How to remove bezel from vintage IWC???

Deafboy · Mar 12, 2026

Hi all,
I recently purchased an IWC watch with the cal. 89 movement, dating from around 1949. Having serviced a few cal. 88 and 89 IWCs in the past, I know their cases can be quite tight and tricky to open. This particular one is especially stubborn.
To remove the movement, I need to take off both the caseback and the bezel. I was able to snap off the caseback, but the bezel has no visible indent or gap where I could insert a case knife.
Does anyone have advice or tips on how to safely remove the bezel on this model?
Thanks in advance for any guidance.

ErichKeane · Mar 12, 2026

I've not worked on that watch, but I've done similar on other watches. I use an exacto knife in the slight crack to wedge it open a little, so that I can get a case knife into it.

Alternatively, you can use one of those 4 bladed bezel removal tools (ala https://www.esslinger.com/horotec-watch-bezel-remover-tool/), though I've never used one.

Deafboy · Mar 12, 2026

ErichKeane
I've not worked on that watch, but I've done similar on other watches. I use an exacto knife in the slight crack to wedge it open a little, so that I can get a case knife into it.

Alternatively, you can use one of those 4 bladed bezel removal tools (ala https://www.esslinger.com/horotec-watch-bezel-remover-tool/), though I've never used one.

That's the point, there is no wedge: the bezel and caseback meet perfectly on the whole perimeter.

ErichKeane · Mar 12, 2026

Deafboy
That's the point, there is no wedge: the bezel and caseback meet perfectly on the whole perimeter.

Right, I'm not talking about a wedge, you stick a very thin blade in the very fine gap between them to get them apart. Though, perhaps a picture of the side of the watch could be illuminating 😀

ErichKeane · Mar 12, 2026

Silly question: IF there is no gap to put a thin blade in... are you SURE you have to take the bezel off? The dial seems smaller than the crystal, could this be a case where compressed-air to push out the crystal (or just a lift) could give you the room you need?

Deafboy · Mar 12, 2026

ErichKeane
could this be a case where compressed-air to push out the crystal (or just a lift) could give you the room you need?

I'll look at this tomorrow. 👍

redpcar · Mar 12, 2026

Maybe the gap is in a place where you haven't looked or it can't be seen. I've had many that orientation doesn't matter. No notch for the crown.

noless · Mar 12, 2026

photos from the side and back would help a lot to judge too

Archer · Mar 13, 2026

For watches like this I start with a single sided razor blade, and wiggle it between the bezel and case, then move it all around the bezel. That will open up a small gap that you can fit a slightly thicker blade into, and you work it around the entire case again. Then repeat with a thicker blade - keep going until it poops off. Do not pry...wedge...

Deafboy · Mar 13, 2026

Here's a picture of the side of the case. There is minimal gap at the seam. It's like this on the whole perimeter.

ErichKeane · Mar 13, 2026

Deafboy
Here's a picture of the side of the case. There is minimal gap at the seam. It's like this on the whole perimeter.

Archer uses a razor blade, probably better, I use an exacto knife, but that looks like what I was saying above. I suggest doing it somewhere reasonably hidden (between the lugs) since it is possible to damage the case for an inexperienced person, but should be easy enough.

Deafboy · Mar 13, 2026

Archer
That will open up a small gap that you can fit a slightly thicker blade into, and you work it around the entire case again

Why would you create a gap on the whole circumference of the case? Why not create a small gap where the opener can be wedged?

Archer · Mar 13, 2026

Deafboy
Why would you create a gap on the whole circumference of the case? Why not create a small gap where the opener can be wedged?

Because you are trying to lift the whole bezel off evenly, not just one side. You don't want to bend the bezel by lifting one side too much higher than the other. Once it's bent, it will be very difficult to get it right - basically you won't.

Deafboy · Mar 13, 2026

Now I'm thinking that perhaps the bezel doesn't need to come off. Looking from the movement side the case screws are abutting a ring-shaped case spacer. Perhaps the spacer can come out from the movement side together with the case and dial. Another possibility is to remove the two case screws, remove the spacer and then remove the movement/dial. The is evidence that a past watchmaker has done this because there is some damage to the case spacer near the crown tube.

redpcar · Mar 13, 2026

As long as it doesn't have to come out the top.

la_lusigne · Mar 13, 2026

I’ve had more than a dozen of these early pellaton or cal.89 IWCs and in every case the bezel had to be removed and the two screws securing the movement to the case loosened so that the dial and movement could be taken out through the front.

I’d be surprised if this one were to be different.

Deafboy · Mar 13, 2026

la_lusigne
I’ve had more than a dozen of these early pellaton or cal.89 IWCs and in every case the bezel had to be removed and the two screws securing the movement to the case loosened so that the dial and movement could be taken out through the front.

I’d be surprised if this one were to be different.

Interesting. So how would you remove the bezel my case?

la_lusigne · Mar 13, 2026

Deafboy
Interesting. So how would you remove the bezel my case?

I’d use a very slim razor blade and carefully work it around the entire diameter of the bezel, as Archer suggested.

Some more photos of the other sides of the bezel would also help me form a better opinion. Sometimes the bezel is put back on with the opened lip on a less accessible side than the left flank of the case.

Deafboy · Mar 13, 2026

Well, I managed to remove the movement from the case. Turns out I can remove it from the back with the dial by lifting the spacer.
Thanks to all who proposed ideas.

Deafboy · Mar 13, 2026

"All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up.” Not very familiar with IWC but I suspect the dial is original. What do you think?

How to remove bezel from vintage IWC???

Deafboy

ErichKeane

Deafboy

ErichKeane

ErichKeane

Deafboy

redpcar

noless

Archer

Deafboy

ErichKeane

Deafboy

Archer

Deafboy

redpcar

la_lusigne

Deafboy

la_lusigne

Deafboy

Deafboy

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