Hello everyone, I am a new member to the forum and this is my first attempt at modding a watch. I recently developed an affection for the Darth Tuna but I'm not warm on the Quartz movement. So I thought I would take a swing at modding a baby tuna into an affordable automatic with similar styling. I'm really excited about the project but I have encountered some challenges and frustrations. I am banking that the challenges and frustration will make the end result that much more satisfying.
I am starting with a SRP641K1 and the plan is to change the dial, chapter ring, and hands. I also need to change the color of the crown and shroud screws from gold to black.
I am replacing the dial with a SKX007 dial from Dagaz. Easy! Chriscentro started a baby tuna thread on Watchuseek and he provided good suggestions in that thread. Thank you Chriscentro!
Now the chapter ring, that is the first source of frustration. I bought a 007 chapter ring from Dagaz but learned it's not compatible. I would love to source a genuine Seiko ring with white markers from another baby tuna like the SRP639. But sourcing Seiko parts is another source of frustration. Worse case, I will keep the original ring which has gold markers. Not ideal but I don't think it will ruin the mod.
For the hands, I purchased the 2015 silver tuna hands with C3 lume from Yobokies. I like the hands but the lume is horrible. After charging the lume for over two minutes under a very bright light the lume glow lasted no longer then 15 minutes. I sent an email to Harold about the lume but his business is closed until January 20. If I can't right the lume issue with Harold I'll need to decide whether to relume the hands or look for an alternative.
Black crown? I haven't been able to find a source for a replacement black crown. I can have the original gold colored crown coated black. I have been emailing Jay at MCWW and he said he can do it in Cerakote.
Black shroud screws? I'm looking for genuine Seiko screws. If that doesn't pan out, Jay says he can coat the original screws.
I don't have pictures yet but will post some as soon as I have something to photograph. That is if people are interested.
Being new to modding I do have a question. Can anyone help me find a source for Seiko parts? Primarily the SRP639 chapter ring and black shroud screws. Thank you in advance for any help that can be provided.
Cheers!
I am starting with a SRP641K1 and the plan is to change the dial, chapter ring, and hands. I also need to change the color of the crown and shroud screws from gold to black.
I am replacing the dial with a SKX007 dial from Dagaz. Easy! Chriscentro started a baby tuna thread on Watchuseek and he provided good suggestions in that thread. Thank you Chriscentro!
Now the chapter ring, that is the first source of frustration. I bought a 007 chapter ring from Dagaz but learned it's not compatible. I would love to source a genuine Seiko ring with white markers from another baby tuna like the SRP639. But sourcing Seiko parts is another source of frustration. Worse case, I will keep the original ring which has gold markers. Not ideal but I don't think it will ruin the mod.
For the hands, I purchased the 2015 silver tuna hands with C3 lume from Yobokies. I like the hands but the lume is horrible. After charging the lume for over two minutes under a very bright light the lume glow lasted no longer then 15 minutes. I sent an email to Harold about the lume but his business is closed until January 20. If I can't right the lume issue with Harold I'll need to decide whether to relume the hands or look for an alternative.
Black crown? I haven't been able to find a source for a replacement black crown. I can have the original gold colored crown coated black. I have been emailing Jay at MCWW and he said he can do it in Cerakote.
Black shroud screws? I'm looking for genuine Seiko screws. If that doesn't pan out, Jay says he can coat the original screws.
I don't have pictures yet but will post some as soon as I have something to photograph. That is if people are interested.
Being new to modding I do have a question. Can anyone help me find a source for Seiko parts? Primarily the SRP639 chapter ring and black shroud screws. Thank you in advance for any help that can be provided.
Cheers!