Alright, so today I’m gonna walk you through my experience messing around with Seiko 5 dimensions. Buckle up, it was a ride.
The Initial Idea
It all started when I saw this Seiko 5 online, right? Looked kinda cool, but the size… the size was just not doing it for me. I thought, “Man, if I could just tweak the dimensions a bit, make it a little thinner, maybe a tad wider, it’d be perfect.” Famous last words, I know.
Gathering the Troops (Tools and Parts)
First things first, I needed the right gear. I already had a basic watch repair kit – you know, the little screwdrivers, the spring bar tool, the whole shebang. But I knew this was gonna be a bit more involved, so I grabbed a digital caliper (super important for measuring accurately) and a case press. I also ordered a few extra Seiko 5 cases online, just in case I totally screwed something up. Plus, I figured having spare crystals and gaskets wouldn’t hurt.
Disassembly – The Point of No Return
Okay, here’s where things got real. I carefully popped the back off the Seiko 5. Man, those little movements are something else, huh? I gently removed the movement, making sure not to touch anything I wasn’t supposed to. Then, I pressed out the crystal. This part always makes me nervous because I’m terrified of cracking it. Luckily, it came out clean. I stripped the case down completely, removing the bezel and any other bits and pieces.
The “Tweaking” Begins
Alright, now for the fun part – the “tweaking.” I started by experimenting with different case backs. I had ordered a few that were slightly thinner, hoping to shave off some overall height. This took a while, trying different combinations and measuring with the caliper each time. Turns out, finding a perfectly compatible case back is harder than it looks. I ended up having to modify one of the spares I had, carefully sanding down the edges to get it to fit flush. It was nerve-wracking, but I managed to do it without ruining the whole thing.
Next up was the width. I really wanted to make the case a little wider, but that’s way beyond my skill level to do from scratch. So, I explored other avenues. I started looking at bezels from other watches that might fit. This involved a LOT of online searching and comparing dimensions. I finally found one that was close enough, but it needed some serious modification. I had to file down the inner diameter to get it to sit properly on the case. This was painstaking work, and I kept checking the fit every few minutes to avoid overdoing it.
Reassembly – Hoping for the Best
With the modified case back and bezel in place, it was time to put everything back together. I carefully reinstalled the crystal (with a new gasket, of course), making sure it was seated properly. Then, I gently placed the movement back into the case and secured it. Popped the modified case back on, and… held my breath. It actually closed! I was so relieved.
The Final Result – Imperfect, But Mine
So, the final result? It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot. There were some minor imperfections, little gaps here and there. But you know what? It looked and felt way better than the original to me. I managed to shave off a noticeable amount of thickness, and the slightly wider bezel gave it a more substantial presence on my wrist. It was a real Frankenstein job, but I learned a ton in the process.
Lessons Learned (The Hard Way)
- Measure twice, cut once. Seriously, I can’t stress this enough. Accurate measurements are crucial.
- Patience is key. Don’t rush anything. Take your time and be careful.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. But also be prepared to fail (and have spare parts handy).
- Know your limits. There are some modifications that are just beyond my skill level. I gotta be realistic about that.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. It was a challenging but rewarding experience. Plus, now I have a Seiko 5 that’s truly one-of-a-kind (for better or worse). Maybe next time, I’ll try something even more ambitious.
