You're both correct, the assembly is same as Rolex. Yes, the retaining ring/washer/bezel all came off together.
You can separate them carefully but it won't be easy. Then when reassembling press the retaining ring down completely onto the crystal/case. Then lube the flat washer, get it perfectly aligned to the mounted retaining ring, drop it in place. Then get the bezel perfectly aligned to the washer and press it onto the ring. It should take a lot of pressure to click on, but you can do it with your thumbs.
If it's still really hard to turn the bezel you didn't get it quite right. Check to ensure the bezel is clicked on all the way around, give it another HARD squeeze, listen for a final click. If no final click, remove the bezel and try again.
It took me perhaps ten tries with my Snowflake before I finally got it right so it turns correctly. All my other watches??? First try every time. Go figure.