@imsteviesells
Instagram · Vlog
@imsteviesells My custom watch fail 😑 @imsteviesells #watches #customwatch #soldering #y2k #fail
Trending short videosDocumenting failed custom watch project
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Video #9507 · Vlog
Documenting failed custom watch projectfrom @imsteviesells
[01]
Overview
The creator documents his repeated failed attempts to create custom soldered watches, showcasing various methods and ruined timepieces before asking the audience for advice on how to make the solder stick.
[02]
Simple outline
- 1Hook with project frustration
- 2Demonstrate initial practice success
- 3Reveal expensive material failures
- 4Attempt aggressive fix methods
- 5Solicit audience expertise
[03]
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Classification
[05]
Hook analysis
What stops the scroll in the first 3 seconds
Title hook · 25%
hate
Verbal hook · 35%
I hate when I can't figure something out.
Visual hook · 40%
The creator holds up multiple modified, spiky watches directly to the camera lens, showcasing the unusual and 'ruined' results of his project to create immediate visual intrigue.
[06]
Hook template
Steal this for your own video
Hold your directly up to the camera lens — show different failed versions at once to prove the struggle is real.
- — Hold your cracked, over-fired ceramic mugs directly up to the camera lens — show 4 different collapsed versions at once to prove the struggle is real.
- — Hold your melted, misshapen resin jewelry pieces directly up to the camera lens — show 3 different botched molds at once to prove the struggle is real.
- — Hold your burnt, warped embroidery hoops directly up to the camera lens — show 5 different ruined fabric attempts at once to prove the struggle is real.
[07]
Hook and payoff
The promise the opener makes, and how the video pays it back
Hook
The Frustration Anchor: Opens with a relatable emotional trigger regarding incompetence, immediately juxtaposed with the visual of the complex desired result.
Payoff
The Crowdsourced Solution: The narrative ends in defeat rather than success, turning the comment section into a necessary resource for the creator to solve the problem.
[08]
Narrative framework
The structural pattern this video runs on
Framework
The Competence Struggle Arc
A chronological documentation of a project that moves from naive optimism through escalating failures, positioning the creator as a relatable learner rather than an expert to drive engagement through advice-giving.
- 1
The Origin & Validation
Establishes the inspiration source and proves basic competence on scrap material to show the goal is achievable.
- 2
The False Summit
A low-stakes 'test run' that succeeds partially, creating a false sense of confidence before the real challenge begins.
- 3
The Material Reality Check
The first attempt at the actual goal fails due to unexpected material constraints, introducing the central conflict.
- 4
The Sunk Cost Escalation
The creator raises the stakes by investing more money (buying better brands), only to face new, more destructive types of failure.
- 5
The Catastrophe Cascade
A rapid succession of distinct, visceral failures (breaking glass, freezing joints) that destroy the expensive materials.
- 6
The Brute Force Phase
A montage of aggressive, last-ditch attempts (grinding, different models) to force the technique to work.
Themes
Techniques
Trends
Post caption
My custom watch fail 😑 @imsteviesells #watches #customwatch #soldering #y2k #fail
Text overlays
title · beginning
hate
title · beginning
something
title · beginning
out
Transcript
I hate when I can't figure something out. So a while bad, I saw some people on social media making these cool spiky soldered watches. I thought it looked like a cool project, and I wanted to make one myself to add to my collection. I started by practicing creating spikes on a metal sheet. It took me a while to get the hang of it, but eventually I started to get it. Then I thought, yo, I'm ready for a watch. So I buy a Casio with a red face kind of as a test run. I covered half of it in copper tape best to see if it helps the solder stick to the watch. Then I applied a little bit of flux and got to work. This watch actually, I think ended up turning out okay, but I was testing some things no it wasn't the design I wanted. I bought two cheap watches on Amazon and gave those a try next. And guys, the solder wouldn't even stick to these. I'm not sure what kind of metal they're made out of, but $50 down the drain. Next, I thought I needed a better quality watch, so I went back to Casio, the brand I originally started with. When I was working on the yellow one, the glass got too hot and popped off. There goes another $50. Then I worked on the new red one and this turned out pretty nice overall. But when I got to the band, I accidentally soldered all the joints together and then this happened. I gave up that day and came back with even more watches. I tried grinding down the top coating of a couple of the cheaper ones to see if that would help the solder stick, but no, slid right off. This digital Casio was looking pretty cool, but then the screen went black from the heat. It did come back to life though. The square watch, I couldn't get the solder to stick to and then this higher end Casio, I decided to grind down a bit and again, I just couldn't get the solder to adhere to the better. So if you guys know what I'm doing rank, drop it below.