Ad / Affiliate disclosure: Namokimods gifted me the parts for this build. This article contains affiliate links, which earn me a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.
This was a fun combination to put together. A brushed black TV-shaped case, a matching integrated bracelet and a deep red gradient dial gave me plenty to enjoy before the watch was even on my wrist.
The case was what drew me in. Those rounded corners and broad sides take their cue from the TV-shaped watches of the 1970s, and you can see where the name came from straight away. It’s an unusual shape with plenty of vintage charm, but choosing black gave me the chance to do something a little different with it.
Then there was the dial. With that dark case and bracelet around it, red felt like an opportunity worth taking.
An unusual case to build around
The case is Namoki’s NMK954, and its shape gives the watch plenty of character before you’ve even chosen a dial.
Look at it straight on and you’ve got a broad, almost square outline with softened corners. Inside that sits the round dial, leaving enough black surface around it to make the case shape obvious. The bracelet meets the case directly, carrying that outline down the wrist.
That’s a big part of the attraction for me. The case and bracelet look like they belong together, and the black finish runs through the whole watch. You still get that unmistakable older shape, but the colour gives it a more contemporary feel. I think it’s a great starting point for a build.
The brushing is visible across the broad surfaces, so there’s still some texture to appreciate despite the dark finish. Around the dial, the curved outline gives you another shape within the case. There’s quite a bit to look at without needing a busy bezel or lots of decoration.
Namoki also offers a steel-finish version if you’d prefer something more traditional. I can see that making a handsome watch, especially with a quieter dial. For mine, though, the black was an appealing choice—and it gave that red dial a rather good home.
The red dial makes this one
I’m really pleased with the red-and-black combination. The dial stands out immediately against the dark case and bracelet, but the gradient gives it more interest than a single flat colour would.
There’s a brighter red through the middle, becoming much darker towards the edge. That darker border brings the dial and case together, while leaving the colour at the centre to catch your attention. It’s bold, but there’s still something quite refined about it.
The rest of the dial is fairly straightforward, which leaves the colour room to shine. Slim baton markers sit around the outside, with a doubled marker at twelve and a date window at three. The Namoki logo and “Automatic” text leave plenty of the red surface visible.
The hands follow that simple approach too, with pale centres and dark outlines. Alongside the markers, they give the dial some crisp contrast without introducing another colour. There’s already enough going on between the gradient and the case shape.
This is the part of choosing components that I really enjoy. The case gives you a starting point, then a dial can take the whole watch somewhere quite different. You could make something much more restrained with the NMK954, but I love how this one turned out. The black makes that red feel all the more striking.
How the 36mm TV case wears
The size worked beautifully on my wrist, which measures just over seven inches. It felt compact without looking too small, and there was enough presence from the case and bracelet to keep the watch interesting.
Namoki lists the case at 36mm across and 41.5mm from lug to lug. Those are modest dimensions, although a shaped case with an integrated bracelet won’t look quite like a round 36mm watch on a conventional strap. The wrist photographs give you a better idea of the overall proportions.
For me, it avoided both extremes: it wasn’t bulky, but it didn’t feel dainty either. I was pleased with that balance. A case this distinctive doesn’t need to be huge to make an impression.
The bracelet deserves some of the credit. Namoki calls it a ladder-style bracelet, and its broad black links continue the look of the case rather than feeling like a separate addition. It was comfortable throughout the day, so I could enjoy the appearance without wishing I’d chosen something more conventional.
The milled clasp also felt good, closing securely and giving the bracelet a reassuring finish. I’ve generally found Namoki’s parts consistent in quality, and this build continued that experience.
There’s a lot to enjoy here if you like a compact watch with some personality. The red dial catches the eye, while the proportions made the finished watch comfortable and easy to wear. That was a very pleasing combination on the wrist.
If you fancy putting one together
The NMK954 black TV case bundle gives you the case and matching bracelet to start with. Choosing a dial and hands is where you can really begin to picture your own version, although you’ll need to leave room in the budget for the less visible parts too.
Namoki includes the crown, sapphire crystal and gaskets, but a caseback isn’t listed among the bundle’s contents. You’ll need that alongside your movement, dial, hands and chapter ring. Putting a full parts list together before ordering will help you work out what the finished watch is going to cost.
Here are Namoki’s listed dimensions and details:
| Feature | NMK954 TV case, black finish |
|---|---|
| Case width | 36mm |
| Lug-to-lug | 41.5mm |
| Case-only thickness | 8.6mm |
| Thickness with crystal and slim caseback | 10.35mm |
| Crystal | Flat sapphire with clear anti-reflective coating |
| Crown | Matching sterile screw-down crown |
| Bracelet | Integrated ladder-style bracelet |
| Clasp | Milled |
| Advertised case water resistance | 10ATM |
That 10.35mm thickness is with a slim caseback fitted; it isn’t a measurement I’ve taken from my finished watch. If the slim profile appeals to you, keep the caseback choice in mind as you put your parts list together.
There’s plenty to choose from elsewhere in the build. Namoki lists compatibility with SKX007/SRPD chapter rings and SKX casebacks, with NH35 and NH36 among the supported movements. The important thing is making sure your chosen dial, hands, movement and caseback all suit one another.
For a date-only layout like mine, that means checking the dial size, dial feet and date-window position, along with hand fit and clearance. A little planning here makes it easier to enjoy choosing the combination you actually want.
The crystal comes separately so you can install the chapter ring first. You’ll therefore need suitable crystal-fitting equipment alongside the tools for assembling the movement, dial and hands. My Seiko watch modding beginner’s guide takes you through the tools and preparation if you’re getting started.
Once the watch is assembled, have it pressure-tested before relying on it in water. Namoki’s advertised 10ATM case rating doesn’t establish the water resistance of your own finished build.
You’ll find steel and gold alternatives in Namoki’s range if another finish takes your fancy.
My Polerouter-inspired build went in a softer direction, with its silver dial and grey leather strap. I’ve enjoyed exploring both looks. Having the freedom to make those choices is a big part of what keeps these projects interesting.
My thoughts on the finished watch
I’m glad I went a little bolder with this one. The TV case already had the vintage character that appealed to me, and choosing that red dial gave me the chance to have some fun with it.
What made the project rewarding was getting to enjoy those choices as a watch on my wrist. The finished combination looked striking, felt comfortable and gave me exactly the sort of individuality I enjoy about choosing my own parts.
I can see the attraction of a quieter version, but I wouldn’t want to lose what makes mine feel like mine. That deep red against the black case and bracelet is the combination I’m pleased to have put together—and a watch I genuinely enjoyed wearing.