At least in the US, car customization has a long history and has been (mostly) highly esteemed, at least for the effort and attempt at individuality. The results of course are not always to everyone’s tastes nor aesthetics, but nonetheless...




In the watch world, we have our “Frankens,” but it doesn’t seem that watch customizing, aside from skeletizing and movement adorning, is really a thing for the common collector. I know, it’s not a perfect analogy between car and watches, but still: why do people seem disinclined to individualize their higher-end watches? It’s fun and can be quite gratifying.

Here’s a 1171 bracelet I did years ago, high-polishing the outer links because I think it goes better with the watch. On the 300 below, I find the center links way too flashy, so I’m contemplating reversing the original finish, by putting the brushed finish in the center, and polishing the outer links. That would make it closer to the original layout on the flat-links. Anyone else?

 

Not a thing here on this forum certainly, but "modders" are all over the place doing watch mods. There's an entire industry just dedicated to Seiko modding, so it is very much a "thing" in the watch world...

 

Yeah, as Al mentioned, it's a huge industry for Seiko watches, with tons of websites selling custom aftermarket components. It's not new either, I've been hearing about Seiko modding for decades.

 

Several threads on here with speedy mods. Several of which are mine here is a repeat of 4. Some are light mods, the FOIS is pretty heavy mod

 

I’ve never customized an Omega, but I recently customized my 50-year old Rolex Air-King Date by removing the steel bezel, and fitting a NOS 14-karat yellow gold bezel to celebrate the golden (50th) anniversary of ownership.

 

Does this count? One of mine.

 

Looks great.

 

For the first time I see such combo and overall look is cool
Which bracelet is it?

 

I certainly did to my 1957 Replica Speedmaster as in OP... put on a black bezel and alpha hands. When I traded it to my watchmaker for a bunch of cleanings, he returned it to as-original.

 

Uncle Seiko flat link, brushed

 

It’s all in the eye of the beholder.
Beautiful 1969 Olds Cutlass


Butt ugly 1968 Olds Cutlass

Just my opinions.

 

There are one or two PlanPros on here, which have been done quite tastefully, but modding a higher-end timepiece isn’t something I’d consider

I do, however, have a handful of Vostoks which I’ve modded with different bezels and casebacks. It’s just a cheap and fun thing to do, and given how inexpensive and available the parts are, they make for decent beaters

 

Moderately customized Omega of the Oldsmobile variety.

 

What! No spinning rims?

 

This is how my (former) Speedmaster 57 replica ended up.