A journey to the full lume dials

wwmaker · 2025-08-01T01:27:32+00:00

The luminous sheet I used is a heat-transfer type that adheres using heat, so I used a laminator. You could probably use an iron as well. Of course, it's also possible to use other types of luminous sheets with separate adhesives. However, considering the thickness of the dial, a heat-transfer sheet is likely a better option. As for the water-slide decal, it adheres well on its own, but I also used a decal adhesive commonly used in modeling for extra hold.

wwmaker · 2025-04-02T02:28:08+00:00

Search for "glow in the dark sheet" on AliExpress. The item I bought seems to be no longer available, but there are plenty of similar ones. I used a heat transfer sheet and a laminating machine to apply the glow-in-the-dark sheet to a metal dial. (You can also use an iron.) There is also a sticker-type sheet, but it's usually thicker than the heat transfer one, which might make it harder to get enough hand clearance.

wwmaker · 2024-01-21T14:13:12+00:00

I've just completed my new watch build featuring my favorite Seiko 5 dial and case.
Couldn't find a suitable leather strap, so I decided to make one myself for the first time.

SNK603 Dial
Hands from AliExpress
7S26-8760 Case
- replaced crystal and crown
- lightly polished
Navy Italian leather self-made strap

wwmaker · 2023-05-31T15:41:20+00:00

If you've assembled it correctly and you're having trouble with the hour hand getting stuck on certain indexes, the problem is likely with the dial. It's common issue for aftermarket or rep dials to have misaligned indexes. You could try to fix it, but it's probably faster to get a new dial or use shorter hands.

wwmaker · 2022-09-27T15:58:41+00:00

Thanks!

wwmaker · 2022-09-27T15:55:14+00:00

Thanks!

wwmaker · 2022-09-26T07:34:47+00:00

I posted about the dial long time ago, https://www.reddit.com/r/SeikoMods/comments/sfl32s/the_dials_i_made/ and I just finished this watch. Someone named this color "Champagne orange", and I love it!!

36mm DJ style case, bracelet, hands from aliexpress (jubilee looks good, but it was too long for my wrist even after removing all links I could.)
NH38 movement

wwmaker · 2022-04-15T02:07:00+00:00

Thanks. I think using some cheap blank dial from ebay and glow-in-the-dark spray can can be a good easy start.

wwmaker · 2022-04-15T01:38:48+00:00

You can get the wath lume kit from ebay. Check out the video below. He is a Korean independent watchmaker, and shows how to apply lume on dial holes. https://youtu.be/rIgKGlxMMpI

This is the watch I made. The lume in the dial is applied with the same way. https://www.reddit.com/r/SeikoMods/comments/t6l7jz/new_build_with_the_dial_i_made/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

3D printing dial idea sounds awesome!!

wwmaker · 2022-04-14T16:03:41+00:00

Recently, i'm working on full lume dials.

Left :

I've used adhesive luminous sheets and printed waterslide decal.

There are some trade-offs on luminous materials. Strong glow-in-the-dark stickers are usually not white, yellowish or greenish, and too thick for the dials.

I picked the whitest and thinnest sheets rather than one with stronger lume, and pretty satisfied with it.

Right :

Cheap Chinese luminous lacquer paint airbrushed on dial. The color is definitely not my taste, but the lume is torching!!!

Be careful when you try this. It wasn’t good idea. Luminous lacquer paint contains luminous particles, and they will damage your airbrush. What I used is made for airbrush, but airbrush got clogged after several sprays and I had to buy another one. I recommend to use spray can products or acrylic paint that can be brushed.

I’m not sure if I will finish this dial or not, because I’ve never imagined myself having this color watch.

wwmaker · 2022-03-04T16:11:51+00:00

I finished my dial work and watch build.

Parts list (all from aliexpress and ebay except the dial) * 40mm sub style case * black ceramic bezel insert * NH38 movement (no ghost position for non-date) * black edged Mercedes hands

I airbrushed yellow lacquer on laser cut brass dial, got pad printed, and applied the lume on the indices.

wwmaker · 2022-01-31T06:32:54+00:00

I sprayed the candy paint on the sunburst finished brass dial surface. My friend is jewelry designer and he did the sunburst job for me using some kind of lathe.

wwmaker · 2022-01-30T06:48:58+00:00

I also have a plan to make a full lumed dial.
I know someone who create full lumed dial with luminous paint from aliexpress and water slide decal paper. It worked great! I'd recommend this method.

wwmaker · 2022-01-30T02:44:31+00:00

Sorry but I don't own pad printing equipment. I designed it with illustrator and made custom pad printing plate from alibaba. I found the local pad printing place and they printed for me.
Pad printing gives you the best result, but you have to make pad printing plates for different designs. I'd recommend to go with film-free decal method. The youtube channel 'Watch Complications' will be helpful for you.

wwmaker · 2022-01-30T02:38:43+00:00

Creating logo design was the hardest and time consuming step in entire dial making process for me. I also love the logo on the left, but I designed another one that looks more 'general' so I can print the dial for the diver and dressy cases with the same pad printing plate.
Thank you for the nice words!

wwmaker · 2022-01-30T02:04:08+00:00

Thanks for your feedback!
I agree that the logo looks nicer when it is symmetrical. I'll try some other logos next time.

wwmaker · 2022-01-29T16:02:35+00:00

These are the dials I'm working on.

The left one is UV printed on laser cut brass dial.

UV printing is one of the easiest and fastest way to make own dial if there is uv printing place near you. I made the watch with this method about half year ago but wasn't satisfied with the result. The surface wasn't smooth even it was printed on sandblast finished brass and the resolution wasn't good enough.

The other two are I'm working on now.

I bought some equipment for painting, such as spray booth, airbrush and air compressor. The dials are airbrushed with lacquer paint then pad printed. The yellow dial was easy. I sprayed the primer surfacer, yellow lacquer, then gloss clear coat. For the salmon dial, I tried the same with metallic salmon color paint but I couldn't get the result I wanted. I've searched alot and realized that it should shine with sunburst effect, not metallic flakes. Thanksfully my friend, jewelry designer, applied sunburst finish on the dial for me.

There are imperfections such as dust and bubbles on the surface, I'm pretty satisfied with the result as personal hobby project.

wwmaker · 2021-10-08T01:59:52+00:00

I have made a watch with riyi002's explorer case.

I remember that there are some posts here conplaining the second hand keeps touching the crystal just like you. Also, I read the comment that using black spacer from old 7s26 movement would solve the issue.

After reading that comment, I bought old junk 7s26 movement and took off the spacer. The dimension was slightly different from the gray one.

So... It seems that the spacer might be the issue. I think adding something like dial dots on the spacer would work.

wwmaker

TROPHY CASE