A red watch mod featuring a crimson fume dial

Many consider achromatic colors as the Classic. But sometimes mixing in bright colors sometimes can be quite astounding. This mod uses a bright red dial, which harmonizes with the black bezel insert. The fume dial hints at a chromatic depth and adds a new dimension to the watch. Whatever you’re wearing, this red will stand out very well and it can actually put a nice finishing touch to your outfit.

This watch embodies a ready-for-anything aesthetic. Whenever you are sprucing yourself up with field jackets, a pair of jeans, or even a shirt and a full suit set, it just works well.

The original watch we used for modding here is the DWC D01A NH35 Dive Watch with Date. 

What’s on the mod

• Dial: The original DWC D01 luminous dial is replaced with the DWC red fume dial, which is especially made to fit the dive watch. This new series of refined fume dials is created with sunburst effect. Once the timepiece is exposed to the sun, the red dial would shine with stunning transitioning colour in radial lines.

• Bezel Insert:  The blue bezel insert is replaced with the DWC type B stainless steel black diver bezel insert. The red highlight on the last few minutes, functionally to warn a diver of the last few minutes before oxygen is depleted, coincidentally echoes the red dial, while brushed finish adds to the active overtone of the design.

• Hands: To match the colour of the dial lume and bezel insert, we've decided to change the original hands, whose lume colour is green, to the silver hands with the Japan blue Superlume BGW9 applied.

• Strap: Strap is one of the keys that strongly influences the style of the watch. We've swapped the parachute strap into the DWC black nato strap so as to couple it with the black bezel insert. Matching your dive watch with a nato strap will give it a more active look.

Tools needed 

• Case back opener 

• A pair of tweezers 

• A screwdriver

• Watch hand installation tool

• Watch hand removal tools and dial protecting plastic sheet

• Watch case knife

Step 1: Open the case back

There are different types of case back opener. You may choose a suitable opener based on the type of your watch case and open it with the opener. For a dive watch, you’ll need an opener that opens a screw in case back. Both the 3 pins and the 2 pins versions work well for this purpose.

Step 2: Remove the hands and the dial

To change the dial, you have to remove the watch hands first before removing the old dial. 

You may then place a pair of tweezers in the gap between the dial and the movement and run it underneath the old dial, then the dial will come off.

Step 3: Install the new dial 

Align the dial feet with the hole and press the new dial down.

Step 4: Install the hands back

Then, you may place the watch hands back on the dial, using the hand installation tool to press the hands onto their respective posts.

Step 5: Close the case back 

After installing the new dial and watch hands, you may install the assembly into the case and close the case back. Remember to clean the parts and movement assembly with Rodico and hand pump before closing it.

Step 6: Replace the bezel insert

With the case closed, you can now replace the bezel insert. You can follow the following video guide for detailed instruction:

In short, pry the bezel insert off with a watch case knife by insert the knife into the gap between the case and the bezel. Push it firmly all the way in and the bezel will come off. Then remove the old bezel insert with a screwdriver. Apply adhesive on the new insert, and align it to the bezel. Press firmly onto the bezel to secure the installation.

Step 7: Change the strap

To remove the parachute strap, you need to remove the spring bars to take the strap off.

Then, simply insert the nato strap through the upper spring bar, then thread the strap through the bottom springbar.  

That’s it!

Try it yourself if you enjoy this watch mod!