Making Custom Watches: Movement Holders

Рет қаралды 12,268

4 жыл бұрын

Designing a custom movement holder, spacer ring, and movement cover in AutoCAD and 3d printing. I discuss the design process and iterations. This was for a project I accepted for an individual making a small run of watches. They needed a custom solution for fitting a Miyota quartz movement in a case designed for a mechanical movement. I decided it would be fun to help out. #watchmaking #customwatch #3dprinting
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Пікірлер: 73

@anssihakkarainen8470 4 жыл бұрын

A Wonderful video! Especially liked the AutoCAD + 3D printing process examples. Thanks for creating the most informative watch channel on KZfaq!

@WatchComplications 4 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!

@hondamonkeyboy 4 жыл бұрын

Watched it from start to finish which believe me is never guaranteed given my normal attention span. Fascinating as I knew nothing whatsoever about 3D printing.

@WatchComplications 4 жыл бұрын

Haha, well I tend to make long videos. I'm trying to help extend people's attention spans...maybe it's working! Either way, glad you enjoyed it and got something out of it.

@neiljamie3122 3 жыл бұрын

you prolly dont care but if you're bored like me atm then you can stream all the latest movies on instaflixxer. I've been watching with my girlfriend for the last weeks :)

@chandlermohamed2392 3 жыл бұрын

@Neil Jamie Yup, I have been watching on InstaFlixxer for since december myself :)

@STEVEN-STEELE 3 жыл бұрын

Great video Sir. Thank You. I have noticed and had to make a small pedal or rigid flap on several transplant movements to aid in securing the battery in the movement better. Many cheaper watches I have found had the problem upon letting the battery pop out even with the metal tabs that hold the battery in. Especially with people who are active be it work or sports. I have been lucky to have some of the holders that had such a flap and this solved the problem. My friend was going to throw the watch away as he found it to be stopping during the day. He first changed the battery but to no avail. I figured this was the problem and to test this put a small bit of painters tape on the battery and had him wear it a few days. Sure enough the week he wore it the watch kept time even while working in construction. He was through the course of the day jarring the battery lose and gravity was at times letting it fall in place and run. Those little metal battery tabs let the battery pop in and out depending on what he was doing. I would for sure always add such a thing on any quartz movement holder especially. Those little SR626SW battery movements. For some reason these are the ones that do this the most.

@WatchComplications 3 жыл бұрын

thanks for watching and the context.

@johnjames77 Жыл бұрын

Great Job ! Nice showing the 3D & CAD intro.

@WatchComplications Жыл бұрын

glad you found it interesting

@azazel7996 Жыл бұрын

I've always thought about modding skx007 to fit the more accurate 6r series movements but haven't really had an inspiration on how to do it effectively.. Now I'm seeing the true benefit of having a 3d printer as a watch modder. Fantastic stuff love the vide!

@WatchComplications Жыл бұрын

thanks! I do have a couple vids that show the SKX007 and my 3d printed kits for the Ronda 515 series and also the Miyota 9015.

@mytuberforyou Жыл бұрын

If you model the movement contour and the case interior with the stem tube centerline, you can cut down a lot of iterative work by spending a little more up front, with the advantage of having now two models (movement and case geometries) in your solids library. Another suggestion I have is that you could spray enamel the exhibition back glass from the interior side, have any design including photorealistic laser engraved and then another coat of contrasting paint applied, see what the hobby laser guys are doing on glass and tile. Then you have a permanent, decorative design where you can add branding or a custom monogram or anything you want. And since it's on the inside, it will never wear off. You will want to use a paint that won't flake or shed or seal it properly to protect the movement.

@serialcoins 3 жыл бұрын

I am going to try Polymorph Plastic for an 8 watch project. Perhaps better for a one-off

@WatchComplications 3 жыл бұрын

Interesting to test, but I think it would be hard to get the tight tolerances needed without a mold. Just hand shaping would be hard. Also, 140f is a fairly low melting temp...but it would start to get soft before that I expect. Anything's worth a try, but you may find that approach difficult, potentially time consuming and expensive. But certainly share your results if you try it!

@JuanRamirez-po1yo 3 жыл бұрын

Wow just wow, what and awesome video. He I am trying to figure how to properly fit a particular 28.5 dial on a 41mm case without the dial looking dumb and you go and create your own movement holder... hat off to you buddy

@WatchComplications 3 жыл бұрын

:) glad you enjoyed it man.

@Dr.Gunsmith 3 жыл бұрын

Great work

@WatchComplications 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

@leewmlee 2 ай бұрын

An idea for your custom spacer rings - make it into a 2035 / NH35 dial adapter. The 2035 would be sandwiched between your adapter and the NH35 dial. The dial feet of the dial would poke into your adapter (they are larger than the NH35). On the market, there are many NH35 dials available and very little 2035 dials. NH35 case and dial measurements are freely available on the net. All the best!

@WatchComplications 2 ай бұрын

oh, I see what you are saying. The issue there is the height. Adding that sort of adapter between the dial and the movement will require hand posts that are longer to accommodate the height of the adapter, and the case would have to be tall enough to handle that, along with the stem height in the case. Not sure that would work.

@leewmlee 2 ай бұрын

@@WatchComplications it’s actually dial, movement, adapter “clamps” the movement to the dial. So the movement is up against the dial. 2035 is smaller and slimmer than NH35.

@rfresh1011 3 жыл бұрын

I came across your video and what timing! I have a similar project I'm working on and need to make a custom movement holder also. I have a Ronda 515.24H quartz movement and my case is a 40mm Rolex GMT clone case. As luck would have it, I have a 3D printer and 3D CAD software, so by golly I'm going to take your inspiration and design my own custom movement holder!! Thanks for a great video!!

@WatchComplications 3 жыл бұрын

cool! i have another video on using a case like that and a miyota quartz. also working on another with the 515.24h in an skx case.

@rfresh1011 3 жыл бұрын

@@WatchComplications Link to the miyota video? I'll be anxious to see the 515.24H video when it's done!!

@WatchComplications 3 жыл бұрын

Custom Movement Holders: Miyota 2300 Series in a Dive Case kzfaq.info/get/bejne/idSPnamTzZrTiWg.html

@Yakena1 4 жыл бұрын

Great video explaining the process! What size nozzle would you recommend and could I get by with my 0.4mm? I'm asking because I am in a similar situation in needing to raise the dial back to align the stem fit. I'm also going to email you via your website. Thanks!

@WatchComplications 4 жыл бұрын

Hello, I am currently using a micro-extruder on my lulzbot, it's 0.25mm. I haven't tried printing these exact parts with my 0.5mm, so I'm not sure. If it were me I would try it and see what happens. I would think it could do just fine, but would have to try to know for sure.

@jeremyhippenstiel4637 Жыл бұрын

I first want to thank you for your content. Pretty remarkable. I’m new to watch making and I find it frustrating to figure out how to order parts. Even with the data sheets. I would also like to know how to buy the proper watch hands.

@WatchComplications Жыл бұрын

there’s certainly a learning curve with navigating the possible distributors.

@markvreuls4544 3 жыл бұрын

Hello Watch Complications, I was wondering why good brands use plastic spacers for their movements? Is this for cost reduction or shock absorption? I see them appear in divers watches. Thanks in advance. Marcus

@WatchComplications 3 жыл бұрын

Hello Marcus. I won't speak for any specific brand and why they might choose plastic over metal, but I suspect several reasons. Certainly, the cost is less and in my opinion, probably has better shock absorption for active life-style watches, although if a movement is appropriately secured to any holder I don't know that it really matters much, hence go for the lower cost option. Another factor is what type of case back. If it's an exhibition back then having a metal holder is going to look nicer, but if it's a closed case back then it doesn't really matter, so again why not go with the lower cost option. Plastics also vary widely so it also depends on what type of plastic in use, think what temps might affect different plastics. Extreme cold could lead to cracking, or heat to weakness. Metal holders are more susceptible to moisture. Both have pros and cons and I suspect most companies make the choice based on these variables including others.

@KanariasLibre7 2 жыл бұрын

Hello friend, what quartz movement do you recommend that is compatible to use in an NH 35 case? Thanks you!

@WatchComplications 2 жыл бұрын

well, none are directly compatible without a custom holder and/or spacer, but almost any movement could be made to fit. One I have done is the Ronda 515 series of movements in an skx case, which is made for the NH35. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nbWqgMd9z7qyipc.html

@leewmlee 2 ай бұрын

This is so informative. Thk u very much! I was wondering if u could help us out who don't know much about autocad and drawing programs. Could u pls create STL file comprising of a disc of diameter 40mm, height 10mm with the 2035+stem cut out in the centre? At our end, we can use the simple MS 3D builder that's available in Microsoft Store to just subtract out the diameter and height to fit what we need. The hard part is getting the shape of the 2035. Another question I hv is that PLA deteriorates over time. Have any of your inserts suffer that fate yet? Thx again 🙂

@leewmlee 2 ай бұрын

oops! I just went to your website and realized that u're selling custom inserts.

@WatchComplications 2 ай бұрын

you can always contact me on via my website if you want to discuss projects, but if you are talking about an stem insert cut in PLA to match all the dimensions of the actual stem, the printer isn't accurate enough for stem-making, if you know what I mean. As for PLA having trouble holding up...haven't heard of any issues yet and I've had some out there for a few years.

@Isaac-px4wy Жыл бұрын

Can you use any movement to any case? Or are they size specific

@WatchComplications Жыл бұрын

Any to any is very open, so I'd say no. But many movements can fit in many cases, given an adequate holder. It's always size dependent.

@brilliantradience 4 жыл бұрын

I had no idea this was such a pita, I thought adapting a Votsok GMT to a Citizen auto diver 82XX case would've been a 3 piece adapter set that's commercially available :(

@WatchComplications 4 жыл бұрын

lots of factors in play. idk about those two watches specifically without looking more, but I don’t expect there’s a simple “adapter set”. not the way things typically work.

@thom_Said 4 жыл бұрын

Where do you get your embossed logo made

@WatchComplications 4 жыл бұрын

egologo.me

@JayB-lz6yd 4 жыл бұрын

i have the project to replace a Ronda 515 FE for a Flatline ETA E64.111. can you confirm that the compatibility is good? diameter is same, hands size is same, dial feet position is same, BUT, the flatline is thinner. i'll have more space between the case back and back of the movement. so should be good isn't it?

@WatchComplications 4 жыл бұрын

The ETA is about 1.05mm thinner, quite a bit when it comes to watches. The issue you will have is the stem height. You will likely need something similar to what I had to do with the project in this video. The thinner movement will shift the stem location closer to the face, so you might need a spacer ring to push the dial and movement toward the back so the stem height is correct.

@JayB-lz6yd 4 жыл бұрын

@@WatchComplications yeah, that's what i thought too. thanks to confirm. i forgot to mention it but you right. the best option is the ring. i'm not bothered by that but i'd like to know how to get/make it. could you link me to somewhere? thanks

@JayB-lz6yd 4 жыл бұрын

@@WatchComplications maybe you could make one for me? where are you located?

@WatchComplications 4 жыл бұрын

the process of me making a ring would include me needing the case and movement you are using. you can always email me at watchcomplications [at] gmail to discuss further

@JayB-lz6yd 4 жыл бұрын

@@WatchComplications ok thanks i keep that under the elbow. i contact you soon.

@danielstreng 2 жыл бұрын

Hello, why don’t you use Fusion 360 to build your custom watches ?

@WatchComplications 2 жыл бұрын

hello, i do have and use fusion 360 for some things, just depends on the project and parts. i’m more familiar with cad, but slowly learning fusion.

@fellipecamargo220 2 жыл бұрын

anyone knows where i can buy that case / or at least the case model?

@WatchComplications 2 жыл бұрын

I got it on ebay. can also be found on ali express.

@fellipecamargo220 2 жыл бұрын

@@WatchComplications thank you, I Think I found exactly the same on Ali just by accident

@racket136 Жыл бұрын

Hey Brian...once again an excellent video. I'm actually working with the exact same movement. Any way I could request you for a copy of the CAD file? Or pay for it? Do let me know. I'll edit it to fit my case.

@WatchComplications Жыл бұрын

thanks for watching. I'm not sure there would be much point since your case is probably different, easier to start from scratch probably. Since the CAD files are really the work, I typically don't share those. What I do is either create holders and sell prints, or sometimes I create the holder and share the STL file.

@Kevinjimtheone Жыл бұрын

I'm completely new to this, so my question is probably ignorant, but why put a ring above the dial? Wouldn't it be better to print a tiny 1 mm thick "buffer" circle with a hole in the middle, instead?

@WatchComplications Жыл бұрын

that comes down to hand post height. i do have a kit for a specific movement that has enough hand height to put a thin spacer between the dial and movement, but usually you need a spacer dial side to get the stem height right. plus if there is a date or other visual complications on the movement that can look really weird with a large gap. it needs to be quite a thin difference for it to look right with that route.

@Kevinjimtheone Жыл бұрын

@@WatchComplications Thank you for the explanation. If I understand this correctly - The stem can't bend because, as it's not a shaft, and will snap due to the stress. So, it has to perfectly align with the case's insert. - The hands need enough height from the hour wheel (part where the hands fit on?). So, the movement can't be further from the dial, but the whole dial can move further from the glass using a spacer above the dial. As a complete noob, this feels very counterintuitive. Wouldn't make much more sense to have a crown stem that can flex (a shaft?) which you can resize? A one-size-fits-all kind of stem that can bend so that your movement can be anything you want without compromising the dial side of the watch?

@WatchComplications Жыл бұрын

Correct, stems are not made to bend in any way and with pressure can easily snap. Your second conclusion is also correct, if you are going to put space between the dial and movement (on the back) you either need hands with longer posts or the movement pins need to be longer (like with the Ronda 515.24h vs the 515.24h.2). But when doing that, the gap between the dial and movement can look really weird if there's something like a date on the movement and a date window cutout on the dial. One the one kit I do like this, we are talking around 0.3mm and I frame the gap with my spacer, and it looks ok. As for stems bending, I would suggest looking at some example stems and you would see why that's not a thing. Stems have a series of cuts and portions that are meant to interact with pinions inside the movement in different positions as you pull and push the stem in and out (e.g., winding, date setting, time setting, etc). Those components aren't going to have any flexibility. With all that said, a stem made out of spring steel would be pretty cool, but just wouldn't work in practice, I believe.

@Kevinjimtheone Жыл бұрын

@@WatchComplications thank you so much for your reply. I bought a used Seiko 5 to begin modding because of your channel. Hopefully, I won't destroy it.

@WatchComplications Жыл бұрын

i’ll say you’ll probably destroy it at some point in some way, but that’s part of the learning process :)

@buriedjoe1080 Жыл бұрын

Can I send you a movement and a case and get you to make me an adapter?

@WatchComplications Жыл бұрын

you can email me to discuss watchcomplications at gmail

@orgazmick Жыл бұрын

Cheers for this bud .i build seiko mods and some case suppliers provide a small white spacer with the case .Your video is the only one i have found that shows were it goes . 1st of all i fitted it in the case between the dial and the case even though it brought the stem up to the right height i didn't like the fact that i could still see it so i had a closer look with my loupe and there was enough space between the hour hand so i removed all the hands and dial then placed the white spacer between the dial and the movement the dial legs were long enough to still grip the dial locators replaced the hands but with a lot more accuracy in being perfectly level the placed the whole movement back into the case no more visible white plastic spacer and perfect stem height ¯\_(ツ)_/¯♥.

@WatchComplications Жыл бұрын

it’s a tedious road 😆

@chetmyers7041 4 ай бұрын

Audio level is too low. Gain is free.

@WatchComplications 4 ай бұрын

I wasn't as good with audio back then. Tried to improve over time.

@kcstott 4 жыл бұрын

no one is locked down. there is no guard outside my home preventing me from leaving.

@Snakebloke 2 жыл бұрын

_"Heighth"_ #shiversviolently Height. Please. Lovely video but every time someone says _heighth_ it makes me want to punt a baby...

@WatchComplications 2 жыл бұрын

Well, if one finds punting babies analogous to pronouncing words then ok. Maybe focus on tiktok vids where the lipsyncing is out of sync, you’ll have a productive hey-day.