I have put these watches together in the past 3-4 weeks. I have done it because I wanted to make something new and because I had sold a watch and so had a bit of funds, not much really, hence the affordability of these projects. To note that I have done all the work on these myself which contributed to keep the expenses low. Sending any of these to a watchmaker to assembly would of course increase the total amount spent to a degree.
The first one is a Seiko 5 (SNK809) with the usual 37 mm case and 18 mm lugs with the basic Seiko automatic movement. This has a custom dial and seconds hands. The hour and minute hands are stock Seiko. I really like the clean design and aesthetic results of this project. It resembles one of the most expensive flieger watch but with costs within $100 including the new base watch, dial and hand.
The next one is also a Seiko 5 watch (SNKE63). This has the newer and bigger 39 mm case and 20mm lugs and is powered by the basic automatic Seiko movement. I bought it new and installed on it a custom dial and hands. These by the way are really well made parts, they are lumed with C3 and glow nicely, the parts actually fit very well on the movement and case and they are a pleasure to assemble. I got these from another watch lover who has made a batch of these parts so they can be available to anyone who likes this style of custom projects. The watch originally came with the steel bracelet and I got for it a new real Bond strap. This project can be made under $150.
Thirdly (I hope this is OK as this one is not Japanese...) I have bought a used but almost new looking Bernhardt Officer watch. This is a really nice looking watch that is 44 mm in diameter and has 22 mm lugs. The heart of this watch is the Swiss made Unitas 6497 movement, this is a hand cranking unit that is very reliable and can keep excellent time. I was actually planning to keep it stock. This was the two tone watch, vintage looking, very beautiful. After the first night though, when I could never tell the time in the dark as this model has no lume, I decided to change it over to a Pilot type. I believe this is called observer. I got the dial and hands from Germany and installed them. I also got a brand new real Bond strap as I cannot wear leather banded watches. This project could be done for less then $300.
