Watch modding Ireland

Hogaba

I'm looking for someone to change out the hands on a watch for me. Does anyone know of a watchmaker/jeweller in Ireland that does this sort of work, preferably in the Leinster area? I have a Seiko SKX171 that I'd like to change the hands on, I've already done the bezel and insert and I'd do the hands myself but reckon I'm looking at >100 euro just to buy the tools which seems like a waste.

blue5000

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Watch-Universal-Hand-Remover-Lifter-Presto-Plunger-Puller-Watchmaker-Repair-Tool-/391364432159?hash=item5b1f23511f:g:CoUAAOSwuYVWmE5H

Send on the €99, PM me:D, I use an old piece of 35mm film with a slot cut in it to protect the dial, you don't need to spend 40 quid on a bergeron one like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bergeon-Presto-30636-1-Watch-Hand-Removing-Tool-Wrist-Watch-Hand-Remover-HH51-/252154859802?hash=item3ab599d11a:g:lGIAAOSw~bFWOHkK.

One thing to watch out for is to get the new hands on level so that they don't stick in each other as they rotate. Set the watch to midnight before you remove the old hands. It's probably not going to be waterproof afterwards though. I suggest buy an old seiko 7s26 off the bay from India to practice with first.

saccades

Any half decent jewellers will have a tame horologist that can do it - although I've had some stuff refused, I presume because making a PMMM is frowned upon.

Winterlong

Exactly, changing hands is not a hard job. With research, patience and some cheaply available tools pretty much anyone can do it as long as they have good eyesight and a steady hand.
Water proofing will be gone though.

The hardest thing is actually sourcing the right hands that will fit the movement.

Hogaba

Thanks for all the info. I wasn't aware that I could get the hand removal tool that cheap. However, my 100 euro estimate was based on a quick scan of prices for all the other bits and pieces needed- case back removal tool, case holder, movement holder, hand setter, rodico? Obviously I need to do a better job pricing everything, but I'd still prefer someone else to do it so if anyone can recommend someone in the Dublin/Kildare area that would be great.
I have some SNZG15 hands coming from yobokies, I've seen them used with SKX171s before so should be fine.
Interesting re the waterproofing being gone. Is this true of all dive watches once you open them up? My buddy in the states had an old seiko 6309 serviced and it included a pressure test to 150m (same as original spec). Anywhere in Ireland offering the same service? I'm not planning to go diving with this watch, but would be nice to be able to bring it swimming.

goose banker

I wouldn't worry about the waterproofing (or more likely "water resist"). If you open the case back and safely store the rubber o-ring, then clean and regrease it before refitting it you'll be fine. I use a little dedicated regreaser for greasing the o-rings, something like this https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/gasket-grease-applicator-af-swiss Just inspect it for any signs of damage before reusing it and if you're in any way concerned, order a new one, especially if it's old - it's money well spent for peace of mind and not bad practice either. The SKX case back seal is Seiko part No. 0C3060B0A (exact same part No. a 300m Tuna gasket)

Also clean the track that the o-ring sits into on the case and make sure it's free from dirt and contamination. When screwing the case back on, just be careful the seal doesn't pop out of it's groove and get pinched between the case back and the case itself. This is a really simple job and when done right you've nothing to worry about. There's a tendency to make a big fuss over a watch losing it's water tightness once opened, it's a load of nonsense if you ask me. If you're any way mechanically inclined (and if you've changed the bezel you qualify already) then you won't have any trouble. I always have watches in the water that I've opened and they're fine.

I've changed the movement and crystal on an SKX and it's survived plenty of dips in the water so far. Getting the hands back on was tricky and took patience but was totally do-able with the basic tools. The crystal on the other hand was an absolute pig to fit back in squarely and that's not something I want to do again really.

Here's a Tuna I changed the crown on, then after that a UK watchmaker put a sapphire crystal in it for me. Afterwards he did a 125% over-pressure test and all was OK so my crown swap was good! He had the case back open while doing the work and the precautions he took in closing it couldn't have been too far off what I described above.

Hogaba

Thanks goose banker, lots of great info there

saccades

Goose Banker - Nice to see a dive watch where it should be, Kudos.