BlogAugust 22, 2022August 23, 2022 by Delbert Duba III

Seiko Nautilus Mod

The Seiko Nautilus Mod AKA the “Seikonaut” has recently become a fan favorite in the modding world. With the release of numerous Nautilus inspired cases compatible with Seiko parts, you’re bound to see this built time and time again.

You may be wondering where to source parts, or even how to build it? Well don’t worry, you’ll be able to follow along with us as we build a “Seikonaut” step by step!

What Mod Parts Will I Need?

Believe it or not you only need 9 parts (not counting the stem of course) to build your own Seiko Nautilus Mod! And since the sapphire is included with the case, you really only need to buy 8 of those parts.

They are as follows:

NH35 hands
Flat Sapphire (included free with case)
SKX007 Chapter Ring
Seiko Dial
NH36 Movement (or NH35 depending on your dial) stem included*
SKX007 Crown
SKX007 Caseback
Nautilus Conversion Case
Nautilus Compatible Bracelet

Once you have purchased these mod parts, you’re one step closer to building your own Nautilus mod!

Nautilus Style Case For SKX007

First you will need to pick out which Nautilus style case you are going to use for your build. With so many vendors on the market there are plenty of different colors and finishes to choose from.

Originally we were going to use a two-tone black and silver Nautilus Case, but we had a beautiful gold dial without a home. So, we changed directions and used a gold and silver two-tone Nautilus Conversion case instead.

What Movement Should I Mod With?

Which movement you should choose to mod with is completely dependent on which dial you are going to use. Since we are using an OEM Seiko Dial from model SNKK94 with day and date window, we will need to use an NH36 movement.

The same goes for the other available movements. Here’s a quick break-down of which movement to use with which dial:

For a date only dial you will want to opt for an NH35. However, you can still use an NH36 movement with a date only dial. The dial will not interfere with the day wheel.
For a dial with no date window, most will use an NH38 movement. However, you can use an NH35 and an NH36 movement with a dateless dial. If you choose to use an NH35 or NH36 just know that you will hear the “phantom date change” at midnight.
For a skeleton Nautilus mod you’ll want to use an NH70 movement which is skeletonized. Don’t forget you’ll also need a gray movement spacer if using an NH70 movement.

No matter which movement you choose to use, they all have the same specs from the factory. This means that an NH35 is not better than an NH38 or vise versa.

Once you have your movement, put it into a movement holder like the Watch-Modz NH Movement holder we used.

How Do I Install A Seiko Dial?

Installing the dial might be one of the easiest parts of this whole mod. For us, it was extremely simple. This is because the dial came out of a 3:00 crown Seiko case. The dial feet already line up correctly so it was as easy as just setting the dial onto the movement.

Now, if you are going to use a dial that has 4 dial feet you will need to cut the 2 feet you wont be using. Alternately, if you have a dial with NO dial feet, you will need to use dial dots.

If you are new to modding and do not know how to perform this task, please read our tutorial page on cutting dial feet.

What Hands Should I Use For My Nautilus Mod?

Hands will be the easiest part to pick out for your mod. This is because the hands you choose are based off of your personal preference. As long as you buy NH35 hands and they are meant for 28.5mm dials, then you will be good to go.

As a general rule of thumb, modders like to pick hands that match well with the hour markers. It helps the parts seamlessly blend with the completed design.

With that in mind, we have chosen gold baton style hands to match the gold baton style hour markers of the dial.

Chapter Ring And Sapphire For Seiko Nautilus Mod

Thankfully the Nautilus case from Watch-Modz comes with a free sapphire crystal and gasket set. One less thing you’ll need to buy for this mod. Another thing that helps the Watch-Modz case stand out, is that it accepts SKX007 Chapter Rings. This was important for us as we wanted to use a polished gold chapter ring to match the dial and hands.

Installing the Sapphire can be difficult for most beginners. However, you wont have to worry about that with the Nautilus mod! The sapphire crystal slips right into place, even with using the cheap blue lever crystal press! Just make sure you install your chapter ring before pressing in the crystal.

If you need a step-by-step tutorial of crystal installation please read our tutorial page.

Which Crowns And Casebacks Fit?

The great thing about these Nautilus Conversion cases are that they take SKX007 crowns and casebacks! This makes picking a crown and a caseback very easy.

We wanted to maintain that nice two-tone vibe the build has going on, so we chose a gold coin crown, and a Watch-Modz slim gold caseback. The slim casebacks are excellent when it comes to added comfort and reduced height off your wrist.

What Bracelet Will Fit The Nautilus Cases?

The Seiko Nautilus Case comes with a 20mm lug width and a unique shape. Because of this, the standard SKX007 bracelets will NOT fit these cases! That’s ok though, because there are bracelets that will fit this case on the market. Watch-Modz carries a few different styles of nautilus bracelets, including steel oyster, and FKX fitted straps. For this Nautilus mod we opted for the silver oyster nautilus bracelet.

Completed Seiko Nautilus Mod

That’s it, you are all finished building your Seiko Nautilus Mod! This mod is quick and easy, no bezel to install, no insert to line up, and the variety of parts are endless. We are very satisfied with how our Nautilus mod turned out and I hope you will be too. Let’s take a look at the finished product!

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BlogAugust 11, 2022August 11, 2022 by Delbert Duba III

Learn About The Seiko SKX013

Today we will be talking about the Seiko SKX013, including where to find a few aftermarket SKX013 parts to make it your own!

Let’s start with the origin; The Seiko SKX013 is a dive watch popular with watch collectors and watch modders alike! It was one of Seiko’s entry-level dive watches and was basically a smaller version of the SKX007 design wise.

We will talk further about this popular model from Seiko’s SKX line and learn everything you need to know about it!

Is SKX013 Still In Production?

Unfortunately, no. Seiko Discontinued the SKX line in 2019. Although, you can still find brand new Seiko SKX013 online, the rarity has pushed the prices up to absurd levels. Seiko did release a few great alternatives to the SKX line that are now available today.

Is The Seiko SKX013 A Good Watch?

The Seiko SKX013 is the best dive watch for anyone with small wrists. It’s design is strikingly similar to the seiko SKX007 but with a smaller case to fit better. Don’t worry though as this model still holds a lot of wrist presence for a small watch!

How Big Is The SKX013?

The OEM Seiko SKX013 case size is 37mm with a lug-to-lug length of 43mm. The standards bracelet size for this model is 20mm. If you are like some of us with smaller wrists, then the sKX013 is a great alternative to the bigger SKX007 while still maintaining that manly look!

Aftermarket Case For seiko SKX013

The Seiko SKX013 is becoming increasingly popular in the modding world. You can now find some amazing aftermarket cases for this iconic model. Our favorite case to use when modding a SKX013 would be the new 38mm 62MAS Conversion case by Watch-Modz. With it’s 38mm size it is more true to the vintage 62mas diver. The 46mm lug to lug adds a little more wrist presence than the standard SKX013 without being overwhelming. With more parts being released every day for the Seiko SKx013, I see the variety of parts growing to that of the Seiko SKX007 one day soon.

Bezels and Bezel Inserts For SXK013

If you do decide to modify your SKX013, you may be wondering where to get bezels or bezel inserts from. Well you are in luck! Watch-Modz provides an array of Seiko SKX013 Bezels and Bezel Inserts to change up the look of your favorite diver! You can see in the above image a Stealth Insert paired with a Gold Submariner style bezel, specifically for the SKX013.

Is The SKX013 Good To Mod?

The Seiko SKX013 is definitely a great watch to modify! It is slowly becoming as popular with the aftermarket parts manufactures as the SKX007 is. I think it is a great time to start modding the SKX013 as the abundance of parts become more available. If you can’t find what you are looking for today, I’m sure it will be available in the near future. With modding becoming more popular every day, you don’t want to miss out on this exciting trend.

If you’ve never modified a watch before, it would be a good idea to read our Tutorials page for more information. The tutorial is written based around an SKX007 build, but you will get a better understanding of what is invbolved in modifying your watch.

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BlogAugust 4, 2022August 4, 2022 by Delbert Duba III

Behind The Band

Custom Straps

Thank you for joining us on our First Edition of “Behind The Band”. We will cover hot topics about custom strap makers and will be holding an interview with LeatherSmith Joel Abernathy.

Joel made a custom strap for us to give a hands on review, just to give you some insight into his quality and precision. Now that we have worn this strap for a week straight, it’s time for us to give our insights into his creations.

How Long Does A Custom Strap Take?

So, first things first, how long did it take to receive our custom leather strap? Since we are headquartered in Virginia, USA and Leather Cre8tions is in Georgia, USA; we received our strap fairly quickly.

So, you may be wondering, “How long does it take to make a custom strap?” Well you’re in luck! Ordering a custom strap is as quick as placing an order on Amazon (as long as he has the material you want on hand). Joel of Leather Cre8tions had our custom strap done in only 2 hours! After he finished he shipped and it arrived to us in 2 days. Like I said, Amazon speed! With the busy world we live in, we all want our purchases delivered quick. Now, you can get custom leather delivers just as fast!

Our First Impression

Now to get to our first impression of Joel’s red leather strap. Honestly, when we first opened the box, it looked just like a store bought strap. I didn’t think much about that at first, until my wife said, “I don’t think this strap is hand made, it looks too perfect.” That’s when it hit me… this IS handmade. Yet, the quality is so superior that you would think it was bought straight off the shelf. It was time to take a second look at this impressive strap.

The strap looks like a lot of effort was put into it to get it just right. The stitching is fantastic and uniform, the size fit perfectly into the lugs, and the color was amazing. We went with just a standard leather for this strap, but nothing is standard about it. This strap is 100% premium.

We wore it for 1 week on our custom Seiko mod Using parts from Watch-Modz.

Interview With Leather Cre8tions

We interviewed owner and operator of Leather Cre8tions Joel Abernathy, to learn a little more about the man Behind The Band. This is what he had to say…

Delbert: Hello Joel, for those that don’t know you, can you introduce yourself?

Joel: Hello! My name is Joel Abernathy and I am 25 years old. I am happily married to my wife Whitney and we have 2 children, Emersyn and Elias. By day i am a mechanical engineer, but I felt like there has to be more to life than the typical 9-5 job. That’s when I decided to learn about being a leathersmith. In 2020 i started out by making leather products such as wallets, small pouches, and key chains.

Delbert: How did you transition into making custom watch straps?

Joel: I started collecting watches soon after and decided to make myself my own leather strap. Someone in the watch community noticed my strap and reached out to me to make him a few. After I finished, he posted some photos of the finished product. This is what gave me the opportunity to start making custom straps for others. I grew fond of making the custom straps because they can be difficult sometimes and I love a challenge! I started out with natural cow hide, until someone asked about exotic skins. That’s when a whole new world of leather making was opened up to me.

Delbert: How did you first learn about leather making?

Joel: Well I wanted to make myself a wallet at first. I had a friend that I knew did a little bit of leather work, so I reached out to him to make a wallet for me. Instead, he told me to come over and he would teach me how to make it myself. The rest is history.

Delbert: Can you tell us what you love the most about custom strap making?

Joel: What I love the most about making custom straps are the challenges people give me. I love to create straps that people have never seen before. I usually create a custom strap that nobody would even dream of making. Honestly, I feel like that is what helps me to stand out from other strap makers.

Delbert: What was the most difficult port of strap making when you first started out?

Joel: I would say the most difficult part when I first started, was trying to get the perfect size for the lugs. Everything else comes pretty easy. However, one wrong move though, and you will go from a 22mm lug size to a 21mm size real quick! That 1mm can make a huge difference when making a custom strap for a customer. People don’t want to look down and see the spring bars peeking through, but they also don’t want to have to squish the strap into the lugs. So, the lug sizing can make or break the finished product.

Delbert: How can customers contact you to make a custom strap?

Joel: There are many ways to reach out to me for a custom leather watch strap.

We have a Leather Cre8tions FB Page
We have a Leather Cre8tions Community group
You can reach out to us on Istangram @LeatherCre8tions
I can also be reached on my personal FB page Joel Abernathy

Delbert: Thank you Joel for taking the time to answer all of our questions!

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BlogJuly 28, 2022July 28, 2022 by Delbert Duba III

Ceramic Coated Watches?

Today we are going to talk about ceramic coated watches! Not a ceramic watch, but ceramic coated watch parts. You are probably wondering how do you coat watch parts in ceramic? The first thing you need to know is that it is called Cerakote. What is Cerakote exactly? And how do you coat watch parts in it? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Cerakoted watch parts, where to get the service, and even an interview with a cerakote watch modder!

What Is A Cerakote Finish?

Cerakote is a special spray coating that can be applied to wood, metals, and plastics. It is composed of a polymer-ceramic film like paint. Cerakote has become very popular especially lately. One of the most common applications is in the gun industry. It is used for increasing durability and longevity of anything it is applied to. The ceramic coating is beneficial for adding a strong finish to parts with tight tolerances. This can be incredibly useful in watch modding for that reason.

How Permanent Is Cerakote?

The main question about Cerakote is how permanent is it? It is a permanent application process that cannot be reversed easily and will last a long time. It requires many hours of prep work, spray, and cure time in order for it to apply it effectively. This usually involves prepping the surface with sandblasting. After it’s finished it can offer industry-leading durability, hardness, scratch resistance, corrosion resistance, flexibility, heat, and chemical resistance.

Interview With A Cerakote Watch Modder

Today, we will be interviewing Josh Wyatt who does Cerakote work on watch parts for customers. Let’s get right into it and learn more about the man behind the skill.

Delbert: Hello Josh! Tell our readers a little about yourself.

Josh: My name is Josh Wyatt and I am 32 years old. I currently reside in south-west Virginia however, I have lived all over the United States. I am an Air Force Veteran and for the last 4 years i have been working in local law enforcement.

Delbert: How did you first learn about Cerakote?

Josh: I first learned about cerakoting when I started looking into having some of my firearms done. After seeing the price some companies were charging, and having to part with my rifle for months, I decided to give it a shot by myself. I watched video after video on how to do it for a long time. Then I started practicing on small pieces of metal and polymers until I got the proce4ss right. My wife was eventually fed up with the smell in the house which led me to build my own cerakote oven. I started talking with Adam King of Jadeion Watches and began putting the two hobbies together. That’s when I started cerakoting watch parts.

Delbert: Being slightly new to modding, how would you describe the difficulty of your first watch build?

Josh: My first mod was simple. I used a NH35 Sub Case from Watch-Modz. I also used a Watch-Modz Blue Pearl Dial on an NH35 movement. It was super simple to do! I didn’t even have to set the sapphire or install a bezel. All I had to do was put the dial on the movement, put the hands on and install it all into the case. However, for my second build (also my first cerakote build) I wanted something more challenging. For that one, I cerakoted a SKX007 case from Adam King, and gave it an aged look. I paired that with a custom dial and bezel from Red5WatchWorks. The Kunai hands, and NH38 movement were from Watch-Modz. It was all wrapped up on a custom paracord strap made by me. This is the build that made me fall in love with watch modding. I had truly made something that nobody else in the world has.

Delbert: That’s great! Do you offer your custom Cerakote services to other watch modders?

Josh: I do! I’ve partnered with Adam King of Jadeion Watches, and we will offer full service custom watches, including Cerakote work. Customers can contact me now threw my Facebook business page Wyatt Tactical, on istagram @FitVetWyatt , or threw E-Mail at [email protected]

Please reach out with any pricing inquiries.

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BlogJuly 26, 2022July 28, 2022 by Delbert Duba III

Interview With a Modder : Rick @carolina_wrist_candy

INTERVIEW WITH A MODDER: RICK @carolina_wrist_candy

Modding is a very satisfying hobby that has been exploding recently. Modders are popping up everywhere, and Seiko builds are becoming more and more unique. We love to see Seiko mods from all around the world, especially from our customers. Some of you might not mod, but perhaps have bought a modded watch in the past. We all love our mods, but do you know the person behind the build?

Today we will conduct our first interview with a modder to find out what makes him tick. Lets hear from Rick Nealy of Carolina Wrist Candy to gain some perspective of who’s the man behind the build.

The Interview

Delbert: For anyone that doesnt already know you, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Rick: Hi, my name is Rick, I am 41 years old from western North Carolina. I am a professional driver and travel all over the country. On the weekends however, I am a watch modder.

Delbert: How did you first learn about watch modding?

Rick: I started out as an avid G-Shock collector. I had some of the vanilla ones, and then stumbled across a few of the limited edition ones. All the different colors, finishes, and displays… I was blown away. This was the first time I realized it was even possible to make changes to a watch. That’s the very day the watch modding bug had bitten me and I decided to give it a try.

Delbert: When did you learn you could mod Seiko watches like that as well?

Rick: I first started out changing the cases and the straps on my G-Shocks. However, that was the extent of my modding for the first few years. I then started building custom rifles as my next hobby. Unfortunately, after building every configuration imaginable I was bored and ready to seek out my next hobby again.

As I was searching for my next hobby, I stumbled across vintage watches. I was purely amazed how something decades old and fully mechanical could still keep perfect time. As I got involved in vintage watches, I began to refurbish old Seiko divers. Once I was sourcing parts for a vintage Seiko, and I found all the aftermarket parts and support for the SKX007 platform. The rest is history.

Delbert: What’s your favorite build that you have personally completed?

Rick: Man! That’s a tough one! I’m going to go with my “Ice Diver” since it’s my most worn build. It’s a SKX 3 O’clock crown case, OEM SPB213 anniversary dial, all running with a 6R35 movement!

Delbert: We know you own Carolina Wrist Candy, so tell us how it is building watches for clients instead of yourself?

Rick: It can be a very rewarding process for sure. When you can properly execute someone else’s vision, and know they will wear that watch for years and years to come, you’ve done your job. For me, when I’m doing a mod for a younger client it’s even more special. In the electronic age we are living in, technically nobody really has a need for a watch, especially a mechanical one. With that being said, the younger generation interested in watches will keep the art alive. That’s why I keep modding

Delbert: Do you have any advice for modders just starting out?

Rick: Sure! Always keep in mind there is a big learning curve. Your first mod might not turn out perfect when you’re starting out. Like everything else, skill comes from the repetition. The more you mod a Seiko, the better your mods will become. Also, I’d like to add that quality tools and parts go a long way in this hobby.

Delbert: Thanks Rick! For anyone wanting you to build a custom mod for them, how can they contact you?

Rick: You can find me on Instagram @Carolina_Wrist_Candy or shoot me an E-mail at [email protected]

Our official website is coming soon!

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How to build a skeleton watch with an NH70 Movement

BlogJuly 22, 2022July 29, 2022 by Delbert Duba III

How To Use An NH70 To Build A Skeleton Watch

So you want to learn how to use an NH70 to build your own Skeleton watch, right? Well we are going to dive into this head first and help you build your dream watch. You might be new to Seiko mods or you might have never used an NH70 movement before. For these reasons it can be slightly intimidating. Especially when you first open up your NH70 package and see that it doesn’t look like an NH35 at all. Maybe you didn’t know what to do when you saw that it came without a gray movement spacer like other NH family of movements.

Let’s get right into it and get started!

NH70 vs NH35

The difference between the NH70 vs NH35 can seem like a lot at first, but in reality, spec wise they are identical. The NH70 is actually based off of the NH35 and is the same size, power reserve, and hacking/handwinding capabilities. The major differences being the lack of a date wheel and the lack of a gray movement spacer. You’ll also notice a skeletonized top plate.

So, how do you fit the NH70 into the skeleton watch you’re building and what cases will they fit? Let’s find out!

NH70 Case and How To Install

What cases will fit the NH70? Well, the easiest answer is; any case that fits an NH35 movement will also fit the NH70 movement. But how do you do this? It’s simple, just install a gray movement spacer like the NH35! They fit perfectly and are easy to snap onto your NH70 movement. Just remember when buying your caseback, to buy one suitable for the gray movement spacer and not the OEM black movement spacer found on 7s26 movements. Since you are building a skeleton watch, I’d recommend going with a sapphire display caseback. Now, what to do with the metal spacer included with the new NH70? Well you wont need it, so put it to the side. These metal rings, tabs, and screws that come with the skeleton movement are not for Seiko mods, but rather to replace the NH70 in a skeleton watch that came factory with one.

Once you have your gray spacer clipped in place, you can add your movement to a NH35 movement holder to make work easier. We went with the Watch-Modz red movement holder for this mod.

NH70 Dials

Now to get to the NH70 dials, and what fits. I’m sure you already realize you will not be using an NH35 dial on this movement as there is no date function. But what dials can be used on your Skeleton watch build? There are 3 types of dials you can use for your NH70. The first being a dateless dial, these are perfect if you do not want a phantom date change like you would get using an NH35 on a dateless dial. This gives a more refined and factory feel to dateless builds. But, lets be honest, you want top show off that movement in a skeleton build!

Another option for dials would be to use a dial specifically made for NH70 and NH38 movements. This would include the dial used in the photo above. The dial we used was the White X-Ray NH70 Dial developed by Watch-Modz.

NH70 Hands

What about hands? What will fit and are there “NH70 hands“? Great news! Your choices of NH70 hands are unlimited because NH35 hands fit perfectly. Like we mentioned earlier, the NH70 and NH35 are identical when it comes to specs. This includes hand sizes! For our Skeleton watch build, we went with the popular Black Kunai Hands from Watch-Modz. We felt like these were a good choice of hands for our NH70, especially since they were slender allowing more movement to show through. The black finishing also added a nice contrast to be able to distinguish the hands from the movement at a glance. This was an important choice for ease of time telling.

NH70 Skeleton Build Conclusion

Now that you know what dials to use, and what hands will fit, you can now finish your build as normal! Adding the Gray Movement Spacer to the NH70 lets you install this movement into any NH35 Case you would normally use. You can now install into a Seiko compatible case, or you could go for the NH35 Sub Case from Watch-Modz like we used in this skeleton watch. These sub cases fit any sloped SKX007 bezel insert and come with a free insert of your choice. For this build we wanted to keep focus on the beautiful skeleton movement, so we opted for the Brushed Steel FF style insert.

On The Wrist

If you enjoyed this article and it helped you in anyway, please give it a share to help someone else needing this information. Thank you for stopping by!

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BlogJuly 20, 2022October 26, 2022 by Delbert Duba III

How To Mod The Seiko GMT

The Seiko GMT and What That Means For Watch Modding

A new GMT movement is in town and nobody was ready! Seiko has done it again by introducing a new automatic GMT watch. Just when you think they’ve done it all, they surprise us again. The new Seiko GMT models currently come in 3 different classic colors, The SSK001 is black, the SSK003 is Blue, and the SSK005 is an orange dial. Three beautiful classic colors that will be sure to draw attention. But what movement did Seiko use for this new GMT? Well they created a new movement based off of the 4R family of movements, the 4R34 GMT. With the new 4R34 comes the unbranded NH34 Movement for modders and microbrands! This will open a whole new world for modding Seiko’s and help curb the GMT insert police. Let’s get right into it…

NH34 Movement Specs

Caliber number: Seiko NH34 (4R34)
Power reserve: 41+ Hours.
Movement type: automatic GMT
Frequency/Vibrations per hour: 21600 bph.
Accuracy: -20~+40 sec per day.
Hacking and Handwind: Yes
24 Jewels

The NH34 Specs are almost identical to the NH35 movement except for a few minor details. The first being that the movement is 0.1mm thicker, but don’t worry! This will not affect your modding potential. And the second being the most important, it has a GMT hand!

Now, I know what you are thinking, What parts will actually fit? I mean we are watch modders after all, we just can’t seem to keep any Seiko stock. So let’s go over what we know will fit and what won’t.

What mod parts will fit the seiko GMT (SSK001)

So now the question we are all asking, what parts will fit the new Seiko GMT SSK models? let’s take a deeper dive into what makes this Seiko GMT different from other 5KX models.

Case and Bezel

The Seiko GMT will not be as easy to mod as some of the previous Seiko 5 models. Nothing is quite plug and play as of yet, excluding a few parts.

So, lets start with the Case and Bezel for the new Seiko GMT. Right away you will notice a difference in bezel action. The Seiko GMT has a smooth rotating bezel with no clicks. Once removed you will see that the bezel is even more different than just the click action. For one, the inner diameter is bigger. But that’s not the issue, the issue is that the bezel groove for the inserts sits a little deeper. This makes it hard to line up aftermarket bezel inserts to the glass without padding.

Now, one good thing about the case is that the crown is identical to the SRPD push crown, unfortunately, it will not fit Seiko SKX screw down crowns. The Stem for the NH35 is identical to the NH34 and is also the same length for the SSK case.

Chapter Ring and Glass

Let’s move on to the Chapter Ring and the Hardlex Glass. This will be another huge difference between the SSK and the SKX. For starters the chapter ring on the SSK is extraordinarily thicker. Not only is it thicker, but it also comes with 2 alignment tabs more reminiscent of the SRP Turtle. Also, a difference in the case design has the crystal gasket sitting right on top of the chapter ring instead of having a side step like the SKX cases.

Now to get to the Hardlex Vs. Sapphire dilemma. The OEM Hardlex from the SSK is 2.95mm thick which makes it slightly thicker than the Seiko SKX. However, the diameter of the Hardlex is still 31.5mm like the aftermarket sapphires. To top it off, the crystal gasket is not the same as the SKX007 crystal gaskets and are more similar to the SRPD gaskets.

SSK GMT Dial

The dials! We all want to know about the dials. Well first off, the date window of the 4R34 does line up with the standard NH35 date window dials. The size of the dial is also 28.5mm just like the aftermarket Seiko dials.

Unfortunately, there is one major difference… the center hole. Because of the Seiko GMT hand on the bottom of the stack being 2.2mm in size, the opening for the center of the dial needed to be bigger. The center hole of the dial sits at a hair smaller than 2.9mm in diameter. Most seiko dials come with a 2mm center hole meaning they will not be plug and play with the NH34.

In order to fit an NH35 or 4R35 dial onto the movement you will need to file out the center hole. It won’t be pretty and is not recommended unless you know what you are doing.

NH34 Hands

No surprise here, but the NH34 (4R34) hands are identical in hole size and length to all other NH35 hands. The only difference being the added 4th hand for the GMT function which sits at 2.2mm hand pinion size. Don’t worry though as Watch-Modz currently sells GMT NH34 hands!

How Can I Mod The Seiko GMT SSK?

So now you’re probably thinking that none of this sounds good, right? Well we have a very simple solution to get you modding a Seiko GMT in no time flat!

The easiest solution to all of these problems would be to transfer your SSK dial movement and hands right into an Aftermarket case! Once you transfer it to a new case, you’ll be able to use any aftermarket chapter ring, bezel, double domed glass (flat sapphires will not fit the higher hand stack of 0.4mm), and you’ll also gain the benefit of a screw-down crown! Now you can enjoy modding the GMT 4R34 (NH34) until all the aftermarket parts suppiers start releasing all of the parts for this model in a few months time. Be on the look out for new parts dropping!

The Watch Modding community feels revitalized after the release of this new model, and I see some amazing builds in the near future! If you would like to join the disscussion with the modding community, then join us at the Watch Mod Enthusiasts Group.

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BlogJuly 19, 2022July 28, 2022 by Delbert Duba III

5 Reasons To Build A Seiko Mod

So, you want to know why you should build a Seiko mod right? You’ve heard of people modding cars, but what about watches? You may be curious as to why so many people are now modding. Maybe you thought they were just a jeweler handling a repair, but you’d be dead wrong.

Seiko has the most popular base watches in the watch modding community. They bring high quality designs to the market that are compatible with a wide range of aftermarket parts. Even now, with the Seiko SKX007 discontinued it still tends to be the most modded watch out there. However, you do not need to buy a brand new Seiko from the store in order to have yourself a beautiful “Seiko mod”. Why are Seiko mods the best watches to build on the market? Here are some reasons why you might finbd it a goods idea to build your very own Seiko mod:

1. VARIETY

One of the best things about Seiko modding is that there is an endless supply of variety on the market today. You have different sizes, colors, styles, all that may not be available on a store bought watch. Building a Seiko Mod can give you the exact watch design you’ve been dreaming about. bring your idea to life with incredible quality mod parts. For example, for the bigger watch lover there is the 44mm Samurai Conversion Case that fits all SKX007 aftermarket parts. And let’s not forget about the small watch lovers having abundant options such as the 40mm Sub Cases. But the fun doesn’t stop at case sizes, you also have numerous styles of NH35 hands and dials that all fit Seiko automatic divers as well as all of the aftermarket cases available.

2. STYLE

The beauty of Seiko mods are that you can change the look and color to match anything you are wearing. Unlike a store bought watch that only matches a few outfits, a Seiko can be designed for whatever you plan on wearing that day. With the abundance of aftermarket parts, you can build a dress mod to pair with your suit, or just a crazy colored watch like the Rainbow Sub Case for beach day!

3. VALUE

Seiko mods offer an incredible value to quality ratio. Take the Seiko SKX007 for example; You can upgrade to a Sapphire crystal for just a few dollars, or change your aluminum insert into a scratch proof ceramic bezel insert. You can turn your daily wear Seiko into something much more luxurious and quality with just a few simple modifications.

4. DESIGN

With Seiko modding you can build a design that’s never existed before. Do you have a concept in your head that you would like to bring to reality? Well then grab a Seiko and start modding! Feel good about what’s on your wrist by turning it into exactly the watch you want. Want to build a red dial SKX? no problem. A skeleton build? Easy.

5. AFFORDABLE

I know many of you have the common fallacy that if a watch costs more, it should be better quality. However, this is simply not the case. If you want to buy a good quality watch, why not buy an affordable Seiko and mod the hell out of it? Add an NH36 movement for hacking and hand-winding, a ceramic insert, sapphire glass, exhibition caseback and more! Shoot, you can even upgrade the bracelet!

IS A SEIKO MOD WORTH IT?

In our opinion a Seiko Mod can be the right watch for anyone. It is relatively affordable, highly customizable, and you can get some amazing specs for a fraction of the cost. however, in case you are still hesitant or have never modded a watch before, then you’re in luck! With Seiko modding growing in popularity there are now Tutorials galore.

Modding a Sewiko is extre4mly rewarding, so if you are thinking should you pull the trigger on building your first one then i say go for it! You won’t regret it, and don’t worry if you run into any problems not covered in any tutorial because there are also amazing communities of fellow modders. Groups like Watch Mod Enthusiasts can be a great place to ask questions about your mod, or just to show off your builds!

CONCLUSION

Let’s wrap this all up buy summarizing the key points about Seiko mods.

The variety is endless when it comes to finding parts for your Seiko
The customizable styling of each watch is unmatched by other brands
The pure quality you receive for the value is unbelievable
The freedom of designing your Seiko for whatever you feel like that day
And finally the affordability of modding a Seiko is just outstanding

Watch-Modz offers quality Seiko Mod Parts in the USA. With our Fast Free* Shipping, and our large catalog of Seiko compatible parts, you’ll be on your way to building the perfect mod in no time at all! Check out our new custom Seiko dials today and switch up your style right now.