Bucko74

bump!

I wanna see this get up.

jetson8859

Guys, sorry for the delay. I had volunteered my graphic designer to do some mock ups and then we got hit with a large proposal and she has been working 50+hrs the last week. Things calm down Friday and she should have 3-4 design's done by Mon/Tues of next week.

FREAKINHEAT

I'd be in for a larger dial watch. I received/purchased the last run and the dial was just too small. A bigger dial like the lasko would def be a better option. An 80's Swatch watch seems like an easy viable option to have a dial made for. Not sure if it's hard to take apart and put back together though. Just another option.

FREAKINHEAT

Maybe orange markers, white movements.

DKWalser

For everyone who is asking for a larger dial, here's the thing: This particular Seiko movement is like the Chevy 350 -- they are plentiful and cheap. Just as there are lots of firms making hot rod components for the Chevy 350, there are lots of suppliers making custom dials for the Seiko movement. This makes it possible to economically order custom dials in lots as small as 50. Just as there are few makers of aftermarket products for the 928, there are few if any suppliers of custom dials for other watch movements -- at least not unless you're willing to pay through the nose.

So, please, if you're going to suggest using a larger dial (which would be required for a larger movement), please also tell us which movement and which firms are willing to make up a set of custom dials. At least then we'd know whether what you'd like done is even possible.

Shawn Stanford

The dial isn't really an issue: The manufacturer can make any dial we need. The concerns are:

• How many different styles of watch (i.e.: Case and bracelet) exist for that movement. If there are only one or two watches with the movement you want, then that severely limits the looks available.
• How expensive the movement is. The 7S26 is cheap (and tough as nails). It's about the cheapest mechanical movement around. Other mechanical movements are expensive as hell, because they're used in Rolexes and Hamiltons and Citizens and whatnot. We can probably find quartz movement, but that's tricky, too. Timex quartz watches all have Indiglo dials, that's a non-starter. Seiko quartz watches are climbing north of $100 to start. Citizens are all eco-drive - another non-starter.
• The watch can't have a bunch of extra hands and dials.
• Is the watch easy enough to work on that Duarte (or someone) can and will modify a bunch of them for a reasonable cost.

Based on my experience and knowledge, the 7S26 is the way to go. Like I said, I'm open to suggestions, but I'm not hopeful we'll find a better candidate.

Shawn Stanford

The Seiko 5 is a 37mm watch. The Rolex Explorer is 39mm. The Rolex Sub is a 40mm watch. The Seiko 007 diver is a 41mm watch. So, I did a search for 44mm watches and found that the Miyota (Citizen) 8215 automatic movement is popular for watches in that size.

Searching for watches using that movement, I'm seeing a lot of big, chunky divers for multiple hundreds of dollars, and not much else:
https://www.google.com/search?q=miyo...+8215&tbm=shop

Even an eBay search turned up little but divers, and most of them were north of $100.
http://www.ebay.com/dsc/i.html?_from...kw=miyota+8215

About the only non-divers in this size are pieces like Panerai knockoffs. So, there's the problem of having a very limited selection of case styles. And, frankly, if that's the size we pick, I'll be happy to expedite the process, but I won't be in on the buy.

WyattsRide

I think for everyone's sake, but mostly for Shawn's sanity, we focus on and just stick with the Seiko 5 watches. This is the easiest and was already done with great success.

Still not sure if I'll be in for the next one though. I'll wait until I see the final face design.

Thank you Shawn for all your work on this!!

squid42

Shawn, could you do me a favor and confirm or deny that this watch would work for the dials? Amazon's description isn't quite complete enough to be certain it is 7s26 based. Thanks so much.

Cameron

I am still interested, but I would like to see what the watch will look like. Is that narrowed down yet? I certainly like the idea of a larger dial. The other one is a bit small.

Shawn Stanford

It absolutely will work.

As I said: There are a lot of reasons why a larger dial is a project-killer. But, if you can point me at a candidate, I'll take a look at it.

MGW-Fla

I say stick with the Seiko 5 7S26. There are tons of potential case & band designs for everyone to choose from. And by far the most economical way to get a solid dependable watch with a custom twist. Those wanting a larger watch could use a diver & although the dial is 37 mm, at least the overall watch would be larger. We'll have enough delay just settling on the design of the dial.

Bucko74

Bump

Rocinante

Bump - something to do by Christmas?