Tell me about Bill Yao

Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
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I went to the MKII website but other than pics of a lot of cool watches, I didn't get much info that I was looking for. First of all, I am not buying a new watch, nor am I even in the market. My question is what is Bill doing to the watches to modify them? I looked at the Luminox page, for example, and they were described as getting a different dial (is that the part you change date and time with?) which makes it more like the original milspec knife the 3xxx series is based on, but I don't get it. :confused:

So, can someone enlighten a total watch moron as to what Mr. Yao is doing to these watches, how it improves them, why they are worth the price and why his work is so recommended and sought after? It seems there are some subtleties I'm just not getting because of ignorance. His site sure did make me want to buy another Luminox, though (not to mention a few other brands for good measure)! :D
 
Try checking out the Seiko page - it breaks down all the options and gives you a better idea of what's going on. The luminox page doesn't really show which parts are replaced.

Basically Bill Yao takes extremely well made but inexpensive watches and changes the dial, hands, strap, crystal, etc. He can do polishing work and beadblasting and can change chapter rings and bezel inserts. It's a way to get a watch that looks the way you want it to.

Personally, I was looking for quality diving style watches and I realized I was getting caught up on names . . I wanted something that looked really nice and solid and didn't scream a particular brand name.
 
Thanks. So, the dial is the part with the numbers written on it? That must be where the little "nuke" symbol on the Luminox dials comes from. I have the "Navy Seals" Luminox with the words actually printed on it, and the bezel is loose and rattles around. Now you have me thinking about getting it fixed up, although it'd probably be cheaper just to buy a whole new one... That Monster on the Seiko page is killer. I'll have to poke around a bit more and see what's what...
 
[Chiro75/]"...First of all, I am not buying a new watch, nor am I even in the market..."

"...although it'd probably be cheaper just to buy a whole new one... That Monster on the Seiko page is killer. I'll have to poke around a bit more and see what's what..."[Chiro75]

Uh-oh.

By the time you read this, it may already be too late. I mean, all that was left to type was, "I can stop anytime I want." It looks like you may have even substituted the word "knife" for "watch" in you very first paragraph. You've got it bad, my friend...

I look forward to the Yao wrist-shots soon to be forthcoming. Congratulations on your super-cool new watch. I've never seen anything but positive feedback on Bill Yao's work. :cool: ;) :D
 
I don't have a super cool new watch, yet, but you nevber know. I like the Luminox as is, but anything that CAN be tinkered with SHOULD be tinkered with. Time to make some more Tactical Orange Peelers so I can afford a new addiction! And, funny you mentioned substituting knives and watches in my post... as I was typing the original post that started this thread, I wrote, then corrected "I went to the MKII website but other than pics of a lot of cool knives..."! LOL! :D
 
No, I understand you don't have the watch yet, but you know, when somebody tells you that his wife is pregnant, you congratulate him on the baby.

It just sounds to me like your gadget collection is expecting. ;)
 
I have Bill Yao working up mine within the next month or so.

Yes, the dial is the thing with numbers on it, and the sterile version of the dial is much better looking, IMHO.

New hands are not an option with the Luminox, as the stock Tritium capsules are quite scarce.

The area that really excells in a Bill Yao rework is that I am having the crystal replaced to a Sapphire one, which should reduce the deep scratches that the stock Luminox crystal is prone to. This will be my third crystal, and I hope it is the last. I sterilized the case back, myself, and it was very easy, so that is an expense that I will not incur.

Would this be a good place to ask you if you can do a Tactical Orange Peeler with a 3.5 blade, and a 4" handle? :D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Steve, that's no Tactical Orange Peeler, that would be a Tactical Grapefruit Peeler! Drop me a PM or email and we can discuss it. Because my normal work schedule is so variable, I don't really take orders in the classic sense, but if you don't have a real timeline for the project and don't mind not prepaying (in case the wait gets long or the project gets scrapped) then I'd be happy to discuss a design with you. Actually, the Tactical Grapefruit Peelers will probably be 2.5" blades with 4" handles, so something as "huge" as what you're talking about would qualify either as a Tactical Pineapple Slicer or a Tactical Steak Knife. :D Email me or drop a PM and we'll chat about it...
 
Steve, I have a Bill Yao/West Coast Time automatic watch that I love. The sterile dials are really nice and the choice of hands and little things like an orange tip on the second hand are what makes this sort of thing fun. I'm having one of my Seikos customized real soon by him too. :)
 
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