A watch build is coming

Quite a few month ago I was sent a watch case from Domecurb with the challenge to "build a watch" , this case was put to one side as I was not certain where to start ....

A couple of weeks ago whilst looking for something else I came across the case and decided the time was right , I ordered the following parts and awaited delivery

Handset
Dial
Bezel Insert
Movement spacer/holder

The only hint I am going to give is I am using these hands



more to follow

Love the design of the hands which look like the Tudor Black Bay watches though are no doubt used by a number of watches. Will look forward to your updates John.

As Promised here is the update on the watch build .

here is the case I received from Domecurb



Luckily I have a couple of movements I can use in this case one is a Miyota 8205 and the other is a DG2813 , when I placed the movement into the case I noticed that it needed a holder/spacer



this is how the spacer looks





They are designed to hold the movement into the case not only from the inside of the case but also when the caseback is screwed in it holds the movement down .
The spacer is too big and needs to be reduced in size to fit into the case , rather than do it all with a hand file (it would have taken hours) I mocked up this







As you can see I sanded off the majority of the spacer and then finished it off manually with sandpaper .

Now the spacer fits it was time to remove the cyclops as the dial I have bought did not have a date window ,  a couple of pm's later between myself and Domecurb and I have all the info how to remove it , basically a soldering iron held ontop of the cyclops for numerous seconds then slice it off using a scalpel then wipe over with nail varnish remover to remove any remaining glue



(ignore the dial that is in the case as this is a mock dial I use for practice )  

Spacer fitted , cyclops removed , next a quick bath in the sonic cleaner then time to fit dial and hands





Try as I may but I just can not get the secondhand to fit / stop on . it seems to fit but when I move everything it falls off , the secondhand may need a slight squeeze to make it smaller but I am not confident enough for this so will leave it as a hour and minute hand only .

I still need to make the stem smaller as it sticks out a tiny bit but I have needed to order myself pin vice to hold the stem while I clip it and file it .

I did have a bracelet to go onto this watch but the lug holes are so close to the case that the bracelet will not fit , found a leather that fits but may see if the lug holes and be re drilled in a better position.

Currently wearing it without the bezel insert as the insert is meant for a GMT 24 watch , I have ordered another blue insert but china delivery is slow .



I enjoyed making this watch I felt it a great achievement BUT I need to remove the movement as I have found a speck of dust on the dial that is annoying me ( if you look at the photo you can see the spec between the 6 market and the centre wheel pivet) and a little mark on the inside of the crystal that is also bugging me (just above the 10 marker , a blue spec) , hopefully a quick dab of Rodico will remove these .

Thanks for looking guys .

Oh and I promise better photos will follow once I have removed the specs of dust and the new insert has arrived.

Well done John, you really have done very well.

I’m impressed with how you set up sizing the spacer as well as removing the cyclops.

Its a pity about the sweep second hand. I appreciate the collar on the hand could be “pinched” to make it smaller though given its tiny dimensions that sounds tricky. Presumably it is an issue with the hand rather than the pinion it’s to be fitted on that’s causing the problem.

I really enjoy this type of post so thanks for sharing John and I will look forward to seeing the next updates.

Well done John, don't let the second hand worry you, just pinch it gently with metal tweezers until it's tight enough

Bezel insert arrived yesterday

Where is the second hand ?

domecurb wrote:Where is the second hand ?

Still packed away safe

Gerit fitted !

I may try next week as I still need to remove the movement etc from the case to remove the dust and trim the stem. . . . . Or I may leave it as is to annoy you