Mod Parts Compatibility for Seiko Mod
What part can be used to mod a Seiko dive watch
Our dive watch is designed with compatible parts with Seiko watches
We designed our DIY diver watch so that some of our part are compatible with Seiko dive watches (SKX007/SRPD). These parts are therefore interchangeble between our dive watch and Seiko watch. That means you can use these parts from our dive watch to mod a Seiko watch, or use parts from a Seiko watch to mod our dive watch.
Which Seiko watch is compatible?
SKX series (namely SKX007 and its variants), which is one of the most modded watches in the mod watch community, is compatible with our dive watch.
Left: Seiko SRPD / 5KX; Right: Seiko SKX. These watches have compatible parts with our dive watch
In addition, the new Seiko 5 Sports series (SRPD), nicknamed “5KX” precisely because it shares many similar parts with the SKX series, is compatible as well .
Other popular Seiko mod watches, such as SNZF urchin and SRP turtle, are compatible only under specific conditions (such as matching movement, dial size, and crown position, see below for detailed breakdown) and the possible modification is limited at best. Therefore, modding of these watches is best reserved for the experienced modders.
That said, here is a list of compatible parts and non-compatible parts for SKX and SRPD Seiko watches:
Compatible Parts
Hands
The movement of our dive watch is pretty much the same as that of Seiko SKX and SRPD series (see below for a breakdown between 7s36, 4r36, NH35/36, and NH70/72), the only difference between them being date ring vs day/date ring. Therefore the hands of our dive watch and those of Seiko SKX/SRPD are interchangeble, as well as those of other Seiko watches using 7s35/36 and 4r35/36 movement.
Seiko SKX007 modded with our hands and our bezel. To achieve this look:
Hand: Diver hands for Seiko
Bezel: Knurled thin profile bezel
Bezel insert: Diver bezel insert - thin blue
Bezel
All of our bezels are interchangeble with Seiko SKX and SRPD bezels. One point of note though: the bezel insert must be changed in tandem with its bezel, i.e. you can apply our bezel insert along with our bezel onto a Seiko, but you cannot apply our bezel insert to a Seiko bezel. If you want to do a bezel mod, check out our quick guide on changing bezel.
Semi-compatible Parts
These parts are compatible only under specific conditions, and might require advanced modding techniques:
Straps
Our dive watch has a lug size of 22mm, which is the same as that of SKX and SRPD. But there is one major difference between SKX and SRPD: the springbar of SKX has a thicker diameter and tip (which is why the Seiko mod community affectionately calls it the “fat springbar”), meaning that our straps are not directly interchangeble with SKX straps. One exception is our parachute strap, which can be used on an SKX watch by keeping the SKX's original “fat” springbar.
On the other hand, the springbar of Seiko SRPD has a smaller tip which is the same size as ours, and therefore our straps can be used on SRPD watches, and vice versa.
Please note that some after-market straps have special shapes and construction (like curved end designed to taper fit with the case). Therefore compatibility of these straps are not guaranteed.
Even though the SKX has the “fat springbar”, our parachute strap can be used on it by using SKX’s own springbars.
Strap used: EONIQ Parachute Strap -- Onyx Black
Dial
The SKX and SRPD have a 4 o’clock crown, while our dive watch has a 3 o’clock crown. This means that unless without extra modding, the dials are not compatible.
For the experienced modders though, the dials are of the same size, so it is possible to use our dial on Seiko (and vice versa) by either modding the position of the dial feet, or cutting the dial feet off and attaching it to the movement using other means.
If you’re looking for other aftermarket dials, check for these points: 1. dial size (28.5mm); 2. crown position; 3. day/date window or date window.
Movement
For the uninitiated, first, a quick summary of the many confusing model numbers of Seiko movements used in SKX and SRPD watches:
7s26 is the movement used in SKX007, and 7s36 is the 7s26 update with two extra non-functioning jewels.
4r36, used in SRPD, is the modern upgrade of 7s26/36 with manual winding and hacking second.
NH36 is the unbranded version of 4r36. And NH35, used in our dive watch, is the variant with only date ring (the 7s36 and 4r36 have a date /day ring, meaning it shows both day of the week and the date of the month)
NH70 and NH72 is the skeleton dial variant of the basic NH movement. They feature a balance wheel at 9 o’clock. Construction is almost the same except they need a movement holder change to fit the usual Seiko mod.
Another point to notice is that the SKX and SRPD feature a 4 o’clock crown, therefore when used on a 3 o’clock crown dial and case (like ours), the day will be shown as clipped by the dial window, but the date will remain fine.
This means that: 1. the movement of SKX and SRPD can be used in our dive watch, given that you either give it a dial with a date-only window, or replace the day ring with a 3 o’clock version and couple it with a dial of 3 o’clock dial feet; 2. the movement can be used on SKX and SRPD if used together with a dial with date-only window and 4 o’clock dial feet.
Special case with non-SKX/SRPD Seiko watches
Seiko watches which have the same movement (7s or 4r equivalent), dial size (28.5mm), and crown position (3’o clock) as ours can have their movement assemblies (i.e. movement with dial) installed directly into our case by using our movement holder and chapter ring. A good example is SNZF Urchin. See example below:
The Seiko SNZF Sea Urchin is the perfect mod in this case: it shares the same movement (7s36) and 3 o’clock crown position. Here, the SNZF movement with the original dial and hands is put into our gun black case and bezel with our domed sapphire crystal. To acheive this look:
Case: Diver Case - Stainless Steel (IPB) - Sapphire Double Dome
Bezel insert: Diver bezel insert - thick black
Non-compatible Parts
Crown
Case back
Crystal
Chapter ring
Bezel Insert (unless coupled with our bezel)
Our bezel inserts have an outside diameter of 39.4mm, and an inside diameter of 33.5mm. For the usual SKX bezel insert, outer diameter should be 38mm, so our bezel inserts do not fit the bezels of SKX.
But if you couple our bezel insert with our own bezel, it can be swapped with the SKX bezel+bezel insert combo.
Gasket
Blued hands and screws are ubiquitous existences in the history of watchmaking. Behind that frequent appearance though is a history and science that go beyond the aesthetic value of flame bluing.