A homebuilt 3D-printed watch project may not print an entire watch from scratch, but it does deliver something practical and striking: a custom case built for an off-the-shelf Miyota 8N24 movement using a bayonet connector instead of harder-to-print backs and
At first glance, the project looked like a full-on attempt to 3D print a watch from nothing. The pictures were enticing enough to pull anyone closer. But as the design comes into focus. the trade-off becomes clear: the build isn’t really printing a watch so much as printing the case that holds an off-the-shelf movement.
That correction could have been a letdown. Instead, it reads like the part of the story that matters most for anyone trying the same thing.
Conventional watches have backs that don’t play nicely with 3D printing—whether that’s press-fit closures. tiny screws. or even designs where the back screw becomes part of the housing. This project sidesteps that problem with a bayonet connector. The goal is simple: something easy to create. sturdy in use. and dependable when the watch is handled day to day.
The result still looks like a clean. wearable piece. and it’s the kind of design that doesn’t immediately scream “DIY” the moment it’s on someone’s wrist. Homebrew watches can be great—perfect for wearing to a hackerspace board meeting—but this one is positioned to sit among normal public watches without drawing extra attention.
The case design also leaves room for personal changes. The watch looks modifiable enough that if you don’t like details—like an unusual crown placement—you can swap them rather than starting over. Under the hood, the movement is a Miyota 8N24, and the crystal is off-the-shelf as well.
It’s an approach that turns out to be more useful than it sounds. By focusing on what can be reliably printed—the housing and its connection method—the project offers a blueprint for making a watch that actually works. And if you’re the kind of tinkerer who wants to go further. it gestures toward a bigger idea: pushing toward an open source movement. or trying your own version of the same build with different components.
3D printing custom watch case bayonet connector Miyota 8N24 watch mods DIY horology open source movement
So basically it’s not a real watch, it’s just a 3D printed shell right? Still cool though.
Bayonet connector sounds like it’s gonna be stabbing your wrist every time you take it off 😅 but I guess that’s the point? I don’t understand why they couldn’t just print the back like normal.
Wait so they’re using a Miyota 8N24 (which I’ve heard of) but they’re “printing a watch”?? I saw the title and thought the whole thing was made from scratch like gears and all. Guess not, but the bayonet thing is interesting. Also open source movement sounds like they want people to clone the same watch forever lol.
This feels like one of those projects that looks awesome in photos but probably doesn’t hold up for actual wear. Like 3D printed plastic + water + daily life… no way. But the crown placement tweak thing is kinda neat, I’ve lost more watches than I should admittingly.