GMT Master Tight Bezel

[Phil G.]

I have a 20 year old, pristine GMT Master with Pepsi Bezel. I took the watch to an AD last week to have the bracelet polished. I soon noticed the bezel was virtually frozen - under very warm water I was able (with a soft towel) to twist it, but with difficulty. Could it just need lubrication or something more? I don't recall this being a problem before the polishing, but I also don't adjust the bezel often, so my guess it's been a problem long before I brought the watch in for buffing and polishing. Called the jeweler at the AD who is checking with his watchmaker to see what can be done. Taking it in Saturday - any ideas? Thanks!

Love my new GMT Master IIc - bezel moves like silk.

[promethus]

Usually it's the little Click Pin / Spring inside.

[Phil G.]

Originally Posted by promethus

Usually it's the little Click Pin / Spring inside.

I'm able to now move the bezel clockwise without problem, but counterclockwise is a battle. I'm reluctant to force it. Is the bezel on the GMT Master designed to move ONLY in the clockwise direction? If so, it's working properly. If the click pin/spring need to be replaced, is this a significant repair?

[cbsmohai]

I would return it to the AD to let them know that the bezel is stuck. I believe the the bezel on all GMT masters is bidirectional.

[Phil G.]

Originally Posted by cbsmohai

I would return it to the AD to let them know that the bezel is stuck. I believe the the bezel on all GMT masters is bidirectional.

I'll take it in this weekend. I've done a forum search and there are different views on whether the bezel is unidirectional or bidirectional on an older GMT Master. Mine's 21 years old. Does anyone have a definitive answer. As I said, if it's unidirectional, mine's working as it's supposed to. If not, I'll have it repaired. The bezel on my Master IIc is definitely bidirectional. Thanks!

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Phil G.

I'm able to now move the bezel clockwise without problem, but counterclockwise is a battle. I'm reluctant to force it. Is the bezel on the GMT Master designed to move ONLY in the clockwise direction? If so, it's working properly. If the click pin/spring need to be replaced, is this a significant repair?

The GMT bezel moves both ways.. Do you have the 120 click bezel, or the friction lock that you ned to press down on to unlock ?? The latter will be smooth turning in both directions..

[Phil G.]

Originally Posted by Tools

The GMT bezel moves both ways.. Do you have the 120 click bezel, or the friction lock that you ned to press down on to unlock ?? The latter will be smooth turning in both directions..

Believe it's the click bezel - I don't recall ever having to press down to unlock it. I can move it counterclockwise, but only with force - which obviously I'm not going to continue to do.

[Rscmaine]

I've seen this before.

What happened here is that the jeweler ran the watch on a rouge wheel without removing the bezel. As a result there is red rouge gunk under the bezel (and especially the thin washer which rides on the case) - which got hurled under there at 4500 rpm.

If you pop the bezel, and use a soft tooth brush and soapy water to carefully clean it all, it should be fine. You may need to pop the insert to get to the fine teeth that the click spring rides on.

Worst one I ever saw belonged to the jeweler himself - he wore it every day while polishing gold and the bezel was essentially glued down.

Took just 20 minutes to put it right.

[Phil G.]

You may be right. After I ran the watch under very warm, soapy water and worked the bezel back and forth with a soft cloth, it loosened up - it's now movable in both directions as it should be. I'll have it looked. RSCMaine - I'll bet what you described above is exactly what happened, since I noted the problem immediately after the watch was returned from bracelet polishing. Thanks!