Some of the Most Iconic Seiko Mods of All Time

Seiko modding trends come and go, but a few iconic designs get so ingrained in our memory that we can now consider them timeless classics that will never go out of style, no matter how many times we build them. And we get it, one of the best points of modding a watch is making something personalized and different from what everyone else has, and yet there are certain watch aesthetics that you can’t help but use as inspiration.

This is going to be a bit of a throwback post folks, so put on your nostalgia hats and let’s dive into some of the the most iconic Seiko mods over the years.

Fifty Five Fathoms

Source: u/Lukretius on Reddit

 

Just a bit of background: the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is one of the first true dive watches, launched in 1953. It's known for its rugged build, high water resistance, and iconic design. With a legible dial, rotating bezel, and dependable movement, it set the standard for modern dive watches and still holds up beautifully today.

It priced out many watch enthusiasts though, so when Seiko released the Seiko 5 SNZH55/57 and people saw the uncanny resemblance with the Blancpain FF, they instinctively thought “why not just modify this to look more like the Fifty Fathoms?” And that they did. The SNZH55 can already be called an homage to the Fifty Fathoms in itself, so only a few additional changes are needed to make it look more like its inspiration.

If you’re looking to build one yourself from scratch, we can recommend using our NMK915 Urchin-Inspired case as your base, and combining a black Explorer style dial with Fifty Fathoms style hands for the face. We used to also have an FF-style bakelite bezel insert that would really make for a convincing homage, but they are already sold out so you will have to find a different black insert to go with the mod. And don’t be afraid to add in your own twists too, like making it a two-tone watch or using a different, sleeker case!

Submariner-Inspired Mods

Source: @rivy_

 

Rolex has been such a dominant name for decades that it's now synonymous with luxury watches. Even people who don't care about watches know the brand, and when they do become watch enthusiasts, Rolex is usually one of the first brands they learn about, with the Submariner often becoming their first grail watch. Some enthusiasts even claim it's THE perfect watch design.

In the Seiko modding world, the Submariner's design is probably the most copied look (though if anyone's keeping an actual count, feel free to confirm) thanks to its universal appeal. Newbie modders like building Submariners as one of their first few watches too, and it is probably easier to start with this as almost any watch modding supplier will have Sub-style parts available.

For a classic Sub-inspired build based on the Oyster Perpetual, the one thing you must have is the case with the 3 o’clock crown guard like our NMK909 case, a black diver style dial with lumed geometric hour markers, and of course the iconic Mercedes style hands. You can play around with all other parts and you will still have yourself a recognizable Sub mod.

Black Bay 58-Inspired Mods

Source: @retiredterps

 

Here’s another undying fan-favorite: the Tudor Black Bay 58 is a dive watch inspired by the brand’s models from the 50’s, featuring a sleek, no crown guard case, gilt dial accents and a clean, no-date dial. The overall silhouette is so iconic that some people would even classify it as ‘retro,’ though it certainly holds up to modern standards.

People love the adoringly-nicknamed “BB58” for its wearability and premium feel, and it’s the perfect inspiration for a simple and rugged dive watch. 

The face is the most important thing to get right here, so if you want to build one for yourself, you’d want to get a Fifty-Eight style dial and bezel insert, and of course don’t forget a Snowflake hands set too. We do have a BB58-inspired case in the NMK939, but you can test out any other NCG case like our 62MAS case and it will still work.

MeteorMaster Mods

Source: @omegaspeedypanda

 

Moving next to a Seiko mod that’s out of this world - literally. The MeteorMaster was a huge trend 3-4 years back, and was made by using a Meteorite-style dial on a Marinemaster-inspired case like our NMK919 MM300.

It was popular because the raw and exotic texture of a meteorite dial adds a dramatic touch to the otherwise straightforward, “I mean business” kind of vibe of the Marinemaster. The contrast is striking, and seeing it a lot on our IG feed was a treat back then. 

We’re quite aware that most of the MeteorMaster mods that we saw back then were not made of actual meteorite though, as these tend to be rare, and therefore pricier than your common watch manufacturing materials. This does not make them any less beautiful though.

Wrap Up

While we've looked back at some legendary Seiko mod designs that have stood the test of time, the watch modding world keeps moving forward. New parts are hitting the market all the time, giving modders more options than ever before. The creativity of the Seiko modding community, paired with these expanding parts options, means we'll definitely see new iconic builds emerge soon.

What makes a mod truly timeless is both how good it looks and how it connects with other enthusiasts. Just as the FFF, Submariner-style, and BB58 builds have earned their spot in modding history, tomorrow's classics are taking shape right now on workbenches worldwide.

Want to create your own iconic Seiko mod? Check out our catalog with hundreds of quality mod parts to inspire your next custom watch build. Whether you're recreating a classic or trying something completely new, we've got all the parts you need to bring your vision to life.

Happy modding!