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Best Seamaster 120 Aftermarket Bezel
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X350 XJR
··Vintage Omega AficionadoEven if Omega is doing the dial "restoration", which they don't do themselves, it's still a restored dial and adds nothing in value for all the money spent.
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Middlander
·This was my first post and I really appreciate the responses and advice given. Thank you.
For me, it's now time to move on. I've gotten myself a bit of a turkey. It happens.
I'm going to get the watch back, put it to one side ... and in a couple of months decide what to do with it.
Kevin.
For me, it's now time to move on. I've gotten myself a bit of a turkey. It happens.
I'm going to get the watch back, put it to one side ... and in a couple of months decide what to do with it.
Kevin.
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connieseamaster
·Ironically enough, I've seen two TWO SM120 bezels for the 31mm (565/6 models) watch in the past month pop up on eBay. But they were the wrong color for mine so I've held fire. But it does give me hope that I might see the right one eventually.
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Middlander
·Thanks for that. Good to know.
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JwRosenthal
·I think this thread begs the question- has anyone tried another bezel from another watch? I’m not talking about the fake kits on eBay that pop up- just some “other” bezel that fits properly and looks decent on these watches? Considering we are talking about a part that is long NLA and Omega doesn’t seem interested in manufacturing a replacement service part, we are on our own here.
I know apples to oranges- but a friend of mine got an early 80’s Hamilton Chrono that was missing the tachy bezel and found that an Alpha bezel was an almost perfect fit with just a little bit of tweaking- looks killer on the watch and although not original- completes the look of the watch. The entire Alpha watch cost him around $100 so no great loss.
I know apples to oranges- but a friend of mine got an early 80’s Hamilton Chrono that was missing the tachy bezel and found that an Alpha bezel was an almost perfect fit with just a little bit of tweaking- looks killer on the watch and although not original- completes the look of the watch. The entire Alpha watch cost him around $100 so no great loss.
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JwRosenthal
·@AgoMe and I have been chatting in PM, and he brought up an interesting question that I know will stir controversy and as a new member he would be on thin ice- but I have no issue bringing it up- that of having a replacement bezel made using an original as a model.
I know the topic of reproduction is taboo on this forum, and I hate the idea of using the word “fake” but in most any trade, if an OEM part is no longer available, then it is up to the user to be creative or for the aftermarket to fill the void (like repro parts for vintage cars).
It’s not dissimilar to any watchmaker being confronted with an NLA part in a movement, they have to either source a part from a donor (which in this case is proving near impossible) or make the part themselves.
With the capability of cnc machining and 3d printing these days, it wouldn’t be hard for someone to have a run of these bezels made and market them clearly as an aftermarket solution to a non existent OEM part (if there is enough demand for the part). I know this opens the door to people trying to pass them off as original, but there will always be those kind of people.
I would be interested in others thoughts on this- practical and ethical- besides those that would scream “fake”, we know their opinions already. We have a problem of an NLA service part that I thinks warrants the conversation in the collector community.
I know the topic of reproduction is taboo on this forum, and I hate the idea of using the word “fake” but in most any trade, if an OEM part is no longer available, then it is up to the user to be creative or for the aftermarket to fill the void (like repro parts for vintage cars).
It’s not dissimilar to any watchmaker being confronted with an NLA part in a movement, they have to either source a part from a donor (which in this case is proving near impossible) or make the part themselves.
With the capability of cnc machining and 3d printing these days, it wouldn’t be hard for someone to have a run of these bezels made and market them clearly as an aftermarket solution to a non existent OEM part (if there is enough demand for the part). I know this opens the door to people trying to pass them off as original, but there will always be those kind of people.
I would be interested in others thoughts on this- practical and ethical- besides those that would scream “fake”, we know their opinions already. We have a problem of an NLA service part that I thinks warrants the conversation in the collector community.
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connieseamaster
·If I could find a fake bezel in the right size and color, I would buy one in a heartbeat and put the original away for safekeeping. I have talked to a couple of machinist and maker shops in my area and the big hurdles are always run numbers and anodizing the aluminum.
Of course, I'm looking for an orange 31mm bezel and most of you are looking for black 37mm ones.
But once a part is NLA through the original manufacturer or their designee, I'm fully of the opinion that it's fair game to make yourself as long as the origin is disclosed in the event of sale.
Of course, I'm looking for an orange 31mm bezel and most of you are looking for black 37mm ones.
But once a part is NLA through the original manufacturer or their designee, I'm fully of the opinion that it's fair game to make yourself as long as the origin is disclosed in the event of sale.
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Middlander
·Am I right in believing that different aftermarket bezels are already available? But they're poor quality and an attempt to trick.
If the bezel was discreetly marked marked 'aftermarket' ... or the anodising stencil designed with a slightly different layout or typeface, would that be more acceptable and less contentious? Similar to what happens when extensions are made to old buildings. Much better when they are well designed, well made and identifiable.
Can't help thinking that if this was a simple fix, it would have been implemented already. Which I guess takes us back to my original question.
If the bezel was discreetly marked marked 'aftermarket' ... or the anodising stencil designed with a slightly different layout or typeface, would that be more acceptable and less contentious? Similar to what happens when extensions are made to old buildings. Much better when they are well designed, well made and identifiable.
Can't help thinking that if this was a simple fix, it would have been implemented already. Which I guess takes us back to my original question.
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321Only
·I think I saw some of the fake parts sell on etsy. as the original ones are really rare, I would rather get an aftermarket one as a temporary solution until an original shows up
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wallaby-dan
·I think I saw some of the fake parts sell on etsy. as the original ones are really rare, I would rather get an aftermarket one as a temporary solution until an original shows up
I am in the same boat. I bought an Omega Seamaster 60 Ref. 166.062 as a restoration project. Half way through and after sourcing all NOS parts, the watchmaker put the Bakelite bezel insert in the ultrasonic cleaner. It came out broken and transparent.
i have been looking 2 years for a replacement and am getting desperate. I have seen people re-manufacturing bezel inserts using moulds and acrylic but only for Rolex and funnily enough. Seiko mods. I would have zero issue having a bezel fabricated if only I could find someone to do it.
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wallaby-dan
·I wasn’t really mad at the time because I thought I could always find a replacement Bakelite insert somewhere, how terribly wrong I was. ♂️
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JwRosenthal
·the watchmaker put the Bakelite bezel insert in the ultrasonic cleaner. It came out broken and transparent.
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Davidt
·I am in the same boat. I bought an Omega Seamaster 60 Ref. 166.062 as a restoration project. Half way through and after sourcing all NOS parts, the watchmaker put the Bakelite bezel insert in the ultrasonic cleaner. It came out broken and transparent.
i have been looking 2 years for a replacement and am getting desperate. I have seen people re-manufacturing bezel inserts using moulds and acrylic but only for Rolex and funnily enough. Seiko mods. I would have zero issue having a bezel fabricated if only I could find someone to do it.
Ooooffff. I'm surprised a watchmaker put it in the ultra sonic.
A gentle clean with a damp brush I would've thought.
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Middlander
·Things have moved on a bit and after Christmas I intend to post a picture or two.
On Friday, after 12 months, I finally got my completed watch back from OMEGA. They were able to repair the dial such that it didn't need a re-paint. Which was great news.
I then found a NOS Bezel for my 166.0027 which means that it now has the original face, date window, hands and a new bezel which, with the aged lume-dot matches perfectly.
And as a consequence(!), I also have a bakelite bezel that was fitted to the watch and then taken off before it was worn (in fact, before it even had a strap fitted). All of the work was done by OMEGA.
I know that it doesn't help you but what 'they' say is true, sometimes original bezels can be found.
Also, I believe that as 3d printing technology improves, aftermarket bezels will appear again at some point. And given that OMEGA have no problem supplying other parts for watches, it must be possible that they will choose do it themselves.
As for there being suppliers of good quality that are alternatives available now, I'm afraid that I tried very hard to find one and failed.
On Friday, after 12 months, I finally got my completed watch back from OMEGA. They were able to repair the dial such that it didn't need a re-paint. Which was great news.
I then found a NOS Bezel for my 166.0027 which means that it now has the original face, date window, hands and a new bezel which, with the aged lume-dot matches perfectly.
And as a consequence(!), I also have a bakelite bezel that was fitted to the watch and then taken off before it was worn (in fact, before it even had a strap fitted). All of the work was done by OMEGA.
I know that it doesn't help you but what 'they' say is true, sometimes original bezels can be found.
Also, I believe that as 3d printing technology improves, aftermarket bezels will appear again at some point. And given that OMEGA have no problem supplying other parts for watches, it must be possible that they will choose do it themselves.
As for there being suppliers of good quality that are alternatives available now, I'm afraid that I tried very hard to find one and failed.
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wallaby-dan
·Things have moved on a bit and after Christmas I intend to post a picture or two.
On Friday, after 12 months, I finally got my completed watch back from OMEGA. They were able to repair the dial such that it didn't need a re-paint. Which was great news.
I then found a NOS Bezel for my 166.0027 which means that it now has the original face, date window, hands and a new bezel which, with the aged lume-dot matches perfectly.
And as a consequence(!), I also have a bakelite bezel that was fitted to the watch and then taken off before it was worn (in fact, before it even had a strap fitted). All of the work was done by OMEGA.
I know that it doesn't help you but what 'they' say is true, sometimes original bezels can be found.
Also, I believe that as 3d printing technology improves, aftermarket bezels will appear again at some point. And given that OMEGA have no problem supplying other parts for watches, it must be possible that they will choose do it themselves.
As for there being suppliers of good quality that are alternatives available now, I'm afraid that I tried very hard to find one and failed.
Very happy this worked out for you !!
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wallaby-dan
·Ooooffff. I'm surprised a watchmaker put it in the ultra sonic.
A gentle clean with a damp brush I would've thought.
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Middlander
·Is it the light? Looks like metal.
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Middlander
·You're not after one of these are you? https://ewatchparts.com/bezel-insert-for-omega-seamaster-watch-36-x-31-blue-silver-part-ewp009992
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JwRosenthal
·You're not after one of these are you? https://ewatchparts.com/bezel-insert-for-omega-seamaster-watch-36-x-31-blue-silver-part-ewp009992
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