Custom Movement Holders and Spacers
One of my favorite activities in watchmaking is creating custom movement holders and spacers. Problem solving is what I do as an Information and Computer Scientist, so it feels right at home. Creating an interface to fit a particular movement to a particular case is a fun challenge.
A custom part means drafting a design. I use AutoCAD for that task. Taking two years of CAD/CAM in high-school proved useful…I wonder if they offer such courses anymore. Practical skills are where it’s at. Then, I get to play around with my 3d printer, a LulzBot Mini2. What more could an engineer ask for!?
Here, I give a sampling of projects I have completed for creating custom holders and spacers. If you want me to create a custom part for one of your projects, then go to my Custom Parts page for more information on the process, cost, and request form.
Ronda 515.24h in an SKX case
A common request was this particular quartz GMT movement in a Seiko SKX case. Both a custom spacer and movement holder are needed. The dial-side spacer ring could be printed in a variety of colors/materials, but here I use white PLA as an example.
Miyota 2300 series & a Seiko NH35 in a generic dive case
This project was for a client who wants to provide a quartz option and a mechanical option for buyers. A single dive-style case that will work with both a Miyota 2300 series quartz and a Seiko NH35/36 mechanical movement. I have created the holder for the Miyota movement and will soon create the holder for the NH35.
Spacers
Spacers are sometimes needed to get the stem height correct for a movement. Most cases are made for a specific movement, so when you want to put something different in the case, some adjustment may be necessary. Spacers can be added dial side or movement side, I prefer dial side. Spacers can provide great contrast and also add that custom look.
Final Thought
I really do love it when a plan comes together. (If you know, you know.)
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where can I get these spacers
Hi! I came across your YouTube video on how to customize a small watch movement into a bigger case. My goal is to build a custom Audemars piguet with spare vintage AP parts. This will be my build and I’m very excited. Although it won’t be easy, the project is well worth the try. Do you offer any services? If so, how much would it cost to help me build the custom AP?
Hello, I’ll respond via email to discuss.
Hi! My name is Antonio and i’m writing you from italy. I have been desperately looking for someone that could help me and i stumbled upon your page. I have a vintage seiko sq100 that has been passed from my grandfather to my father and now to me that some super nice watch technician brought to a stop by breaking the watch movement holder in a battery change service. Obviously there are no chances of finding the specific piece since it’s a super cheap and old watch with no historical value for anyone but me.
I was wondering if it could be possible to build a replacement holder. I have a caliber at home if needed.
Thank you for your attention, i hope we can find a way.
Have a nice day,
Antonio.
Hello,
I’m looking to make a movement ring to go around a seagull st19 Chronograph movement and put it in an oyster-ish case. it comes with a partial ring that is .5mm thick, but its not a full ring. I want a legit movement ring so it can be a more premium quality piece that I can service from time to time and use clamps.
I have been trying to figure it out myself. but I might be in over my head, and you are an expert.
Here is the problem… I need it to be metal. Probably copper. Do you have access to a 3d metal printer or know of a place who could take your CAD design and make it?
So, I’m mainly looking for you to come up with the CAD design, and I can look for a company to produce it if you don’t know of one.
Thanks!
Also, I can send the case and partial spacer ring movement if that would help.
Need movement holder vh 31 seiko where find ?
Fill out the custom part form if you want to detail a specific request. Thanks!
Have you considered resin printing movement holders?
It’s on my radar, hopefully by the end of the year. I know I can get better detail with resin and also could make some other parts I’d like to get into making.
I have written to you previously about a Seiko SKX023 Mod to Quartz. You stated that you only worked on SKX007 models. My SKX023 uses the standard 7S26 movement but the case is a mid size 37mm (like the SKX013). Has your development of spacers allow the Rhonda 515 to fit this midsize ?
Hi Jay, I looked back through my email and it seems you were first talking about a Seiko SKX021, but maybe you meant 023? I work on a variety of cases, I just haven’t done that particular combo before and those cases can be harder to get. A Ronda 515 would likely fit just fine in that case.