educate me about mods

I don't get it. You take a $150-$200 watch and redo it to make it a $400-$500 watch. But it is really still a $200 watch underneath. Is the only reason to have a unique piece? Otherwise I don't get it. For $500 you can get some really nice boutique divers or whatever. Help me understand as I see many guys do this but I'm not getting it....

Spaceview wrote:

I don't get it. You take a $150-$200 watch and redo it to make it a $400-$500 watch. But it is really still a $200 watch underneath. Is the only reason to have a unique piece? Otherwise I don't get it. For $500 you can get some really nice boutique divers or whatever. Help me understand as I see many guys do this but I'm not getting it....

Ever seen a Dodge Dart with a flame paint job and rumble packs?

Its like Doc said-some people just ain't feelin' the stock look.

I have an Orange Monster that I put on mesh. I really don't think that is a mod. Just a strap change from rubber to metal.

Marc, cant I get away from you anywhere? lol..

A mod is simply that, modifying it to make it better....at least to you.
One of the most common mods is changing the finsish of the watch....bead blasting is very popular, making a finsih on a watch that you would not normally be able to buy stock on that particular watch.

Its taking a case design that you like, but tweaking it to make it more suitable to you, changing the hands, changing the bezel, changing the dial, etc. Some watches are perfect to begin with ....some may not be to some people, some may just want to experiment. I for one have seen alot of mods, where they made the watch alot better than the original. I have also seen mods where they kinda ruined the look of the watch, to where it doesnt even resemble the watch it was. It all depends. Yet just another thing in this hobby to keep us interested, and just like anything else, for some its great, for others , not so much.

tattoo chef wrote:

Marc, cant I get away from you anywhere? lol..

A mod is simply that, modifying it to make it better....at least to you.
One of the most common mods is changing the finsish of the watch....bead blasting is very popular, making a finsih on a watch that you would not normally be able to buy stock on that particular watch.

Its taking a case design that you like, but tweaking it to make it more suitable to you, changing the hands, changing the bezel, changing the dial, etc. Some watches are perfect to begin with ....some may not be to some people, some may just want to experiment. I for one have seen alot of mods, where they made the watch alot better than the original. I have also seen mods where they kinda ruined the look of the watch, to where it doesnt even resemble the watch it was. It all depends. Yet just another thing in this hobby to keep us interested, and just like anything else, for some its great, for others , not so much.

OK, then why not go to one of those companies that build watches from scratch to your specs? Doesn't that get you to the same place?

http://www.dwatch.net/

Because that is not a complete custom from the ground up watch..............its one case design that you can choose the finsih, hands, dial, etc from a various amount of options......thats great if you like that case design.

The point is, its another way to have fun with this hobby. I desperatley want to get a watch bead blasted, because i like the look of it. The watch I want to do it to, doesnt come in an option to buy it like that. What If I want a Martathon JSAR beadblasted and swap out the quartz movement for an eta movement, and put in sword hands ? Now I got a watch, that still resemlbes the jsar, but tweaked it , to be more suitable for what I like. Have you ever put racing stripes on a car? ground effects? tinted windows? added a steering wheel cover to your steering wheel? Have you ever painted your house , inside or out, not because it needed to be, but just because you wanted a change? Same thing really. It might not necessarily add value to the watch, in some cases it does, ....but for the most part, its taking something and changing it to a different look. I see nothing wrong with it.

Dwatch models go for about $1000-1200 depending on options. They also tend to languish on the sales forums, I don't think many people are willing to pay very much for a custom watch. If you buy the parts and do the work yourself-modding is relatively inexpensive. You can buy dials and hands for as little as $5-10. Bead blasting is free if you have a blast cabinet.

My Noah mod cost about the same has I paid for my stock Seiko, which was waaaay less than sticker. So for me, it was mainly to get a piece, that was different than every one elses at a decent price.

It is a way to make a watch original and/or different then the stock set up. I am not personally a big fan of the modded Seikos but I understand some people's like and desire to have them.

merichar wrote:

Its like Doc said-some people just ain't feelin' the stock look.

Damn, I keep telling you boys not to put photos of my ride up!

I've modded many and know the value has been lost but just wanted something different that I built, think alot of times they look much better! Dial, handset even movements. For me it's about bringing a piece that your not using and making it better even though it might take a hit in the resale market but I'm not going to do it to any high end pieces!

. . . Seiko's seem to be the brand of popularity for modding. I like my Monster, but the Yobokie mod I own is a totally different animal. Harold turned it into a completely new look. It is one watch that does get noticed.

I like that mod Randy.

I tend to agree with the majority here! I bought a mod from Harold and really liked it. The cost was less than $300 and it had all new components that I picked out. I will do it again...well, unless Doc sells me his Black Monster PVD mod!


The watch started out as a SKX007 and it was modified to include:

Yobokies black dial, white pilot hands, red/orange second hand, aluminum chapter ring, rubber Z22 strap (Harold also gave me a back NATO) and a clear caseback. I decided to keep the case and bezel stock for now.

Here are some pictures:

For me the enjoyment of modding was the process; taking the watch apart and putting it back together into something different...and it still works! Is it cost effective, no not at all, but its fun and rewarding to go from this:


to this:

Love that dial and bezel Chris! Great Job!!

. . . whoa. that silver dial is great! Where did the bracelet come from ???

That SOXA ROCKS!

I don't know how to modify a watch Spaceview, and haven't purchased
a modded watch yet, but I guess it's basically another cool way to enjoy
this hobby ! Kind of like having a stock car, and then adding either
performance parts, or customizing the looks to make it more unique like
you said. In the end you are going to have a watch that not many other
people, (if any at all), have ! ..Plus if they happen to end up looking
anything like these watches above, that would just be outstanding !!!