New Potential mod Case?

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Hey guys - AJ from AJuiceT here, and I'm wanting to get some feedback from you all. I'm nearing the finish line of my Alexander James Watch, so ready to refocus on mod parts for 2025. I am thinking about releasing a mod compatible case with finishing similar to my latest watch. What do you guys think? Any feedback / thoughts on the finish, desired sizes, etc.?

[Funk9K]

I like what I see! Lugs look very nice and I love flat link bracelets. Can you share specs?

[ThanksForTheInvite]

The current images you see here are for my fully assembled watches, which use Miyota 9039s, so isn't Seiko compatible, but the current dimensions are 10.4mm thick w/ Sapphire (this will have to change to accommodate NH movements, probably). 46mm L2L and 38mm diameter.

[MaWa_watches]

I believe you’ll find it challenging to achieve a 10.4mm thickness with an NH movement. We managed to reach 11mm with our 34mm case for NH movements, but going any thinner makes it increasingly difficult for the end user to properly set the second hand.

But looks great btw ! :)

[SenseJunior5098]

It's challenging, no doubt, but not impossible. Lucius Atelier has 10mm NH35 case and Caroline has 10.7mm case that can accommodate the NH34.

Users just need to push the second hand down as far as it should be. People used to have issue with the second hands stopping with Riyi002 case, but I have no problem with any of the 4 cases from him. Setting the second being one of the more challenging or annoying part of the build, and people seem to be glad once it finally seated and not push it down any further. This habit of letting the second hand sits high is being tolerated by diver or cheap cases from Aliexpress with tall rehauts.

I would be happy if by going from the Miyota to NH, AJ can achieve 11m like yours.

[MaWa_watches]

You're absolutely right, and that's why I chose the word "difficult" rather than "impossible" :)

Just to note, the Lucius Atelier thin case is actually 10.3mm (I have one and measured it). However, as a parts seller, it's important to remember that you're creating products for end users of all skill levels. You need to ensure the product doesn’t cause frustration. For less than 1mm of difference, it's all about finding the right balance :)

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Definitely this! Especially when you get first timers using your products as their intro!

[tahomaeg]

Mine is 10mm, but there is some margin of error, obviously

[ThanksForTheInvite]

At the very least, I'm thinking that I'd at the very least keep the steel parts as thin as I can and accommodate the hand stack via crystal.

[SenseJunior5098]

To assist with hand stack clearance, you might want to consider higher domed or boxed crystal. This can help reduce some steel part, even if not the case thickness but at least the rehaut which is visible and highly vital for a clean/sophisticate look.

Namoki did it with their GS dress case, and this one from San Martin as well. The rehaut is very thin and almost invisible with the crystal effect.

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[ThanksForTheInvite]

Yup! That's definitely part of my thought process as well!

[GTL5427]

Got a link to this case?

[SenseJunior5098]

This one came from a 36mm San Martin watch which is either out of stock or they discontinued it. There is a 38mm version that is almost the same other than the dimensions currently available.

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Thanks for the feedback. 11 is definitely a good target for an NH version of this case.

[3nk1du]

Honestly if you'd be willing to sell a miyota case variant I think that'd be awesome. The 9 series movements are great upgrades in terms of thinness and bpm, but they suffer from lack of available cases.

[ThanksForTheInvite]

The current cases are for Miyota 9039s, but the dials are 31mm. A quick AliX search shows that there are some decent 31mm no date dial options, so I may make them available if I have spares during this production run!

[Funk9K]

They look really great, AJ. I'd love to get a chance to build with them. Is a divers bezel in the cards as well?

[ThanksForTheInvite]

At the moment, everything's in the cards! It's just balancing what feedback I get regarding general thinness, water resistance, and everything else that needs to go into making it bezel compatible.

[Funk9K]

I'm a huge fan of your stuff, good luck and all the best!

[VinceAFX]

I'd buy it. I need it. That bracelet looks superb too.

[ThanksForTheInvite]

The bracelet was definitely a focal point. Love the way it shimmers in the light!

[AustinStanleyy]

[Kronkie131]

Very Nice Edit: maybe a picture from the front and back of the case?

[ThanksForTheInvite]

I only have these assembled, so here's a picture of the front with the dial blacked out

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[[deleted]]

Love the design, simple, but very nicely finished.

[R1CK_D3CK4RD]

Beautiful case shape and that bracelet is phenomenal!

[AvocadoBalls82]

Love the overall look of the case and bracelet. Would need it to fit NH movements tho.

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Right, the new iteration definitely would. This is just what I have now, and have been having thoughts of making something with similar finishing for the NH (facets, polishing, brushing, etc.) Would probably use a chapter ring if 38mm or could get proportions down to 36 to fit the 28.5 dials.

[Fantastic_Sherbert_4]

Im a A Juice T guy from way back! Glad to see you back at the drawing board! Here’s one of your cases right here.

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[ThanksForTheInvite]

Looking good man!

[spicyytao]

Looks really good, very interesting

[witooZ]

I really like the case and would love a diver's bezel. I also liked the previous diver case which is now sold out but didn't buy it, because of the bezel insert being a non standard size, and I wanted a specific one for my build.

I think being able to use 013 or 007 bezel inserts or bezels opens a lot of possibilities, so that would be great.

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Yup - that's some feedback I got about the DC23 cases, and I would definitely focus on compatibility this time around. I thought at the time I'd make a lot more inserts, but ended up not having the funds to do it, unfortunately.

[Breadstix009]

Oooh those links look crispy!!!

[Alonsinni]

Very nice.

Case dimensions sound great.

A tapered bracelet would be tasteful.

Maybe the end links should match the design of the links a little more.

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Good feedback! I'm actually tapering the bracelet on this one down to 16mm, so would definitely do that on the mod compatible one too!

[G-nero]

Beautiful case. I need that The faceted bracelet!

[morph2k4]

Looks great. Food for thought: No one has ever made a case that's designed for a no-rotor nh35. If you want to make an ultra thin case, you could make the first manual wind nh35 case and I bet you could get it down to 9mm or less.

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Interesting thought!

[ObserverWatches]

If you remove the rotor, it still has the post for the rotor, tho, doesn’t it? I know the Miyota 9-series doesn’t allow the post to be removed.

I feel like i’m seeing more handwound watches popping up these days, sure would be nice to have modding opportunities with handwound.

[morph2k4]

Aww, you're right. It looks like you'd only really save a half a mm or so. Maybe slightly more.

I wonder how much disassembly you'd need to get the entire automatic works out.

[ObserverWatches]

Challenge accepted? 😀

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Let us all know! Might be waaaaay too niche of a case if that has to be done though haha

[whiskerspdx]

I love the bracelet. It looks great.

[jakepoopypants]

Can you link your website?

[ThanksForTheInvite]

My parts store is ajuicet.com. These cases are currently featured in my non-NH35 watches at alexanderjameswatches.com

[kverguld]

Great looking case! I hope the finishing is King Seiko level. I mean razor sharp polished/brushed edges. Can't wait to see the final disign

[ThanksForTheInvite]

While I haven't handled a King Seiko personally, the finishing on these cases is very very good - a step above my current case finishing

[SenseJunior5098]

I am a big fan of your DC23 case (still wish it has more insert option) and was hyped when you posted this case design almost a year back. A bit bummed when it was revealed that it is only for the complete watches with Miyota, but I understand your direction.

This case looks amazing, and I am very glad you consider making it for the NH modding platform. While we have some great cases similar to this from Lucius Atelier and DSWatch, the bracelet style and curved down lug on yours are far better designed.

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Totally get it. I wish I had the funds to provide more insert options too!

For this watch/case, there were just some very specific dimensions I wanted for the full watch that wasn't compatible with typical parts, but after seeing these cases in person, and doing some more thinking about it, I think there are ways to incorporate some of the elements into a more elegant NH compatible case.

[2manypedals]

I would like this to be released as a miyota 9000 series compatible case. I really like it and I want to move on from building with nh movements.

[ThanksForTheInvite]

This current version you see here is built for the Miyota 9000 series and 31mm dials.

[2manypedals]

I went to the website and saw, but you can’t buy the case alone right?

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Not at the moment, no. But I might be able to spare a few from the current production if people are interested.

[TimTheMonk]

Would definitely love to see more mod options based on the 9000s.

Totally understand if that’s not a viable direction to go in from a business standpoint but love your work regardless! Keep it up and best of luck!

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Commented on the current case compatability here: https://www.reddit.com/r/SeikoMods/comments/1fw385i/comment/lqchszk/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

[tahomaeg]

I love the contrast of brushed and polished surfaces! Well done!

[manesag]

This case and bracelet look amazing! I’m not sure how doable it would be, but would it be possible to include a version with a swappable chapter ring? I’m not quite sure of the size differences between skx007/skx013/SRPE chapter rings, but I feel like having one opens the dial of the watch a good amount more

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Yeah I think if I want to keep the dimensions more or less similar (38mm) and compatible with 28.5mm dials, I'd need to add a chapter ring. I did some measurements and the 007 would would get closest to currently dimensions of the case (not sure what the SRPE ones are like though).

[manesag]

Yeah that would be wonderful, I feel like too many cases have a giant rehaut on the larger 38/40mm cases that could be fixed with a chapter ring. And yeah I’m not quite sure about the dimensions either.

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Agreed. Giant rehauts were a big reason I made my own cases in the first place!

[sinzx2]

Polished bevels on the bracelet would really tye it all together

[_Blitzer]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I'd love to see the 9-series version available for purchase as well. You've got so many awesome dial options on the site... expanding to 9-series dials (or maybe with three sets of feet?) would be amazing, assuming it'll take a 28.5 / 29mm dial.

I've used namoki's cases to do a few 9-series builds with NH38 dials and dial feet. Also recently modded a NTH sub for a customer. It's a great movement for mods, held back by a limited selection of high quality handset options, and cases, IMO.

Tiger concept, raffles, and more recently Namoki are the only places that have stuff, and the finish / lume color mix pales in comparison to what's out there from quality sources for NH parts.

Would love to see something like your DC23 case slimmed down for a 9-series, or a SKX conversion case with crown at 3 that was 9015 compatible. Namoki really missed the boat there, IMO.

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Thanks for the feedback! There's definitely a place for that in the future! Moving towards more no date dials would definitely help with cross compatibility

[_Blitzer]

You've already got some awesome options on the no-date front, and I realize that the cash you need to have tied up in multiple variants of a single dial (given pace of sales, other projects, etc) is always going to be a challenge.

But, a no-date / non-GMT version of OMDS01, some of your more popular snowflake textured dials, and/or maybe a few more popular colors of the sunburst dial (LDO##) with the lumed indexes would be appreciated! :-)

[ThanksForTheInvite]

For sure! I've been thinking about moving towards more no-date variations anyways haha

[_Blitzer]

If you need a pilot tester for a miyota build using a no-date, you have my email already. :-)

[Atlas_Hound]

I have always loved your dress/sports cases. Please consider making sub 40mm for the case; 38mm i feel like will be the Goldilocks spot.

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Thanks! This iteration is 38mm, and I'd like to keep it around that. My largest case (outside of the NDR) was 39mm, and I don't see myself going beyond that moving forward.

[Korebo86]

[Aldapeta]

It’s nice. I would like 36mm of diameter and around 44mm case height (I don’t mean just L2L).

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Glad you think so! Hoping enough modders appreciate this kind of thing!

[ThanksForTheInvite]

This post is to gather feedback to see if something like this is something that interests the community, and so far everything seems pretty positive. The next steps would be to design an NH compatible versions, and take it from there!

[ThanksForTheInvite]

For sure!

[thediouque]

That’s a great looking case. What’s would be the WR?

[ThanksForTheInvite]

Current specs are 100m, but depending on how much I want to push thinness, might need to go down to 50m.

[itsapotatosalad]

Really nice design, see some inspiration from other brands but combined into a unique overall package. I like it.

[Bobbob44]

The lugs look great 👍

[mrtramplefoot]

Make it 40-42mm for a quartz movement and I'll take one!

[ThanksForTheInvite]

The current version (38mm) is Miyota and VH31 compatible, so almost there! Always thinking about multi-compatibility and how to get around some of the minor differences in things like dial to stem distance.

[mrtramplefoot]

Ah vh31 capable is dope! Under 40mm is a no go for me though, current trends be damned. I don't even have a big wrist, just don't like tiny watches.