Top 10 Seiko Watches to Mod and Improve Your Wrist Game

If you’re a fan of the Japanese watch and horology scene, and if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty — or your watch, for that matter — then Seiko mods are a great piece of art you’ll find interesting. For those unfamiliar with this term, Seiko modding is customizing an existing Seiko watch (or any other Japanese-made mechanical timepiece) by adding new components such as dials, cases, or bezels. And those are just the basic components; there’s much more to it than that.

The world of watch modding is often overlooked by the average enthusiast. While most people are happy with their stock watch, there is a small group who love to tinker with their timepieces. One of the most popular brands for modding is Seiko, so here’s our top ten list of Seiko mods.

Can You Mod a Seiko Watch Yourself?

Seiko modding doesn’t have to be hard. It mostly requires a working knowledge of watch cases, dials, hands, and bezels. If you possess a little bit of skill in how quartz watches operate, then it shouldn’t be difficult to create your own Seiko mod watch.

Better yet, if you’re not up to the task, you can find already modified Seiko watches with beautiful aesthetics that match your preferences.

The Top Ten Seiko Mod Watches to Purchase

If you’re in the market for a Seiko mod watch, here are the top 10 Seiko mod watches you might want to consider.

10.  Seiko Men’s SKA371 Automatic Sport Watch

Features a blue dial with luminous hands and hour markers, a date display, and a 41-mm stainless steel case with a unidirectional bezel and a scratch-resistant Hardlex crystal. The blue nylon strap has a buckle clasp.

The steel link bracelets on either side of the case can also be worn. The automatic movement has a speed of 21,600 steps per hour and the resistance is tested at 5 meters per inch. The watch offers plenty more features that can add up to your final Seiko mod.

9.   Seiko Men’s SSC017 Prospex Solar Chronograph Dive Watch

If you want a wristwatch with a dive watch layout and automatic movement, then this is certainly your best option. This watch is not as heavy as some of the others on this list, and the 20m water resistance means that you can wear it around the pool or outside in the rain.

This watch also features a date display, as well as a scratch-resistance layer to resist scratching. The watch comes with two extra straps so you can swap in your favorite option. The only downside is that the watch does run a little small at 37mm wide, but you can modify it to give it a wider appeal.

If you’d rather have a traditional dauphine, then this is probably your best but most expensive option. The automatic structure allows the user to move quickly and easily, even under the most difficult conditions. This watch has a stainless steel case with a ceramic strap.

8.   Seiko SNA411 Flight Alarm Chronograph

This Seiko SNA411 Flight Alarm Chronograph Watch is a must-have for anyone who is looking for a powerful addition to their collection of Seiko mod watches. It offers excellent features which, when tweaked a little through modding, can create an elegant and more personalized watch.

It has a black and silver dial and a silver and black band that is made of durable resin. This watch is powered by a 28-jewel automatic movement that can last up to five days and is shock-resistant. And you won’t have to worry about the automatic winding stopping due to dirt or other liquids. It can also work in any climate, making it perfect for all-day use.

If you’re up to the task to come up with a more functional and elegant Seiko mod watch, grab this SNA411 and customize it to your preference.  

7.  Seiko 5 SNK809

The Seiko 5 SNK809 is an upgrade to the Seiko 5, the original series of the line of watches, which has been in production since as early as the 1960s. The pioneer model was originally built to achieve five features, namely automatic movement, day and date display window, water resistance, rugged design, and 4 o’clock crown. All five features are still present in the Seiko 5 SNK809.

Compared to the SKX series, the SNK809 offers a highly elegant dial. It also features an inner ring containing understated Arabic numerals for the hour positions, while the outer ring has a 60-minute scala with a 5-minute readout.

The watch is made comfortable and allows you to flex your wrist without the crown digging into it since it’s at the 4 o’clock position.

6.  Seiko SRP777 “Turtle” Watch

Seiko’s SRP series is iconic and iconic for a reason. Their white dials are unique and while they’ve been seen in plenty of fashion magazines, they still feel very classy and refined. Moreover, most SRP watches have premium materials that don’t feel like they’re mass-produced.

The SRP777 is a classic choice if you’re looking to create your own unique Seiko mod; its rotating bezel, 41mm case, and gold-plated rim add a sense of luxury to a rather simple-looking watch. This timepiece will not only let you know the date and time for any time zone but also keep track of your heart rate for the hell of it. It’s the only watch on this list with a movement that you’ll probably never see in the wild.

5.  Seiko 5 Automatic Dress Watch

The beauty of Seiko mods is how they are so varied. There’s not just one category that includes the same sorts of watches, but rather, there’s everything from simple modifications (bezel, dial, strap) to total overhauls that include the movement itself.

This particular Seiko 5 watch is the Automatic Dress (deco) version of the classic Seiko 5 (Jumbo). Its stainless-steel case measures 41mm (11.8 mm thicker than the standard case) and has a milled steel bezel set with the Seiko logo. It also has two extra small sub-dials, a blue timer with two small seconds indicators, an alarm indicator, and two balance pushers. The case is water-resistant up to 100 meters and has a 42-hour power reserve.

4.  Seiko Prospex SRP777K1 Diver’s Automatic Watch

This Seiko Prospex SRP777K1 Diver’s Automatic Watch is the perfect timepiece for an active man. It’s among the line of Prospex (Professional Specifications) watches.  If you want an authentic brand to create a truly special Seiko mod watch, you can never go wrong with Prospex SRP777K1.

It’s the embodiment of superior functionality, rich history, and affordability. It gets its inspiration from the Seiko diver of the mid-seventies. The case is cushion-shaped, making it quite distinct. It’s fully stainless steel made with a 44mm diameter. Its crown stands at the four o’clock mark, which makes it more comfortable.

Seiko Prospex SRP777K1 has an upgraded movement from the 4R36. It has an automatic movement with hand winding and hacking seconds capabilities. The straps have a silicon Z-22 rubber of 22mm width. The dial is excellent, providing great legibility, featuring a black color with an attractive matte texture to give a stunning appeal.

3. Seiko SARB035 Alpinist Automatic Timepiece

When it comes to watches, automatics are often better because they’re simpler and less expensive than their self-winding counterparts. The Seiko SARB035 Alpinist is a favorite among Seiko mod automatic watch lovers because it’s simple, rugged, and cool-looking.

Its retro-vintage look with a brown leather strap and gold-tone accents looks amazing. The Seiko SARB035 is a ticket to luxurious time travel.

2.  Seiko SKX007K2 Diver’s Watch

The Seiko SKX007K2 Diver’s Watch is an automatic watch with an exhibition case back, water resistance to 200 meters (660 feet), and a Hardlex crystal. It has a day and date display, and it is made of stainless steel. It has a solid screw-down case back and crown.

The biggest customization you can do to this Seiko watch is to make it more ceramic, more Hardlex, or even bezel-less. The possibilities are nearly limitless when it comes to figuring out how to “mod” your watch.

1. Seiko SKX 007 Modification

This is the most popular Seiko mod watch. Technically speaking, the SKX series costs more than other watches of its classification, but it has various features some of the other watches don’t. This one has the most advanced hands out of the whole class, solid links, a Berthier style automatic winding movement, a date function, and the date window is notched to a very tight line.

Technically speaking, at 4.5LBS (Length, Width, and height of the case) and 39mm in diameter, it is the slimmest of the mod watches. It’s still plenty chunky for a watch that big.

Conclusion

It’s true that you can’t try on a watch before you buy it, but that shouldn’t stop you from buying one if you’re a Seiko mod die-hard. Check out the list of the top 10 Seiko mod brands for some great options, to get a glimpse of the features these great watches possess and how you can modify them to create an authentic personalized watch.