mike00 Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 (edited) I thought this could be usefull here also. I am an active REPGEEK member and not so active over here...neverless I wanted to share this with ya. This time a forum member contacted me for a repair, he made a pretty long scratch over his bezel The problem is the bezel scratch very very easilly and not everyone has the knowledge or the propper tools to replace a bezel. You need to remove the crystal for example, so a crystal press is bassicly a must have besides the other tools offcourse. The difficult thing is that you need find the correct grain for resanding and the fact the bezel is brushed in one direction. The crystal is lying a bit higher compared to the bezel so removing is neccesairy. Also the bezelscrews need to be removed because they are polished and we want to keep this that way. Just for the record I practice watchmaking for more then 4 years now so I am not a newbie in dissambling a watch or doing small repairs. I have swapped datewheels, replaced crystals, fixed keyless works etc etc. Most of the RG members know I am a trustable honest longtime member just sharing the same passion and practice watchmaking as a hobby. I have made some detailed pics to share... Let the journy begin.. WHEN PRESSING OUT THE CRYSTAL YOU NEED TO PRESS IT FROM THE OUTSIDE! WIPE IN A STRAIGHT LINE TO MAINTAIN THE ONE WAY GRAIN, REPEAT THIS FOR ABOUT 10 TIMES SOME EARLIER CAUSED SWIRLS ON THE POLISHED SIDE NEEDS TO BE POLISHED AWAY NOW BEWARE: WHEN PRESSING BACK THE CRYSTAL IN YOU NEED TO PRESS IT FROM THE INSIDE OF THE BEZEL. THIS MEANS YOUR BEZEL IS LYING ON THE PLASTIC DICE RISKING TO BE SCRATCHED AGAIN. I USE SOME KITCHEN FOIL TO PREVENT THIS! LET'S HOPE HE IS HAPPY WITH THE END RESULT THANX FOR WATCHING. Edited December 5, 2011 by mike00 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialvat Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 Great post thanks, my diver is in need of this badly mine has dents too 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike00 Posted December 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 I can help you out if you want... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike00 Posted December 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 Watch will be shipped out tomorrow again Tom, all looking fine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike00 Posted December 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 Scratches are no problem... a dent is another story Great post thanks, my diver is in need of this badly mine has dents too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialvat Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 If I wear my watches to work they get bashed up, I dont mind I prefer the used look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike00 Posted December 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 Ten you're all good to go with dents and scratches haha Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff g Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 very nice post. Makes watch repair look like a lot of fun. Great photos of my favorite watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike00 Posted December 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 It is fun when you have the self convedence to do it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greekgod Posted December 7, 2011 Report Share Posted December 7, 2011 I want all those tools!!! errrrrrrr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browngo1 Posted December 10, 2011 Report Share Posted December 10, 2011 Very interesting. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greekgod Posted December 10, 2011 Report Share Posted December 10, 2011 Mike I need your help!! Mate the Safari bezel is a dent/scratch magnet!! I wore it to work yesterday and it has scratches already (very minor ones) and a very very small dent!! you think these kits would help? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Watch-Care-Polish-Kit-Audemars-Piguet-AP-Watches-Cosmetic-Restoration-/190604924372?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c60f055d4#ht_2714wt_905 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Deluxe-Watch-Scratch-Removal-Kit-Audemars-Piguet-AP-/200626068110?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb63eda8e#ht_2457wt_1163 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ultimate-Watch-Refinishing-Kit-Day-Date-Watches-Brushed-High-Polish-/190611156309?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item2c614f6d55#ht_2808wt_905 I do not have the tools required to open up the watch ... would I be able to sue these kits on the watch without having to open them up? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike00 Posted December 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2011 (edited) This will not work believe me. I tried this before to my scratched AP and it became a total dissaster. Only way is the way i did in this tuto. Otherwise you will mess up the grain. This is why i started this whole thing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited December 11, 2011 by mike00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greekgod Posted December 11, 2011 Report Share Posted December 11, 2011 This will not work believe me. I tried this before to my scratched AP and it became a total dissaster. Only way is the way i did in this tuto. Otherwise you will mess up the grain. This is why i started this whole thing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk thanks mike you are a saver mate..!! So Ill go with the tuto. BUt do you recommend me waiting sometime before I open it up? or should I just do it now and be careful from here on? Also any possible solution for the dents Thx Mike Regards P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike00 Posted December 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2011 (edited) Dents are difficult... When to open up ? I cannot stand scratches so i did it right away. There is an option i will do it for you... If you want shoit me a pm. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited December 11, 2011 by mike00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greekgod Posted December 11, 2011 Report Share Posted December 11, 2011 Mike for the record.... there should be no diff bet the Diver and the Safari as far as opening the watch is concerned right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike00 Posted December 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2011 (edited) Yes it's the same... But you need to press out the crystal... Be carefull Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited December 11, 2011 by mike00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike00 Posted December 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2011 So... Any news? Are you started yet... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryaku Posted December 11, 2011 Report Share Posted December 11, 2011 Mike kudos to you, really a very interesting tutorial Thanks buddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike00 Posted December 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2011 You're welcome. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmetalprog Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 Really useful , many thanks C/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greekgod Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Hi Mike sorry been busy for the past two days ... Actually in normal sunlight I cant see the scratches at all so I am thinking of waiting a little longer! ..But I have the tuto now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armanou-pascal Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Thank you - really a great informing post ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike00 Posted December 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Thanx... It was fun to do Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m5smg2 Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Much appreciated thread, Mike. Any advice on how to get get bezel screws flush. some are just too recessed and I cannot get the height correct no matter what I try. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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