Tutorial: Removing PLOPROF V2 bezel insert

[mike00]

Hi ya all.

I am actually most active on repgeek but thought some members over here would appreciate this info.

Yesterday I finnaly had the cojones to remove the bezel insert of my beloved V2 PLOPROF.

Member thinkbags also removed it couple days ago by a simular method.

This is not a difficult mod but sure a tricky one.

For the noobs...The fact why we geeks wanting to remove the V2 insert is because the numbers are to grey compared to GEN. The factory placed the Lume on the bezel and not on the backside on the insert as it should be. The V1 insert is closer to GEN compared to the V2. So for you V1 guys IMO this mod is useless. Just enjoy your V1 as it is.

The goal of this mod is ending up with crisp white mumbers on your V2 insert.

Here a 2 pics from PLOPROFMAN. He owns a V2 and owned a GEN in the past.

You can tell the difference.

This is a risky job, so beware ! You can mess it up bigtime (scratching/breaking the insert). No aftermarket inserts available. I messed up mine just a little :undecided: , will tell you later on.

Things you need:

* Cojones

* Halogen lamp

* tape (very important, preventing scratches!)

* Patience as usual

* peanut butter

* cleaning cloth

* scissor

* Blue lume or white painting if you dont care about the lume

Step 1: Heating up the insert.

Do this for about 2 minutes under a halogen lamp. No need to remove the movement.

Step 2: Removing the insert.

Cutt some tape, roll it up and place it on the insert.

NOTE: the first times I worked the insert I did not used tape ending up with some scratches on the backside of the insert. I pressed to hard to maintain grip using my fingers and some minor scratches were the result.

After placing the tape try to turn the insert while sitting in the bezel.

The V2's have a bezel lock as we know so the bezel will stay in place.

The v1's on the other hand are a PITA, difficult to keep the bezel in place, cause the mofu will turn also when working the insert. I have a V2 so don't have the answer for you V1 guys about this. Need to find out yourself I guess :undecided:

After turning it around you will notice it will loosen up. Eventually it will come of and you can turn the watch upside down and it will fall out.

Beware with this procedure!!! try to press it very gently when working the insert, It's sapphire and will break easily. No aftermarket inserts available guys! This is why you absolutely need the tape and the balls !!!! If you don't use tape by nature you press to hard on the crystal to keep grip on it and you will ending up breaking or scratching it probably.

Step 3: Enjoying the fact it came of :

:partybanana: :applause: :partydj: :drinking: :woot: :partymonster: :sparta:

On the first pic from thinkbags his V1 you can see the lume is placed on the insert instead of the bezel like my V2

V1

V2

Step 4: Cleaning the insert (glue residues)

This one made me worry a bit.

Why?? Because when you use agressive chemicals to remove the glue, the black paint will come of while wiping ending up with a smooth clean sapphire insert :undecided:

I wondered which product will not harm the paint, after some research I found it.... Peanut butter!!! After wiping the insert gentely with a soft cloth with some PB the glue just drippes of. No worries about paint coming of using this method.

(these following steps will be posted later on)

Step 5: Will be placing lume directly on the backside of the insert (like GEN)

Step 6: Glue the insert back on the bezel.

Step 7: Kick some ass cause I'm a PLOMAN! :cool:

Now...I ended up with a little issue as mentioned before. While working the insert (at first before using tape) it scratched a litlle. This is why the tape is very important. You don't need much pressure working the insert, so no scratches if I had tried this way before... I will try to repaint it and keep you updated about how it will workout. Just ordered a black sharpie marker on the web.

Hope you enjoyed and good luck you fu**ers!:cool:

Cheers, Mikeymike.

Edited October 10, 2010 by mike00

[cougaree]

Very interesting read. Thank you!

[mike00]

Hope it's all clear to ya all.

[Rolexman]

cool!

[marsupilami]

where can I get white (blue lume) luminous compound ?

noctilume ?

[dluddy]

Great tutorial, thanks for taking the time to share it with us here

[marsupilami]

Is there someone who was able to take the whole bezel off ?