I recently had the urge to get a fun, colorful summer watch. But I can’t justify the expense of even a beautiful, beautiful Tsuyosa right now, so I built my own for less than 70€ :D
Built around a Seiko/SII NH35, all parts (case, bracelet, dial, hands) sourced from Aliexpress. Fit and finish are OK (I’d say a bit below pre-reboot Seiko 5), but these are very cheap parts anyway.
I “branded” the dial by experimenting with toner transfer. It looks like shit up close, but at wrist-length, it’s fine.
I silenced the cheap-ass, rattly-as-fuck bracelet by thoroughly soaking it in bike chain grease.
Watches and coffee, name a more iconic duo :D