Explorer 1 [214270] Bezel Removal

[russeree]

What technique is used to remove the smooth bezel on these models?

Thanks in advance.

[watchmaker]

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=171003

Rolex have a bezel removal tool, which you can see in this previous thread. Hope that helps.

[Ironstark]

Give it to an experienced watchmaker who has Rolex training and Rolex specific tooling.
If you want it removed I assume you'll want it (or a replacement) back on too?
Re-fitting is a whole other set of specific tools

[russeree]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=171003

Rolex have a bezel removal tool, which you can see in this previous thread. Hope that helps.

Thank you watchmaker

[joli160]

Not something I am willing to do myself, pretty sure I will mess up

[Watchcollectables]

You can use a thin and sharp case knife , be careful to mask the sides of the case . The bezel comes off relatively easily the only issue will be retaining the plastic gasket / ring on the inside of the bezel for refitting which incorrectly seated will crush it on refiting and render it useless .The channel it sits should be clean and the ring should sit flush in the channel all the way round . hope this helps !

[lennywilkins]

Originally Posted by Watchcollectables

You can use a thin and sharp case knife , be careful to mask the sides of the case . The bezel comes off relatively easily the only issue will be retaining the plastic gasket / ring on the inside of the bezel for refitting which incorrectly seated will crush it on refiting and render it useless .The channel it sits should be clean and the ring should sit flush in the channel all the way round . hope this helps !

No. Just no. Horrible advice.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Ironstark

Give it to an experienced watchmaker who has Rolex training and Rolex specific tooling.
If you want it removed I assume you'll want it (or a replacement) back on too?
Re-fitting is a whole other set of specific tools

You covered this and more in the thread that Scott linked.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by lennywilkins

No. Just no. Horrible advice.

I disagree.

Using a thin case knife is fine for taking bezels off. The 4 'knife' case tool that we Rolex watchmakers use is not as fool proof as you might think, you can easily damage the lugs and rehaut if you screw it down too hard.

A knife gives you more control.

[lennywilkins]

Originally Posted by SearChart

I disagree.

Using a thin case knife is fine for taking bezels off. The 4 'knife' case tool that we Rolex watchmakers use is not as fool proof as you might think, you can easily damage the lugs and rehaut if you screw it down too hard.

A knife gives you more control.

A case knife is wonderful if you know how to use it - recommending it to an amateur is a bad idea IMO. A rotating bezel maybe, but not Explorer I. I'd sooner 'pop' it off the proper way with the proper tooling.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Watchcollectables

You can use a thin and sharp case knife , be careful to mask the sides of the case . The bezel comes off relatively easily the only issue will be retaining the plastic gasket / ring on the inside of the bezel for refitting which incorrectly seated will crush it on refiting and render it useless .The channel it sits should be clean and the ring should sit flush in the channel all the way round . hope this helps !

I prefer a serrated steak knife


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[Nickn]

I use a sharpened pen knife starting at side opposite the crown
Bezel Gasket on a 1016???

[Watchcollectables]

Originally Posted by lennywilkins

A case knife is wonderful if you know how to use it - recommending it to an amateur is a bad idea IMO. A rotating bezel maybe, but not Explorer I. I'd sooner 'pop' it off the proper way with the proper tooling.

Thanks for your observations , the newer model bezels are not as tight fitting as the older models , mostly due to the Titanium glass retaining ring which is not so flexible as the plastic gasket that the older Bezels secure around which is why a thin gasket is in place Inside the bezel to give extra seating security . Using the general bezel removing tool is over egging the job on these models and the use of a good firm sharp case knife is all that is required . It removes any metal damage risk which you can get from the hard blades in the bezel tool and provides more closer accuracy with a steady hand .
Just my experience of completing many hundreds of this procedure 👍

[lennywilkins]

Originally Posted by Watchcollectables

Thanks for your observations , the newer model bezels are not as tight fitting as the older models , mostly due to the Titanium glass retaining ring which is not so flexible as the plastic gasket that the older Bezels secure around which is why a thin gasket is in place Inside the bezel to give extra seating security . Using the general bezel removing tool is over egging the job on these models and the use of a good firm sharp case knife is all that is required . It removes any metal damage risk which you can get from the hard blades in the bezel tool and provides more closer accuracy with a steady hand .
Just my experience of completing many hundreds of this procedure 👍

Precisely. Recommending using a case knife to someone who has no knowledge of how to do it is very poor form

[Watchcollectables]

Originally Posted by lennywilkins

Precisely. Recommending using a case knife to someone who has no knowledge of how to do it is very poor form

Probably even poorer form is to allow children on internet forums and allowing them to learn how to use case knives , so yes I agree wholeheartedly .

[AndyS]

Originally Posted by lennywilkins

No. Just no. Horrible advice.

Agree-Makes me nervous just reading that.


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