We already looked into what a Seiko MOD is in our past post: Everything you need to know about Seiko MODs article but now let’s look into what makes this the new watch phenomenon that will change horology and watch collecting forever.
But let’s start with most important question, why do people like MODs, these custom watches that are a true crossover for the watch world, a multiverse of tiemepieces, one more unique then the other.
Customization: Everything about a MOD can be modified, picked and changed, for you to have something that is truly yours and touches you every time you look at it, whether to check the time or just to appreciate its beauty.
Seiko Datejust Tiffany MOD
Character: A custom watch has more life to it than a regular timepiece, not dictated by big brand’s conservative and prudent designs and choices, MODs can be and look like anything and will bring a unique touch to your watch collection.
Quality: Surprisingly enough, removing big brand’s profit margins and costs, a custom watch can have way higher construction quality when it comes to materials (note that all our mods have sapphire crystals, ceramic bezels (if not aluminium for vintage-look purposes), and the highest quality stainless steels). While you can get a good automatic watch at around 2/300 euros from any brand, which is still valuable and a great choice for collectors, you will probably end up sacrificing something when it comes to external durability and quality of your timepiece, something that MODs have managed to upgrade, giving customers the opportunity to enjoy a luxury-like experience. Seiko 62MAS MOD That’s why at wristmodding we make pricing one of our most debated issues, trying to keep it as accessible as possible without compromising quality, so that more and more collectors will have the opportunity to enjoy these masterpieces. For you to feel like a thousand bucks, without having to spend them 😉
Wristmodding Originals
And finally, and maybe most importantly, custom-made timepieces will give you access to legendary models that would be unaccessible and are made for only a few to enjoy.
At wristmodding, the idea of opening this pandora vase, giving everyone access to the most sought-after timepieces, in their own way, makes us ecstatic and eager to start working every morning.
We, as I imagine you are as well, are incredibly excited to see where the watch world will go entering this new, custom-made era, hoping it will continue to be full of opportunities and surprises for watch collectors and enthusiasts around the world!
Travis M. From the wristmodding content creation team.
How it all started. Starting from the MOD part, it simply means a modification made to something’s function or appearance, so from a scratched SKX bezel that got replaced with a ceramic bezel, or the obsolete 7S26 upgraded for the modern NH36 by a watch enthusiast in his/her basement, watch modding has taken a bunch of wild turns.
Credits to Jonathan Mabey for the picture!
Parts replacement became more and more extravagant with time, mainly with the Seiko SKX being the selected timepiece for experimentation, because of its popularity, initially cheaper price, and availability of compatible components in the gray market, this watch became the place where the modding magic started really happening, with different bezel colors, styles, dials, hands, etc…
Watch Modding, with Seiko as an ambassador and the SKX as its first wildly popular base, took on the expected turn of taking the style of timepieces from notorious brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet, making them into mythical Seiko MODs, like the Seiko Daytona MOD, the Seiko Nautilus, Royal Oak or Submariner MODs, that are definetly more MODs then they are “Seiko” harboring mostly their reliable harts and calibers (or dials) and merging these with aftermarket components that brought the opportunity for the masses to enjoy the most legendary and iconic models of horology’s history, with Seiko’s powerhouses giving life to these quirky inventions.
I’ve seen this trend grow and grow with time, until I decided to take an active part in it, as a professional watchmaker in Barcelona, more and more people were coming to replace bezels, dials, and hands that had no defects but were giving these timepieces new life and character, until I started making these fully customized MODs, using cases with styles from other creators and brands, and I really understood what was happening, I really understood that this was the future of watchmaking and collecting, where everything is at your disposal and you can wear the watch that most suits your taste and fancies, without having to spend fortunes and still getting the highest quality materials and calibers that will run a lifetime.
So what’s awaiting us? What’s the future of watch modding, and is Seiko going to keep silently acknowledging the modding community or is the Japanese company going to take a more active part in it, revolutionizing the watch world once more, as they did with the great quartz crises that created the luxury and mechanical watch market we are today witnessing, and kept changing mechanical watchmaking forever with its iconic calibers, like the modder’s beloved NH35/NH36 movements, and other powerhouses that we’ll talk about on our next posts!
Whatever is waiting the modding world, we can be sure it’s going to be a fantastic ride, and we’re all in!
Pedro, a watchmaker from the wristmodding team Barcelona, 01/05/2023
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Disclaimer
The watches sold on this website are custom-made products independently modified using components from various manufacturers. They are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced by Seiko Group Kabushiki Kaisha or any other entity.
Any reference to the SEIKO brand is solely to identify the source of original components used in customization. This does not imply any relationship, authorization, or approval from Seiko Group Kabushiki Kaisha.
Our mission
To make the watch of your dreams come to life, without breaking the bank and with a luxury-like experience
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