Making Custom Watches: Casing a movement

With the spacer (cushion) ring in place, I place and secure the case clamps and screws, attach the stem and crown, then secure the caseback. For this prototype, the movement is a Chinese ST3600, which is a stand-in for the ETA6497. I provide pointers along the way such as how to quickly and easily place clamps and screws. More videos to follow... #customwatch #watchmaking #horology
Visit the website! watchcomplications.com/making...
Follow me on Instagram! / watch_complications
#watches #watchproject #customwatches #watchcomplications #watchesofyoutube #watchmaker #watchmakersbench #watchcase

[@glenh4971]

Nice project. I bought one of those watches and will be using it to practice assembly and disassembly of a basic movement. Those are actually very nice watches.

[@WatchComplications]

yeah, they're fairly simple projects, but good for practice. Good movements to tinker with to get into the hobby...larger parts, low cost, etc. And thanks for watching :)

[@geirwickstrm9162]

I thought I had bought the wrong case until I found your video. Could not work out how to get the clamps in.

[@matthewfickinger6378]

If you don't mind sharing, what size screws and case clamps did you use and where did you get them?

[@paulwilson3434]

Great 👍🏼 job

[@WatchComplications]

thanks 😊

[@paulwilson3434]

Much skinonup

[@paulwilson3434]

Much skill U My ol

[@dannyrockreviews]

Hello Bryan! Hope you're ok? Quick question... i bought all the parts and made a custom dial... but when i was about to put all together i was following your video and noticed i was missing some parts... the spacer ring should come with the case, right? or i need to buy it separately?

[@WatchComplications]

like this exact movement and case? and are you talking about the white cushion ring I put around the movement? because i 3d print those myself.

[@vaypet]

Hi! What type of movement/casing can i use for a custom dial that is 1.5mm thick? where do i start from?

[@WatchComplications]

well for the case, diameter will matter most, so get a case that fits your dial diameter. Most watch dials are about 0.4mm so you'll have to get a movement/holder combo that leaves you enough height given the dial thickness. That will come down to how tall of a case you get. The other thing you'll have to consider when picking a movement/hands is having pins/tubes that are tall enough so the hands can clear the dial thickness and still attach to the movement.

[@sendilkumarmv]

Nice demo and explanation. Where did you get the case eBay or alibaba? I bought two cases from eBay but both doesn't have any place to slide in the clamp.

[@WatchComplications]

pretty sure I got them on eBay

[@neilpiper9889]

That's a lower beat movement than my Seagull st36 which is 21,000bph. The older 6497 eta movement ran at 18000bph

[@GDLOTKIDOG]

What is a movement like this one but smaller and thinner. I have a bunch of vintage wind ups that are smaller movements. I always see these for sale and I’ve taken one apart and back together. What is a moment like this but smaller that I can buy new now? Thank You

[@WatchComplications]

When you say a movement like this, do you mean 17 jewels? swiss or not swiss? if you want a good quality basic 17 jewel handwound movement to use in projects that is also sturdy you are looking at something like the Sellita SW-210. Miyota makes some basic 17 jewel hand-wound movements also.

[@camcad1001]

Do you know where I can find a case for an eta 7001? Currently building

[@WatchComplications]

Well, overall diameter and height are the main things for a case, but beyond that it's having a movement holder to fit a particular movement to a case, especially if you are buying off the shelf parts. If this is your first project, I would look on eBay for 7001 cases. If you happen to see a case you like, but it's not made for the movement, then it's a matter of finding or making a custom movement holder to fit the movement to the case.

[@josephdhemphill87]

Love your channel and site man! I've been looking for guys like you who are doing all kinds of custom one offs! Question for ya. How do you feel those ST36's hold up over time? I know they are a decent stand in for the ETA, but I've read people give them 2 years max...haha. Any thoughts?

[@WatchComplications]

Hey, thanks for watching :) The issue you encounter with the ST36 stuff is you gotta order from a place that has legit ST36 movements and not clones, which are often not oiled very well, if at all. There are a lot of factories churning those things out. An ST36 will generally hold up ok and is easily serviced. If you are wanting movements that serve as a good platform to learn and tinker without breaking the bank then the ST36 is a good place to start. Keep in mind they're not near the quality of Swiss stuff though.

[@josephdhemphill87]

@@WatchComplications any pointers on finding a legit one? Haha. I’m just cruising eBay these days. Haha

[@WatchComplications]

if you’re using eBay, then you really only have reviews to go by. The other choice is known watch parts distributors.

[@josephdhemphill87]

@@WatchComplications got it! Thanks so much!

[@phi_watches]

What size/diameter are the threads for the case clamps? The screws I got with my movement don't fit.🤦‍♂️ Incidentally, I think I have the same case, so may need to try and get a movement ring as well. Cheers for the info.

[@WatchComplications]

I'll have to find one of my other cases and look (can do that soon), but the case screws came with the case in this situation, not the movement. What movement are you trying to put in the case?

[@phi_watches]

@@WatchComplications it's an ST36. The screws that came with it had a thread outside diameter of 1mm, I got a delivery this morning of some screws that range in sizes from 0.6 to 1mm, so will be trying these out today. Thanks.

[@salbundy1263]

How much are the prototypes gonna run? Im interested in purchasing one

[@WatchComplications]

Hi Ian. If you'd like to discuss one of the models or one of the prototypes (there's also a rose gold prototype I'm working on) send me an email. watchcomplications [at] gmail [dot] com.

[@thaze5150]

What size case clamps are you using and where did you purchase them?

[@WatchComplications]

For these prototypes I used the clamps that came with the movements (as most do come with clamps). I also have a large variety set of case clamps if any particular size is needed, which I picked up on eBay.

[@thaze5150]

Watch Complications thanks man!

[@obviousanonymous358]

do you think a gasket would serve the same purpose as the spacer you made?

[@WatchComplications]

the worry I would have is that a gasket could curl a little and easily get out of place when closing the case (minor twisting). But might be worth a try...

[@kyleikuma5790]

That guilloche dial is beautiful! Did you make these watches yourself?

[@WatchComplications]

I put the watches together myself. I source the parts from a variety of places, including the dials in this model. Sometimes I make my own dials, but not this one. I do get my logos custom made, and in this model I created the cushion ring with my 3d printer.

[@kyleikuma5790]

Watch Complications still impressive! Have you ever considered selling the watches you make?

[@WatchComplications]

I do sell them, these models will be listed at some point, but also already offered for sale if someone wants to buy one. I sometimes sell ones I pre-made like this but also make custom watches for clients: watchcomplications.com/ten-six-watches/

[@TheTigerofthesnow]

Where did you make your dial?

[@WatchComplications]

I bought the dial on eBay, but had my own custom logos made and applied those myself.

[@TheTigerofthesnow]

@@WatchComplications thanks bro

[@jeffkriese6195]

I Followed these steps to replace a crown and stem but now it just slides out despite tightening the screw, did I miss something?

[@WatchComplications]

Several possibilities...not tightening the screw enough, stripped screw, stem length is not correct given the case (thus not tightening correctly), keyless works is out of whack or damaged in some way.

[@jeffkriese6195]

@@WatchComplications Awesome, I'm out of my depth.

[@WatchComplications]

at least the movements are cheap...buy a few and practice on them. tinkering is how you learn and get better.

[@nobilesnovushomo58]

Why do watches, even Rolexes, use plastic spacer-rings/movement casings? Is there some type of nuanced mechanical reason that they prefer plastic instead of crystal or perhaps some softer natural material? My Qualm is that plastic over time if exposed to moisture and heat, can cause plastic to become brittle or outright break.

[@WatchComplications]

Any material has pros and cons. Metal is more expensive in raw cost and process and although solid, is metal on metal contact and less shock absorption. Plastic is cheaper (and in my case, easy to prototype and make) and adds some cushion. If the plastic breaks for some reason, easy to replace. Generally, the interior of a watch shouldn’t be subjected to moisture and heat, I would be more worried about the movement than the spacer rings. Oil, fine parts, etc.

[@nobilesnovushomo58]

@@WatchComplications Thanks for your reply! Regardless of if you answer this post, I'm thankful for your one-time insight for this singular watcher. Just seems a bit difficult to source a particular spacer ring, and thermal damage is still possible. Supposedly (perhaps a hint to a prior material) the Rolex has a "plastic-Crystal spacer. (They call it crystal, but it's made of plastic). Are their different types and longer lasting types used in the watch making industry?

[@WatchComplications]

Like all things watches, a lot of variety exists out there. In my work it’s not about sourcing a holder, it’s about seeing what is needed, drafting it, and printing it. 3d drafting software and 3d printing allow this for my work. A variety of materials are possible. Same in the watch industry. Could be various metals or plastics used.

[@NathanChisholm041]

It's the perfect shock-absorbing material metal isn't! But it definitely looks better. Personally, I don't care what they use...

[@heavyglassglass]

Just use your tweezers to place the screws

[@WatchComplications]

Tweezers work ok. Rodico works better.

[@heavyglassglass]

@@WatchComplications disagree but ok. Using tweezers is a skill. You could use some practice with your screwdrivers as well

[@WatchComplications]

every use is practice, and this was also like two years ago…

[@tiwaiifunchess]

First