How To Remove Rotating Watch Bezel

To engagement, changing of bezels and bezel inserts remains as one of the most popular modification on SEIKO swoop watches such as SKX, Turtles, Sumo, and more than. Not simply is this modification easy, it also preserve SEIKO'due south Dna with its dial and is selectivelynon-invasive (i.east. no opening of watch and exposing the movement). What's more, a simple modification of the bezel and bezel inserts can drastically change the visual appeal of the dive watch. Additionally, aftermarkets parts for SEIKO dive watches, especially SKX007 & SKX013, take a constantly growing myriad of varieties where most volition be spoilt for pick.

In this tutorial, nosotros will demonstrate in detail one of the most popular cosmetic modification on SEIKO watches -Changing The Bezel and Bezel Insert.
**Applicable on virtually SEIKO watches.

CHANGING THE BEZEL AND BEZEL INSERT

DIFFICULTY:
*The toughest part of this modernistic would be removing the bezel.

Footstep ane: REMOVING THE BEZEL.

SNAP-BASED BEZEL

This is a type of bezel that snaps in and out. A protruding ring effectually the watch example that allows bezels to snap onto the scout. Generally, a uni- or bi-directional rotatable bezel that is mutual on swoop watches.

Here, we used a Snap Back Case Opener Tool and a Dremel vice. Using a stiff solid and sharp prying tool is essential, else yous might impairment the watch and/or tool. Another optional but recommended equipment to have is a vice, helps to hold the watch while you have ii hands to work the bezel out.

Snap dorsum case opener tool

SKX013 on Dremel Vice with plastic die on crystal

Hither, the watch is held in position with a vice. Since the bezel is beginning indicate of contact when clamped, a plastic crystal press die almost the size of the SKX013 crystal is placed on the crystal before clamping down. As information technology does not scratch the crystal, any particular tin be used to replace the plastic die. This let the bezel free rotation and ample infinite for removal.

With SKX007 or SKX013, their bezels have teeth protruding below the bezel. What you will see when lightly rotate and pull apart are actually teeth of the bezel. This is an of import notation considering inserting any sharp prying tool in betwixt to pry open the bezel from watch frame will have the tool hitting the bezel teeth. Objectively, y'all will want to lift it high enough to insert the abrupt prying tool below the teeth. This volition requite y'all enough leverage force to pry open the bezel.

SKX013 Bezel Teeth

Displacing the bezel from the lookout case frame using Snap back example opener tool

Lastly, in one case the sharp tool is inserted between the bezel teeth and sentinel frame, removal of the bezel tin can be washed past twisting the sharp prying tool. At this stage, the bezel should pop open. Notably, the offset time removal of bezel from a new watch is relatively tough/tight. Later on a few placement and removal of several bezels on the same watch, removal of bezel will simply get easier.

(Left) Sentinel case frame, (Middle) Bezel click spring & (Right) Bezel with insert

One time the bezel is out, there is a bezel click leap sitting on the picket case frame. It is important to accept great care of this bezel click jump as it plays a fundamental role in bezel rotation. Without information technology or whatsoever pocket-sized dent to it may prevent the bezel from rotating.

TIPS: In betwixt the bezel and watch frame is a bezel click jump. Rotate a few mm before it the click really lifts the bezel up. Non significant merely a petty forcefulness up can ease the procedure of bezel removal.

Important: Any sharp tool(s) used to pry open the bezel from the watch case should exist done between the lugs. Thus, avoiding any visible cosmetic damages.

FRICTION-BASED BEZEL

This is a blazon of bezel that holds onto the case by friction. Holds onto the watch instance extremely tight and is non-rotatable. Common examples are Rolex Datejust fluted bezel and SNK80X series bezels. Note: More often than not, friction-based bezel mod are invasive as crystal sits on the bezel and when the bezel is removed, the entire dial, hands and movement will exist exposed (with the exception of SEIKO dive watches).

Unlike snap-based bezels, removal of friction-based bezels requires an boosted tool -A Watch Bezel Remover Tool.

Watch Bezel Remover Tool

Turn the knob of the sentry bezel remover tool until it allows you to place the sentinel case face down and flat with the lugs sitting on the four angled blades. Now keep to turn the knob until yous observe the blades going into the gap between the bezel and the case. Continue to plow until the bezel is push button down from the case.

Gap on SNK809 (7S26-02J0) watch example (Indicated by red arrows)

SNK809 on a Lookout bezel remover tool with its blades in the gap

Pry out SNK809 bezel with Snap dorsum case opener tool

From here, if the bezel does not drop off, utilise a snap back case opener tool to merely separate the bezel and the example.

Removal of SKX013 Big Bang Bezel from the scout case frame

Friction-based bezels tin can sometimes exist extremely tough to remove. Eastward.g. Our big bang and pilot bezels for SKX013. In this case, approaching in a careful manner, a hammer can be used to separate the bezel and watch case frame past using it to gently hit the snap back instance opener tool that is angled in-betwixt the gap. This approach is definitely not for the faint-hearted or inexperience.

STEP 2: REMOVING A BEZEL INSERT.

SNAP-BASED BEZEL

Removing a bezel insert is directly forward and at that place are multiple approaches. Notably, the bezel insert is held in place by double sided adhesive tape. Hence, the adhesive tin either be physically or chemically removed.

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I of the most mutual physical approach is to embed a sharp penknife from the within between the bezel insert and bezel. Then have the penknife gently work the way through around the bezel insert track to disrupt the adhesive. This would loosen the bezel insert from the bezel and prime number it safe for removal.

IMPORTANT: Every bit metallic bezel inserts are susceptible to bends and ceramic bezel inserts are breakable, care should be taken when removing the bezel insert after disrupting the agglutinative.

STEP 3: FITTING A NEW BEZEL.

Hither, we are using a crystal rack press similar to Bergeon 6173. Alternatively, an economic system crystal printing would also suffice. The only difference would be the attempt force required to produce the same result. With the crystal rack printing, it is extremely easy to fit any blazon of bezel onto the watch instance frame. Just similar pressing a crystal, utilize the correct size die that sit firmly onto the bezel and apply appropriate pressure. Once a click sound is heard, the bezel is fitted in. Notably, while all snap-based bezel produces a click audio when fitted in, not all friction-based bezel produces a click sound when fitted in.

Plastic die that sits perfectly on snap-based bezel

Plastic die that sits perfectly within friction-based bezel

Crystal press to press down the bezel onto the sentinel case

IMPORTANT: For Snap-based bezel, ensure that the bezel click spring is on the watch case and properly positioned prior to pressing the bezel down. For Friction-based bezel on dive watches, ensure that the bezel click spring is removed. Since it is non-rotatable, bezel click bound is non required.

TIPS: Employ plastic die when pressing bezel to avoid scratches on the bezel. Additionally for friction-based bezel, if the crystal printing used does not provide loftier leverage force, it will be tough to fit the bezel onto the watch case frame. For bezel that requires bezel insert fitting, it is also highly recommended to fit in the bezel WITHOUT the bezel insert. This would allow a better alignment of bezel insert in the next stride.

SKX013 with bezel click spring

SKX013 without bezel click leap

Stride 4: Plumbing equipment A NEW BEZEL INSERT.

SNAP-BASED BEZEL

After fitting the bezel onto the sentinel case frame, it is of import to clean the bezel's inner surface where the bezel insert sits. Here we utilizecotton wool swap soaked with lxx% v/v ethanol solution to clean the bezel's inner surface. This will remove all residuum dirt and dust, leaving a clean surface for bezel insert adhesion.

Cleaning the bezel with ethanol-soaked cotton swap

TIPS: If there are adhesive residuum from the removal of previous bezel insert. It is of import to remove it, either past scraping it with a penknife or using an adhesive remover (e.g. 3M Adhesive Remover Citrus Base).

From here on, apply the double-sided adhesive onto the back of the bezel insert. (Our bezel inserts comes with adhesive already applied onto the dorsum of the bezel insert.) Gently rotate the bezel anti-clockwise and then clockwise to feel the firm block. Here, place the bezel insert with its 12 o'clock mark in parallel with the dial and chapter band markers.

Spotter TOOLS REQUIRED

• CRYSTAL Press - Easy fitting of the bezel onto the watch instance.
  E.m. Bergeon 6173 Rack Press. Alternatively, you lot may besides opt for the economy version. The principal deviation would be the endeavour force required to produce the same leverage forcefulness when plumbing equipment the bezel.
• ETHANOL SOLUTION - Removal of oil and dirt.
  Purely for cleaning purposes. 100% ethanol solution can also be use. Handle with extreme intendance. Ethanol is extremely flammable.
• SNAP BACK CASE OPENER - Pry open bezel from watch case.
  Get 1 that has a huge surface area to grip for easier prying process.
• VICE - Holds entire watch in place.
  Eastward.g. Dremel Vice. Any similar vice tin can likewise be employ. Ensure the grips are placed with newspaper or rubber to foreclose scratches on the watch case.
• Scout BEZEL REMOVER TOOL - Removes friction-based bezel.
  Get a premium quality bezel remover tool. Quality of this tool is important as the blades cut into the gap betwixt the bezel and watch case, any poorly made bezel remover tool volition result in scratches and amercement on both bezel and watch case.

NOTES

Listed here are some of tools that we are used. Depending on individual, some tools might be unlike or might not be necessary. While in terms of cost, they are more often than not affordable if yous do not heed using "China Made" tools. Swiss Made tools can toll anything to thousands of dollars. Of class, when it comes to quality, it is a huge difference. Either way you go, they both become the chore done.

It is also important to wear gloves or finger cots to avert direct contact of our fingers on the scout parts and, especially, the movement.

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Warning: Modification and/or customisation of a sentry will more often than not void its warranty.

Source: https://luciusatelier.com/blogs/news/tutorial-how-to-modify-your-seiko-watch-bezel-and-bezel-insert

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