u/Impressive_Ice2015

Still working on my prototype watch hand presser tool designed for installing hour, minute, seconds, and GMT hands.

This video demonstrates the installation of the hour and minute hands using the prototype.

The main idea behind this design is controlled hand installation height instead of only pressing the hands down. The press mechanism uses a threaded height-control system with approximately 0.5mm travel per full revolution, allowing very fine adjustment and repeatability.

Each press shaft is guided using double-layer brass bushings to reduce play and improve vertical alignment consistency during hand installation.

At the moment, the entire prototype structure is 3D printed using PETG-CF. The planned final version will use 6mm clear acrylic structural plates combined with PETG-CF connector and joint components.

I also wanted the design to remain compact and lightweight for users with limited workspace like myself, while still being easy to lift up to eye level for checking hand alignment and clearance.

I am still refining the design, but I would like to hear feedback from people who regularly install watch hands.

For multi-position hand pressers like this, do you find it important for the movement holder to be fixed and aligned precisely under each individual presser position?

Or in actual use, is a more flexible / movable movement holder more practical due to different movement holders, off-center pinions, or sub-dial hands?

Would like to hear opinions from people with real hands-on experience using hand presser tools.

This is something I’ve been thinking about for quite some time, and honestly I’ve been reluctant to post because I know it might offend a group of people. But I’ll just say it straight.

I’m working on a ready-made, off-the-shelf dial with no logo/text. The more I look at it, the more I realise why people add something — without any text or detail, the space at 12 o’clock just looks empty. Once you add even simple text, the whole dial immediately feels more balanced and complete.

But what I’m seeing is that a lot of ready-made dials already come with “Seiko” printed on them, even though they’re clearly not original. So it’s not even that people are choosing to fill the space — it’s just what’s being offered in the market.

Honestly, I find it quite ridiculous when I see things like “Seiko Seamaster” or “Seiko Air-King”. Those combinations don’t even make sense — it feels like branding is being used purely to avoid a blank dial.

Another reason I’m bringing this up is because I notice more and more people are building and selling these kinds of “Seiko” fantasy watches. It feels like things are starting to drift a bit away from the hobby side and more towards something else.

To me:

blank dials can look clean, but also unfinished

adding text improves balance

but using a brand name that isn’t real just feels off

At that point, a simple neutral text — or even a clean no-logo dial — would make more sense.

That said, I do have to admit — the factories producing these dials are actually quite innovative. The designs, layouts, and variations they come up with are impressive. And maybe without these kinds of “fantasy” dials, fewer people would even get into this hobby in the first place.

Just sharing my thoughts. I may not reply to any of the comments if it leads to offensive discussion.

Made this as a birthday piece for my friend’s son. He’s into sport rifle, so the dial is inspired by his sport.