Watch Mods: Everything You Need To Get into the Hobby

Modding a watch is more accessible than you think. It’s also quite fun — here’s what you need to know!

The world of watch mods can sound intimidating to newbies. Heck, even advanced modders have certain adjustments or replacements they’re terrified to do. You don’t want to ruin your timepiece after all — the point is that it comes out better and cooler than it looked pre-mod.

Still, as with any technical activity, you can succeed with the right tools and guide. That’s what I’m going to provide for you today. I promise that it isn’t as scary as you think. And you can have a pretty good time doing it, too!

But first, so we’re all on the same page, what is a watch mod?

What Is a Watch Mod?

Mod is short for modification. A watch mod modifies the model in question to create a unique timepiece that isn’t necessarily on the market. Perhaps you love a particular Seiko model, but it doesn’t come in a Pepsi bezel, and you wish it did. Well, you can “mod” it by replacing the current bezel with a red and blue one.

Modding can involve bezel swaps, replacing the hands, changing the movement, coloring the dial, or any of the above. People might mod a watch to personalize it or because they want something they can’t buy (or easily buy). So, technically, getting your watch engraved is a mod as well. 

Really, the bigger question is, what counts as a watch mod? My answer? Truly, everything. So, if you changed the bracelet on your watch from a metal one to a leather strap, congrats! You’re technically a beginner watch modder.

Modding a Watch: Tools of the Trade

Here’s a list of tools you might need to modify a watch. First, you’ll need the actual tools you’ll use on the watch. Then, we’ll go over the potential replacement parts you might consider.

Fortunately, you can find watch repair kits anywhere on the internet, including Amazon. The tools in these kits are meant for fixing watches. However, they’re the same implements, and you’ll need to make modifications as well.

These kits might include:

• Adjustable case back openers. Make sure the opener offers a wide range of adjustability to open cases of all sizes. You can also use a watch back pry knife opener. However, no matter how much elbow grease you put in, this may not work on highly water-resistant watches.
• A metal watch press that allows you to close your watch back.
• Cleaning cloths. If you’re doing something with the dial, you don’t want dust and dirt trapped in there once you’ve closed it off again.
• Pliers
• Spring bar tool, which allows you to remove, assemble, reassemble, and measure your straps
• Band holder, pin punches, and a mini-hammer. The band holder keeps your bracelet in place so you can remove and reconnect links.
• Tweezers
• Needle forceps, which allow you to remove pins from bracelets. For you advanced modders, you may end up using it for several other mods, like grasping watch hands or moving applications around.
• Mini screwdrivers

Watch Modding: Beyond the 101 Tools

Now, here are some tools and helpful items that don’t always come in watch repair kits:

• A watch loupe
• Contact cement or special-purpose double-sided stickers, which you can use on bezels or dials occasionally
• Dial protectors. These cover everything on the dial except for a small slit that allows you to work on the watch hands. This is for more advanced modders. I don’t recommend your first watch mod involve the hands. That’s far too delicate.
• Putty watch cleaner
• Compressed air. There is no need to seek out watch-specific compressed air. It is no different from what you use on your office desk or computer keyboard.

Again, you don’t want any fingerprints or dust to get locked under that crystal. Personally, I recommend using all of the cleaning solutions. Use the cloth, then the compressed air, then the putty, then the air again before reclosing that crystal.

Replacement Parts (And Where To Get Them)

Here are some watch parts that you can replace or remix to get that unique look:

• Watch dial. You can replace your watch dial or even decorate it yourself if you’re an artist.
• Bezel and bezel inserts
• Watch hands
• Indices and applications (incredibly advanced)
• Dial protector. Perhaps you want to upgrade your mineral crystal to a sapphire crystal.
• Watch bracelet

And, of course, if you’re incredibly advanced, you can outfit the movement as you see fit. Watch modding is all about finding ways to make a standard model more you. Here are some resources for finding parts.

Namoki Mods

With a focus on Seiko, Namoki Mods doesn’t just sell tools and outer watch parts. They also sell entire movements and even individual watch rotors. So, if you want to turn a few of your quartz affordable watches into automatics, check out Namoki. They even have complete DIY kits that allow you to build your own watches.

Watch & Style (H3)

Like Namoki, Watch & Style sells parts, tools, and gaskets. They also really shine when it comes to cosmetic modifications. They offer an extensive range of dials. I’m talking about different colors, patterns, sunrays, baton indices, and Arabic indices. This is an excellent resource if you’ve ever wanted to turn your Seiko into a Rolex look-alike.

Lucius Atelier

Lucius Atelier sells everything from Datejust-style watch cases to Côtes de Genève rotors. I highly recommend Lucius Atelier if you want to turn your watch into a “limited edition.” They have a range of patterns, textures, and general topography that you can incorporate into your watch dial or movement.

And, of course, there’s always Etsy!

Seiko Watch Mods: The Brand for Beginners and Beyond

You’ll notice that many modding resources have a strong Seiko focus. This is because they’re the most conducive to modifications. Part of it has to do with how cheaply you can find them. This also makes Casio a good option.

However, Seiko is the top dog of watch modifying, and here’s why:

• The SKX, SRP, SNK, and SNZH models are built modularly, which makes them easier to disassemble and reassemble, even for newbies.
• They’re affordable and come with workhorse automatic movements.
• Their spare parts are widely available.
• Replacement parts that Seiko itself doesn’t make are widely available, which means you can create a fully unique Seiko.

Of course, if you’re concerned, changing a Seiko for personal use is totally legal.

FAQs

Here are the answers to some FAQs about watch modding. 

What Is a Watch Mod? 

“Mod” is short for modification, so a watch mod is some alteration made to a wristwatch. But a mod is typically more than a strap swap. Watch modding takes place on the watch head itself. It often involves a new handset, bezel insert, or dial. 

What Do You Need to Mod a Watch? 

Picking up a watch repair kit is a quick way to cover the fundamentals: tools for handset replacement and multiple types of case back removal, along with pliers, tweezers, and spring bar tools. After a while, you should consider investing in higher-quality tools from a company like Bergeon. 

What Watches Can Be Modded? 

Any watch can be modded in the most basic sense: altering its appearance from how it was when you bought it. But some watch brands, like Seiko and Casio, lend themselves better to modding. This is because they’re inexpensive (so it’s not the end of the world to damage them) and broadly compatible with each other (so you can buy many parts out there). 

Which Seikos Can You Mod? 

The SKX007 (and its variants) is the most popular Seiko watch to mod because of the wide availability of custom parts. An influx of parts is also becoming available for its successor, the SRPD series watches. Many parts are also available for the Seiko SRP or Turtle, another one of Seiko’s most popular watches to mod. 

Where Can I Buy Watch Modding Tools? 

Modding sites like Namoki and Watch and Style sell a range of tools, but Amazon is undoubtedly the best place to find literally any watch modding tool.

Conclusion: Give It a Shot!

When it comes to watch mods, I highly recommend starting with something easy and cheap just to get your feet wet. Get yourself one of those build-your-own watch kits. It’ll give you an opportunity to understand the fundamental skeleton of a timepiece. Once you have that down, even the simplest mods will make sense. Foundational knowledge goes a long way!

Questions? Comments? Let us know in the comments below!