Bezel change nightmare - HELP!!!!!

[TonyD]

Hi guys, I picked up some period correct bezels for my rootbeer 1675. I've never changed one, although I have a lot of tools and typically do bracelet changes and minor work myself. I consider myself pretty handy.

I have it all apart and popped out the existing bezel but the new one will NOT go back in there. I've seen a dozen videos where guys just snap the new one in place in 3 seconds. Mine goes in 3/4 of the way around and then no matter how hard you press it just won't go.

I've spent the last 20 minutes fighting with it and my fingers are raw and sore. I'm very frustrated and considering smashing it with a large hammer.......

Besides the usual advice of patience (gone) and even pressure all around, does anyone have any tips? I hate to go to my watchmaker for such a simple thing especially because I didn't buy the parts there and of course they are only open during the day when normal humans have to be at work.

Help!!!!

[Beaumont Miller II]

I have swapped out many inserts in the past.
Try this: With the insert 3/4 of the way in, press the insert in place with your fingers on each side little by little slowly working your way up till you get to the last part at the top. The last part can be tricky, and I have used a napkin to protect the bezel and pushed against a hard surface. This usually works.

[TonyD]

This is crazy... I get it most of the way in and then try and secure the sides and press in that last little bit. You hear that triumphant SNAP and think its in only to realize that the side 180 degrees away popped out.

[harry in montreal]

i have been in your position. you dont want to bend the bezel - it could end up scrap if it gets warped. or it could just fall out entirely. go to your watchsmith!

[Beaumont Miller II]

You may have inadvertently purchased a bezel insert for a sapphire crystal model which will not fit into your watch. Good luck.

[azguy]

I had the same problem once, ran some very fine emery cloth around the outside of the insert and it snapped right in, it was like it was .000001 to big.....

[TonyD]

Well, I got it to go. I used some tape to protect the bezel and I'm not proud to say I used a small plastic hammer to tap the last bit into place. At least I know it isn't going to pop back out.

[azguy]

Originally Posted by TonyD

...........I'm not proud to say I used a small plastic hammer to tap the last bit into place.......

[TonyD]

Originally Posted by azguy

Double

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by TonyD

Double

At least its on, never was able to get mine back on, AD did it

[azguy]

At least post a picture of the hammer in question....

[Jocke]

Just put a cloth at the edge of your desktop like this.



Then when you have three quarter of the insert in place just press the bezel at the cloth like this.



You will be suprised how easy it will jump in.

Good luck.

BTW. Do you have a pic of your rare Deap Sea? LOLOL

[TonyD]

Originally Posted by Jocke

BTW. Do you have a pic of your rare Deap Sea? LOLOL

Its very rare! One of only a handful made that are spelled that way! I bought it from a guy on a street corner in NY City...

Do you think its weird that it says "Origami Escape Valve" around the chapter ring?

You know that has been in my sig for at least a year and nobody ever noticed it?

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by TonyD

You know that has been in my sig for at least a year and nobody ever noticed it?

You can't hide anything from me.

Great you got the insert in place.

[AJMarcus]

Wow....don't think I would have hammered my bezel into place

[TonyD]

Originally Posted by AJMarcus

Wow....don't think I would have hammered my bezel into place

OK Let me be clear... it was more of a love tap! Same idea as pressing it against a table edge. I just needed two fingers on either side of the exposed area to keep it from popping out. I then tapped the last bit to get it started and then pressed it in.

The key for sure was to walk away from it for a while after I got really frustrated.

[HunterST]

Tony -

Glad to hear that you've got it in place!

[TonyD]

Hey Eli, your PM box is full!!!!

[linesiders]

I've heard of some people with a die to use in a crystal press but have not seen one in looking - has anyone else seen one? I have a stubborn insert myself.

[John in MA]

Another option to get an insert to fit is to slide the insert over a beer bottle to give it a taller profile which reduces the outer diameter. Keep doing this till you can get it to fit. I have to do this with my 1680 when I switch inserts.

[Puffy]

ahhh the old DIY bezel swap going wrong...

[Frogman4me]

If we are talking about the aluminum insert going into the bezel then I have a great solution for you. I had the same issue and it was quite frustrating. The reason the insert will not go into the bezel is because the insert itself has become flat over time and it needs to be slightly rounded or domed shape in order to snap in effortlessly.

Take an empty glass bottle, one that is similar to the shape of a beer bottle or a beer bottle itself. Take the insert with the numbers facing up and gently push it down the bottle of the neck until it gets stuck then begin to gently apply pressure on all sides in order to create a rounded shape and then try to fit it back into the bezel. If it does not work, repeat the steps over again. Again be gentle and patient.

I plan on making a video on insert swaps as it appears many have had similar issues. Hope this helps!

[TonyD]

Originally Posted by Frogman4me

Take an empty glass bottle, one that is similar to the shape of a beer bottle or a beer bottle itself. Take the insert with the numbers facing up and gently push it down the bottle of the neck until it gets stuck then begin to gently apply pressure on all sides in order to create a rounded shape and then try to fit it back into the bezel.

I like this idea and it makes total sense. This is the kind of advice I needed. Thanks for a few folks who made this suggestion.

I think we need to make one change though.... why use an EMPTY beer bottle? I say start with a frosty cold full bottle. If it works then you can celebrate with a nice cold beer. If it still doesn't work then maybe you need to finish that beer and try a different bottle? (repeat as needed)

[Mike Wood]

Originally Posted by TonyD

I like this idea and it makes total sense. This is the kind of advice I needed. Thanks for a few folks who made this suggestion.

I think we need to make one change though.... why use an EMPTY beer bottle? I say start with a frosty cold full bottle. If it works then you can celebrate with a nice cold beer. If it still doesn't work then maybe you need to finish that beer and try a different bottle? (repeat as needed)

Do NOT try this with a Submariner bezel, as the bezel will split at the bezel pearl.... (voice of experience talking there )

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by Mike Wood

Do NOT try this with a Submariner bezel, as the bezel will split at the bezel pearl.... (voice of experience talking there )

I have had success with multiple sub inserts but again be smooth and gentle especially around the area of the pearl! That is certainly the area of weakness as removing and installing new pearls can put a lot of stress in this area and the fact there is a hole there to begin with makes it weak. Be mindful of the current condition of the insert and that it's fragile and you should be fine. But again this is just from my personal experience and success with doing it as I understand it can be dangerous as Mike mentioned.

[Mike Wood]

You want to try it with a Rolex milSub bezel insert

It's like making the first cut in the Cullinan Diamond, 'cept with more at stake!!

[ROGERWILCO357]

where did you find the videos you tube? is there written instruction on how to swap out bezels?

[sierra11b]

Bergeon 4932 Snap-Back Case Knife is your friend

[d-rock]

38-39mm cup on the crystal press will solve your problem.

[Submarino]

Show us what it looks like.