Hi OF,

So my watchmaker is currently working on one of my Speedmasters with DON bezel. However, there is a slight problem with the DON that I would like to check with you guys if you know how to solve.

As you can see in the images the insert has lifted and dirt have entered in between the insert and the bezel. So my watchmaker does not feel comfortable to clean make any adjustments to the bezel.

Has anyone had a similar problem, and if so how did you solve it? Were you able to extact the insert, clean and put it back in?

 

Grab a snall knife or a cutter, carefully go between inlay and bezelring ( from inside )all the way around, lift of the insert, remove all dirt, debree etc from the bezelring, clean it with alcohol ( single malt will do )glue it back in. done.

 

Your watchmaker can’t figure that out, I’d be afraid to see the repair work he does.

 

Easy fix. Might be worth looking for a new watchmaker

 

Thanks, that was my initial thought as well. Have you done it yourself?

Have you done or had anyone else do such a job for you?

Well I trust in their work for servicing the movement and they know I am picky with what is done with my watches. Anyways, I might just do the work myself on the bezel . And I think it is better that they stop and check with me before going any further and I wanted to check in on this with OF.

 

Easy fix, no need to get all wound up. Remove as stated above with a thin/sharp exacto knife. I'd use epoxy to glue the insert back onto the bezel. Make sure to stay away from super glue as i) residue will leave white marks on insert ii) not as strong on metal as epoxy.

Best of luck!

 

Thanks, good info

 

Yes I did the same to some of my bezels as well. the insert can snap out quite easily if you hit the watch in a certain angle. the glue on these old ones can be very fragile. Just follow @ATWG advice

 

Take a look at this thread by @JimInOz. This looks to be exact the same issue and repair as far as I can tell

https://omegaforums.net/threads/on-my-bench-tudor-submariner-7928.105106/page-3

 

Well not exactly. The Rolex/Tudor insert is not glued to the bezel.

 

My watchmakers would have done the repair without pushing it back on me. We might have discussed it first.

 

It's the first time I've ever heard of Speedmaster inserts being glued to the bezel.
I always thought that they were an interference fit.

 

It is a one piece non serviceable item, glued. Inserts are not replaceable in the way Rolex’s are.
The interference fit is with the bezel ring and the watch case

 

I exchanged the insert on a modern bezel fairly easy. Heated the whole bezel with a heat-gun for a short while. Did not take long before I could remove the insert with very little prying force using tweezers. The bezel was a bit warmer than was ok to touch without gloves but not near glowing or smoking hot.
Replaced insert and used a tiny amount of industrial glue.

 

Exchanged it for what though, a replica insert?

 

Yes, not as easily replaceable as Rolex Submariner inserts are, but totally doable.

 

Or if you don’t want to mess with it, buy a factory service bezel (which are cheap) and put that on and store the orginal away. The new bezel and fresh crystal on my “beater” made it look popping fresh and is completely reversible.

 

I am pretty sure these are an interference fit. Glue should not be necessary.

 

I beg to differ, my DNN fell off a few years ago and would not snap back on. I took it to my watchmaker and he glued it back on with epoxy. Told me he has seen plenty of instances such as this before. Perhaps when they left the factory they were interference fit, but mine was pretty loose.

 

I had a small ding on the edge of one bezel with a perfect insert and another with a damaged insert with a perfect bezel and with a little bit of work had one perfect complete bezel, all genuine.