An Issey Miyake automatic watch came into our Canary Wharf branch with an unusual-looking fault: its dial feet had broken, leaving the dial free to move and spin inside the case.
It is an interesting watch from a brand we do not see every day. Alongside explaining the proposed repair, this case gives us an opportunity to explore the design story behind Issey Miyake watches.
Repair status: awaiting customer approval. At the time of writing, the customer has not yet approved the estimate. These are assessment photographs, not completed-repair images. If the customer proceeds, we will add the finished repair and photographs to this article.
An Unusual Watch at Our Canary Wharf Workshop
Alec has only seen a handful of Issey Miyake watches in person, making this an interesting arrival at Ross Watch Repairs. The black case, red seconds hand and instrument-style dial give the watch a distinctive appearance.
However, the dial sitting at an angle is not part of that design. It is the fault the customer brought in for assessment.
A Brief History of Issey Miyake Watches
The ISSEY MIYAKE WATCH project launched in 2001. It brings together MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO, Seiko Watch and international designers, each approaching watch design through a different concept.
The project is built around original analogue designs made in Japan, with the designers also involved in creating the packaging. This helps explain why the collections can look so different from one another: the individual design idea is central to each watch.
The Satoshi Wada Connection
The caseback on this watch carries the words “Designed by SATOSHI WADA” and the marking NH36-0010.
Issey Miyake’s official W automatic page credits automotive and product designer Satoshi Wada. It describes a compass-inspired design with a red dial scale and red seconds hand, and lists an NH36 mechanical movement with manual winding and a day-and-date calendar.
Wada’s background includes automotive design at Nissan and Audi. That connection makes the instrument-like design particularly interesting to encounter at the repair bench.
Why Is the Watch Dial Spinning?
Dial feet are small locating posts on the back of a dial that help secure it to the movement. When those attachments fail, the watch face can shift instead of remaining correctly positioned.
On this Issey Miyake, broken dial feet have left the dial moving inside the case. The proposed repair is to secure the dial to the mechanism again, then refit and align the hands.
A moving dial does not always have the same cause. Our Rolex Datejust 1601 moving-dial repair involved securing the movement inside the case. This assessment concerns the dial’s attachment to the movement, so it requires a different approach.
How We Would Repair the Broken Dial Feet
If the customer approves the estimate, the proposed work would involve the following stages:
- Open the watch and remove the movement assembly. We would open the case and take out the movement and dial assembly, dismantling the relevant components to reach the dial fittings.
- Remove the watch hands. The hands would be carefully lifted off so the dial could be worked on.
- Secure the dial to the mechanism. We would restore secure attachment using a method suitable for the condition of the dial and its fittings. The exact method would be confirmed when the components are accessible.
- Refit and realign the hands. We would position the dial correctly, refit the hands and check their clearance and alignment with the calendar display.
- Reassemble and reseal the watch. The assembly would go back into the case, with the seals inspected and the case closed correctly.
- Carry out functional checks and pressure testing. We would check that the dial remains secure and the hands operate correctly, then pressure test the resealed watch and report the result.
This is the proposed dial repair, not a claim that a full movement overhaul has already been carried out. Any additional work identified would be discussed with the customer before proceeding.
For related work, see our guide to loose watch hands, markers and dial fittings and our watch part repair service.
Resealing and Pressure Testing
The proposed repair requires opening the case. Resealing and pressure testing would therefore form part of putting the watch back together and checking the case afterwards.
No completed pressure-test result is available for this proposed repair yet. We would explain the test result and any limitations before advising on water use. More information is available on our watch pressure testing page.
Awaiting the Customer’s Decision
We have explained the fault and proposed work, and are waiting for the customer to decide whether to proceed. If approved, we will add the finished repair photographs and final outcome here.
Issey Miyake Watch Servicing, Battery Replacement and Other Repairs
Ross Watch Repairs offers a full range of watch repair services, including Issey Miyake watch repairs. Our work is not limited to loose or spinning dials: we also offer servicing, battery replacement for quartz models and repairs to other watch components. The options for each watch depend on its condition, construction and parts availability.
Issey Miyake Watch Servicing
We offer watch servicing and overhaul for Issey Miyake automatic and quartz watches. Whether the watch has stopped, is keeping poor time or has a movement fault, we assess it and explain the appropriate repair or service before work begins. A full service is separate from the proposed dial-foot repair in this case study, which is still awaiting customer approval.
Issey Miyake Watch Battery Replacement
For battery-powered quartz models, we provide Issey Miyake watch battery replacement, with the correct battery selected for the movement and resealing and pressure-testing options discussed after inspection. Our battery replacement and resealing service explains the available work.
The automatic watch featured in this article has a mechanical movement and does not use a battery. Its loose dial needs a mechanical repair, not a battery change.
Other Issey Miyake Repairs We Can Help With
We also assess and carry out hand and dial repairs, crown and stem repairs, glass replacement, strap replacement, and bracelet and clasp repairs, subject to suitable parts being available. Cleaning and polishing can be considered where appropriate for the materials and finish; coated cases need particular care. Any cosmetic work would be quoted separately from the dial repair discussed here.
Issey Miyake Watch Repair in London
This watch was brought to our Canary Wharf workshop. For an Issey Miyake repair, service or quartz battery replacement, bring your watch in for a free assessment. You can also visit our London Bridge branch at The Shard.
Ross Watch Repairs – Canary Wharf
Unit 4B, Cabot Place Shopping Centre
Canary Wharf
London E14 4QT
Ross Watch Repairs – The Shard
Unit 6, The Shard Retail Arcade
London Bridge Street
London SE1 9SG
No appointment is needed for an initial assessment. Customers outside London can use our UK postal watch repair service. Send postal repairs to Canary Wharf, not The Shard, using Royal Mail Special Delivery with cover appropriate to the watch’s value. Include your name, telephone number, email address, return address and a description of the fault.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer Issey Miyake watch servicing as well as dial repairs?
Yes. We offer servicing and other repairs for automatic and quartz Issey Miyake watches, subject to assessment and parts availability. The work is quoted before you decide whether to proceed.
Can you replace an Issey Miyake watch battery?
Yes, for battery-powered quartz models. We select the correct battery and advise on resealing and pressure testing. Automatic mechanical models, including the watch in this assessment, do not use batteries.
Why is my Issey Miyake watch dial moving?
A moving dial can have more than one cause. In the watch assessed here, broken dial feet have left the dial unsecured. The correct repair depends on which fittings have failed.
Can broken dial feet be repaired without replacing the dial?
It may be possible to retain and secure the existing dial. That is the proposed approach in this case, subject to approval and the condition found when the parts are accessible.
Will the watch hands need to come off?
Yes. The proposed work includes removing the hands to access and secure the dial, then refitting and aligning the hand set before reassembly.
Has this Issey Miyake repair been completed?
No. At the time of writing, the estimate is awaiting approval. The photographs show the assessment stage. We will add the finished repair if the customer proceeds.
Does the proposed repair include pressure testing?
Yes. Resealing and pressure testing are included in the proposed work, but no pass result is being claimed. The result and any further recommendations would be explained after testing.
Get a Free Issey Miyake Repair Estimate
Contact Ross Watch Repairs for a free assessment or visit either branch with your watch. We will explain what needs attention and confirm the proposed work before you decide whether to proceed.
Ross Watch Repairs is an independent watch repair company and is not affiliated with, authorised by or endorsed by Issey Miyake or Seiko.
