Airking 5500 Bezel Gap

[vintagewaferthin]

Hi, i noticed when I was looking my watch that the bezel doesn't sit completely flush to the case on the left side? Was it knocked out of place somehow? Should I leave it and wait till it goes to RSC for service later this year?

[RRGHOST1]

A picture would be useful.

[sitka39]

Are you talking about the space between the bezel and the case ? If you rotate the bezel does the gap stay the same or does it "move" with the bezel ?

It's, indeed, most likely that the watch may have been snagged/bumped on something. More specifically, the bezel was hit and it may have warped a bit...

[offrdmania]

It may just be that there is dirt and grime under the bezel. Have you taken it off to inspect yet?

[vintagewaferthin]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

It may just be that there is dirt and grime under the bezel. Have you taken it off to inspect yet?

Taken off the bezel? No, wouldn't do that myself. Looks as though it got knocked out of place somehow.

[vintagewaferthin]

Heres the gap. There is only a gap at this spot. Must have been nudged out of place somehow. What do you guys think?

[R.W.T.]

They don't get "nudged" out of place. That is a tight fit and on that reference, if I'm not mistaken, it is like the old style 6610 or 6694 and the bezel has a groove on the underside and the rehaute exterior has a lip. The bezel snaps down over it.

The last guy either didn't have a bezel press or didn't check it.

But seriously...:-) don't you need a crystal? That's a pretty nice chunk missing there. :-)

[vintagewaferthin]

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

They don't get "nudged" out of place. That is a tight fit and on that reference, if I'm not mistaken, it is like the old style 6610 or 6694 and the bezel has a groove on the underside and the rehaute exterior has a lip. The bezel snaps down over it.

The last guy either didn't have a bezel press or didn't check it.

But seriously...:-) don't you need a crystal? That's a pretty nice chunk missing there. :-)

Indeed there is.. Im planning on bringing it down to the 5th Avenue RSC soon for an estimate of what it would cost to have them give it a movement service, new crystal, and a but and polish(all while keeping original dial and hands). Any idea of what they roughly charge now for something like that on a watch of this age?

[crowncollection]

The bezel has not been installed correctly


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[vintagewaferthin]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

The bezel has not been installed correctly


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thats what I figured. Did whoever worked on it last just not press it in correctly? Can I leave it this way until I have it serviced?

[crowncollection]

Originally Posted by vintagewaferthin

Thats what I figured. Did whoever worked on it last just not press it in correctly? Can I leave it this way until I have it serviced?

It won't hurt anything except the waterproofing is a concern as the bezel forms a major part on older non divers models


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[vintagewaferthin]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

It won't hurt anything except the waterproofing is a concern as the bezel forms a major part on older non divers models


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

When I bring it for the estimate at the NYC RSC, will they be able to press down the bezel correctly for me then, or will I have to wait until it gets the full overhaul?

[crowncollection]

Originally Posted by vintagewaferthin

When I bring it for the estimate at the NYC RSC, will they be able to press down the bezel correctly for me then, or will I have to wait until it gets the full overhaul?

Easy to fix it takes a minute with correct tools they should correct it for you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[vintagewaferthin]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

Easy to fix it takes a minute with correct tools they should correct it for you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A bit off topic, but do you know roughly how much(if no major issues are found) they would charge for an overhaul on a '79 5500 like mine?

[crowncollection]

Originally Posted by vintagewaferthin

A bit off topic, but do you know roughly how much(if no major issues are found) they would charge for an overhaul on a '79 5500 like mine?

I know the no dates are the cheapest to service at least non sports oysters, no idea on usa prices. Sorry


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk