How to print a custom watch dial - watch building tutorial
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- I have stumbled upon a nice little hobbyist solution to creating great looking custom watch dials.
Film Free Decal Products used in this video - TYPE A: ebay.to/2JA95hm or amzn.to/2W0RCp4 I did not use the glue in this video.
Canon Laser Printer Used in this video: ebay.to/2LttiIq or amzn.to/2YsI4Ay or choose an alternative color laser but the highest resolution you can afford. e.g. 1200dpi
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#customwatch #watchdial #watchbuilding
I would have been proud to have worn the franken Omega, especially if I had built it. No different from guys who build street rods or custom guns. You do great work!
It’s a fake as opposed to building an original. Why try to pass it off as something that it’s not? Because you care about what others think more than how it makes you feel. It’s like some dude “packing” to make it look like he has a bigger penis. But no doubt there are many who do and it makes them feel good about themselves.
@@wakawaka1976 of all the analogies you could have gone with...
I'm doing something similar soon. But need to find a movement that'll work wirh the other bits. Seiko nautilus case mod and bracelet in 2 tone pvd. Tiffany dial. Day and date complication but a non seiko movement. Want something fairly high end movement wise.
Dial is gonna likely need to be custom or modded. Might use an old rolex movement.
Seiko wave themed rotor if I can make it work. But gonna do it 2 tone as well. Black but with the raised sections in gold or silver.
This is amazing! It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for! Great video, keep em coming!
I have stumbled upon a nice little hobbyist solution to creating great looking custom watch dials.
Film Free Decal Products used in this video - TYPE A: ebay.to/2JA95hm or amzn.to/2W0RCp4 I did not use the glue in this video.
Canon Laser Printer Used in this video: ebay.to/2LttiIq or amzn.to/2YsI4Ay or choose an alternative color laser but the highest resolution you can afford. e.g. 1200dpi
I thought a darker dial is better since the date is dark
Super technique & results for small batches. Great way to add personalization to an existing dial
Quite a viable solution you did find here: the only real limit would be to use it on dark dials as others are hinting too. A white toner doesn't exist so I believe that will be impossible, but what about some very light shades of any other printable colours? I assume the Laser printer can mix the toners to get close to that light shades but will also use the white paper to get there; I also see from your print the blacks have some proper thickness and I'm not sure you can get it with some e.g. very light grey. Maybe it's worth some more tests...
time to turn my timex into a rolex!!
😂👍🏽
This is an excellent video, I love teh way you applied the print, and I am sure going to try this method just as soon as I can. Thank you for this video.
Mr. SHEIKH
I have a gold watch brand name swiss I would like to put a picture on the dial
I have been “lurking” on watch videos for a little over a year now and recently started doing my own watch repairs. I’ve viewed tons of videos from many creators and this is easily one of my favorites. I was awestruck with the final results. Very cool. Thank you for the video and inspiration!
When you inevitably come across orphaned movements that would otherwise sit in a tin or be picked for parts, and those movements turn out to be quite serviceable - well, to not make a frankenwatch would be quite the waste.
That is a more interesting timepiece and conversation starter than another rolex/omega etc. Would love to have a go at this myself. Excellent.
The 3rd Egg I like the watch, I would’ve put powered by Omega on the front so I could show it to my brother who has a Seamster......well done...
But not as good as the “Pulp Fiction” watch..
To bypass the heating/melting step: Prep the surface with clear gloss lacquer. The smoother your mounting surface, the less and less the silvering will be apparent. Apply the decal using Micro Sol and Micro Set to help "melt" the decal on to the surface and reduce the slivering effect from decals. After that you can cover with a clear gloss, matte, or satin lacquer to get the achieved look.
Holy cow! As an Aqua Terra owner, I am in love with the fact that you put a cal 2500 to a custom watch! That to me, is the coolest of the cool. I'm all about what's under the hood, not what's on the bumper! Over the past months, you have inspired me to pursue watch repair and I promise to tithe your site if ever I make any money at this (not likely)! Thank you, Mark and please keep up the great work!
Why not now customize the rotor on the movement
I don't think that would be very realistic, the finish on the oscillating weight appears quite rough, my thoughts are possibly limited adhesion, and let's face it, you don't want little pieces of font floating around in there.
@@kikurass322 never thought of that. That's make sense.
@Mr. Airflakes yes
I think the finish IS the customization...
eh?
I've used toner transfer method for making printed circuit boards and always struggled to get a good transfer (gave up and use photoresist film). But this method is radically different from the traditional toner transfer methods and looks perfect for many applications. I have to try it, not just for watch dials but etching metals as well. Thanks for the video and tip.
I've done a few custom dials using this and the inkjet water slides - it's awesome but takes a bit of practice! Most important is to use a decent lacquer with UV protection and really build it up as the dyes used in inkjet and laser printers will fade with long term exposure to sunlight. A couple of mine can be found here: drive.google.com/drive/folders/196tJ_UgCmB5-il2nLjXam8-nRu1eveAl?usp=sharing
Good point
That is very impressive, how did you apply the lume? Did you paint it by hand?
Those were done using glow in the dark plastic cut into circles with a punch. The plastic came from a thick safety sign sticker so had a self adhesive backing which made placement easy. (The material was trimmed from the edge of the escape sign outside my cabin on HMS Prince of Wales - I was part of the build and sea trials crew). The lacquer was applied over the top, sealing them on to the surface. The glow power is full mil-spec and much higher than superluminova!
Well this is now one of my favorite videos. What a stunning watch you have created. Kick ass movement, assembled by you, and with a custom dial. I hope one day I have the expertise and skill to do this myself.
Love it, can’t wait to try myself. I’ve contacted a few custom dial manufacturers and have had no luck for one-off dials. Look like a great option for the couple watches I assemble a year. Thanks and always look forward to your vids.
Are you making watches for yourself or to give out as gifts? How much does it cost you to complete a watch?
Mark, you really are an inspiration! I am a 67 year old retired Master Mariner living in Gibraltar. It is 04:49 in the morning yet I am sat here glued to your production! Anyhow well done and keep up the good work- You will become a Horological Legend!
I will DEFINITELY get around to trying this out when I do my next build. I've found some great blank dials on eBay I thought were gorgeous, but too plain, or "empty", so I passed on them. Now I believe I'll give this a try. Thanks a million!
I just noticed the "IIII and not IV" in the dial, it made me google it, and a step into a nice horology history lesson, having seen roman numerals on dials before and never noticing it till now, you can never stop learning!! great video!! i think we all dreamed once about printing our own dial, now we know how, thanks for that! greetings from Uruguay!
Really good job. It gives hobbyists all sorts of possibilities.
Wow I'm very impressed great work and patience hats off bro.👏🏻
This is so freaking cool! I barely just fixed a dinky old quartz watch myself so I'm nowhere near making my own watch faces just yet. That said, I also just bought my first mechanical so, unsurprisingly, I'm hooked. I'm hoping to work up to something like this.
This is so clever and brilliantly done. The video, instructions, speech, editing everything is top notch and this trick of watch dial printing is so so innovatively useful. Cant thank you enough.
Thankyou, yet another great video. I have been searching for a particular dial for the watch you inspired me to make from eBay parts, but couldn’t find the design I liked in the correct size. I’ll now have my perfect watch, and the joy of building it.
That's how I put logo or my signature on my Guitars Headstock for years.
How do you put a guitar in the oven haha
You sir, are a legend, many thanks for sharing this!
Thank you thank you thank you! I've been searching for an economical way to customize watch dials on some Seiko "modded" skx divers I've done! This looks to be a great solution. Keep up the great content! Your movement Maintenance videos helped me kick start my hobby of watch repair starting with the 7s26 I'm now working on a pair of cal. 6139 column wheel chronographs and never would have taken the leap if it wasn't for content like yours!
I know this was ages ago, but did you try it?
*Oh my god what an amazing result!*
I used this method as described (i.e. omitting the glue included with the decal paper) and had poor results. I repeated the process on an identical dial but this time used the glue included with the decal paper and otherwise followed the manufacturer's instructions exactly, including a final "bake" after removing the film to strengthen the ink. This time, my results were absolutely flawless. I would suggest getting at least 2 dials and trying both methods out. Results may simply vary based on the nature of the dial paint. Plus if you follow the method above, you eliminate the danger of glue spills.
Some watch channels: here's my collection.
Other watch channels: here's my reviews.
Yet more watch channels: I react to collections.
Mark: hold my needle-nosed tweezers.
Oh! The Omega heart in your handmade custom watch is outstanding
Great video- really informative thank you. I’ve just completed a DIY Watch club diver and live it but already have the itch to build a watch that’s more personal (better movement, with dial and hands chosen by me). Will keep working through your old videos, have liked and subscribed 👍🏼
Very nice custom watch! Cool process.
Did you use the glue for the product or just water? they sell a special glue with the sheets.
Thanks.
Hey im currently in process of doing this exact process, he didnt use the glue, and here is the biggest thing to take not of Your laser printer must be 1200 dpi at least or else the print will be terrible.
Mark, it is great that you posted this. I have been researching this process for some time and have myself used the inkjet water transfer film with ok success in the past. I have also had the lettering sand engraved and then paint filled it. This seems very promising. The limitation being the need for a new printer, and the inability to print white. thank you!
You can make white details, I've done so by printing one as a mask on standard white paper, and coarsely cut out the places that need to be white. Then lay on top of the blank dial, and spray paint it. Then when dry, spray paint it all in a hard polishable (enamel, PU or epoxy, not acrylic) paint, and after that dried scuff and polish until fully flat. Then lay the decal on top with all the needed colors and details. It's a matter of knowing how to layer paint, which I learned long ago by painting model racing car bodies made of transparent lexan from the inside out.
You have got to be kidding, this is amazing. I was just about to order a custom dial for $$$$, but this is great!! Thank you.
I think is a well worthy piece of treasure there.... You spend the time in it..so it's totally yours... No other watch will have your personal touch...i love this.video...
Hello sir! Could you make a video about a "starter kit" (tools and lubrificants)for watch maintenance and where to buy them? Thank you for your time and dedication
I thought that you forgot about this. I've been waiting on this video ever since you mentioned you would show how to print a watch face. Obviously a fan of your channel. You make it look easy. Thanks for the videos. Keep it up, after a stressful day at work it really melos me out.
Drawing and printing a center hole (just slightly smaller than on the original dial) on your design will help A LOT to align it later on the dial.
Fantastic idea!
My favorite channel. Miss you Mark and hope you're well. I have a Valjoux 92 watch that really needs a dial refinish. I serviced and it's ready sans the dial. This might be a great project solution.
I have been watching your videos for some time now, they have inspired me to begin watch repairing as more than a hobby. I think it's great that you found an alternative to pad printing. I look forward to using this method to attempt to refinish a more worn dial on one of my practice watch. Thanks for all you do to inspire others.
Fantastic stuff. I didn’t know you had a 3D Printer!. Your the real 3D Print and watch guy! I will email you the .stl file for the watch holder I designed.
Good effort. The printing technique is a revelation to me, with excellent results. I got the impression that the dial maker used a similar technique, though in a mass production environment....
I doubt that it will do gold coloring very well, and it can't do raised markers, but for flat lettering in several colors this looks like an excellent solution. And as someone else remarked this also looks like an excellent solution for dial modification in general, not just for watches. Thank you for showing this!
came out stunning, would love to see it on a light brown suede leather strap! What diameter was that case? It looks like a 42mm?
Date window should be black on white.
Own idea's n Alteration always gives Pleasures n more valueable Enjoyments n thx for quality vdo.🙏🙏🇮🇳💌🧐✌️
Great video. Thanks. I know I'm never going to print a watch dial on my own, but I'm glad that you can. Don't care for the yellow band, though.
Perfect! I was looking for a way to do this on a "one off" basis. Thank you so much!
Great idea, it would be good if there were many sellers offering these custom prints retail for those of us that can't afford any kind of printer, and may only ever want one single custom dial.
Hi Mark, Long time watcher first time commenter/ questioner.
Thanks for putting all your informations out there; your experience and explanations have saved me from countless broken parts and days of carpet-combing-time with your many tips!
Question about your non-use of the glue (that the decal manufacturer instructs to use): Is it "in the cards" that you will experiment with a fully-printed decal on a bare metal dial using their glue? (and of course posting the results of the experiment?)
p.s. Yes, this video has GREATLY influenced me to consider purchasing the product and experiment on my own.
Great inspiration! Thank you. I am planning to restore a 1960's JLC Memovox and this appears to be a reasonable and inexpensive alternative to a pad print. Now, you said the results are satisfying but not perfect. Do you think this method could be appropriate for printing logo & lettering on the dial of a high-end watch? Thank you for your thoughts.
After watching this video, I fell in love with the charm of homemade watches.
Then, I started uploading videos of people making their own watches to UA-cam, and on November 11th, I will publish videos of people who assemble their own watches.
Yes, I waited for this video since you mentioned the custom dial in your watch build video and finally its out*.* In the meantime i built my own watch. :D
Brilliant video very entertaining 👍 thanks Mark
This is a great idea. The application has many other possibilities such as clock dials and even silkscreening glass similar to the process seen on American antique cottage kitchen clocks. Thanks for sharing.
I am going to try this method to make a vintage chronograph style watch, like an Angelus Chronodate or Universal Geneve Uni-compax / Compur, with a VK64A movement.
This is fantastic and a method I was unaware of despite using decal paper as a model kit builder. I am certainly wanting to try this though I would have been scared to 'bake' a nice sterile dial I'd bought. This is hands down the best method next to pad printing I've seen. Now if only we had printers with white ink again!
It would definitely be nice to have a solution for dark dials! The quest for knowledge continues :)
@@WatchRepairChannel After sharing your video on a couple of Facebook watch groups someone linked a printer setup which has a white toner. I can find the link and send it to you if you wish to investigate further. I'm a fan of black or generally dark dials so I'd love to be able to print white lettering.
I'm planning to build my first automatic mod watch do you have any advice about this? Also Sir how to make it water resistant for about 30meters? Or splash proof, thank you!
Great technique. Oh dear! I loved the Omega and see nothing wrong with it. It had a 100% Omega movement.
You represent what's best about UA-cam and watch culture. Bravo, a fun and informative video!
Great content sir! Love the way you canned the restoured omega calibur under your own personal dial, the custom dial turned out great. Definitely a job to be proud of. The choice of a yellow strap on the other hand; is questionable.
Nice find! Just wonderful!! thanks Mark
I think what you have created is outstanding, the unique yet very simple use of a printer to create a dial to one's own taste is brilliant. I as I'm sure a far number of your subs like to create personalised watches have finally been given a great way of making dails. Thank you for the enlightenment.
Really nice video.
this also can be used for many things.
for example, i got an old network analyzer made by HP in mid 90s and now that's totally useless but the chassis is excellent.... high quality heavy duty made for survive to everything (almost).
i want to use it for make a AC power supply with insulation transformer limitations and variac (a tool made for output the voltage in AC you want out of the mains) and i have to design a new face plate for it and i think this is the way i'm going to do it! thanks a lot for this solution!!! really nice
I stumbled upon your channel this morning and I’m LOVING it. I ordered watchmaking tools on-line this week and I can’t wait to begin my own experiments
What I like the most is the Roman number 4 IIII instead of IV 😁
ohhh shit. Did not notice till this comment.... OCD kicks in. hahaha "useless" dial now.
OMG ! this seems to be an ideal product for one off or so dials. Expect to see a bogus Rolex on every wrist :)
These Substrate’s are subtle, but still have substance, mad-scissor skills also. Props.
Wow very creative! Subbed !
I love the idea of wearing DIY customised watch with topnotch movement inside! Thank you!
Looks professional I would have never guessed you didn't use a printing pad. Thank you so much now I can mess about with making my own. AMAZING!!!
The dial turned out really good. It has great possibilities.
This is your third video I watched and it gets only better and better. I like your style - accurate tidy work, steady hand, high skills and calm presentation. Yes, definitely going to try this printing method. Thank you for the hint! (I think a lower part of the "9" came loose in your final print 😪)
I wonder if this method would work on a lcd polarizer or if i would melt it away..I need to fix a Casio QS83-41 that has it's inner polarizer damaged and by consequence the letters "CHR ALM SIG" are completly. I guess i'll try on a disposable lcd or polarizer first.
Anyone else typing “Daytona” on Microsoft paint right now?
I can't tell you how long i've waited for this video Mark!! Thank you so much.
Nice tip on the film, but what about the "DIY Pad printer"?.. i think that if you change the design to dove-tail guides, you can put a gib in, to compensate for play, that will greatly improve accuracy.
All so very worth it and makes me wanna do one myself. with no experience is even replacing watch straps. But that's just me, I just dive into things, and then I keep sailing. And then I never finish anything because I'm always wanting to do more.....
The only thing for me is I like applied markers and labels, etc, not printed. I'd be really interested to see how to make applied markers and labels, but obviously that probably requires some expensive machinery. I'm trying to build a watch for my step fathers 55th birthday and I want to have applied markers made from gold, and an applied emblem that says hks name and date of birth
I could never do what you do but your videos are fantastic!
Thank you so much for this sir, i have been looking for a video explaining this in such a concise way for a long time, you are a legend.
Greetings from a young man from Belgrade who recently started working with watches!
Bizarre, I was literally thinking of this idea yesterday! UA-cam read my mind and up popped your video. At art college I used a decal transfer system called Lazertran.
Ironically you used an inkjet not Lazer printer but after applying you use a medium rolled over it to dissolve the film. You're just left with the printed image/text. I made a big installation using this technique loosely based around Damien Hirsts Spot Paintings. Worth a try if it's still in production?
well this is a very old video so you probebly dont get to read the comments but to put that movement in that watch was a bit of a let down to me
you already had an omega movemnt worth what, 200 usd or so
you already had a genuin omega dial worth also 200 or so usd
you might as well just got an omega case, put new rubber bands sealers on
buy a new omega band and if you wanted to save money then get the omega rubber band
and you would have gotten an oficial and real omega 100% genuin
what's the point in putting that movment in the case where no one could see it
and put the original omega dial back
you could have gotten a good swiss movement that tickets at 4 per second from ebay for 50-100 usd or so and it would be just the same or better as it was new.
Hey im currently in process of doing this exact process and here is the biggest thing to take note of your laser printer must be 1200 dpi (at least) or else the print will be terrible. I tried with my schools 600dpi laser printer and it was awful.
I love this Mark and think its a perfect way to restore some of my 1920s Jump hour dials most of which are basket case's. Thank you so much for your research and time
Excellent!!! Just the solution I needed
It makes me want to modify my watch.
Brilliant video and an aspect of watchmaking I had previously thought was not achievable as a mere hobbyist. I may well give this a go and create some custom dials of my own! Thanks!
I like the method, I also make my custom.watcjes as a hobby. But I have been spending a lot just to get my logo printed on the dial. Also this would mean I am unable to do custom designs and have to take standard designs that are mostly replicas. I am sure going to try this process. Thank you
So freaking cool! The print really completes the look of the face!
The decal is a great idea, however the reviews of the product you used are very mixed. Only about 50% of users gave it a 5 star rating.
I had a neurological issue that made my hands shake. As they get better I work with smaller and smaller projects. My goal is to work with watches.
I love this idea! I have been looking for a while for a way to reprint damaged dials. This is a viable option. I would still like to see your 3-D printed dial printer as well. I am into vintage and antique watches, so doing “1 Off” dials would be the norm. I am looking into another method similar to this video. Thanks, Mark!
The result is beautiful and this technique can be used on so many different projects. I feel like I've learned some important skill. Thank you, sir.
I love the video but I want to take lets say a walmart 16 dollar watch and make it look like a 1 of kind watch with being all carbon fiber on the dial, hands that would would look good, and classic hour markers is that something that is easy to do or is it a lot harder then i am thinking.
I'm really enjoy your channel.I have a little problem. So...can you give me your help?First, I bought some really cheap quartz watches in Aliexpress.Most of them works well. But Onething I have dissatisfation is when I set time and miniute. It's really light feeling minute hands. but it's OK. the real problem is after setting is finished, when I press stem of the watch, the minute hands moving slightly forward or backward. I don't know why it happens. Yes it's very cheap watch. But I wanna know why it happens and how to fix it.Thank you so much to read me.
So cool. Where do I find a case like that? You've just inspired me to develop my own brand.
So cool. Where do I find a case like that? You've just inspired me to develop my own brand.
Do you do DIY watch kits for others to knock together and build their own watch, and followed by a upgrade kit!