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  1. flqt-9000 Sep 21, 2018

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    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?
     
  2. simonsays Sep 21, 2018

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    Not removable. I am guessing glued, or the acrylic is set into the bezel hot. Why do you want to remove it?
     
  3. flqt-9000 Sep 21, 2018

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    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?
     
  4. Vintagewtchzilla Sep 21, 2018

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    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
     
  5. simonsays Sep 21, 2018

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    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.
     
  6. Vintagewtchzilla Sep 21, 2018

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    the early 300 bezels have been a cellulose mix and never been bakelite ....
     
  7. flqt-9000 Sep 21, 2018

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    Just to be clear I mean something like this.
    zoom.jpg
     
  8. Vintagewtchzilla Sep 21, 2018

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    just to be clear ... i know exactly what u mean :thumbsup: and so i told u what it is
     
    Foo2rama likes this.
  9. flqt-9000 Sep 21, 2018

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    :) 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.
     
  10. Vintagewtchzilla Sep 21, 2018

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    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
     
  11. flqt-9000 Sep 21, 2018

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    I don't want to restore. I am just courious.
     
  12. flqt-9000 Sep 21, 2018

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    Maybe someone has a pic of a disassembled bakelite insert?
     
  13. simonsays Sep 21, 2018

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    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.
     
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  14. flqt-9000 Sep 21, 2018

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    That would be nice to know how the injection is carried out.
     
  15. Vintagewtchzilla Sep 21, 2018

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    you need a gap between metal and insert and a highly fluid liquid ,so no chance for glue or acrylic ...
     
  16. flqt-9000 Sep 21, 2018

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    you mean without removing the insert?
     
  17. simonsays Sep 21, 2018

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    Yes, maybe a very fine drill into the area and possibly mineral oil injected. Then seal the hole. I am just guessing!
     
  18. flqt-9000 Sep 21, 2018

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    In my opinion thats not enough to explain the restoration of the black paint.
     
  19. Vintagewtchzilla Sep 21, 2018

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    Please stop guessing that gives me cancer from reading :whipped:
     
    Steve in SoCal likes this.
  20. Fost Sep 21, 2018

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    The before / after even if it doesn’t help, still impressed by the result..

    E8507863-6BEE-4A0C-A90D-99073C68208F.jpeg
    C7F41F4F-B629-449F-9B09-49B01906B62B.jpeg