gmt master ii ceramic vs aluminum inserts

[Njkdog]

from what I'm seeing I think these two inserts are the same size (I could be wrong), are they interchangeable?

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by Njkdog

from what I'm seeing I think these two inserts are the same size (I could be wrong), are they interchangeable?

No. The O.D. of the ceramic inserts is a fraction of a millimeter larger than the aluminum inserts. I used a custom fixture, a Dremel tool, and a diamond file to shave a ceramic insert O.D. so it would fit a stock stainless steel 16710 bezel.

[brigadoonb]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

No. The O.D. of the ceramic inserts is a fraction of a millimeter larger than the aluminum inserts. I used a custom fixture, a Dremel tool, and a diamond file to shave a ceramic insert O.D. so it would fit a stock stainless steel 16710 bezel.

Brave…very brave


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[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by brigadoonb

Brave…very brave

Well, you have to be very careful. Ceramic lacks ductility; it is extremely brittle, so precision is required in working with it to avoid expensive mistakes that result in this:

[espanol]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

Well, you have to be very careful. Ceramic lacks ductility; it is extremely brittle, so precision is required in working with it to avoid expensive mistakes that result in this:

Very neat. Where’d you come across a ceramic BLRO bezel? Is it OEM?

[Njkdog]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

No. The O.D. of the ceramic inserts is a fraction of a millimeter larger than the aluminum inserts. I used a custom fixture, a Dremel tool, and a diamond file to shave a ceramic insert O.D. so it would fit a stock stainless steel 16710 bezel.

Thank you sir

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

No. The O.D. of the ceramic inserts is a fraction of a millimeter larger than the aluminum inserts. I used a custom fixture, a Dremel tool, and a diamond file to shave a ceramic insert O.D. so it would fit a stock stainless steel 16710 bezel.

Nicely done!


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[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by espanol

Very neat. Where’d you come across a ceramic BLRO bezel? Is it OEM?

It's not OEM, but a good aftermarket copy from a Hong Kong ETSY seller, ChronoHK. My 16710 is easily restored to the OEM bezel insert in about five minutes. I did the mod because I was tired of my aluminum inserts getting scratched and like the larger, more legible font on the ceramic inserts.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by espanol

Is it OEM?

I'd like to know that, too.

[Njkdog]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

Well, you have to be very careful. Ceramic lacks ductility; it is extremely brittle, so precision is required in working with it to avoid expensive mistakes that result in this:

By the way. Would you say taking it out is more dangerous or putting it in?

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by Njkdog

By the way. Would you say taking it out is more dangerous or putting it in?

In my limited experience, the initial fit (tight enough to fit in the bezel recess securely but not so big it shatters when you try to press it into place) is the most dangerous. Taking it out after the initial fitting by gently pressing it out a little at a time around the circumference is pretty safe. I say that as I've inserted and removed it several times without damaging it.