I just ordered a Bill Yao custom Seiko

shootist16

shootist16

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I wanted a tool watch with a little something extra so I contacted Bill Yao. The Seiko auto's have a reputation as being a workhorse, but I wanted something different in looks. He is going to work his magic on a Seiko for me. I ordered one with the Type I hands and dial, aluminum chapter ring, and a domed sapphire crystal. I can't wait to get it.

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I think the aluminum chapter ring really adds to the looks of the watch. Here is a pic of Bill's type I Seiko with and without the aluminum ring for comparison:


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type1_s_f2.jpg


*All pics are from Bill's website
 
You're right, the aluminum ring really "makes" the watch.

The Seiko automatics are good tough watches, and they have some very loyal fans.

Seiko does some interesting things with their automatic movements too, they are quite different from the standard ETA 2824. I recently found a couple that belonged to my uncle ~30 years ago and had been sitting unused for almost as long. A few turns of the rotor and they were ticking away like new.
 
This will be my first Seiko. My other autos use the ETA movement. I think Bill Yao's custom jobs look a lot better than the stock Sieko 007.

Here is a pic of a stock Seiko, before the transformation:

SKX0071.gif


Bill has many, many options. I settled on the Type I because it is similar to my Marathon SAR.

You can see more of Bill's work on his site:

www.mkiiwatches.com
 
Nice choice. I was just looking at those a couple of nights ago. They are handsome watches and somewhat unique. Let us know how you like it.
 
Originally posted by Ed Gordon
I was just looking at those a couple of nights ago.
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Were you looking specifically at the type I or another dial? I had a hard time deciding which to go with.
 
I would pick this one-The 300 MoD date Dial and Sword hands. The dial with date and hands looks closest to the Omega Seamaster Pro's which I really like. I would also go with the domed crystal. The style you chose looks great. I don't know if I like those bands, but they look comfortable. For what modifications and base watch you get in the deal, these seem like a good value. Did they say how long delivery time is?
 
Originally posted by Ed Gordon
Did they say how long delivery time is?
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He isn't going to ship it until the 30th. I could have had it sooner, but I'm going to be out of town the last week of May and I didn't want it to get here while I'm gone.
 
A few questions as I am interested in one as well.

1. Is it possible for the face NOT to be replaced?

2. How does he deal with the date mechanism? He just covers it with the new face? Won't there be friction and stress each time it tries to change the date?

3. What does the aluminum ring do? Just add visual value? Does it just plop in there? How did this come about? He decided to stick an aluminum ring there? Kind of odd. I do like the looks though.

4. What type of crystal does the stock one come with? How does a domed crystal affect how you view the watch?

5. Can you send him your watch to do work on or do you have to purchase everything from him?
 
1. Yes, you can do the hands instead whatever you wish but it would be kind of pointless.

2. Ahhh...I have the same question. I will leave it Bill or somebody else to answer.

3. Purely for aesthetic reasons but I would say it is very appealing.

4. It is a mineral crystal which can easily be scratched. I haven't seen one but it will all depend on its concavity. But being a watchuser himself, he would not have it any better.

6. Yes, you can. It makes it more convenient if you are purchasing a new watch to get one from him. However, if you already have one you can send it to him but please do check with Bill if he can do your model.

Hope this helps.

Originally posted by sygyzy
A few questions as I am interested in one as well.

1. Is it possible for the face NOT to be replaced?

2. How does he deal with the date mechanism? He just covers it with the new face? Won't there be friction and stress each time it tries to change the date?

3. What does the aluminum ring do? Just add visual value? Does it just plop in there? How did this come about? He decided to stick an aluminum ring there? Kind of odd. I do like the looks though.

4. What type of crystal does the stock one come with? How does a domed crystal affect how you view the watch?

5. Can you send him your watch to do work on or do you have to purchase everything from him?
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the answers. Bill emailed me and said he'll be answering some of our questions as well. Here are some more, for Bill, or for anyone that can answer.

1. Why is the modification of the 007 Seiko so popular? I mean from a technical/military aspect, is there anything operationally wrong with the face and hands? I don't really see anyone "debadging" a Citizen or Invicta. Don't get me wrong, I like the way it looks but is there some purpose to replacing the hands and face? Or is it simply to have a no badge/brand watch?

2. Do you have to prepay 100%?

3. What is the turnaround time?
 
Originally posted by sygyzy
Thanks for the answers. Bill emailed me and said he'll be answering some of our questions as well. Here are some more, for Bill, or for anyone that can answer.

1. Why is the modification of the 007 Seiko so popular? I mean from a technical/military aspect, is there anything operationally wrong with the face and hands? I don't really see anyone "debadging" a Citizen or Invicta. Don't get me wrong, I like the way it looks but is there some purpose to replacing the hands and face? Or is it simply to have a no badge/brand watch?

2. Do you have to prepay 100%?

3. What is the turnaround time?
Click to expand...

I don't think it has anything to do with a technical/military aspect. The Seiko automatics are just very popular and have a great movement, and I believe they are easier to modify than other lower price autos. They also have a clean, basic case that looks good with many different face/hand/strap combinations.

As for the date display, I can't imagine why covering the display would cause any additional stress. It is just a plastic wheel that rotates below the dial all the way around. The mechanism doesn't know or care whether there happens to be a hole or not. There are several watches that are available with or without a date window, and they do exactly the same thing.

Mineral crystals aren't as hard as sapphire, but they aren't "easily scratched" either. You may be thinking of acrylic, which scratches if you look at it funny. Domed crystals shouldn't change the way that the face appears, but flat ones have reflection issues.
 
Originally posted by sygyzy
I don't really see anyone "debadging" a Citizen or Invicta. Don't get me wrong, I like the way it looks but is there some purpose to replacing the hands and face? Or is it simply to have a no badge/brand watch?
Click to expand...

The fact that people are using Seko's to customize is a testiment to the quality of Seiko. When people choose production knives to "customize" what brands do you see? You don'e see many Pakistani knives. Seiko's have a reputation as a workhorse, solid, and a lot of bang for the buck. There is nothing wrong with the stock dial and hands. I would like a Benrus type I, but if I could afford one I wouldn't wear it. I can have Bill put type I dial and hands on the venerable Seiko 007. I get a tribute to the Benrus type I, and an awesome watch to boot.
 
Great looking watch Shootist! I'm sure that it will serve you for MANY years to come. I have to give Mr Yao a shout sometime to have one done.
Matt
 
I plan on this being my EDC watch. I like the fact that it is an ultra reliable Seiko, parts are plentiful, and I can get it refinished if it gets banged up too badly.

It is an economical alternative to the type I that it pays tribute to.
 
I had forgotten whether I had registered before or not and had finally gotten around to completing the registration yesterday.

I hope this helps...

1. Is it possible for the face NOT to be replaced? Absolutely there are a number of Seiko 6309s for example that customers choose to install my Sword hands for a different look.

2. How does he deal with the date mechanism? He just covers it with the new face? Won't there be friction and stress each time it tries to change the date? Nope no problem here. Not only have I not had any problems with the two converted non-date Seikos that I wear but the Seiko manual actually suggest that you advance the time outside of the "danger zone" if you need to change the date during the "forbidden" period and then reset the time. Many manufacturers actually cover the date function with non-date dials because its cheaper/more convenient to order just one kind of movement. In addition, you can also opt to change the time if you need to outside of the danger zone if it concerns you. I set the hands in pretty much the same position that I remove them.

3. What does the aluminum ring do? Just add visual value? Does it just plop in there? How did this come about? He decided to stick an aluminum ring there? Kind of odd. I do like the looks though. Its just an aesthics issue (it provides the watch with a more traditional look, as if the case was made with a beveled edge). The added benefit is that it gives you the choice of leaving the original chapter ring stock so if you like you can fully restore the watch to its original condition if desired. And yes it does just "plop" in there. You need to remove the crystal do install the aluminum chapter ring but yes it just drops in. This was actually an innovation pioneered by a mil-watch enthusiast Hyunsuk Seung. He has done quite a view ground breaking "frankenwatches" and in this case I am just following his lead and making it more accessible to watch collectors. Before the pieces were either salvaged from other watches or custom made per order. I mass produced the pieces to make them more affordable and I hope that they can be offered in different colors as desired.

4. What type of crystal does the stock one come with? How does a domed crystal affect how you view the watch? The crystal shape actually has a great deal to do with how the watch looks. Its quite surprising how much such small details can have. The domed shape reduces glare and in this case makes the watch look slightly flatter and fatter (its hard to describe unless you see it for yourself.) The Seiko comes with a hardened mineral glass crystal. The domed sapphire that I offer is the same thickness as the stock crystal.

5. Can you send him your watch to do work on or do you have to purchase everything from him? I definitely work on watches that are sent to me. But please keep in mind that this is subject to the parts being compatible with the watch sent to me. Although I am always happy to check for you.

6. Do you have to prepay 100%? Yes I do require prepayment. Every watch is assembled to order to allow for the maximum flexibility for each customer and to reduce the amount of watches I have to hold in inventory which helps keep my prices down.

7. What is the turnaround time? Turnaround time depends on order volume and currently it is about 3 weeks.

Happy to answer more questions.

Best,

Bill "Yao"
 
Good Evening All-

Bill, love what you're doing with the customized Seikos...they look GREAT. :cool:

Your profile shows "NYC" as your location. Please advise in the forum if MKIIWatches will have a shop or retail outlets in Manhattan in the future?

BTW, welcome to BladeForums! Do a search on your company name and you'll find quite a few enthusiasts.

Regards,

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Welcome to the forums Mr.Yao.

Here is a general question for anyone familiar with the Sk007 autos- How often is servicing recommended for these watches?

My main contention with mechanical watches is that most of them are supposed to be serviced every 5 years or so. That negates the advantage of not needing a battery, if it still needs to be taken back to be serviced. Then there are accuracy issues, as well. Of course, I'm sure people will say that they know of watches that have lasted umpteen years without ever being opened, but I'm not sure if I want to spend significant money on something and then not follow the recommended maintenance guidelines for it.


JK
 
I have the same idea before. Unfortunately, my better half's quartz Tag watch was not serviced on time. When the repairman opened the case, the battery has already leaked and thus the movement and face had to be replaced. It cost around 70% of the watch's original value. A mechanical watch if not serviced will only be off in accuracy nothing else. So I guess I will forever be a mechanical analog watch user. If ever I use quartz again, it will be the throwaway LCD types only. YMMV.


Originally posted by Jedi Knife
Welcome to the forums Mr.Yao.

Here is a general question for anyone familiar with the Sk007 autos- How often is servicing recommended for these watches?

My main contention with mechanical watches is that most of them are supposed to be serviced every 5 years or so. That negates the advantage of not needing a battery, if it still needs to be taken back to be serviced. Then there are accuracy issues, as well. Of course, I'm sure people will say that they know of watches that have lasted umpteen years without ever being opened, but I'm not sure if I want to spend significant money on something and then not follow the recommended maintenance guidelines for it.


JK
Click to expand...
 
Well there you have it. Excellent service. I know what my watch is going to be.
 
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