^^^^
I thought I could trim one to size but it seems a fiddly job.

tikkathree wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:30 pm

JAFO wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 3:09 pm I can understand the difficulties. I have a green Loreo Rolex-Hulk Homage.

I got a nasty scuff on the aluminium bezel. I floated the bezel off with some nail varnish remover. The bezel is a non-standard size. The best I could find was a black replacement, but I just can't find a 3M sticky ring in this size, so I am struggling with this, I could glue it without a sticky ring, but I'm not sure about that.

EDIT: I failed to post this 3 hours ago....

I'm thinking you could find a sticky insert ring and trim it to size. Why, I'd even ask for your internal and external diameters and I'll go and look in the spares box.

Would I superglue an insert in place sans double-sided sticky? I'm pretty sure that somewhere down the line I've done it but like you I'd prefer the sticky tape route.

Contact cement is probably a better option. Just make sure it is not water soluble.

nbg wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:26 pm ^^^ Rich people sometimes pay much, much more for a period correct bezel insert…

On another forum someone was after a particular insert. The heritage department in Geneva didn’t have any left, but IIRC could manufacture one at an eye watering price.

He offered to trade from a choice of (IIRC) a 1680 or a 116520 just for the correct bezel insert!

Neil

Some of those really rare ones can definitely go for more. For instance MilSub fully graduated bezels go for about $50K.

^^^ Yep it was a Milsub.

Neil

“I did wonder whether the dent could be gently tapped out from the inside when it is removed but perhaps it would be difficult to do and they would find it easier I guess to just replace.”

Aluminum isn’t forgiving for that kind of repair. Its ductile properties don’t behave in the way of steel, which would be much easier to repair in this manner. Replacement is the option. Perhaps you could find another watch with the bezel you need to restore your watch? A decent jeweler should be able to swap the bezel for you.

It seems the new case solution CW offered you is a decent, and more than fair, option to consider from a cost perspective. To expect a brand to stock spares of a item two generations old seems unrealistic. A new case is the next best thing if you don’t want the ding.

^^^ I wondered why anyone would even bother replacing a dented or scratched bezel insert on a dive watch…

Seems pointless to me.

Neil

^^^ An interesting point Neil, which could lead us on to the potentially unstable ground of “when is a dive watch not a dive watch?”

I’ll get me coat…

nbg wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 11:40 pm ^^^ I wondered why anyone would even bother replacing a dented or scratched bezel insert on a dive watch…

Seems pointless to me.

Neil

I'm with you. My 1675 bezel has a few dents and dings in it after 30 years. I wouldn't think of changing it. Ceramic bezels seem to chip when damaged (at least the ones I have seen). A chunk out of the bezel might annoy me more. Don't know.

Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 10:17 pm

rkovars wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 10:05 pm
I'm with you. My 1675 bezel has a few dents and dings in it after 30 years. I wouldn't think of changing it. Ceramic bezels seem to chip when damaged (at least the ones I have seen). A chunk out of the bezel might annoy me more. Don't know.

This reminds me of the bezel on Greg's ScubaPro.

gwells wrote: ↑Tue Jan 31, 2023 4:55 pm

Guy

Such a great looking watch!

thanks, gents! this is the vintage watch that makes me the most happy. and the only quartz watch i own. but it just feels so right when it's on my wrist. it's become my #2 watch behind the polar storm trooper PO. it always makes me happy to put it on. and the honest wabi on the bezel is part of what i love about this watch.

ymmv. not everyone loves wabi. on a bezel, it's totally lovely to me.