How to Build a “Steampunk” Seiko Mod with Exposed Gears
Ever wanted a watch that looks straight out of a Jules Verne novel? Steampunk and Seiko modding go perfectly together as showing off brass, gears, and exposed mechanics to create amazing wearable art is one of the norms. You can choose between a full skeleton style, showing everything happening inside your watch, or a more subtle open heart design. Both look fantastic though! With plenty of available aftermarket parts, building a steampunk skeleton style mod will be easy.
Keep reading to learn how to build a timepiece that combines old-world charm with mechanical beauty!
What is Steampunk?
Steampunk started as a spin on old Victorian science fiction like Jules Verne's underwater ships or H.G. Wells' time machines. They’re made more popular in recent years thanks to hollywood productions like The Golden Compass or Mortal Engines, or video games like Bioshock and Dishonored. Think shiny brass, detailed gears, and visible mechanics. This style shows off craftsmanship, where every gear and part is meant to be seen and enjoyed, and the insides of the machine are meant to be just as beautiful as the outside. That's why it works so well with watch modding: watches are already about mechanical art, and steampunk takes this to the next level.
Some Watches To Use for Inspiration
Hamilton Jazzmaster Skeleton 2023
The Hamilton Jazzmaster Skeleton Auto 2023 is a great example of a Skeleton watch done right, and the steampunk vibes are present from the start. This eye-catching timepiece features a blue dial with clever cut-out sections that reveal the moving gears underneath, giving you a fascinating view of the watch's H10 movement. Despite showing off its mechanics, the watch remains easy to read thanks to its polished silver hands and clear hour markers. It comes in two sizes (36mm for smaller wrists and 40mm standard) and stays slim at just 11mm thick, making it comfortable for all-day wear.
What makes this watch special is its 80-hour power reserve - you can take it off Friday evening and it'll still be running Monday morning. It also uses an anti-magnetic spring (called Nivachron) to keep accurate time around electronics (like a true steampunk machine rejecting modernity). The sturdy stainless steel bracelet has a premium feel with its polished edges and secure clasp. While skeleton watches can sometimes be hard to read, Hamilton designed this one to balance visibility with mechanical display.
It's an affordable way to own a Swiss-made skeleton watch, and a fine inspiration for your own custom steampunk Seiko mod.
Mido Multifort Skeleton Vertigo
Another Swiss-made watch that beautifully shows off its mechanical insides is the Mido Multifort Skeleton Vertigo. Inspired by the steel beams of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, its skeletonized dial reveals the entire watch movement while still being easy to read. The watch comes in different color options including silver, black, and rose gold accents. The 42mm stainless steel case is water resistant to 100 meters, making it suitable for swimming in shallow waters.
The spotlight shines steady on its gorgeous sector dial with the middle section removed, giving a peek into its ETA-based Caliber 80 movement. The applied indices add a classy touch with matching hands to complete the look. To keep the whole face clean, they’ve added all the text writing into the crystal save for the “Swiss Made” designation which is nestled at the bottom part of the dial.
The see-through caseback lets you admire the decorated movement from both sides. That’s one design feature that you should remember to add to your steampunk build!
Seiko Presage SPB469
The Seiko Presage SPB469 is a good-looking dress watch that seems more expensive than it really is. It measures 40.2mm wide and 13mm thick, and feels comfortable to wear because of its curved case and short 46mm lug-to-lug distance. The best part is the beautiful textured dial that shifts from off-white to champagne color depending on the lighting - Seiko says it's based on raw silk, and we can certainly see the inspiration.
This open-heart watch has an unusual 24-hour subdial that some people think isn't needed, but it adds something interesting to look at. The rounded sapphire crystal and downward-curving dial create great depth, while the shiny hands and hour markers catch the light nicely. The stainless steel bracelet feels high-quality with its butterfly clasp, though it uses pin-and-collar links that can be hard to adjust.
The watch runs on Seiko's 6R5J movement with a good 3-day power reserve and decent accuracy. It also has useful features like 100m water resistance and scratch-resistant Diashield coating. While some wish it was smaller, it’s undeniable that the SPB469 is not failing any expectations in the looks department.
Seiko Mod Part Recommendations
When creating a steampunk-inspired Seiko mod, Skeleton parts are a must, and we’ve already detailed how you can make one of these builds in this article. The main idea is to use an NH7X series movement which has decorated plates that look good for display - something really important to get that skeleton look for your base.
To transform it into steampunk, you need to add a lot of retro/vintage aesthetics to your build - we’re talking chunky crowns, intricately-detailed hands, and domed or top hat crystals, to really give it that old-timey look. For the case, it would be great if you can find a bronze or brass case which will give a beautiful patina over time. Aged steel cases will also work, making it look as if your watch is an age-old machine, ticking through the decades. As for the case design, chunky or simplistic ones would be best, like the MM300, Tuna, or even pilot-style cases.
Wrap Up
So there you have it, the breakdown and some inspiration to jumpstart your planning for your next Seiko mod. You can go full-blown mad scientist with exposed gears or more subtle with an open-heart dial - whichever way you go, just remember that the idea of steampunk is to showcase the genius engineering that went into the tiny ticking machine you’re wearing on your wrist.
Ready to start piecing yours together? We've got everything from skeleton-friendly NH7X movements to retro hands, crowns, and more. Check out our full catalog to bring your watch idea to life.
Happy modding!