How Can You Define Your Style & Personality With Your Watch?

 

If you’re reading this here, I’m sure you’re probably a watch enthusiast, or at the very least, someone just looking for a nice new watch. Whoever you are, I’m sure you certainly don’t need me to tell you how special watches are to us, let alone one that we save for special occasions. Our watches are an embodiment of our personality, our style and our values too. The last thing we want is to have something we treasure so much, and mean so much to us, be seen on the wrist of someone else too.

I know how snobbish this sounds, but it really is a bit of a snobbish hobby after all; watch collecting. I’m not talking about demeaning others’ watches, or side-eyeing someone for wearing smartwatches or fashion-watches too. What I mean to say, is that we feel a sense pride in our choice of watches, whatever it is, and the last thing we want is to see something that we find special and unique to us on the wrist of someone else.

 

 

To prove my point, look at the trend in demand for luxury watches these days. Yes, while Rolex is still on top and very much unattainable unless you have very deep pockets and even deeper connections. There has been a rise in demand for niche, independent watches. Independent brands like F.P Journe, Akrivia, Armin Strom, Kari Voutilainen and H. Moser & Cie are starting to enjoy a rise in popularity amongst wealthier and more knowledgeable enthusiasts and for good reason too. There's nothing else like them out there, in terms of style, design, engineering and finishing. Also, with only a handful of them made every year, the chances of them bumping into another one on the street is close to naught.

 

 

Exclusivity isn’t just down to a big, unattainable price tag anymore, with the starting prices of some of these niche timepieces being on the same level as entry level Pateks and Vacherons. Rarity and uniqueness are the new, and frankly truer definition to exclusivity than just a hefty price tag.  

 

 

That brings me to the topic of the day, which is: What if I want a watch that looks like nothing else out there, made with premium materials, and doesn't cost a bomb? Well, it’s simple, you get a Seiko mod.

Now, I know the topic of watch-modding might bring about some concerns and I agree that they are very well-founded concerns too. With so many people out there offering such services, or if you’re looking to mod your own watch (which I really do not recommend unless you’ve got the proper tools and experience) there are even more entities around offering you various parts to fit on your Seiko too. But there’re many things that can potentially go wrong with modding, from the parts such as the crystal not fitting properly, to the water resistance of the watch being compromised , as well as the manufacturer’s warranty being voided after the mod.

 

 

These are a few of the main reasons why you might be hesitating to mod your watch. But, over here at H2hub, we’ve got your concerns covered. Worried about craftsmanship and parts not fitting properly? Our artisans have over a decade of experience in watch assembly and will always ensure that each mod that leaves our workshop is nothing less than perfect. What about the water resistance being compromised? Our mods are put through a rigorous water-resistance test before being let out into the wild to ensure that their condition are exactly as they were before the mods. As for the voided warranty? Well, we’ve got you covered on that front too. Each of our mods are covered by a 1-year warranty, giving you the peace of mind, you’ve always wanted to have but never really got from getting a modded watch elsewhere.

 

 

Another reason you might want to put some thought into getting a modded Seiko, aside from the way they look. Would have to be that they are damn good value for money too. Replacing the flat and tough (but still scratch-prone) mineral crystal with a double-domed scratch resistant and even tougher sapphire crystal. The flat aluminum bezel inserts will also be replaced with a choice of either a scratch resistant and glossy ceramic insert, or a sand-blasted stainless-steel bezel with polished recessed numerals. Giving you the superior materials, that enthusiasts have always asked for, but never really received. In a sub $600 package, well under the asking price of Seiko’s upper-mid tier watches, with their most affordable offerings using the same materials going for about $1000.

With all that said, I’m sure you’re itching to see what these mods have in store for you. So, we’ve prepared a few of our favourites here for you to take a closer look at.

 

 

Featuring a stunning sunburst green dial in a timeless dive watch design, our Golden Hulk variant adds a matching bright green ceramic bezel with contrasting golden numerals and markers giving off a more sophisticated look and feel to an otherwise sporty timepiece. Paired with a double domed sapphire crystal for added durability and flair as well as a Mercedes hand-set and you have possibly one of the prettiest and distinct sports watches out there.

 

 

The SRPD76K1M1 is part of the Specialist line of the Seiko 5 Sports series, though I genuinely don’t have the slightest understanding or clue behind the name of this category. If I were to picture a ‘Specialist styled’ watch, it’ll be a proper purpose-built tool watch. Not a polished, smart-looking diver on a rubber strap with a crocodile printed calfskin lined on top of it. The confusing naming aside, the design elements certainly make the watch look a lot smarter, yet all the more versatile as well. I can see this easily paired with your best suit or with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Though there is a twist, the piece we’re looking at today has been modified exclusively by our in-house team of watchmakers and it turns the pretty SRPD76K1 into a proper tour-de-force of watchmaking and design. With a double domed sapphire crystal, replacing the flat mineral crystal, and a sloped 2 tone ceramic bezel, it’s a properly stunning looking timepiece and one that embodies the design flair of a Rootbeer GMT-Master II.

 

 

This one is for those of you who are really into the stealthy all-black sporty aesthetic: The SRPD79K1M2. With the base watch already cased in a stealthy and subtle blackout case, we’ve added a matching matte black ceramic GMT bezel with raised recessed numerals, a scratch-resistant double domed sapphire crystal, and a Mercedes hand-set with a bright red second hand for a pop of colour. If you already like the all-black SRPD79K1 but want something a bit more, then our SRPD79K1M2 might just be what you’re looking for. 

 

 

The second green dialed mod, and my personal favourite one, because it just looks properly stunning is this: The Tidemaster. In a brushed silver case with a stunning sunburst deep green dial, our designers decided to up the visual ante to 11 by fitting it with a polished rose-gold bezel ring along with a black sand-blasted ‘yachtmaster’ style stainless-steel bezel insert. To match the rose-gold bezel ring and the stock rose-gold hands and markers, we’ve fitted a brushed rose-gold chapter ring too to complete the look. The Tidemaster is fitted on one of my favourite straps for divers too, a rubber waffle patterned strap that adds an air of sportiness to this otherwise refined and vintage looking timepiece. If you really want a timepiece that stands out from the rest yet offers the street cred and history of a historic watchmaker, then the Tidemaster is certainly the watch for you.

 

 

Featuring the already beautiful sunburst blue dialed SRPD71K1, our Tide Splitter variant adds a bold black PVD stainless-steel dive bezel insert and bezel ring. Giving the watch an even sportier and professional feel, paired with a double domed sapphire crystal for added durability and flair as well as a matching blue waffle style rubber strap and you have possibly one of the most striking and distinct mods out there.

 

 

Going from sporty to refined sporty, we have the very blue and distinct Silver Tide, though it may seem similar to the Tide Splitter we just saw, there is one distinct difference and that is in the bezel. A classic dive style bezel, in silvered stainless-steel gives an almost aged and vintage aesthetic to this otherwise modern design.  Add a scratch-resistant and distorting double-domed sapphire crystal and a blue waffle style rubber strap to the mix and what you end up with is a striking and gorgeous mod that you can be proud to call your own.

 

 

For those of you who likes a bit more flash and panache on your sports watches, you’ll undoubtedly like the Oceanmaster, I certainly did. With a subtle yet gorgeous radial blue dial, it certainly offers a lot more to look at for a simple sports watch. Paired with a double domed sapphire crystal and a stunning silvered stainless-steel bezel with raised recessed numerals. The integrated matching blue rubber strap complements the dial and aesthetic of the watch perfectly. Giving you a stunning and distinctive refined sports watch.

 

 

Not unlike the stealthy Black-out we looked at earlier, this mod shares a similar design but with a more decidedly military aesthetic: The Commando. With the base watch already cased in a stealthy and subtle blackout case, we’ve added a matching matte black ceramic bezel with raised recessed numerals, a scratch-resistant double domed sapphire crystal, a bright green seconds hand for a pop of colour and legibility. Along with an integrated olive green rubber strap for that last touch of spec-ops-ness for the Commando. If you already like the all-black SRPD79K1 but want something a bit more, then our Commando mod might just be what you’re looking for. 

 

 

For those who felt the mods we’ve looked at above were a bit too showy or flashy and want something a little more subtle and maybe refined, well then, the Silver Edge is certainly going to float your boat. With a stark and legible matte black dial with bold indexes, paired with a silvered stainless-steel bezel with raised numerals and a double-domed sapphire crystal for that final touch of refinement and classiness. Paired on an integrated black rubber strap for a final touch of sporty refinement. The Silver Edge is certainly one of the most classy and versatile mods in our collection for those looking for something a little less loud.

 

 

Lastly, we have the Irradiated, and while it may look like an otherwise normal GMT style sports watch at first, there's a lot more than meets the eye. With a clean silvered stainless steel case, paired with an equally clean black ceramic 12-hour GMT bezel, all seems to be normal on paper. But the dial is what really sets this watch apart for me. In an irradiated (hence the name) green with contrasting rose gold hands and markers, it adds a touch of vintage flair on what is otherwise, a relatively straightforward sports watch Finished with that double-domed sapphire crystal and a black integrated rubber strap for a final touch of sporty refinement and you end up with a mod that is as versatile as it is beautiful.

 

If you’re looking for the perfect statement for your style and personality, our modified and customizable timepieces are the way to go. Click here to Discover the world of modding at H2hub today.