Hair dryer bezel "fix" not working on SMP Chrono

[mars08]

What to do now?

I've heated the watch until it was almost too hot to pick up but the bezel insert will not budge.

Can't try leaving it out in the sun to soften the glue because it's middle of winter here.

Might try to lift off the bezel insert using a scalpel. Tried using a toothpick but it wasn't strong enough. Afraid a scalpel might damage the insert.

The bezel is only about 1.5mm off the mark and I don't want to wreck a nice new watch while trying to "fix" it.

[fakemaster]

The Omegas are a [censored] to work with. If you ar not that bothered by it I would leave it alone.

[f5mando]

The Omegas are a [censored] to work with. If you are not that bothered by it I would leave it alone.

I agree. If it's not keeping you awake at night, wait until summer to do the 'window' fix, or come to California (before they deactivate us) - it works a treat here!

[Rolexman]

I screwed up two SMPs trying to do the same.... leave it alone! Nobody will ever notice.

[mjmurphy926]

Hey mars,

It sounds like you may be as anal as I am when it comes to stuff like this. I can't stand to see something like a misaligned bezel insert.

I too had this situation on my SMP chrono. I had read that you could pry off the bezel ring and remove the insert, but I didn't want to chance bending or scratching the bezel or case, so I asked Josh (who I bought my SMP from) if I could buy an insert from him in case I destroyed my insert trying to remove it. He was more than happy to sell me another insert (don't remember the price, but it was reasonable). The one he sent me was identical to the one on the watch when purchased. I ended up trashing mine with a razor blade and various pliers, but I was able to glue in the new insert with an adhisive called shoe goo. It worked great.

You may want to check with you dealer about buying a new insert.

Good luck,

Mike

[vric]

Don't try to lift the bezel insert.. the Insert is very "soft" and you will do a stupid thing (I did once )

Other solution is to remove the bezel completely.. there's a tutorial here about that.

[mjmurphy926]

Don't try to lift the bezel insert.. the Insert is very "soft" and you will do a stupid thing (I did once )

Other solution is to remove the bezel completely.. there's a tutorial here about that.

Hey vric,

Have you ever successfully removed a bezel without scratching the case or bezel, or even worse, bending the bezel? I tried it once on a submariner and dinged and dented the bezel and case.

I'd rather treat the insert as a throw away part and replace it for around $15 than screw up pieces I can't replace, but if you can do it without screwing up the big parts, by all means, that's the best way to go. I just never had much luck with it.

[TeeJay]

The easiest method, is to completely strip the watch, pop the crystal out from the back, and then very very gently, from the back, tweak up the inner edge of the insert until it loosens enough to lift off without bending. Removing the movement is easy, as is popping the crystal. Putting it back together again isn't particularly challenging either Best of luck

[mars08]

So let me get this straight... getting too "enthusiastic" with the hair dryer can wreck the watch?

[mjmurphy926]

The easiest method, is to completely strip the watch, pop the crystal out from the back, and then very very gently, from the back, tweak up the inner edge of the insert until it loosens enough to lift off without bending. Removing the movement is easy, as is popping the crystal. Putting it back together again isn't particularly challenging either Best of luck

I never thought about that Tee Makes perfect sense.

I'll try it next time.

[takashi]

TeeJay's method is proven 100% working.

[vric]

Hey vric,

Have you ever successfully removed a bezel without scratching the case or bezel, or even worse, bending the bezel? I tried it once on a submariner and dinged and dented the bezel and case.

I'd rather treat the insert as a throw away part and replace it for around $15 than screw up pieces I can't replace, and because it's soft, but if you can do it without screwing up the big parts, by all means, that's the best way to go. I just never had much luck with it.

Yes I used a cloth with a kitchen knight to pry the Bezel. Bezel is very solid and it will pop off.

Once removed, remove the insert (it should be easy now)

After that, you will have lot of fun to place back the "click spring" in place and the bezel.

Once ine place, put some glue and place back the insert.

This is how I did it. Careful with the glue, you really don't want it near your crystal !

[vric]

The easiest method, is to completely strip the watch, pop the crystal out from the back, and then very very gently, from the back, tweak up the inner edge of the insert until it loosens enough to lift off without bending. Removing the movement is easy, as is popping the crystal. Putting it back together again isn't particularly challenging either Best of luck

Not a bad idea !

[TeeJay]

So let me get this straight... getting too "enthusiastic" with the hair dryer can wreck the watch?

I don't know if a hairdryer can generate the same heat as a daylight bulb, but, I once put a POS SMP under a daylight bulb to dry condensation from the inside of the case. The lume aged about 50 years in 50 minutes, and the plastic movement holder warped from the heat. The result of the warped holder, was that the rotor was no longer able to spin freely, thus the watch was no longer self-winding, and had to be manually wound. I'm not sure if a hairdryer could generate this intensity of heat, but I've always been wary of hot things (childhood accident with a restaurant hot plate, which I still have the scar on my hand from, 22 years later. If only there'd been compo suits back then, I'd've made some crazy money for such an enduring injury )

Anyhoo, totally stripping the watch won't take more than five minutes, and is a good time to re-set the time to test the watch's accuracy

PS When replacing the crystal, if you don't have a crystal press, simply put a T-Shirt on a solid table, place the crystal 'dome side' down on the shirt, position the case, with your thumbs between the lugs (removing the bracelet makes this whole thing a lot easier) and then, keeping your arms and thumbs locked, use your shoulders to transfer your weight forwards in a rolling motion, till you hear the crystal 'pop' back into place

I never thought about that Tee Makes perfect sense.

I'll try it next time.

It doesn't take long, and is quite fun to do, as it's a very simple 'mod' for anyone first getting to grips with things

TeeJay's method is proven 100% working.

Thanks for the endorsement, Takashi-San

Not a bad idea !

Thanks, it certainly saves the 'fun' of trying to get the bezel and spring back in place

[Omega Fan]

You guys rock!!! :punk:

I am just about to change the insert on my pumpkin and luckily I read this thread ... Im sure it will save a lot of time.. thanks

[mars08]

Thanks TeeJay.

I like that idea.