Behind the Build #007 – Superhero-Themed Watches
There are loads of ways to modify Seiko watches. With the top-tier aftermarket parts that we offer at NamokiMODS, anyone can create a watch that is inspired by famous models that Seiko or other brands have released over the years.
In this article we are listing some of the most iconic superhero themed watches in the market. While most of the OEM watches listed below will cost you some serious cash, you can put together your own model at a fraction of the price.
Not only will your new watch be 100% custom – it may even use better parts than OEM. Let's take a look at some of the most iconic superhero-themed watches from Seiko and others, and see if there is anything you want to build yourself!
Rolex GMT-Master II “Batman” AKA: The Blue & Black Rolex
The Rolex Blue & Black "Batman" GMT is arguably the most expensive and well-known of all Batman watches.
Does wearing one of these bring out the vigilante inside of you? Source: @themoonbat on IG
This superhero nickname was not about any watch that Bruce Wayne wore on his wrist. The Rolex GMT-Master II 116710BLNR is linked to the caped crusader simply because it features a two-tone black and blue bezel.
See, black and blue are some of the most common color combinations used in the classic Batman comics and screen shows.
Historically, all of the bi-colored bezel Rolex watches received catchy and cool nicknames. The Batman Rolex is also known as "The Bruiser" because of its black and blue hues.
They should have Bruce Wayne wear it in a new movie. Source: @dwatchgeek on IG
The Batman Rolex’s price has skyrocketed in recent years. It's nearly impossible to get one at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price anywhere, and it doesn't appear to be coming down any time soon.
No need to go through much hassle with NamokiMODS – if you fancy the Batman or Dark Knight look on your watch, you can switch up the look of your Seiko SKX watch.
We offer the outstanding Lumed Ceramic Bezel Insert Dual Time Batman, or if you want it to look even fancier, this SKX007/SRPD Lumed Glass Bezel Insert makes for a Seiko Batman style watch. These bi-colored black and blue bezels allow you to track a second time zone easily, even in the dark.
We also stock a range of different bezels to pair your inserts with, if you want to make your SKX or 5KX Batman a more unique piece.
The Rolex Submariner Hulk: Luminous Dial
Another superhero watch to consider is the Rolex Submariner "Hulk," which earned its moniker and popularity thanks to its distinctive green hue. One of the advantages of this watch is that the dial is quite bright and legible even in the dark.
The Hulk and the Kermit side by side. Source: @everestbands on IG
The index and dot hour markers, as well as the hands, are manufactured in luminous material and shine a dazzling blue color
Rolex's use of green began in 2003, when they released the Rolex "Kermit the Frog" diver watch to commemorate the Submariner's 50th anniversary, which included a green aluminum bezel and the first contemporary maxi black-dial inside the watch series.
The Rolex Hulk was released in 2010, and it was the company's first timepiece with a green bezel and dial. This reference is now known as a huge, green, and great looking luxury diver watch that adds color and flair to the Rolex Submariner line.
Also, it has become a collector phenomenon and fan favorite with only a decade of life. As the name suggests, the Rolex Hulk is a sizable Submariner with a green bezel and a big green dial.
That mesmerizing sunburst effect... Source: Watchnet Forums
This green hued dial, which Rolex referred to as "green gold" when it was first introduced, takes on a three-dimensional appearance in direct light, morphing between shades of green as light travels across its delicate sunburst pattern.
At NamokiMODs you can take your Seiko SKX and add our outstanding ceramic bezel insert that is based on the classic submariner style. Have a look at our green SKX007/SRPD Ceramic Bezel Insert Sub style in Green and Gold and many other SKX 007 mod parts in our extensive online catalogue.
This SKX007/SRPD Ceramic Bezel is a sloping bezel insert therefore we highly recommend using our domed sapphire crystal instead of the original Seiko SKX crystal, to avoid an unwanted gap between the SKX original crystal and the sloped bezel insert.
We also have other bezel inserts to consider if you love the green hues of the hulk. We can help you create a two-tone hulk with the above green and gold bezel insert, gold submariner style bezel, and a gold crown.
With NamokiMODS – you can let your imagination run wild, and let us take care of the parts.
Seiko Prospex Green Sumo, or also known as The Seiko ‘Green Hornet’
The year 2015 will be remembered as the year of Seiko's limited editions. In 2015 Seiko celebrated the first 50 years of the world's most famous diver's watch collection, the Prospex line.
Prospex watches gradually began to invade Europe in the 70s, when they could only be found in Tokyo or New York or by paying expensive courier fees.
Today Seiko has rep offices all around the world, and watches like the Seiko Prospex 1968 Automatic Diver's Re-Creation Limited Edition SLA025 or the Seiko Prospex PADI Special Edition are now available to buy in many major cities.
Seiko Prospex Green Sumo SPB031 50th Anniversary
That gradient is just on point! Source: Horbiter
2015 is also the year in which the Seiko Sumo officially becomes a Prospex, and from here onwards every Prospex watch carries the X logo featured on the dial.
Some special-edition Prospex Sumo models are only offered on specific markets (e.g., the current Green Sumo) therefore these become difficult, if not impossible, to obtain even in the local Japanese market.
The Thai market is crucial to Seiko's strategic expansion and marketing strategies, and every year, numerous special models are created to be offered exclusively in this niche market, which is a true paradise for watch collectors.
The Seiko Yellow Sumo, Seiko Prospex Silver Sumo Limited Edition, and Seiko Green Sumo are three Thai-marketed watches that collectors of the ‘rare’ should seriously consider.
These watches stand out from the rest – they have a sapphire glass instead of the usual Hardlex crystal and a cyclops lens on the sapphire glass.
Seiko released a chunky collectible for their 50th Anniversary. Source: Horbiter
Other aesthetic characteristics that may not be typical of the Seiko watchmaking tradition also may be used to make these models special – and also far more expensive.
The Seiko Prospex Green Sumo SPB031 also known as “Green Hornet” (initially intended for the Thai market) is basically a different version of the Seiko Sumo that sports an iridescent green background and gold accents.
At NamokiMODs you can tune-up the look of your SKX007 or Seiko 5 Sports SRPD with this Dual Time ceramic green and black bezel insert, which allows you to easily track a second time zone.
Our SKX007/SRPD Ceramic Bezel Insert Dual Time in Green and Black resembles the Green Hornet color hues, and allows you to create your own one-off design.
Just like the green ‘Hulk’ bezel insert mentioned before, the SKX007/SRPD Ceramic Bezel Insert at NamokiMODs is a sloped bezel insert, so we highly recommend installing our domed sapphire crystal, as there will be a gap between the regular SKX crystal and the sloped bezel insert.
We think that sapphire crystals are also a great upgrade to make, and we offer some wonderful options for a few different Seiko models.
SEIKO 5 Sports Line - Street Fighter Video Game themed-watches
Seiko and Japanese video game company Capcom signed a licensing agreement to come up with this "Seiko 5 Street Fighter" wristwatch set as a limited edition (of roughly 60,000 watches).
The flashy design makes them look modded, but they are 100% OEM. Source: Seiko Watches
Anyone who grew up playing the Street Fighter video game series will appreciate the Seiko 5 Street Fighter collection's charm and appeal. Some of the detailed features and callouts to the game’s universe and characters will impress fans of both companies.
The first Street Fighter arcade game was released in the 1990s, Capcom later released Street Fighter II, kicking off the fighting game series globally.
Regardless of how many different versions of the fighting game exist, the majority of them feature the same cast of characters, six of whom are honored with a Seiko timepiece in this limited-edition collection.
Considering the continuity of the number "5", Seiko chose to link the Street Fighter V game series with its Seiko 5 Sport watch collection.
Hadouken!! Source: Seiko Watches
Limited-edition collections, such as the Street Fighter watches, are clearly being used by Seiko to demonstrate how varied Seiko 5 watches may look with numerous aesthetic alterations, such as different bezels, dials, case colors, and straps.
We can liken this to OEM modding!
Seiko chose characters from the SFV game that have been around since the early 1990s. These are Ryu (SRPF19K1), Ken (SRPF20K1), Chun-Li (SRPF17K1), Zangief (SRPF24K1), Blanka (SRPF23K1), and Guile (SRPF21K1).
Each of the six characters has a watch that is supposed to capture the spirit of their reference perfectly. Seiko seemed to have taken the ideal design route in creating a timepiece that they could imagine each fighter wearing.
Source: A Blog to Watch
The timepieces are supposed to be influenced by both the character’s outfits and their fighting style. Some of the timepieces, for example, include visual or written references to the character's background as well as their specific fighting move.
Moreover, a diagram showing how to use one's video game controller to execute the most famous of the character’s "special moves" is printed on the back of each watch, together with the name of the character.
It would be difficult to create a modded watch that followed every design cue in a Street Fighter special edition, but if you are feeling creative, we have the Seiko mod parts for you.
For example, if you wanted to create your own version of the Chun-Li (SRPF17K1), you could use our Sakura Navy dial, Two-Tone Blue Submariner bezel insert, and a Navy Chapter ring. We think the combination would look smashing!
SEIKO 5 Sports Line - Naruto themed watches
Seiko also signed a franchising agreement with the Naruto manga series to create a kick-ass new collection inspired by these famous anime ninjas.
This edition of the Seiko 5 will inspire a new generation of watch collectors. Source: Seiko Watches
Naruto is one of the most popular manga series of all time, with 250 million copies sold worldwide. The ninja-centric anime series featured the whereabouts of a young ninja named Naruto, with a spin-off series focused on Boruto, his son.
The all-action adventures of the show have prompted Seiko to produce a new collection of seven timepieces based on some of the show's core characters.
Like the Seiko Street Fighter V limited edition described before, these Seiko Naruto timepieces are all variations on the Seiko 5 Sports watch, which is regarded as a good watch for new collectors.
More importantly, due to the watch's high level of shock resistance, it's a top choice for any self-respecting ninja.
The Seiko 5 Sports series (5KX) have cases of stainless steel, with a diameter of 42.5mm and a thickness of 13.4mm. All the 5KXs are driven by the reliable Seiko automatic Caliber 4R36, with 24 jewels and a 41-hour power reserve.
These watches also feature display casebacks that allow a peek into the Seiko engine and are water resistant to 100 meters. Each of the seven timepieces in the series was created in a 6500-piece limited edition run.
Each one is very distinct! Source: Seiko Watches
Seiko 5 Sports Naruto series features the seven most iconic characters in the manga and anime, and these Seiko watches are: the Seiko Naruto SBSA092, the Sasuke SBSA091, the Shikamaru SBSA097, the Rock Lee SBSA095, the Gaara SBSA093, the Boruto SBSA087 and the Sarada SBSA089.
Each character's Clan's “Kamon” or signature is printed on both the bezel and the caseback, which is a nice design element. Just like the original SKX, the rehaut is sloped in all of the watches above, and it serves to display the minute hash marks without interfering with the dial's design.
Seiko used highly customized parts to create this series of watches – but if you dive into our parts catalogue, you will see that you can use any of the Naruto designs as the base for your own totally inspiration driven mod!
Superhero-Themed Designs from the Modding Community
The Joker Mod
While Rolex came up with the beloved Batman watch, what is it without his most famous archnemesis, the Joker?
As the opposite of the superhero, the Joker is a supervillain and a criminal mastermind that has always been the biggest adversary to the Dark Knight, so it may be a disappointment that there is no official watch out there that pays homage to the Clown Price of Crime.
Thankfully, you can make your own Joker-themed watch with the help of Seiko mod parts.
If black and blue hues make a Batman watch, purple is the color to use for a Joker mod. While the latest popular film by Joaquin Phoenix used red and blue motifs, purple has always been the villain’s color.
A fine example is this mod by thewolf_watch:
With just a half-purple bezel and imagination, the mod paints the iconic, crooked smile of the Jester of Genocide. If you wish to take the mod further, we recommend a white dial like our Explorer Dial in Enamel White to represent the white clown makeup that the Joker usually wears.
With so many Batman mods out there, we think it is time for the Joker to steal the spotlight in the modding scene.
The Iron Man Mod
While Seiko is still working out the licensing rights for the Seiko 5 Sports Avengers line (we’re just wishing here), the Seiko modding community might be starting to step up for Marvel super hero inspired-watches.
With Rolex already taking care of the Hulk, @jp_wristshop took it upon himself to bring us a Seiko watch after the image of the genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.
Check out the Iron Man mod here:
With a two-tone red and gold mod, JP was able to capture the essence of Iron Man, without a doubt! This mod took months of advanced planning, according to the modder, JP, and he was only able to complete it once Seiko released the Seiko x Street Fighter Ken watch ref SRPF20K1. The dial made for the perfect choice for his vision.
And we’re glad he patiently waited for the watch to complete his Seiko Iron Man. It would not have been as perfect with any other dial.
Modding with Namoki
Within the watch collectors' world, watch modding has developed into an extremely active subculture, and at NamokiMODS, we can help you build with some of the best Seiko aftermarket parts out there.
One of the most frequent ways fans enter the world of watch-modding is by modifying a Seiko SKX – or 5KX. This model is simple to work on, and has a huge number of compatible aftermarket parts.
We think that hero-themed watches represent an amazing opportunity to create your own watch that goes far beyond the plain black dial and bezel that most people associate with a diver's watch.
If you want to learn more about what we do at NamokiMODS – or the incredible selection of Seiko mod parts we offer – please click here to shop our extensive collection of Seiko diver aftermarket parts.