I Created my own Custom Watch from AliExpress: Hand-Painted Zen Watch Transformation (Amateur Build)

Want a unique, hand-painted artistic watch of your own, that won't break the bank? Don’t have any watchmaking experience? But want to give it a try anyway. Well, follow along as I attempt to transform AliExpress parts into a stunning hand-painted custom zen garden watch (AliExpress / Seiko NH35A movement). I am not a watchmaker, and this is only my second attempy at a watch build. So let’s see how I get on. #customwatches #customwatchmaking #watchmodding #zengarden #seikomod
Watch parts:
* Movement - Seiko NH35A.
* Case - 40mm Stainless steel, with exhibition back, and sapphire glass - to fit movement.
* Dial - plain 28.5 mm - to fit movement.
* Watch hands - silver, with luminous hands - to fit movement.
* Winding stems - to fit movement (with spares).
* 20mm leather watch strap.
Inside this video:
* Buying and unboxing AliExpress watch parts: From the movement to the case: the see the results of the online shopping haul.
* Hand-painting a zen garden dial: Witness the step-by-step process of creating a miniature zen garden right on the watch dial! ️
* Assembly and unexpected challenges: Putting it all together isn't always smooth sailing. See how I overcome hurdles and make adjustments, and fixes along the way. ️
* Final reveal: Does the watch tick? And most importantly, does it look amazing? ✨⌚️
This video is perfect for:
Amateur watch enthusiasts looking for a unique and affordable project.
Creative minds who love hand-painting and customization.
Anyone curious about the possibilities of AliExpress watch parts.
Want to see more watch builds, mods, and artistic adventures? Subscribe and hit the notification bell!

[@darynakosse392]

Love it!!! The video is super cool 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 you’ve put so much work and efforts into this. The watch is amazing 🤩

[@SketchbookExplorer]

Cheers :)

[@shantamsridev]

I find myself in a very similar position. And I must say, this video has instilled a lot of confidence in me. The fact that you were trying something out new is so cool! I love your artwork and its addition into watches. Thank you for this! Please keep this style alive! Also love the music! Any chance I could get the names? :)

[@SketchbookExplorer]

Glad it was of interest :)

[@mattsutton8804]

Great work. Looking forward to your next build. I would have liked to see footage of the repair also. Keep it up. 👍🏻

[@SketchbookExplorer]

Cheers :) With the minute tricky stuff my current camera setup gets in the way.. but will try to keep in mind. Thanks

[@colinfogden9666]

Just ordered my first stuff from Ali express you inspire me that I can do it

[@SketchbookExplorer]

Cheers :) Always glad to inspire someone to take a leap. Good luck

[@gerardomontes6151]

Links???

[@MrMaxblj12mad]

Und wo ist das Datumsfenster,auf dem Zifferblatt?

[@SketchbookExplorer]

I purposely hid the date wheel. I decided it is not always needed.

[@qiaomuzheng5800]

Hi there, very impressive work! I am doing the exact thing you are doing here, except I am only painting on cupboard using the acrylic paint. The acrylic paint is doing the job, but it is very hard to blend(given the micro size of my brush tips) May I know what kind of paint are you using? It looks like you are using the acrylic to paint but I am not so sure. Thanks again!

[@SketchbookExplorer]

Thanks. For this video, I mainly used standard acrylic paints, but I have also been using acrylic inks for this type of work, and they could be worth a try, especially when it comes to blending. I hope that helps.

[@qiaomuzheng5800]

This is very helpful information. Thank you so much!@@SketchbookExplorer

[@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?

[@SketchbookExplorer]

I guess it is possible, it just depends on the custom style you are looking for, and the parts.

[@mohammadabdullah6707]

However, YOU don't know or don't do it yourself. Correct?

[@SketchbookExplorer]

Please reach out to me, via the Contact Me page on my website ‘SketchbookExplorer.com’ with full details of what you are looking for, and I will take a look, and see what I can suggest. I hope that helps. Thank you.

[@SketchbookExplorer]

After reading the details you sent, unfortunately I cannot suggest anyone to build such a watch, but have you considered watches with similar inspirations, such as the Seiko Prospex, or Seiko Presage. Hope that helps.

[@mohammadabdullah6707]

Thank you for your response, as well as your time.

[@sold9948]

cool 😎

[@SketchbookExplorer]

Cheers :)

[@Emilmarch]

Luckily, you are not a watchmaker. Worst handling ever. Dial failed big time. Where’s the day window? What happened to the day? If you weren’t planning to utilize that feature why didn’t you choose a different movement suitable for the job? Those strokes were both delicate at all and am not trying to demoralize or demotivate you but trying to be honest, maybe you will try again with a more professional approach. I think you are more youtuber than a watch guy and just needed some content.

[@SketchbookExplorer]

I am not a watchmaker, or even a massive watch nerd, and never said I was. From a creative project point of view, I just wanted to give it a try, and share my experience . It was not just done for content. I actually wanted to see if I could do it, and then add an artistic touch, and then share the experience. Why not.

[@stubronstein9932]

After all that effort you've created a watch where it is hard to actually tell the time. Form and function should be in balance. Including some indices, which could have been quite subtle, would have enhanced the aesthetics of the dial and also improved its usability.

[@SketchbookExplorer]

Interesting point. I could always add indices in the future. But I wanted to try to focus the balance more towards art than function on my second watch project. Personally I have no problem telling the time with the watch, and I always have a mobile phone, if I need a very precise time. Thanks for the suggestion though, I will bare it in mind for the future.

[@ankurnarayan]

​@@SketchbookExplorer I disagree with the comment - the art is what makes this watch unique. Keep doing you!

[@shantamsridev]

So how come the top luxury marvelling watches made by companies like Jacob & Co. and Richard Mille, tourbillon models etc. are practically impossible to read time with? I feel like watches derive their magnificence from the passion of their makers. Consider it an art piece, instilling confidence, like other jewellery.