The Simplest Way To Mod Your Watch

Hey everyone, it’s Percy from Nomad360. It’s a pleasure to be writing this guest article for The Namoki Times.

When I was starting out my watch-collecting journey a few years back, just like anyone else looking for an affordable dive watch, I was convinced by the community to purchase a Seiko SKX.

For the following months, I consumed online content whilst my enthusiasm grew. One day, I stumbled across the YouTube video “Adam Savage and Vsauce's Michael Stevens Geek Out Over Watches”.

 

 

Above: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean & SKX009 (Source: Adam Savage and Vsauce's Michael Stevens Geek Out Over Watches)

 

 

To sum up the video, Adam Savage treasured his Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean, but he wanted something a little less precious but reminiscent of his faithful Omega when it wouldn’t be with him. So, he commissioned a SKX007 build, which would have a similar look to the Seamaster.

 

The idea of swapping out parts to make a ‘new’ watch got me interested, as it made these watches seem more personal.

 

While I didn’t relate to that backstory, the idea of swapping out parts to make a ‘new’ watch got me interested, as it made these watches seem more personal. So, I explored, and as with all modification journeys, it went deep. 

I first started with SKX013. While there was a limited selection of parts to choose from, I managed to source all the parts I needed for the look I had in mind, here’s how it turned out! 

 

 

Above: Modded SKX013 with Namoki parts (Source: thenomad360)

Products featured: Lumed Dual-Time Insert, GS Polished hands and Coin-Edge Bezel

 

 

This hobby is undoubtedly immersive and allowed me to exude a little bit of my personal creativity.

 

This hobby is undoubtedly immersive and allowed me to exude a little bit of my personal creativity. I noticed that it’s just not something that caters to everyone, and I fully understand that.

But while not everyone modifies the parts of their watch, they do unknowingly ‘modify’ their stock watches, with the most common mod of all – plainly changing the strap.

 

 

Above: Personal BB Steel Mod: BB Style Red Insert and Brushed Steel Chapter Ring (Source: thenomad360)

 

The essence of the modding community revolves around personalizing a watch for you. A simple strap change is usually enough to bring out a different persona.

 

The essence of the modding community revolves around personalizing a watch for you, and while one might not be able to achieve the degree of personalization with a simple strap change as compared to changing the parts, it’s usually enough to bring out a different persona.

 

 

Above: Do you spot the red strap on Kevin O’ Leary? (Source: Ryan Stone, Nova Select)

 

 

Kevin O’ Leary, aka “Mr Wonderful” basically trademarked red straps. How was this achieved? As a celebrity himself, he put himself in the spotlight wearing his watches purely on red straps, to the extent that some companies specifically provide custom red-straps for him.

This move accustomed his watch ‘mod’, if you will, to be a red-colored strap.

 

 

Above: NamokiMods Titanium Bundle Build by Nomad360, Waffle Strap from Nomad Watch Works (Source: thenomad360)

 

 

From the simplest act of changing a strap to a full modification-overhaul, the idea of putting your personal touch on your wristwatch stems from creativity and fun.

 

Maybe you’re a two-tone bracelet kind-of-person, or maybe tropic straps speaks to you most. Whatever way you look at it, these small changes are usually enough to bring significant changes to the look and feel of your watches.

From the simplest act of changing a strap to a full modification-overhaul, the idea of having your personal touch on your wristwatch stems from creativity and fun.

 

Check out our Instagram Page for our educational infographics as well as our Youtube video of our namokiMODS Titanium bundle build.

 

 

How to Change the Straps

1. Place your watch and tools on a soft matt to prevent damaging the watch.

2. Look for the drilled holes on the side of the lugs (the part of the watch case where the strap attaches to the case).

3. Using a springbar tool or any narrow, sharp object, push in on the hole to compress the spring bar, then pull on the strap to remove it.

4. Springbar tools also usually have a V-shaped tip that you can use on the ridge of a springbar to compress it.

5. To attach the new strap, compress the springbar again and slot it into the holes. 

6. Repeat the steps on the other strap.