How to build your own custom watch (Don't do what I do, learn from my failure!)

In this video, you all get the pleasure of watching me fail miserably at building my own custom watch. This is basically my naive and wishful thinking that watching a couple of KZbin videos would have given me enough knowledge to build a custom watch from scratch using parts from eBay, Aliexpress and other online sources.
Unfortunately, that was not the case, it started of easy enough, but everything descended into madness quite quickly when trying to install the seconds hand.
The purpose of this video is to document my attempt at building my own custom watch. This is my first try but not my last, and I wanted to warn people that were to try this on their own, that your first try may not be successfully so try to source cheaper parts first then build from there.
Alternatively, you could buy a cheap Chinese watch, take it apart and rebuild it as a first alternative.
For the time poor, below is a "don't waste my timestamp" of the video.
00:00 Intro
00:35 Step 1 : What you need to build your own custom watch
02:46 Step 2 : Installing dial / face onto movement
06:26 Step 3 : Installing hands onto the movement
09:39 Step 4 : DISATER!!!! I FAIL AT LIFE, EVERYTHING IS A FAILURE, MY LIFE IS A FAILURE. (Curl up in a ball and cry)
10:17 Step 5 : Recover from failure, check the damages to the watch
11:32 Step 6 : Install movement into watch case
13:58 Step 7 : My sad closing thoughts
Affiliate links to my gear
Camera (Panasonic G85): amzn.to/32eRFzu
Lens (PANASONIC LUMIX G Vario Lens, 12-60MM): amzn.to/38af88M
Watch Tool Kit: amzn.to/366xfcV
Spring Bar Kit: amzn.to/364JM0G
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KZbin: / @thechirpypanda
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Twitter: / thechirpypanda
#custom #watchbuild #fail

[@michaelbell9811]

The first time I did this, I used an ETA 2824 movement. It took me the best part of 2 hours and lots of cursing to get the seconds hand fitted. This was a few years ago before all the kits that you can now find and I didn’t see any tutorials on KZbin either. I’ve since made more using 2824 movements and also NH35/36 movements and I agree with the other commenter that the NH movement is the one to start with. I’ve messed a few up, and it’s a bit disheartening each time you do so, but in the end you end up with something unique. I’ve given them as gifts - my wife has been the recipient of a couple and both my children got one as 18th birthday presents. My next project is for my newly-born granddaughter.

[@timmorrow9780]

A lesson is being taught in both success and failure. Thank you for sharing your lessons with us as a PSA precautionary tale about modding gone wrong. It shows strong character to own your mistakes, especially in a public forum. I learned quite a bit from your video, thank you. I'm confident your next attempt will turn out a very fine time piece.

[@thekingbee100]

I'm new at this too and you're not alone in stuffing things up. I find the NH35 movement to be less difficult. Thanks for sharing keep after it. I find joy in giving as a gift, a watch I assembled. Each one I've given has a makers mark. By that I mean a scratch, or small bend, but it it can only be seen with a loop. Cheers

[@ForestWoodworks]

I've been a watchmaker for like 4 weeks now, interested in watches for like 8. This is by far the best video I've seen lol. Every single mistake you made goes through my head whenever I touch a movement. Off topic a bit, but the first two movements I serviced are from vintage quartz watches. I literally didn't know you could service a quartz movement, but it's true, or any movement until 8 weeks ago. On the one I finished last Saturday, it was actually a non runner, so not only am I new, I also had to learn in short order, so I could diagnose the problem, which I did and ultimately fabricated a replacement part. Not bragging, just saying there is always a level of service you can do I guess, even for quartz watches. I passed them both to my daughter who will hopefully keep them long enough to pass on someday. Thanks for the great video and lesson! ❤it!

[@brandont9078]

Thanks for showing your mistakes so others can try to avoid them. I’m going to start my first build soon. Also, 9:07, that’s what she said.

[@popey2710]

mate, these are the best kind of tutorial videos. top stuff for not trying to be a master at first shot. i'm now going to look at your other videos. i hope you finished and put up a new video .

[@Ba_Yegu]

Yeah, the seconds hands on the Miyotas, DG 2813 and relatives are the most demanding because their axles are only 0.17mm thin. ETA's 0.25mm seconds hand axle feels like a beefy rod compared. Patience and carefulness finally wins all the obstacles though. Complete those with experience and we have a winner. The real watchmakers use peg wood sticks for manipulating and cleaning very delicate parts, but I use just cocktail sticks. 🍸😋 Sooner or later every watch hobbyist runs in situation where he/she would need some standard little screw or a few, so best to be prepared and purchase a watch screw set beforehand, so the job at hand wouldn't again pause by lack of a cheap standard part. Check carefully to order real watch screws that actually fit a wrist watch, not those "Watch and Glasses Screw Sets", which by guarantee do not have one screw who would fit in the innards of any normal wrist watch.

[@rolfkok9004]

Learned a lot from this lesson. I'm about to put together my own watch and will try not to make these mistakes. Thank you for this educational video.

[@icyhot9783]

Brass, bronze or nickel tweezers are your friends when handling hands or any part that can scratch. Dials scratch incredibly easily, so best to avoid fiddling with them too much, or drag tweezers over them. I usually use brass and keep my nickel tweezers for the more precision stuff that still requires a delicate tool. Brass is the safest, but they bend really easily. As for the hands. I haven’t found a second hand that won’t fight back. I personally don’t recommend the cheap hand press used in the video. They tend to cover what you’re trying to see and too wobbly. The real ones cost a good bit and have no wobble. Best to use a good set of handheld hand tools, get down super low with a good loupe with around 4x magnification, use Rodico to hold the hand in the proper position with the non dominant hand, then press on with hand tool in dominant hand. Yeah, it’s awkward having your face at desk level working 4” away from the movement with a loupe, but the second hand is like balancing a needle on a bit larger needle. If you can’t see what you’re doing or not gently pressing down perfectly perpendicular to the stem, it will bend. The movement doesn’t matter, as the battle with the second hand will be the same. Cheaply made hands will make the fight even tougher, so best to source the better parts.

[@endurojimmy3109]

Thanks so much for posting this. I am gathering some bits to build my first watch. You have probably saved me from using a screwdriver with rodico on the end to clean up the dial. Also prepared me what to look out for when fitting the hands. This has been such an educational video. Don't give up.

[@henryalvarez6284]

I haven't done a build yet, but I'm getting ready too. Thanks for the video!

[@johnbailey3008]

Nice! Love you're honesty!

[@chrisairey877]

Thanks for the vid! I have just ordered some components so it's very useful to know what to watch(!) out for on my first assembly!

[@joeygreatorex6513]

Awesome video. I am on my second build. 1st was a disaster! I scratched the dial then cut the stem to short. lol. I’ve learned so much from my mistakes. Thanks Joey

[@idealmethod]

Good video m6 friend, learn more from mistakes than if it were to go flawlessly. Thanks for the video

[@hellothere312]

mad respect.... keep doing what you do...

[@jeffreymann639]

Thanks for sharing at least you tried it I haven't yet.

[@lakemonsterlures]

I learned something honestly. So thank you.

[@Ivobe2]

Thanks for the vid!

[@exigency2231]

great video thanks!

[@simonlok2006]

Thank you very very much for this video

[@Airshootingpractice]

Hello!!! Love you channel and I’ve learn a lot!! I build my watch ,, the moment I screw the back, the date adjustment stops turning !!! A few threads and it does not work. I had to file down the plastic adapter. Any advice?

[@jeffreydheere4737]

You're a good sport in showing the failures. Did you try again or get different parts? I'd love to see the finished product.

[@harrycee656]

I messed up my second hand also the first time. The pivot was okay i think. Now you can take the moment apart and try to straighten it out . You did great for a first attempt. We all have yo start somewhere. I rather learn on my 35usd movement than a 1000usd movement.

[@hamradioshack9066]

Nice work do you need press down when enter the stems

[@Tom_H327]

This was a great video. I learned a lot. This is why I haven't tried to build my own watch. 1. I need all the equipment. 2. I need multiple parts because I will F them up. 3. I no longer have the steady hands required to do the build. But I would like to design my own watch, pick out all the parts. I would have to have someone with experience to do the actual build though. Thanks for doing this!!

[@americanpaisareturns9051]

Yeah I get you. I don’t have steady hands either. I have very shaky hands. I messed up my watch just trying to change out the battery. I touched it once, twice and then BAM everything went flying out of it. I messed it up 😂 but I too want to build my own watch. I’m gonna challenge myself and give it a go with an automatic movement. Shaky hands and all. Yeah I’m gonna mess it up but I’ll get it done with my own unique dings and dents on it.

[@Tom_H327]

@@americanpaisareturns9051 Thanks for the reply. I have since thrown caution to the wind bought some equipment, and assembled my first watch. The hands were the toughest part taking 2 seconds hands (I bent the shit out of the first one) and about 7 hours total build time from start to finish. I'm gonna try it again. 🫣

[@Martinbergin]

Great video,he who never made a mistake,never made anything.

[@mikeperreira3451]

Wher did you purchase the parts kit for the watch?

[@americanpaisareturns9051]

Cool. I’m gonna give it a shot too. I already messed up one of my favorite watches. Gonna buy a new movement for it and try to fuck up my own build instead. 😂

[@convertiblejay4857]

Wait! I wanted to see the end result, dammit!! And I really like that case, i wish you posted links bro

[@nihaalspeaks]

Can you do more watch building videos?

[@interestedbystander196]

I have two watch build projects in mind: one for my son's 21st birthday present; one for my brother (50th birthday). Both are a year away. I'll probably have to build one for myself first as well, to iron out my technique. ⌚️

[@kkui8635]

Hey man, not a year yet, but this made me smile :) I wish you luck with your projects.

[@5minwatchreviews]

Assembled my own first watch a few weeks back. Lots of learning (like check 5 times for dust particles before screwing everything down and starting to align and thread the screws with putty rather than tweezers) onto the next one - kzbin.infoYI2iEzKIqw8?si=d4ijDqkY507oIdL0

[@duophon17]

@ The Chirpy Panda Great that you showed us that! The annoying background music that is constantly repeated is a disruptive factor, especially when you are explaining or commenting on something. Otherwise, thanks for your comments!

[@rohtdnivio]

Great explanation of the whole process. Apart from psycho-piano in the background..

[@swish1onu]

Was that your first watch build?

[@mohammadabdullah6707]

Saw your video and i have a question - if i may. Sadly, I find myself only liking watches that are very expensive. But I don't care about the name, so my question is : Is it possible to have someone (not me!) make a watch from scratch by buying the parts to make my dream watch? Is this possible?

[@AlistairEwingforensic-services]

Yeah go to a custom watch shop or buy the parts and take to a watchmaker. They may build for 100gbp or similar.

[@hfd79e4r]

What is that blue thing you used to pick up the watch hand called,? I couldn't understand

[@thebkstank2095]

Rodico

[@guidelineuk4876]

Give yourself some credit my friend:-) you answered a lot of questions I was wondering about. keep up the good work

[@carlsong5182]

Bruh I ordered a tandoori nh34 watch got the parts trying to swap the dials and hand but accidentally warp the gmt pinion 😂

[@tizzlebub]

Wish I watched this before I screwed up my hands too

[@wreckz9145]

Should have turned the hands to 6 o clock then place the seconds hand @ 12 o clock

[@shaggy01985]

Not all people are made to handle to fix phones or watches. Just leave it to the professionals. But it is always good to try.

[@paulstevenson200]

Ruined by awful muzak.

[@Boankofa]

The rotor is like that because it only charges the watches in one direction, in the other direction it swings freely

[@---td4ff]

My solution: I have never second hands lmao. That and my movements I use typically don't have hacking and the inaccuracies even with +4 sec/day really show after a week.

[@Jesus_Is_Myth]

I appreciate your useful video. It is kind of tasting the poison to caution the world about it.