Bezel Alignment?

[paracord]

Well I am an OCD type....a stickler for the details on a watch.

Coming from Omega, namely a Planet Ocean, I've seen my fair share of bezel alignment issues (pearl doesn't split the markers on the dial).

How is Rolex for bezel alignment? I'm in love with the black subc but i would expect it to be SPOT ON, especially for the price. Heck, my INVICTA divers (all four of them) are DEAD ON with bezel alignment.

Anyone have some pics of perfect alignment, or maybe imperfect alignment on Rolex twist bezel models??

Thanks!

[GradyPhilpott]

We have a few who stop by and complain about theirs, but on my Sub which I picked up today, the alignment is perfect, if I take the time to do it well and if my activities don't move it a click or two.

Regardless, any error or movement of the bezel is so small that it is irrelevant.

Even if your off by a click or two, it's just not critical.

[George Ab]

If it doesn't align perfectly and it bothers you then align it.

First remove the bezel. Make sure to mask off of the lug properly so you do not get a lug ding. Remove the insert from the bezel. Reinstall the bezel without the insert. Make sure the notch on the spring is smack dab in the middle of a gear. Place the bezel insert right in proper alignment and reinstall.

If you have any qualms, then take to a watchmaker and they should be able to accomplish for a nominal fee. Then you can move your OCD onto other areas.

[paracord]

Sure. But i just don't think I should have to do that on a watch that costs 8 thousand dollars.

Maybe its just me.

[azguy]

Originally Posted by paracord

Sure. But i just don't think I should have to do that on a watch that costs 8 thousand dollars.

Maybe its just me.

One man's small hole, is the grand canyon to another....I do agree with you though

[Tools]

Originally Posted by paracord

Sure. But i just don't think I should have to do that on a watch that costs 8 thousand dollars.

Maybe its just me.

This attitude does seem common now days, so the mind-set is not just you..

However, I don't see why some believe that just because a Rolex is at some price-point that they shouldn't have any tolerance deviation other than what a bunch of new-buyers have determined on the Internet or seen in a photo..

A lot of new owners think that somehow the bezel insert should "align" perfectly with some marks on the inner dial..

The reality is that the bezel and it's markings have no relationship to the inner dial at all.. none. The only function of the bezel it to align with the minute hand, wherever it may be around the face of the watch, and that is almost never exactly on any marks..

[dooder202]

Originally Posted by paracord

Well I am an OCD type....a stickler for the details on a watch.

Coming from Omega, namely a Planet Ocean, I've seen my fair share of bezel alignment issues (pearl doesn't split the markers on the dial).

How is Rolex for bezel alignment? I'm in love with the black subc but i would expect it to be SPOT ON, especially for the price. Heck, my INVICTA divers (all four of them) are DEAD ON with bezel alignment.

Anyone have some pics of perfect alignment, or maybe imperfect alignment on Rolex twist bezel models??

Thanks!

The alignment on my sub and all the subs I have ever sold was PERFECT. Now I have heard some complaints with peoples being off a hair or two. Now I actually have seen some at some AD's when it's definitely off. That's just a minor QC issue and I was told that it can be fixed very easily. I wouldn't worry about it if you didn't even buy one yet, I bet 99.9% that yours will be spot on!

[paracord]

Originally Posted by Tools

This attitude does seem common now days, so the mind-set is not just you..

However, I don't see why some believe that just because a Rolex is at some price-point that they shouldn't have any tolerance deviation other than what a bunch of new-buyers have determined on the Internet or seen in a photo..

A lot of new owners think that somehow the bezel insert should "align" perfectly with some marks on the inner dial..

The reality is that the bezel and it's markings have no relationship to the inner dial at all.. none. The only function of the bezel it to align with the minute hand, wherever it may be around the face of the watch, and that is almost never exactly on any marks..

Yeah but it looks sloppy to me. If Invicta can get it right then Rolex and Omega should be able to.

[77T]

Originally Posted by paracord

How is Rolex for bezel alignment? I'm in love with the black subc but i would expect it to be SPOT ON

Welcome to TRF!

If a Sub's bezel was off a tick it might be good therapy for your OCD

Let's see some pics of your collection in perfect pearl/bezel alignment at 12, 3, 6 and 9 - or it didn't happen!

[paracord]

And I disagree that the bezel and dial have no relationship. The markings on the bezel correspond to the minutes on the dial markers when the bezel is aligned at the 12 o'clock position.

[77T]

What Larry is trying to explain is that a diver bezel is meant to be used on the fly by someone who needs to measure minutes accurately. So the bezel is usually spun around to match where the minute hand happens to be at a moment in time. In other words it could be between the minute marks on the dial.

That's why it has clicks between the dial minute marks...

[handsfull]

I have to agree with the OP.

Regardless of the name or brand...if I'm buying anything high end, I have high expectations. If one purchases a new Mercedes and the steering wheel is cocked 20 degrees off center while driving straight down the road....that is a definite no-go. Attention to detail is what your paying for, and I expect just that.

[JesusSandals]

Just try it in the store and if it is perfect hand your cash over!
I can see why it would bug you but just pull the trigger, I'm
Sure you will not be disappointed!

[dcash0615]

totally agree.

I looked at some of mine in my collection and they weren't perfect, but close enough for me. I think this is comon and an easy fix for anyone who is bothered by it.

One thing I noticed is when I look at the alignment with both eyes it never looks perfectly aligned. When I look at it with one eye (my right eye since I am right eye dominant) the alignment looks spot on.

Originally Posted by Tools

This attitude does seem common now days, so the mind-set is not just you..

However, I don't see why some believe that just because a Rolex is at some price-point that they shouldn't have any tolerance deviation other than what a bunch of new-buyers have determined on the Internet or seen in a photo..

A lot of new owners think that somehow the bezel insert should "align" perfectly with some marks on the inner dial..

The reality is that the bezel and it's markings have no relationship to the inner dial at all.. none. The only function of the bezel it to align with the minute hand, wherever it may be around the face of the watch, and that is almost never exactly on any marks..

[padi56]

Bezel Alignment,Crown Alignment,Rehaut Alignment, Hands Alignment,Clasp Alignment,does Rolex still make watches or just Alignment points.Perhaps we should all have our hand permanently set at 10 past 10 and the date glued to the 28th just like the Rolex brochure pictures then all Rolex watches would be perfectly Aligned.But not much use to tell the time what they were designed for, wonder if the movement is Aligned with the movement number it the case.

[77T]

Originally Posted by padi56

Bezel Alignment,Crown Alignment,Rehaut Alignment, Hands Alignment,Clasp Alignment,does Rolex still make watches or just Alignment points.Perhaps we should all have our hand permanently set at 10 past 10 and the date glued to the 28th just like the Rolex brochure pictures then all Rolex watches would be perfectly Aligned.But not much use to tell the time what they were designed for, wonder if the movement is Aligned with the movement number it the case.

[tgoose1]

If you are a real "diver" and use your watch for timed underwater dives, it is understood and accepted if the 12 o'clock does not align perfectly. Classic sub owners can remove the "click-spring" for perfect alignment everytime.

[77T]

I always used it for bottom time and then for the decompression stops. It was never a problem to add a minute to each interval if the bezel "split a hair".

[Tools]

Originally Posted by handsfull

I have to agree with the OP.

Regardless of the name or brand...if I'm buying anything high end, I have high expectations. If one purchases a new Mercedes and the steering wheel is cocked 20 degrees off center while driving straight down the road....that is a definite no-go. Attention to detail is what your paying for, and I expect just that.

Now you're being silly... Do you run a micrometer along the door lines to make sure all doors have exactly the same gap.. Is that hood ornament perfectly aligned with the centerline of the car ?? Do the emblems always stop right-side-up whenever you park the car ??

A steering wheel 20 degrees off is a far cry from a triangle on a watch being a fraction of a mm off from an irrelevant reference point..

Yes, it is nice if the triangle is in "perfect" alignment.. but absolutely nobody will ever notice, nor will it make any difference in operation, if they are a couple of hairs distance apart.. It does border on obsessive compulsive if it truly does affect somebodies life ..

[rad87gn]

Some of mine are perfect and some not. Crowns don't all line up perfectly either. Don't really care. The watches are fine.

[paracord]

Originally Posted by Tools

Now you're being silly... Do you run a micrometer along the door lines to make sure all doors have exactly the same gap.. Is that hood ornament perfectly aligned with the centerline of the car ?? Do the emblems always stop right-side-up whenever you park the car ??

A steering wheel 20 degrees off is a far cry from a triangle on a watch being a fraction of a mm off from an irrelevant reference point..

Yes, it is nice if the triangle is in "perfect" alignment.. but absolutely nobody will ever notice, nor will it make any difference in operation, if they are a couple of hairs distance apart.. It does border on obsessive compulsive if it truly does affect somebodies life ..

Of course it won't affect someone's life. But it's just a matter of principle. Some people aren't meticulous about things. Some are. Rolex prides itself on a reputation of sterling quality in even the smallest detail. When you look at a watch, there isn't THAT much real-estate on it. A mis-aligned bezel REALLY stands out (to me at least). And it should stand out to the QA person before it leaves Switzerland.

A better analogy on the Mercedes-Benz would be if the hood ornament were misaligned. Certainly it doesn't affect the FUNCTION of the car in any way.

But dude.......YOU'RE BUYING A ROLEX or a MERCEDES-BENZ. If all you cared about were FUNCTION, you'd own a TIMEX and a HONDA.

Right?

[dooder202]

Originally Posted by paracord

Of course it won't affect someone's life. But it's just a matter of principle. Some people aren't meticulous about things. Some are. Rolex prides itself on a reputation of sterling quality in even the smallest detail. When you look at a watch, there isn't THAT much real-estate on it. A mis-aligned bezel REALLY stands out (to me at least). And it should stand out to the QA person before it leaves Switzerland.

A better analogy on the Mercedes-Benz would be if the hood ornament were misaligned. Certainly it doesn't affect the FUNCTION of the car in any way.

But dude.......YOU'RE BUYING A ROLEX or a MERCEDES-BENZ. If all you cared about were FUNCTION, you'd own a TIMEX and a HONDA.

Right?

You do have a solid point here.

[77T]

"A mis-aligned bezel REALLY stands out (to me at least)."

OK, you win - -
If you do get a Rolex, please post pics. You could start a TRF "Perfect Bezel Club"

[gwozhog]

For those of you who have misalligned bezels you are not drinking enough.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by handsfull

i have to agree with the op.

Regardless of the name or brand...if i'm buying anything high end, i have high expectations. If one purchases a new mercedes and the steering wheel is cocked 20 degrees off center while driving straight down the road....that is a definite no-go. Attention to detail is what your paying for, and i expect just that.

x2

[MortgageGuy]

Personally would not bother me much... I have owned dozens of Rolex, Panerai... and not one of them is/was perfect. Such is life.


Dont mean to sound like a hater here but if you are looking for perfection you will need to spend much more than $8k for a watch Try like 30k+

[Dr.Brian]

What I don't understand is why people with bezel OCD ever get one of these misaligned watches. Just look it over in the shop before you buy it. If it's not aligned, get the other one, or the one across town.
Nobody would ever know if mine lines up because I use it all the time and never "reset" it to 12. I can hear the OCD crowd cringing...

BTW, if you want hand crafted perfection, rolex ain't for you. Get a Patek or Lange.

[dooder202]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

What I don't understand is why people with bezel OCD ever get one of these misaligned watches. Just look it over in the shop before you buy it. If it's not aligned, get the other one, or the one across town.
Nobody would ever know if mine lines up because I use it all the time and never "reset" it to 12. I can hear the OCD crowd cringing...

BTW, if you want hand crafted perfection, rolex ain't for you. Get a Patek or Lange.

You have a valid argument but Rolex's motto is "An obsession with perfection"..... If you're dropping 8-30k or whatever on a wristwatch, the fkin bezel should line up... Period.

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by MortgageGuy

.... but if you are looking for perfection you will need to spend much more than $8k for a watch

Adam....I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry

I would agree if your talking about elab/decorated movements, but we're talking about someone with 20/20 vision getting the pip to line up at the 12....it's a FAARRR cry from 'perfection'. I would bet my 9 year old could complete this task with success

Originally Posted by Tools

Yes, it is nice if the triangle is in "perfect" alignment.. but absolutely nobody will ever notice

I noticed. Hell, I noticed this with my first Rolex almost 20 years ago (easy fix on a alum bezel insert though )


I usually agree with most of your posts Larry. This one....not so much.

Is it 'life or death'....of COURSE NOT. Rolex makes watches and charges accordingly for their stated precision. It's a slippery slope when you start to discount/overlook what YOU think is 'minor' or 'unimportant' flaws. Fact is....it is a flaw or error in assembly. Where do you stop making excuses for flaw/errors? Is a micro ding in the crystal OK?

To me its really quite simple.....I wouldn't expect anything from Rolex that I wouldn't in other brands for much less money (i/e invicta, deep blue, etc). Nothing more and surely...nothing less. YMMV.

[dsio]

Buy a 1680/5513 there's never been a single one that didn't line up perfectly. =D