Installing a Gen Bezel on BK WM9 Sub

[Martyd3]

My understanding is that there are subtle differences in shape of the WM9 crystal retaining ring and even if you manage to get the gen bezel on the retaining ring, it won't turn. Assuming this is true, Is there another aftermarket retaining ring that will work or another possible solution?

Thanks.

Marty

[watcher]

You are correct. The profile of the lip is very different on a gen retainer. I found mine on Ebay from BCwatchparts if I remember correctly. I have often wondered if wholesaleoutlet's set is more accurate then WM9's....

[alligoat]

It sure would be nice if we could get gen Rolex parts at a reasonable price! I've got similar issues with my ETZ V3 16610.

I put a gen crystal retaining ring on and the ETZ/MBW bezel, put it's pretty loose- prone to popping off. I bid on a gen 16610 bezel (same as the 16800, of course) last week but the price got up to $150 or so. I tried the bcwatchparts bezel but it was too tight. Haven't tried sanding the inside down yet.

On my beater gen 16800 one day, I hit the corner of the desk or something like that- the bezel popped of, lost the click spring. Went to my watchmaker and got a click spring for $8. Next thought is take the bezel off and go to the Rolex AD and say it popped off, fell in the water and I need a new one. Bezel, insert, click spring and a tension washer- what would it cost? Can I afford it? Raped by Rolex again- RBRA! But the gen bezel fit very well on my ETZ 16610 w/ the gen retaining crystal- oh to be able to access gen parts.

[automatico]

"It sure would be nice if we could get gen Rolex parts at a reasonable price! "

A shop I did some work for had a rolex parts account with rolex (Dallas TX) and they would not sell us bezels at all. No inner bezels, no rotating bezels, no fluted or smooth bezels etc. They would sell inserts and tension springs though.

No dials but we could get hands.

No movement plates but we could get train wheels, reversers, screws, jewels, MS/barrels, balances complete, rotor axles, balance staffs etc.

No bracelet or case parts except for maybe a link screw now and then...no links, clasps, or hoods. They would sell us case tubes, crowns crystals, gaskets, and springbars though.

Back then (5 years ago) you could still get links, clasps, and hoods from ADs but you needed an exchange most of the time.

"On my beater gen 16800 one day, I hit the corner of the desk or something like that- the bezel popped of, lost the click spring. Went to my watchmaker and got a click spring for $8. Next thought is take the bezel off and go to the Rolex AD and say it popped off, fell in the water and I need a new one. "

This is quite common with modern rolex watches and you can sometimes pop a rotating bezel off by hand if you get a good grip on it.

An AD will have no problem with this claim.

"Bezel, insert, click spring and a tension washer- what would it cost? Can I afford it? Raped by Rolex again- RBRA!"

I bet the price will make your nose bleed.

From my limited experience, I have noticed that replacement rotating bezels from well known, established supply houses usually fit better than the bezels you get from internet sites. I got a replacement bezel for a 1675 from Startime (Houston TX) a while back and it fit the case perfectly...the genuine bezel insert snapped in just fine too.

[alligoat]

Thanks for the update, R! Guess it's time to give Startime a try. I kinda figure I couldn't afford (or wouldn't enjoy) a bad nose bleed!