Welcome to the DIY Watch Assembly Instruction
In the next two hours, you will dive into the world of watchmaking.
Please relax, take your time, and enjoy the fun of the craft of watchmaking!
36mm Vintage Watch Assembly Instructions
Before starting, you can familiarize yourself with the tools and parts needed:
Tool kit content introduction
Parts:
strap
chapter ring
chapter ring spacer
watch case screws with washers (please keep them safe, no spare)
hands (a pair of spare hands is included)
movement (TMI NH70/TMI NH34) (wheel spring included, be careful not to lose it)
Tonneau watch case back (gasket included, be careful not to lose it)
Tonneau watch case top (gasket included, be careful not to lose it)
bezel insert
stem and crown (pre-installed to watch case)
dial (if you purchased crystal dial, a pack of dial feet is included)
* quick release spring bars (optional depending on strap type)
Reminder: anti-magnetic cover, movement holder with gasket is pre-assembled with watch case set.
1: Dial and Movement Assembly Installation
1a. Introduction: How to use a 36mm anti-magnetic vintage style mechanical watch.
This is a brief introduction to the basics of the usage of a 36mm anti-magnetic vintage style mechanical watch, featuring movement.
If you are anti-magnetic watch first time user, please watch this video before your assembling journey.
Content:
00:36 Comparing the Office/Caller vs the Traveller/Flyer/True GMT
01:19 Why the "TRUE" GMT?
01:54 How to use your GMT watches
02:38 Setting the "Home" time
03:13 Quick setting the second timezone
04:01 Using the bezels
1a. Watch Making Hygiene
Watch this tutorial before kick start your Chronograph watchmaking journey. An introduction to proper watch component care and assembly techniques, covering essential tips. Remember to wear your finger cots (2 sizes: Yellow ones bigger & Black ones smaller)
Content:
proper watch tools usage
proper watch component care
assembly techniques with essential tips
1b. Preparing case parts
Your watch case comes pre-assembled in order to keep it clean. This part will show you the individual parts of a case.
Content:
How to open case back
How to place parts
1c. Precautions during movement installation
The movement is the soul of a watch. It takes great care to install it. In this part, we’ll show you what to be mindful of when you install the movement.
Content:
Introduction of a meca-quartz movement
Areas you should not touch
Areas you can apply pressure on
1e. Installing dial
In this part, we will install the dial. After assembling them, we will proceed to the next part, where we install the watch hands.
Content:
Install dial onto the movement
dial back
dial installation holes
Optional: How to remove the dial
With the hour wheel spring installed, we will install the dial. Please refer to the following video for instructions.
Content:
Install dial onto the movement
To remove the dial, simply use a screw driver, and insert it in between the dial and the movement or movement holder. Inserting the screw driver next to the dial feet will give you a better control.
2: Hand Installation and Adjustment
If this is your first time installing hands, it might be quite difficult. You can take a break first before continuing.
Important】Reminders:
During installation, please avoid bending the post for second hand. Otherwise the function of the movement might be compromised.
Repeated installation of watch hands may result in loose hands. Therefore please be careful with each installation, and reduce the need for re-installation.
An extra set of hands is provided to you in case you need replacement.
2a. Installing hour and minute hand
We will install the hour and minute hands onto the dial and movement assembly.
Content:
How to pick up an hour hand
How to install a hand
Adjusting the level and direction of the hand
2b. (optional) Hands removal instruction
If you need to remove hour or minute hand, watch once before removing yours.
Content:
How to remove a whole set of hands
How to remove minute hand
Installing Second Hand
WARNING! This part is very challenging and poses risk of irriversible damage to the movement!
Tips for second hand installation:
Viewing the second hand from a horizontal angle will make the hand installation significantly easier.
【Important】Reminders:
The second hand post is more fragile than that of hour and minute hands. Please be very careful with installation. A bent second hand post will affect the performance of movement.
It is recommended to first use a loupe to see the smallest post clearly before attempting to install. If you were not careful with minute hand installation, the second hand post might have been bent. If so, it is impossible to install the second hand.
Second hand must remain parallel with the dial. During installation and adjustment, be mindful to keep the second hand level.
Instructional video contains detailed description. Please pay attention to its content in its entirety.
2c. Installing second hand (without secondhand installation tool)
This is the most challenging part of this tutorial. We will now install the second hand onto the movement.
Content:
Learn multiple methods of installing a second hand
Identify correct and incorrect secondhand installation
You have now finished hands installation. You may press the following button to return to the top section of the tutorial:
3: Installing Case and Other Parts
3a. Seiko NH movement stem and crown removal and case installation
Removing stem and crown is an essential step for watchmaking and watch modification
Content:
Stem and crown removal method with foam tool
Stem and crown removal method with tweezers for Seiko NH movement
【Important】Reminder:
It’s time to check everything on the dial, watch hands, and watch case crystal for dust and smudges. Clean them up with the techniques that was mentioned during 1a. Watch Hygiene video.
If you need to reinstall any of the components, you can refer to this:
FINAL CHECK!
Check for proper watch functions by winding and setting time. When hands are being turned, check if they come into contact with other hands or parts.
Check for dust or dirt on crystal, hands, dial or other parts. If needed, you can remove the case to clean the inside.
Check if the case back is securely fastened. If not, water resistance capability of the watch might be compromised.