Jump to content

Case for Seiko NH25A Movement

nlapietr
 Share

Recommended Posts

nlapietr Watch Enthusiast

nlapietr

Posted
Posted

Hello all,

I watched a video on assembling your own watch from parts on ebay and got so excited I promptly ordered parts that don't work together.  I purchased a Seiko NH 35A movement and a 28.5 mm dial and hands.  These all work great together.  However the case I bought was WAY to big.  I have been searching all day for a case the correct size but cannot find anything.  Any suggestions on sources or other ideas?

Thanks in advance for any advice.  I love the videos and discussions.

Nick

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted

I think the nicest cases you can get are from Seiko 5 watches. Any cheap 700x or 7s26 one will do. Stainless Steel, so can be repaired and polishing perfectly.

Otherwise you will have to spend a lot of time and effort adapting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
nlapietr Watch Enthusiast

nlapietr

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ok, so here is the next dumb question.  Would a chapter ring fix the problem and how do you know how to size (probably going down from about 38MM to 28.5?  Are there standard size charts somewhere?

 

Thanks again.

 

Nick

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
11 hours ago, nlapietr said:

Would a chapter ring fix the problem and how do you know how to size (probably going down from about 38MM to 28.5?

No. The chapter ring is the one that may sit on top of the dial, with minutes or other markings. Perhaps you are referring to a spacer, or movement ring. Your NH35 comes already with one of grey plastic one. If it's size is not adequate, a watch manufacturer would replace it with a different one.

11 hours ago, nlapietr said:

 Are there standard size charts somewhere?

There are no standards. Movement size can be expressed in old French lines but that is just indicative, then each movement has a technical drawing for casing that show all the size including the very important hand and stem height.

If you are OK with bodging up an holder ring, there are assortments that you can buy, or use whatever common material at home. Otherwise making it perfect requires 3D printing, or precise metal turning and milling, even if hand made.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AshF WRT Addict

AshF

Posted
Posted

If you have a 3d printer then it's possible to make a movement holder to position the movement correctly inside the case.  I've done this for a custom watch I made.  I also printed a dial is it was a skeletonised movement.  It takes some time and effort to get right, here's my prototypes...JyCoBLI3OZ4ILpEfte4GB37r7aZfsQz5d2nJZ0qPkSP1pw8BZH3ZvqmpszDxHQpJd1yrbr8mz-E1FQD7slljks30nYDV7SOfuHMXgHzIQFB99f07bLNjGF_rQ-oqO6ZK6OYptz-C6dqSCBCf_rjTn_eD0fPqOg9skqYZFmg3azsxJjxOsoP79vN7Q6gviTOdfIDYTPJZiQr61yqZPyYP_YAdaapJBzo5W66cWOYlDA-rPFewHKhZOAl90ebEIibf53Or83O4S-lsCUifFuoe5fp91aQ1HPHX85R6P2M5z7nzZuZc7Z8b2qv0Y6DkLN8iw5EIfpM8Ti8GcD48e7goxrD-bx94UF7_9lsLLvfKdgWROmpFLkCdhQgu4WkodZVBlm-DER0Pnd-EUb75q1b79v6tWVX0rGVnJNeCXkU1t_djrwCfNEJ63B95vhkfDC8Fc-LvlNTHUTL1WgYl_Ro89ACMUNpQjXnLIhWFNveUOHAC0wqKkBkCRX-IBjQujohtecLbL3UVXCuPwKBObHyifB1H3VpzWQJv62jIvbf2gNcREs38-FeGJRNkl7egi5GWFpIKFYdnrQKD807PcTpyVBJFVlwB9cOdJsApEHWHwXOVMZNDOsAmcIGxTRMK6wte_zUq5wCiImxgPCCGdP5giQlDKG2H7xn--hDEf6eOuA0V5-vbMmrHQWCk=w847-h1129-no?authuser=0

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
yankeedog Distinguished Member

yankeedog

Posted
Posted

If you are not opposed  to used parts try speedtimerkollektion. You can buy used cases in lots. 28.5 mm dial diameter  is pretty  much a seiko standard  size. Pay attention  to stem location. It varies 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
WatchCodger New Member

WatchCodger

Posted
Posted

There are now many suppliers of aftermarket cases for Seiko 72XX and NHXX movements. Have you looked up CrystalTimes? Theirs are  SKX-type (diver) cases that accept the parts you have (in addition to others required). Namokimods just announced "Rolex Explorer" style cases (two vintage sizes) that accept the parts you have. The later are currently pre-order. There are others as well.

My apologies if you've figured this out already!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, WatchCodger said:

Theirs are  SKX-type (diver) cases that accept the parts you have (in addition to others required).

Seiko diver's knock-off cases starting $99?

Fat springbars $22?

Ahaha! I'll rather buy the genuine article, or if it is about made in China, at their real prices.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
WatchCodger New Member

WatchCodger

Posted
Posted

Is there such thing as a JDM SKX case, specifically? Is the case from an SKX007J made in Japan? You can't get an SKX OEM case, seperately, now anyway. My personal "knock-off" SKX cases are at least as nice as my OEM ones, if not better (drilled lugs). $79 should about do it for an aftermarket SKX007 case, which sounds pretty good given the current $250+ full price for an OEM SKX007J from a reputable online seller (way up since being replaced by the new "5"). Sure, grey market is cheaper.

Fat spring bars should be about $6/pair from any seller. $22?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
3 minutes ago, WatchCodger said:

Is there such thing as a JDM SKX case, specifically? Is the case from an SKX007J made in Japan?

There is not, only the dial and rotor change on these.

3 minutes ago, WatchCodger said:

You can't get an SKX OEM case, seperately, now anyway.

You can, but at exorbitant prices. https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/filter/seiko-case-parts and search 7S26-0020.

3 minutes ago, WatchCodger said:

Fat spring bars should be about $6/pair from any seller. $22?

Sorry, $14 a pair on Namoki. Easy to find for much less any of their items.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
WatchCodger New Member

WatchCodger

Posted
Posted

So it sounds like, if someone is interested in an SKX-type case they can buy the exorbitantly priced "genuine article", which could be made in China -- or a high-quality aftermarket case, undoubtedly made in China, for a reasonable price. Given that the aftermarket options have proven their quality and value to me, I can recommend  them.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, WatchCodger said:

So it sounds like, if someone is interested in an SKX-type case they can buy the exorbitantly priced "genuine article", which could be made in China -- or a high-quality aftermarket case, undoubtedly made in China, for a reasonable price.

Or buy a complete diver's for about $100 and if it's only for the case, have a lots of spare parts.

Maybe is just more practical to wear a complete, original Seiko watch as I had suggested before.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
nlapietr Watch Enthusiast

nlapietr

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 7/16/2020 at 1:45 PM, WatchCodger said:

There are now many suppliers of aftermarket cases for Seiko 72XX and NHXX movements. Have you looked up CrystalTimes? Theirs are  SKX-type (diver) cases that accept the parts you have (in addition to others required). Namokimods just announced "Rolex Explorer" style cases (two vintage sizes) that accept the parts you have. The later are currently pre-order. There are others as well.

My apologies if you've figured this out already!

Thanks.  I have not solved it yet and was just going to live with it.  I just find it ugly and will definitely look at these suggestions!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Neverenoughwatches
      New balance staff not riveting to balance

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      You often see the term used on old watch part boxes.  Staffs for bracelet watches, timing washers for bracelet wstches etc.
    • Chief
      Intro

      By Chief · Posted

      The Boro has changed quite a lot over the last 20 years, and not for the better. I actually moved out of the town 15 years ago to a small village not far away. Thanks for the pdf! Looks a great read. I'll get it printed today and put it on my work bench!
    • Endeavor
      New balance staff not riveting to balance

      By Endeavor · Posted

      Not having all the fancy equipment, this is a way I came up with. I never said it was the best, the most ideal or the safest way. Working on balances is always a delicate task whereby full concentration & common sense should prevail. I was well aware of the "dangers" / short comings involved, hence my "warnings", as quoted above. The balance wheel of the Omega was nice true, flat and one could clearly see how much gap there was left before the grinding wheel would touch the balance wheel. I stopped when the generously applied diamond paste started to touch the rim of the balance wheel, which turned out to be with a seat thickness left of 0.1mm. Tapping the remainder of the staff out went easy and flawless. My idea of penning this article was to show/share a way which, in my case, perfectly succeeded. If deemed to risky, or if the balance wheel is not true or has a wobble, other methods have to be followed.
    • Neverenoughwatches
      Seiko 6601 Tech Sheet?

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      I loved his explanation of a teardown 😅 Ex military Richard Perrett, pretty knowledgeable guy.
    • praezis
      New balance staff not riveting to balance

      By praezis · Posted

      I also see a bit of danger for the wheel, at least you have to keep away from it and may get a too thick rest ring. My rest rings are about 0.05 mm. Better way would be a grinding wheel touching the staff with its circumference. Frank
×
×
  • Create New...