i am brand new to this forum. I have a Speedmaster 3513 that I would like to change out the bezel on. Does it NEED to go to through an authorized dealer for 6-8 weeks and $850. Or can it be trusted to a local watchmaker who is reputable? Thank you

 

Changing a bezel with another that is made to fit the watch is pretty easy. $850 is highway robbery for a simple job like this.

JohnCote

 

Not necessarily. You are assuming that changing the bezel is all Omega has included in that price. The OP could confirm, but the reality is they likely won't do this without a full service of the movement, replacement of pushers, crown, correctors, refinishing - the whole complete maintenance service, plus the cost of the new bezel. If this is what is being quoted for $850, it's a perfectly reasonable price for that work.

If the OP wants someone else to do just the bezel swap, they need to find someone who can get the bezel and is willing to replace it without doing a full service. This might be difficult, because myself and many other watchmakers won't do partial repairs. I could go into the reasons why, but let's just say the reasons are justified.

Also, calling this a simple job might be overstating how easy it is. The bezel on this watch is not like the one on a Speedmaster Pro that is just an external case part that can be changed without opening up the watch. These 7750 based automatic Speedmasters are quite different. It's certainly not difficult for a watchmaker to do, but it's far from a 5 minute job that replacing a Speedy Pro bezel would be. Here is how a bezel is exchanged on a similar model:



The bezel remover is used to separate the bezel from the case frame:





You will note that the crystal comes with the bezel, and does not stay on the case:



Unless you are replacing the crystal also, it has to be pressed out of the bezel:





Then the crystal gasket is replaced, and the crystal is pressed into the new bezel:







The gasket that goes under the bezel is replaced:



The movement is mounted (need this in place to accurately line up the bezel):



Then the bezel is pressed in place:







Cheers, Al

 

Fascinating and informative!

Many thanks for posting the pictorial and text, Archer.

Very recently I sent my 20 year old Longines Hour Angle chronograph to the Longines service center in New Jersey to have the bezel replaced (I had already purchased a Longines replacement bezel) and to have a full service completed. Still waiting on the estimate from Longines...but I'm expecting it to be up there regarding cost...

 

Also, @Archer, what is the yellow ball present in pics 12 and 13? Is it a hand massager? Just curious.

 

small lemon.....kind regards. achim

 

http://www.esslinger.com/watchcaseopeningfictionball.aspx

Cheers, Al

 

Holy smokes! I was WAY OFF! The learning curve is steep for this dude! Thanks!

 

Al,

Please...I am a watchmaker advocate. My comments were only about replacing the bezel which is what the OP asked about. There was nothing said about a COA or anything else. Regarding whether the bezel replacement is simple or not, I understand that doing it takes a certain level of expertise. I was just saying that there are good watchmakers other than the factory who could do it and that if that's all they are doing that the amount quoted seemed like a lot.

I love watchmakers....Watchmakers forever...don't ever think a watchmaker doesn't deserve to be paid a fair wage...I love watchmakers!

JohnCote

 

It's great that you love watchmakers, but really the above is the issue I was addressing. You assumed this was just for replacing the bezel, and I think given the information provided, this is an incorrect assumption. Just because something wasn't mentioned doesn't mean it wasn't included. If that is the price for just replacing the bezel, you are completely correct - it's insane. But knowing how Omega works, and how this watch is constructed, it is very unlikely in my view this is a price for just replacing a bezel as you suggest.

Rather than simply declare highway robbery, I tried to explain what I think the charges being asked are for. I also tried to illustrate that replacing a bezel on one watch is not as easy as it is on another. If you knew how the bezel and crystal on this watch is constructed, well that's great. It's clear others did not, so at least some have taken something positive away from my post.

Cheers, Al

 

Al, again, I take a lot of positive away from your post. I am not a watchmaker but I am a guy who has owned literally thousands of watches over my 40+ years in collecting and buying and selling. I have had bezels on watches from old to new speedy's to Heuers, to Rolex's replaced with and without COAs by watchmakers who I know and trust. I really like the pictures you posted and the details of the process you described so well. I got a lot out of it...so thanks.

I believe if you look at my original simply stated post you will see that my implication was that if this was the charge simply to remove and replace the bezel that this was "Highway Robbery". I stand by that.

I am not the guy who asks all of his friends who the low budget watchmaker is...nor am I a guy who often sends repairs back to the factory. I have several long time relationships with trusted watchmakers. I never argue with them about charges and have at times told them they need to charge me more. I know to whom I should send a tourbillon with a broken staff and I know who can repair a perpetual calendar and I know who can replace a bezel. I know I want them all to be profitable because I want them to want me to come back with more work.

I sincerely apologize for saying whatever I said to make you mad. I will be more careful next time.

 

I'm not sure why you say I am mad - I'm not mad at all, just trying to explain my reasoning and why the price quoted through an Omega AD is likely as high as it is. As I've said, if this is the price for just a bezel swap, I agree with you that it's insane.

In fact the high price is one very strong reason why I think this not just for swapping the bezel, and it includes a full service.

Keep in mind that the OP did not get this quote from a local watchmaker, but from an Omega AD.

My key point is that the scope of work included in the price is important to be able to judge if the price is normal or out of line. Knowing what the OP posted and what Omega will and won't do, again I believe this is for far more than just a bezel swap.

Cheers, Al

 

Thank you so much Al - your pics and detail are awesome. Suppose simply a bezel insert exchange? Easier and less costly? And yes , to your point, the AD would only touch the bezel replacement with full service commitment.

 

Thanks for the clarification of what the charges you were quoted were for. With regards to a bezel insert, unfortunately Omega does not sell these separately.

Cheers, Al

 

That bezel removal tool (with the 4 circular "blades") is some serious tool porn. Too bad my bezels don't need to be removed.

Or do they??

 

How did you make out with Jules Borel? It's not cheap ($380 I think) but it is far nicer than the flat blade style you see often. This one was actually designed by a watchmaker who was fed up with the crappy versions out there. Well worth the money IMO.

Cheers, Al

 

I applied for an account at Jules Borel, which apparently you have to do just to see most of the stuff they carry, and haven't heard back yet. I have a nagging fear that since I'm not a watchmaker, they don't want to deal with me. We'll see.

 

Hello
A French method to remove and replace speedmaster bezel.

 

I appreciate this is an old thread and sorry for raising it once again but Im looking into changing the bezel insert on my Speedmaster date from the silver insert to the black insert but my question is do you need to replace the entire bezel as you have shown in your post or is it possible to just replace the insert itself for say this one http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eB...0&pm=1&ds=0&t=1530442389000&ver=0&cspheader=1 any help of advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

The inserts are not available as a separate item from Omega, so to do the job with genuine parts, no you can replace the insert. The insert you are linking to is for the wrong watch, so it won't work. Note that it is also a fake insert, and for me personally it would not be something I would consider putting on a watch of mine or any of my customers watches...