Seiko Mods with “Relax” Dial: Love It or Hate It?

Picture this: You’re scrolling through your IG feed of Seiko mods, admiring tasteful homages and clever custom builds, when suddenly, you see a good-looking Submariner-inspired build. It’s got the YM insert, and the Oyster bracelet, and of course the Mercedes hands, with a matching dial. You scroll to the next one, and then you double back. What did that dial say?

“RELAX”

You scrub your eyes. You even pinch yourself just to make sure you’re not half-asleep. You read it again.

“RELAX. It’s not what you think”

That’s not me, the writer, telling you, the reader, to relax; it’s the actual text printed on the dial.

Source: u/Ornery_Scratch_2629 on Reddit

Your brain short-circuits. Is this a bad AI-generated watch? Nope, it’s a quirky little inside joke within the community that mashes Seiko modding with meme culture. Love ’em or hate ’em, these dials are sparking debates, laughs, and maybe just a little bit of anxiety among watch enthusiasts. Let’s dive in.

What Even Are “Relax” Dials?

As far as we know, there isn’t an actual watch company out there that uses “Relax” as their brand and a crown with one broken palisade (yes, that’s what the pointy bit of a crown is called) as their logo. 

Or is there? Turns out, the design originated with a small San Francisco-based company called Relax by Atelier Perpetuel (now rebranded to Relax Watch Shop). They hand-assembled watches with this dial long before modders turned it into a meme. Rolex famously sued them over the logo, forcing a rebrand, but they’re still operating today. (Thank you David for the heads up!)

The dials you see on AliX and mod builds today aren’t "official" Relax watches, but aftermarket dials meant to propagate the meme. Now, they’re so over-the-top that even a non-watch person would get the gag.

Source: u/drinkcoffeebuyassets on Reddit

These aftermarket dials mimic Rolex’s iconic designs but take creative liberties with the details. We’re talking “handwash-certified” in a font that would make a Swiss watchmaker weep. They’re cheap, they’re ridiculous, and they'll inevitably pop up on your feed from time to time. Some say they’re satire. Others say they’re tacky. Either way, they exist, and we must deal with it.

Why Modders Love It

So why would anyone willingly put a blatantly counterfeit-looking dial on their beloved Seiko? Surprisingly, there are some solid reasons.

First, there’s the appeal of luxury vibes without the luxury price. You get the classic Rolex Sub look - the beefy crown guard, the black bezel, even a cyclops if you want to go full homage. It scratches the itch without bankrupting you. But instead of being seen as a try-hard copy, modders slap on a Relax dial and voila! It goes from tacky to quirky real quick.

Source: u/Inevitable-Brick6015 on Reddit

Second, it’s genuinely funny. Watch enthusiasts love a good inside joke, and Relax dials are basically the meme version of horology. Wearing one is like saying, “Yeah, I know what this looks like, and no, I’m not taking it too seriously.” It’s a wrist-mounted troll.

Third, the spirit of Seiko modding is all about customization and making something unique. Whether it’s a bold colorway, mismatched hands, or a cheeky Relax dial, modders love creating something that’s unapologetically their own.

And to be fair, some of these builds are genuinely impressive. We’re talking sapphire crystals, ceramic bezels, solid end links, upgraded movements - the kind of specs that a microbrand would sell at half a grand or more. The Relax dial just adds that final layer of chaotic charm.

Haters Gonna Hate

Source: u/kokkos89 on Reddit

Of course, not everyone is chuckling. While there are modders proudly flaunting a Relax dial, there are also purists furiously polishing their collection of unworn Swiss timepieces, muttering, “What’s next? A Seamaster with “oh my god” instead of Omega?”

To the traditionalist, Relax dials represent the worst kind of watch heresy. They blur the line between homage and counterfeit, and not everyone’s in on the joke. Critics argue that if it walks like a Rolex and ticks like a Seiko, it’s basically a fake with a punchline. There are also ethical concerns. Some feel these dials trivialize the artistry and heritage behind iconic brands like Rolex. 

Scroll through any watch forum, and you’ll inevitably find someone triggered by a Relax mod. Threads get locked. Comments get spicy. It’s the horology equivalent of banana on pizza (which actually exists in our timeline, mind you), you either love it, or you want it gone.

But at the heart of it, the criticism is often less about the dial and more about what it represents: a disruption of status and a bit of trolling in a space that’s historically pretty serious.

Is It a Joke, or Is It Art?

Source: u/68872868 on Reddit

This is where it gets interesting. Because while some see Relax dials as a cheap laugh, others argue they’re actually kind of… genius?

From one angle, a Relax mod is a satire of luxury culture. A commentary on how obsessed we’ve become with logos and brand names. In a world where Rolex waitlists can span years, slapping “Relax” on a lookalike dial almost feels like protest art.

It also taps into a broader trend: the blending of high and low culture. Think of it like streetwear in watch form; mixing the sacred with the silly, the elite with the everyday. And like any good meme, the Relax dial challenges the idea that watches have to be serious to be respected.

Ultimately, it depends on the wearer. For some, it’s just a harmless joke, designed to get upvotes and likes from fellow chill watch guys. For others, it’s a valid aesthetic choice. And for a few, it’s a statement: “I know this isn’t a Rolex. But I chose this. And I’m having more fun than you.”

Wrap up

At the end of the day, "Relax" mods occupy a strange but important space in watch culture. It pokes fun at an industry that often takes itself way too seriously. Are they ridiculous? Absolutely. Would most collectors be caught dead wearing one? Probably not. But in a hobby where people bicker over whether a watch's date window is in the right position, maybe we need these absurd creations to remind us not to take things so seriously.

So love them or hate them, "Relax" mods aren't going anywhere. And honestly, we wouldn't have it any other way. Now if you'll excuse us, we need to go check if anyone's made a "Tag Huehuehuer" dial yet.