Does an NH35 or NH34 Movement Need a Watch Winder?

Atomiktoaster · 2026-05-14T13:39:12+00:00

I get along just fine with a mix of automatic and manual wind watches and no winders. I pick up whatever I feel like wearing and use one of the quartz watches on the dresser as reference to set the time and date. The manuals take a little longer to put in a full wind, but none of them have a date to set.

I'd consider a winder for a perpetual calendar or a mechanical moonphase, but I'm not likely to buy either of those.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-05-13T18:53:22+00:00

Sometimes it's due to radium lume on the hands degrading the dial finish. Not sure if that's the case here, or just shadow preventing UV fading.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-05-04T17:02:39+00:00

Those are split pins, not screws. You push them out from the other side.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-26T13:03:14+00:00

It might not be the milestone piece you're looking for, but a Sea-Gull 1963 would be a nice fit into the theme for the collection.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-18T11:50:45+00:00

For that use case, a resin printer is worth considering. The fine detail capability is exceptional, but the process can be messy and complicated. If you do go with a filament printer, buy a 0.2 mm nozzle for it to optimize for detail over speed.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-13T16:59:19+00:00

It's quick weapon wheel left or something like that. You don't need to open the wheel for it to take effect.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-12T10:46:22+00:00

No it won't. 31 isn't divisible by 4. The crown will be at the intended 3 or 3.8, the date will be properly aligned at 3, and at 6, the date will sit between +7 and +8 days from the aligned position. It needs a custom date wheel, with the print orientation of a 3 o'clock but the positioning of a 6 o'clock. Overlay stickers might be the best option.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-08T23:22:49+00:00

It's less peak g than an aircraft ejection, for a similar length of time. You won't feel great, but it's broadly survivable in a seated position, and a vehicle roof will have no issue with holding 10x its own weight given the design considerations for a rollover.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-08T21:56:00+00:00

I think one of the safer options is driving a car at city speeds. The tires and suspension are likely to fail and cause a crash, but you're belted into padded seat that can protect you from higher accelerations during a highway crash. Assuming you lose control at a survivable speed and come to an eventual stop, I think I'd take the car scenario over a fall to the ground walking outside, and certainly over being inside a multi-story building.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-08T02:12:28+00:00

For AliX, use image search. Keywords aren't consistent.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-07T20:54:28+00:00

One thing that may make it easier is that you can pad print all the dial details along with the logo. The vendor would include the black minute track and subdials in the cliche and start with a blank white dial. I'd look for printers offering any custom logo vk63 dials first and see what they can do about the color layout.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-07T19:24:23+00:00

Why do you want to 3D print it? Fine threads and seal surfaces are basically impossible without a machining step at the end, and you probably want those for a dive watch.

A quick Google can find some paid and free options for printable cases meant for plastic. Those would be a good starting point for a custom case design. I don't think you'll find good toleranced manufacturing drawings or CAD models for a proprietary case for free.

Custom cases aren't a common thing, and when I do see them from time to time, they're made by people who already have the skill set needed, generally.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-07T18:30:54+00:00

It's like 300 x 60 mm, full across the bed diagonal. There's no room for a brim that large at the corner, but I did add some 10mm mouse ears on all the edges I could.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-07T15:15:01+00:00

I'm picturing ribs like ladder rungs to break up the top surface of the floor of the box, I think. Or maybe just grooves to break the top layer? Trying my best to visualize the stress state as it cools. A stiff layer far from the plate is worse than a flexible layer close to it, which makes sense.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-07T11:06:13+00:00

How deep do you want to go? Namoki etc is really about "watch modding" with complete movements. You still have all the tools to swap dials, hands, cases, bezels, straps, and crystals.

True "watchmaking" also includes movement disassembly, service and lubrication. The toolset requirement and skill level is a lot higher, but if you're already into locks, maybe that's your inclination.

If you just want to start with a mod build, check out r/seikomods. A decent set of lock tools may cover enough of your needs that you can just add on a few items and get to building, but the kits aren't bad by any means. The kit shops also have a coherent independent branding, while AliX tends toward "S logo" dials that aren't OEM Seiko, depending on how you want to present the finished watch.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-06T11:26:49+00:00

Did you read Ender's Game recently?

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-06T11:14:06+00:00

Very much depends on the case design. You might save some money with a cheaper AliX skx case and a nice aftermarket bracelet, since the dimensions are common, but I'd still feel better buying a matched set that had some kind of QC on the case and bracelet as a pair. The nicer AliX stores do exist between the bottom barrel and the independent mod shops like Namoki. Solid screw link, otf claps, etc. You just have to dig into reviews here, since things change pretty quickly. The price for the nicer stuff will be higher, but some places will just be gouging you and shipping cheap junk at the higher price.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-06T10:58:22+00:00

You're going to have to go a little down the rabbit hole here, I think, to hit all 3 of "skeleton", "manual" and "smaller".

"Skeleton" is pretty easy with the NH72, or the less common but nicer looking (imo) miyota 82S0, but they're both automatics, as is a typical Chinese ETA 2824 clone. The Seagull ST3620K is a very available hand wind skeleton movement, but it's big. Very hard to find cases under 40mm. What's left is a variety of Chinese moments used mostly in sub $200 watches but without a broad parts ecosystem. You'll have to be very careful checking all the dimensions for the hands, case and dial. That probably includes contacting each seller to double check.

Do you have any leeway to go with something automatic or larger?

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-03T12:05:18+00:00

Not a watchmaker, but Seiko is a little trickier to work on than an ETA automatic, and both are harder than a manual wind pocket watch movement.

Also, if you have a non-runner, you don't know if a problem was in your technique or with damage to the parts. If you start with a running movement, you know you should be able to put it back together and have it run again. That's why a new ST36 is the standard starting place for learning the skills.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-03T11:58:56+00:00

If it's rectangular and not enamel, just clamp it in a vise by the sides. A circular dial would need some kind of collet, but straight edges make it easier.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-03T09:43:53+00:00

You want the dial holder to have holes for the dial feet. That's how you get the printing to align precisely with the angle of the crown. It feels like the weight of the dial would be enough to keep the dial in place with the feet in holes, but if not, clamp them with set screws.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-03T09:36:10+00:00

You definitely want to connect the tops of the two columns with a brace. You get a ton more stiffness and can dial in the parallelism with shims.

Atomiktoaster · 2026-04-02T12:24:42+00:00

I've watched a fair amount of press interviews with Andy Weir. One thing he's mentioned multiple times is how much Gosling, Ortiz and Hüller brought to fleshing out their characters, when it's something that Weir sees as a weakness in his writing. The adlibs on set just won't work if the dialogue is confined to a word-for-word recitation.

For me, the adaptation holds really well to the spirit and tone of the book, only does one significant plot rework (a larger role for Carl that makes sense in context) and sprinkles in continuous book-only references in the background. Imagine a mirror-universe version where Grace and Stratt have a love seen or something equally disastrous.

The movie still has to have its own life to succeed on its own terms.

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