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Replace Speedmaster Bezel with Smaller One?

W
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Has anyone ever tried replacing their 39.7mm bezel with a 38.6mm diameter bezel (used in the CK2915-3 and Speedmaster 1957)?

It seems like it would reduce the overall size of the watch (which many small to medium wristed wearers like me would love) so I don't understand why this isn't a more popular mod?

Omega-Speedmaster-CK2915-3-Broad-Arrow-1959.jpg

omega-speedmaster-speedmaster-57-31110393001001-l.png
 
Landerhoffis
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Maybe I'm not understanding, but I dont think it is physically possible. How are you going to put a smaller diameter bezel on a larger size case?
 
W
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Perhaps I'm understanding wrong but my impression is the 38.7 and 39.7mm speedmasters actually have the same sized case, however the bezels are different size. If you look at the 1957 Speedmaster, you can notice that the bezel is a little small in diameter than the normal Speedmaster Pro.
Edited:
 
Slevin kelevra
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Seems like a very odd thought to me. 1.1mm of a difference is hardly going to make the watch wear differently.
 
Dan S
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W watchwatchwatch
... so I don't understand why this isn't a more popular mod?

I have the impression that modding is more a Seiko thing. Also, using a BASE 1000 bezel to "mod" a Speedmaster Pro sounds financially challenging, but if you happen to have one lying around, give it a shot, it's your watch. My guess is that the smaller bezel may not look right on the larger asymmetrical case.
 
keisuke_z
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The diameter that you need to know is the outer diameter of the mounting point where the bezel is pressed onto. If the smaller bezel has a different inner diameter then it’s not going to fit.

Looks like the 57 bezel is also one solid piece whereas the other bezel is an aluminum insert mounted in a steel bezel… those differences in construction may impact compatibility.

reference this thread for removing and reinstalling a speedy bezel: https://omegaforums.net/threads/how-to-remove-an-omega-speedmaster-insert-from-a-bezel.46387/
 
W
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I found that Spiralwinder parts actually has replacement bezels. So on a FOIS, you can get it down to 38mm in diameter with this steel bezel (non-insert), i.e. the same size as the 2915-1
 
padders
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If that first watch you show is yours, I would advise you take extreme care since the existing bezel alone is worth 5 figures. Imagine bending a $10-20K bezel removing it!

The mod you describe, putting the skinny Trilogy bezel (or a priceless 1950s original) on another Speedy is perfectly feasible, though not necessarily easy, so maybe leave it to an expert. Not all bezels snap onto all cases first time. There were several case makers for Speedmasters, at least 5 from memory and tiny differences do exist, even within a single manufacturer's models because production varied slightly over the years. Some combinations will be slack and some too tight.

ps the one you link to is not OEM ie fake. Are you happy to wear a mashup of genuine and fake parts? Promoting such things is frowned upon here.

pps the steel bezel you are referring to was actually used on the 2915-1 and 2915-2 and some -3 ie only the very first straight lugs, from then on the wider one with black infill was used.
Edited:
 
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