Polishing Clark Bezel Assembly?

[e30m3]

Hi,

 

Just received my unpolished Clark 5513 bezel assembly and have a couple of questions:

 

1. It's unpolished - I was just going to hit it with Dialux Vert until it got shiny, but thought to check if this was all wrong and there was some special way of recreating the "factory" finish (although I'm sure any real 5513 will have been so polished with time by now that it's not really relevant).

 

2. To install, do I take apart the bezel assembly into its individual parts and push over the crystal one-by-one? Or press the whole damn thing on (very carefully) as one assembly?

 

Thanks.

[jackflash]

1. Yeap, polish the bezel. Plenty of reference images around to refer to.

 

2. Take the bezel assembly apart. With the crystal in place, press on the retaining ring and add the bezel spring. Then clip on the bezel with the insert in place.

 

[e30m3]

Thanks (as usual). I'm just going to go to town with a cotton wheel and some Dialux - just polish the crap out of it? What about the inside of the "teeth," do you recommend getting it in there too? Or try to keep the "machined" look?

 

Ref:

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/43zep132/1979-rolex-5513-with-mk-iii-maxi-dial-and-box-and-purchase-papers-A39

[jackflash]

I wouldn’t over polish it. Less is more

Find the look of a vintage 5513 bezel you like and use it as a visual reference.

[e30m3]

I’ve been polishing - it’s starting to look good, but I can’t seem to get these machining marks to go. See them on the teeth? They look like lathe marks. Keep on polishing until they disappear?

 

[jackflash]

You might want to try some fine grade wet & dry (2000) and then polish.

[e30m3]

Worked perfectly, thanks!

[jackflash]

Worked perfectly, thanks!

You’re welcome