Make Your Own Bespoke Timepiece On A Seiko Base

With 144 mod options across 13 categories, making your own bespoke timepiece on a Seiko base is easier than you think

- Jonathan Ho

TALK ABOUT WEARING MANY HATS. Wilson Foo is a former CEO of a Cambodian real estate development company. The 38-year-old is also extremely proud of his Hainanese culinary roots, and in fact operated his own food and beverage outlets on the side for most of his career. Then after building terrace housing for six months, he thought he could parlay his talent for a quick foray into custom watch modding. However, this watch fan was humbled. The watch modding industry was more complex and intricate than he had imagined.

With more than 144 mod options across 13 categories, making your own bespoke timepiece is easy when you have a Seiko base. All the same, it can be challenging when you have so many options.

Like many other amateur watchmakers, many are drawn to entry-level Seiko watches due to lower costs to entry and the lack of fear in the event one makes a mistake: indulging in Seiko modifications are a great way to fulfill watch appetites that might not be satisfied due to low supply and financial constraints. With premium-quality parts now available on sites like namokimods.com and luciusatelier. com, watch modding has never been more appealing, especially when trainers like Foo are happy to teach you the basics.

Beginning at $699, Foo’s Seiko Bespoke workshop differs from others in the modding community by offering a brick-and-mortar store in Bugis Street. Though you’re not about to become a bonafide watchmaker from a simple class, you do get pretty close to the essentials of watch assembly: from fitting the seconds, minutes and hour hands to the dial, fitting the dial to the case, the case insert, the watch glass and then you get to go home with your very own custom watch creation.