bezel removal

[pete g]

hi, tried to get the bezel off my sub using the knife procedure, no luck. there are special remover tools made for this. they are pretty expensive. has anyone tried making one ?

[piskopow]

on one of mine low-end subs the bezel was fastened with an octagon shaped wire, had to heat the bezelring off before I took the wire out.

this is how it's suppose to be, http://www.instructables.com/id/Remove-and-replace-the-bezel-on-your-Rolex-Submari/

this is how it was, http://jholbrook.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=review&action=display&thread=20568

Good luck

[pete g]

hi, i'am a little confused. you say you heated the bezel ring and it came off then you removed the wire? so the bezel ring was not a snap fit?

[seafoam]

You have to make sure you're not inserting your tool too deep under the bezel as to not remove the retaining ring with it. The bezel should be removed first then the retaining ring if needed. The retaining ring should have a bit more resistance.

[the_rymeister]

What sub is it buddy?

[pete g]

hi, not sure what sub it is. i,am pretty sure it has the retaining ring. is there a tool for removing this type of bezel? it is a low priced sub.

[frankt]

Some of the Subs sold over the years have very difficult to remove bezels.....IIRC, the original noob from TTK was one in that category....

BTW...why do you feel the need to do this "bezelectomy"...???

[pete g]

i want to be able to swap inserts without destroying them.

[Guest Gotohavearolexnow]

I've always got them of , getting them back on is another thing though unless you have a press

[pete g]

i was able to get the insert out, but of course it was destroyed in the process.

[frankt]

There are a few tricks to insert removal....One of the easiest is to use a hair dryer to heat it up enough to soften the adhesive, then slowly and CAREFULLY use as Xacto knife blade to separate the insert from the bezel... I have done this dozens of times with no problems.

I also destroyed a "noob" bezel once trying to remove it!!

[pete g]

hi frankt, i'am going to try the heat method next time around. how long do you heat?

[frankt]

hi frankt, i'am going to try the heat method next time around. how long do you heat?

Until the insert can be moved slightly......Then pry it out carefully....

[pete g]

ok, thanks for the info.

[pete g]

one more question. when your heating the bezel should you remove the movement from the watch?

[piskopow]

i took the insert off with an blowtorch ^^ actually meant insert not ring in my previous post got it off without any damage, also used this method on the cyclops for date when in doubt, use bigger tools.

[pete g]

a blowtorch! wow, and the movement wasn't damaged? great.

[piskopow]

no need to remove the movement, it's inside some pretty thick stainless steel, you'll have to seriously try to damage the movement from the outside with heat alone btw. bezel insert was heated about 10seconds in an circular motions, cyclops took some 2sec to heat the glue ^^ then just ninja it off with and exacto-razorblade ^^

[pete g]

great info. thanks.