Hello guys, I was asking how is the bakelite insert assembled inside the steel bezel? Is it glued inside? Is it possible to remove it easily?
Not removable. I am guessing glued, or the acrylic is set into the bezel hot. Why do you want to remove it?
I was just wondering, some inserts have some missing black paint on their bottom like if the paint was scratched away. So how was it possible?
it's not missing glue or black paint.... it's a air bubble (insert is a litte lifted from metal) which can occur when the insert is a little moved as e.g pressing the back to the watch
The early SM300 (pre 166.024) with the metal lume dot had bezels that cracked and it is very rare for them to survive intact. Some have got bits of bezel that survive. Most have been re made with varying degrees of skill and success. Some describe them as bakelite some as cellulose. Later bezels are acrylic.
thank you. So the insert does not touch with the steel, but is the insert painted black in the bottom? I know there is a french watchmaker able to restore SM300 bezels, and I was trying to imagine what kind of intervention he does.
tbh leave the bezel as is , i am not sure the relsult of "restoring" will be better than now and would be nice to see the whole watch
I think the cloudy area results from de lamination, or a crack, most likely due to moisture getting into the bezel around the lume or numbers. I have heard it can be cured by injecting some new glue or acrylic into the area, but I am not tempted. I see it as added character and prefer to leave well alone.
you need a gap between metal and insert and a highly fluid liquid ,so no chance for glue or acrylic ...
Yes, maybe a very fine drill into the area and possibly mineral oil injected. Then seal the hole. I am just guessing!