Thoughts on watch modification?

Evitzee · Dec 25, 2019

If you own the watch you can do what you want with it, but I find it unusual that this forum places a very high bar on ANY modifications on vintage watches but has no issues with people doing stuff on newer watches. Remember, new watches become old and vintage at some point, and most of these modifications will NOT be undone when the watch is eventually unloaded in the future. So future generations will get to criticize these watches and wonder why people did what they did.

BradleyJ. · Jan 6, 2020

Anyone know where to get good quality Crystal's? My bezel is toast on my daily driver (2264.50 seamaster) and I have the chance to get a 2201.50 planet ocean bezel to replace it with. (Also known as the planet pro mod) I want it to look as good as possible, so I dont want the gap that's left behind from not swapping Crystal's. Since it's a "mod" I cant get my AD to swap the crystal (didn't even try asking) and I even got turned down from a local watchmaker who isn't an AD or OB and doesnt sell omega. They said they wont mod watches when I asked for a crystal swap. I figured I'd just try getting the materials and finding someone else to do the job.

I dont know anything about Crystal's so if anyone can point me in the right direction that would be great!

Rochete · Jan 6, 2020

Evitzee
If you own the watch you can do what you want with it, but I find it unusual that this forum places a very high bar on ANY modifications on vintage watches but has no issues with people doing stuff on newer watches. Remember, new watches become old and vintage at some point, and most of these modifications will NOT be undone when the watch is eventually unloaded in the future. So future generations will get to criticize these watches and wonder why people did what they did.

Vintage are unique pieces, even if the model is not that rare each watch has aged differently. Being unmodified for decades is indeed a rare quality, hence the apreciation.

A modern watch is one among identical thousands , who cares if you modify it or not. No one buys a watch to keep it as it is until it becomes vintage 50 yrs from now, it just happens sometimes.

Yak1 · Jan 6, 2020

I have a couple of vintage seikos that are completely unmodified and a more modern one with a couple of swaps. I bought it knowing it was modded—as long as it’s clear what’s been done, it seems that the Isley brothers may have said it best “it’s your thing, do what you wanna do...”

Professor · Jan 7, 2020

While I wouldn't alter a valuable vintage watch there are those of lesser value that can be altered to make them more wearable.
My Shanghai Watch Factory piece is a good example. The hands are just way too short and blunt. Not so much as to be a real problem but it is irritating.
My 83 Bulova has beautiful slender gold hands, but the second hand just looks too much like the minute hand. I'm considering staining or painting it for better contrast.

Gael.Bx · Mar 16, 2025

base615
I have 2 modified Speedies, one with a pulsation bezel and one with a Mitsukoshi mod. I also have all the parts, apart from the watch, to make a smurfmaster like this if I get around to buying another Speedy:

I think it’s clear I have no issue with modding. As others have said, don’t pass something off for something it isn’t in a sale and keep the original parts.

You may also get lucky unlike me. I was going to buy a couple of Tin Tins for modding as nobody wanted them and they were dirt cheap. I didn’t so it goes in the list of bad watch mistakes I’ve made, along with selling a very nice Baby Ploprof for $1,400 4 years ago just before they went ballistic lol.

I love it, so now i want to made one 😀

Dbltap · Mar 18, 2025

zizzi
Was wondering what are everyone's thoughts on modifying a watch (with authentic service parts), and where would you draw the line (if at all). For example, I really like the Speedmaster pulsations dial and am thinking of replacing the Tachymeter bezel of mine with a pulsations dial.

ExpiredWatchdog · Mar 22, 2025

I've got a Breitling Galactic 44 with a few indexes including the zero thru 100 one:

We're supposed to charge by the decimal hour but somehow, it always comes out to the closest hour.

hen · Mar 22, 2025

Some of these mods seems more like getting blue hoses and a 8-ball gear stick for your car, not exactly roof chop and engine swap. But then again, some time in the future a new owner don`t like that low Porche with the Subaru engine, thinking a classic car have been ruined. The blue hoses and 8-ball are easy enough to swap out. Irreversible mods shouldn`t be done hastily.

If the second owner had painted glasses, cigar and a mustache on Mona Lisa, I don`t think she would be hanging in the Louvre today.

ExpiredWatchdog · Mar 23, 2025

I bought an old GMC pickup many years ago. The gearshift knob had broken off (and the steering wheel would have been in pieces if it hadn't been steel reinforced) so I just went to the local pool supply and bought an eight ball for $12. Drilled a hole and beat it on with a hammer. I suppose it's still there.

I asked the dealer if he sold more than the other balls; "Heck yeah" was the answer.

Oh, and I chopped a roof off a '73 Toyota Corona wagon. Just off, not like a custom chop job. It was cool for a while, then I got married.

Gaf16 · May 18, 2025

I am currently in the process of modifying a Seamster SMF300 (198.0016).
Having been unable to find a solid 18k gold version of this model (they almost all appear to have been melted for scrap value - I am still actively looking if anyone can point me in the direction of one that may be for sale), I decided to create a bi-colour version.
I sourced a date and model correct gold crown, gold date wheel, gold hands, 18k dial and 18K bezel.
These have been fitted to a steel case.
As I prefer these watches on a bracelet rather than a strap, I also sourced a NOS steel and gold substantial strap from a period correct Constellation MegaQuartz plus genuine Omega end links which are being modified by a watch case maker to suit the 198.0016.
I started this process in the realisation that this type of modification wouldn't be to most collectors taste etc.
However, I was driven by what I thought I could create to my own taste.
I really love how the watch has turned out to date and can't wait to see what it looks like when fitted to the bracelet.
I have four other SMF300's which are all in original specification.
The watch I have modified is my favorite of them all though, which I suppose means that the project has been a success.
At least to me anyway🤷😁

pdxleaf · May 18, 2025

Gaf16
..The watch I have modified is my favorite of them all though, which I suppose means that the project has been a success.
At least to me anyway🤷😁

This also happened to me. I can't explain it, but sometimes changing a couple things just makes the watches feel special.

hen · May 19, 2025

Gaf16
I am currently in the process of modifying a Seamster SMF300 (198.0016).
Having been unable to find a solid 18k gold version of this model (they almost all appear to have been melted for scrap value - I am still actively looking if anyone can point me in the direction of one that may be for sale), I decided to create a bi-colour version.
I sourced a date and model correct gold crown, gold date wheel, gold hands, 18k dial and 18K bezel.
These have been fitted to a steel case.
As I prefer these watches on a bracelet rather than a strap, I also sourced a NOS steel and gold substantial strap from a period correct Constellation MegaQuartz plus genuine Omega end links which are being modified by a watch case maker to suit the 198.0016.
I started this process in the realisation that this type of modification wouldn't be to most collectors taste etc.
However, I was driven by what I thought I could create to my own taste.
I really love how the watch has turned out to date and can't wait to see what it looks like when fitted to the bracelet.
I have four other SMF300's which are all in original specification.
The watch I have modified is my favorite of them all though, which I suppose means that the project has been a success.
At least to me anyway🤷😁

Pics????

bsowers34 · May 19, 2025

I myself won't mod any of mine, it was even tough to put a 57 bracelet on Snoopy. But it's real Omega, not aftermarket and much nicer that way. But I just can't wrap my head around modifying an 8-9-12k watch.

Gaf16 · May 19, 2025

hen
Pics????

Will try to post photos of the watch head this weekend.

pdxleaf · May 19, 2025

bsowers34
I myself won't mod any of mine, it was even tough to put a 57 bracelet on Snoopy. But it's real Omega, not aftermarket and much nicer that way. But I just can't wrap my head around modifying an 8-9-12k watch.

If you keep the parts, everything is reversible, although I've never had a desire to put one back.

Gaf16 · May 19, 2025

pdxleaf
If you keep the parts, everything is reversible, although I've never had a desire to put one back.

This is very true

Gaf16 · May 19, 2025

The other interesting thing is that I will have created a watch which will be worth much less than the sum of the parts has cost to facilitate the build.
The even more interesting thing is that I don't care having seen the watch head completed.
It is worth it to me and I have absolutely no intention of selling it.
If you have a real passion for watches, as a collector and lover of certain watch models it is kind of irrelevant if the finished watch gives you that certain feeling.
I have asked myself the question that, if I do manage to source an original specification full 18k version of the 198.0016, would I still feel the same?
And, honestly, I have no doubt that I will.

Gaf16 · May 19, 2025

These are the genuine parts that I sourced from across the globe over 12 months for the bi-colour build:

Gaf16 · May 19, 2025

This is the donor watch that they have been fitted to: