Ceramic lumed bezel on 3861 sapphire sandwich

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Edit: This is an aftermarket part, and I’m not sponsored by the supplier. Just sharing the love.

Was a bit tricky to get off original bezel. Orientated watch dial down, then used a solid piece of plastic with a 5mm wide edge, and used light taps from a hammer to ease it off.

Also took a while to get the alignment just right. Tip: carefully position the new bezel, put some cling wrap over the top to prevent it from shifting, take a photo and mark up the photo with a straight line to check alignment.

Make sure the original gasket is removed first (it’s white). The new bezel wasn’t going on until I realised the original gasket was still there after taking off the original bezel.

Got the ceramic bezel from Spiralwinder. Comes preinstalled with a gasket.

Love the premium look of the black ceramic, the lumed Tachy scale markers are more legible and pop more in white, and the biggest benefit is not having to worry about the black chipping off or fading over time, which is what happened to the bezel on my previous 1861 speedy.

https://www.spiralwinderwatchparts....ety-tachymetre-bezel-for-the-3861-speedmaster
Edited:
 
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upload_2024-4-30_18-53-50.png

upload_2024-4-30_18-54-15.png

upload_2024-4-30_18-54-29.png

upload_2024-4-30_18-54-45.png

Was a bit tricky to get off original bezel. Orientated watch dial down, then used a solid piece of plastic with a 5mm wide edge, and used light taps from a hammer to ease it off.

Also took a while to get the alignment just right. Tip: carefully position the new bezel, put some cling wrap over the top to prevent it from shifting, take a photo and mark up the photo with a straight line to check alignment.

Make sure the original gasket is removed first (it’s white). The new bezel wasn’t going on until I realised the original gasket was still there after taking off the original bezel.

Got the ceramic bezel from Spiralwinder. Comes preinstalled with a gasket.

Love the premium look of the black ceramic, the lumed Tachy scale markers are more legible and pop more in white, and the biggest benefit is not having to worry about the black chipping off or fading over time, which is what happened to the bezel on my previous 1861 speedy.

https://www.spiralwinderwatchparts....ety-tachymetre-bezel-for-the-3861-speedmaster
Looks great!
 
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The glossy nature of ceramic as well as the brighter white lettering makes the bezel really pop and modernized. The additional lume looks cool too, supplements especially well on models with applied markers (and hence less lume).

Mine says hi.
White speedy lumed bezel.jpg
 
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This is aftermarket, right? That in itself isn’t a dealbreaker but it’s worth being clear on it. Yes it does look good but surely from one POV (Omega’s one assumes) this is a fake part. It it were different to the original like the aftermarket clear casebacks there would be less of an issue but copy parts are problematic. I see this supplier also sells fake Base 1000 and fake DON bezels. I think this probably contravenes forum rules. Let’s find out.
 
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The glossy nature of ceramic as well as the brighter white lettering makes the bezel really pop and modernized. The additional lume looks cool too, supplements especially well on models with applied markers (and hence less lume).

Mine says hi.
White speedy lumed bezel.jpg
Ooof love yours, especially on the white dial!! Looks great mate!

I think overall it adds a more premium look and feel, that really suits modern sapphire sandwiches.
 
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The glossy nature of ceramic as well as the brighter white lettering makes the bezel really pop and modernized. The additional lume looks cool too, supplements especially well on models with applied markers (and hence less lume).

Mine says hi.
White speedy lumed bezel.jpg
The lumed bezel just looks amazing on the white dial speedy.
 
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This is aftermarket, right? That in itself isn’t a dealbreaker but it’s worth being clear on it. Yes it does look good but surely from one POV (Omega’s one assumes) this is a fake part. It it were different to the original like the aftermarket clear casebacks there would be less of an issue but copy parts are problematic. I see this supplier also sells fake Base 1000 and fake DON bezels. I think this probably contravenes forum rules. Let’s find out.
Doesn't the fact that it is (a) ceramic and (b) loomed render it different enough from the original part? I would have thought so, in which case it doesn't deserve to be treated as a fake (or 'copy') part, even by reference to your own (sensible) standard. 😀
 
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Doesn't the fact that it is (a) ceramic and (b) loomed render it different enough from the original part? I would have thought so, in which case it doesn't deserve to be treated as a fake (or 'copy') part, even by reference to your own (sensible) standard. 😀
Except Omega fit exactly this part to some models, the Snoopy 3 for one so the more I think about it this is a discussion about, and a covert advert for, fake parts.

I’ve reported it as such, since it hasn’t been locked or canned it seems it is being tolerated and I’m on the wrong side or the argument but I’ve seen threads canned for less.
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Except Omega fit exactly this part to some models, the Snoopy 3 for one so the more I think about it this is a discussion about, and a covert advert for, fake parts.
Oh, I didn't know that! Well that does indeed shed a different light on this matter...
 
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Except Omega fit exactly this part to some models, the Snoopy 3 for one so the more I think about it this is a discussion about, and a covert advert for, fake parts.

They made a Snoopy with a lumed dial black ceramic dial?

Cause it looks blue to me when I google
 
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They made a Snoopy with a lumed dial black ceramic dial?

Cause it looks blue to me when I google
Good point, it is blue on the Snoop 3! I’m sure I’ve seen black lumed ceramic bezels on another model but if I’m wrong on this it doesn’t trump that that the seller is offering other copy (fake) Omega parts inc fake DONs.

I note these have popped up before without too much controversy. I can’t deny it does look good!

https://omegaforums.net/threads/ceramic-luminous-bezel-for-speedmaster-pro.165635/
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I’ve seen threads canned for less.
If I’m thinking of the same canned thread you are, there was definitely a reason that one got shut down. That member (about 4 years ago) created a fake DON bezel, spent a lot of time getting the fonts and serifs correct to create an exact replica, and wanted to use this forum as a launching point to sell it.

LewisWatchCo makes aftermarket bezels as well, with slight distinctions to differentiate them from originals, and I have seen those discussed on here from time to time.
 
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This is how it should have come from the factory. The lumed white against the glossy black looks much nicer than the silver on aluminum black.
 
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This is how it should have come from the factory. The lumed white against the glossy black looks much nicer than the silver on aluminum black.
Rolex has ruined the world's second-most-iconic watch with the transition from an aluminium bezel to showy, glossy ceramic. Personally I'm glad Omega hasn't done the same to the world's most iconic watch!
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I think it looks fantastic.

This is how it should have come from the factory. The lumed white against the glossy black looks much nicer than the silver on aluminum black.

Maybe Omega should make a lumed ceramic insert standard on the sapphire Speedmasters, and keep the traditional aluminum insert for the hesalite models? Both have their place in my eyes.
 
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Rolex has ruined the world's second-most-iconic watch with the transition from an aluminium bezel to showy, glossy ceramic. Personally I'm glad Omega hasn't done the same to the world's most iconic watch!
Yes! Stay with plastic crystals and aluminium bezels on a $7,000 watch, that'll show 'em.
 
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The modern Omega Ed White has a ceramic bezel which works well so they can be subtle.
Reference this thread I think the OP is providing a modification part which is not easily available from Omega, so I don’t have an issue with it. What Omega think when it goes in for a service I am not so sure. I guess refit the original.
If people are making replica parts that are available that is a different matter in my view. It is another question if the part and even the brand has gone out of production (like some old Bakelite bezels). There is another point about Omega making it hard for independent watchmakers to source parts which might push copy products more.
If someone is selling a replica Don bezel or bezel insert that gets a more complex question in terms of what passes the smell test. Also another reason it is always important to buy the seller in terms of honesty as people try to pass stuff off as vintage. I have a couple of aftermarket bracelets with vintage clasps. That is because I like the aesthetic and security, not because I would pass it off as an Omega bracelet. I also keep the vintage bracelet and endlinks so it stays as a complete entity if I passed it on.
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I really like it but know Id screw it up if I tried to do it myself LOL!