed up, got some coffee and continue to watch... and only two minutes passed!? I said gadamn! Thanks for this video because I'll never buy this alibaba garbage in my life.

[@Timesradical]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Stanjara]

@@Timesradical I actually did, watched the whole thing. This is exactly what would have happened to me, only I wouldn't have had the tools and experience of a watch maker. Then I would take that Seiko to a watch maker and he would be furious. To be honest, when you fumbled with the case back, I sad out loud: Just use the ball...you gonna dive with that thing? And then you got to the tool... I sad oh no why? No! And it happened. I knew, it why??? Use the ball dude, It's fine...rubber gasket is holding the pressure.

[@Timesradical]

@@Stanjara All the problems I had with this watch I created for myself lol 😂 I’ve serviced and modded a few replica Rolexes and Seikos the past always had so much trouble. But, recently I’ve been seeing a lot more cool Seiko mods so i wa too try again with a personal watch. I was trying to be careful and expected many problems but, in the end it seems like these are much more manageable to create now. Thanks for watching i didn’t expect this video to get so many videos so I barely edited it in order to save myself some time. I can’t believe the views and comments are so funny 😂

[@Stanjara]

@@Timesradical Your video is real that's why. There are companies that sends you parts for you to assemble yourself and Ytubers presenting them as Legos age 6+

[@ghassanalkanaan512]

You should get a micrometer.

[@Timesradical]

I have two

[@user-kw2en7fr5n]

we have this thing called google...... how to attach the dial to a movement!!!! omg!!!~!

[@Timesradical]

Google is our overlord

[@ExecutiveZone1]

Watch this at 2x speed. Thank me later. (It’s a good watch I promise) but do it at 2x and watch it in half the time

[@stianmunkvold8552]

i lost braincells watching this.. slowly... but surely... you got where the dial feet was suppose to go... i was dying inside waiting for the end result.. good job tho)

[@Timesradical]

Thanks. Not sure what the expectations are from consuming a watchmaking video. But, here we are. Lol 😂

[@snekker9480]

Why did you have this expensive tools and machines, but don't know how to assamble a watch?!? The first few minutes already hurt to watch... 😂

[@Timesradical]

My first time with a Seiko mod buying all parts from Ali express. Had no idea what to expect. Made it hard for no reason

[@snekker9480]

@@Timesradical yea sorry bro, I’d first watch some video about it and if I’m confident then order the parts. My first time I forgot the loctite haha

[@Timesradical]

@@snekker9480Exactly, always something even after watching videos. That’s why I just like to jump in blind on my personal projects. Eventually it comes together.

[@Timesradical]

@@snekker9480Thanks, hope you’re Tissot project goes well!! Sounds like a nice watch!

[@snekker9480]

@@Timesradical how do you know about my Tissot project?...😂