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!
Master Aviator & F02 Series Assembly Instructions
Before starting, you can familiarize yourself with the tools and parts needed:
Tool kit content introduction
Parts:
watch case
bezel insert
crown and stem
movement holder
chapter ring
dial
hands
movement
gasket
strap
quick release spring bars (optional depending on strap type)
1: Dial and Movement Assembly Installation
Introduction: how to use mechanical watches with date
This is a brief introduction to the basics of a mechanical watch with date function, which might prove useful in your subsequent installation.
If you are already familiar with how a mechanical watch works, feel free to skip this video and proceed to the next one.
Content:
crown position for setting date
when to avoid setting date
how to determine AM/PM
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 and movement introduction
Mechanical 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. We’ll also introduce what makes a Swiss movement different.
Content:
Introduction of different parts of a movement
Areas you should not touch
Areas you can apply pressure on
Warning regarding hand winding on SW200
Sellita recommends the use of hand winding to be limited only to start the movement to preserve the longevity of the rachet wheel.
Therefore use hand winding to start the movement, then use the automatic rotor to wind up the movement to full wind.1d. Removal and installation of stem and crown
Watch assembly and basic watch repair require you to install and remove the stem and crown. You will need to do this multiple times throughout this workshop.
Content:
Function of crown
What to avoid in stem removal for SW200
How to remove and install crown
1e. Installing movement holder and 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 the movement into the movement holder
Install dial onto the movement holder
Optional: How to remove the dial
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.
Installation and Adjustment of Minute and Hour Hands
【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.
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 second hand installation
Second Hand Troubleshoot
Here we will cover most of the problems related to hand installation.
You have now finished hand installation. Please press the following button to return to the main section of the tutorial:
3: Installing Case and Other Parts
【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.
3a. Installing watch case
In this part, we will install the movement assembly with hands into the case
Content:
Installing assembly
Aligning movement and stem
Installing case back
If you need to reinstall any of the components, you can refer to this:
3b. (optional) Watch case removal
To access the movement assembly, you have to remove the case first.
Content:
Learn how to remove the case safely
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.