Seamaster misaligned bezel question?

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140dave

·Apr 10, 2020

Hi all,
Looking at this 2531.80 and the bezel is a bit off. I have seen this once or twice and dont know if it is a real issue or not? See pictures below, the numbers on the bezel are not quite centered right to the steel portion of the bezel. Avoid or non-issue? Thank for you input.

 

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padders

·Apr 10, 2020·Oooo subtitles!

Might just be a click out, I think I saw Al say that at some point the ratchet changed from 120 clicks to 60 clicks or maybe the other way round!. Or someone has swapped in a new insert but done it badly. That insert looks OK so it isn't obviously a cheap ebay replacement.

 

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140dave

·Apr 10, 2020

Can’t be just a click off as the whole bezel moves together. I was thinking the latter, someone swapped the bezel and did a poor job of it. So, if that’s what it is, looking for quick opinions on; is it an easy fix of just keep looking?

 

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padders

·Apr 10, 2020·Oooo subtitles!

140dave

Can’t be just a click off as the whole bezel moves together. I was thinking the latter, someone swapped the bezel and did a poor job of it. So, if that’s what it is, looking for quick opinions on; is it an easy fix of just keep looking?

Ah yes you are quite right, its my option 2 above, someone was monkeying around with the insert and has pressed it back in misaligned. I personally would leave the one alone. Some say that swapping inserts is easy but they are soft aluminium (the bezel shell is harder steel) and without a proper press I wouldn't try it myself.

 

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Dan S

·Apr 10, 2020

It I am understanding the OP correctly, he is considering buying this watch, but is put off by the fact that the insert is slightly misaligned with the outer bezel. It's a trivial fix for a watchmaker.

 

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140dave

·Apr 10, 2020

Thanks, and yes you are reading correctly. 👍
Full set, looks very nice except the bezel misalignment. Price is fair (I thought before I noticed bezel) and a model I’ve wanted to add for a bit. But wasn’t sure if a: easy fix or b: a “tell” of sorts that I haven’t learned about yet.

 

M

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Motik

·Apr 10, 2020

Seems like a usual issue on this model. I remember seeing a thread with technical explanations. Mine is like this, which is pretty annoying as none of my cheaper watches has this problem!

 

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MedicMike

·Apr 10, 2020

If you can ask the seller to turn the bezel back to where it should be and send you a pic. It looks good.

 

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padders

·Apr 11, 2020·Oooo subtitles!

MedicMike

If you can ask the seller to turn the bezel back to where it should be and send you a pic. It looks good.

The insert is misaligned in the bezel shell, no amount of turning back will fix that.

 

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Archer

·Apr 11, 2020·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Insert just needs to be popped out and put back in aligned...5 minute job tops.

 

M

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Motik

·Apr 12, 2020

Archer

Insert just needs to be popped out and put back in aligned...5 minute job tops.

How is this done? Is this something a bored COVID-isolated hobbyist with decent tools can do at home?

 

M

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Motik

·Apr 12, 2020

Some info I found on another forum. Might be relevant.

https://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=608509

 

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Archer

·Apr 12, 2020·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

M Motik

How is this done? Is this something a bored COVID-isolated hobbyist with decent tools can do at home?

You remove the bezel assembly, press the insert out, install the bezel assembly on the watch, and press the insert back in lined up properly.

If you have proper tools for removing bezels, and a press, and know how to use those tools properly, then yes you could do it at home.

 

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Blackdog

·Apr 16, 2020

Like it was mentioned, easy fix with the right tools. Specially the bezel removal part.
I have a 2599.80 from 2004 that came like that from factory. I could never remove the bezel myself (without risking damage to the lugs). It is not as simple as with a Rolex Sub/GMT: you need a proper bezel remover IMO.

Eventually gave up with mine, and the bezel got replaced years later during a service and the new one is correctly aligned.

 

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Peter_from_NL

·Apr 16, 2020

On the internet you will find a lot of instruction to start working with a knife and some tape. Do not go there. You might very well “cut some metal”. It is indeed very simple with the proper tools. Just let a watch maker do it.

BUT, it feels to me that this is just one click out of line and you just have to turn the bezel.....

 

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YY77

·Apr 16, 2020

aps26469

On the internet you will find a lot of instruction to start working with a knife and some tape. Do not go there. You might very well “cut some metal”. It is indeed very simple with the proper tools. Just let a watch maker do it.

BUT, it feels to me that this is just one click out of line and you just have to turn the bezel.....

Looks to me the insert is not lined up with the bezel.

 

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padders

·Apr 16, 2020·Oooo subtitles!

aps26469

BUT, it feels to me that this is just one click out of line and you just have to turn the bezel.....

Look closely how the scalloping lines up with the numbers, it is most obvious above on the 12 triangle and 30 mark. The insert is out of line with the scalloping so has been pressed in wrong. I didn't spot it at first either, but once seen...

 

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Archer

·Apr 16, 2020·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

aps26469

On the internet you will find a lot of instruction to start working with a knife and some tape. Do not go there. You might very well “cut some metal”. It is indeed very simple with the proper tools. Just let a watch maker do it.

Agree - prying the bezel off with a knife can lead to very bad results...for both the case:







And the bezel:

I see this far too often, even done by so called watchmakers.

Cheers, Al

 

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140dave

·Apr 16, 2020

Thanks all for the info! And don’t worry, I will not be taking a knife to my watches! I let pros do what they do, there is a reason they get paid and it’s not because everyone is just too lazy to do it themselves. I’ll go to YouTube for how-to help on excel spreadsheet pivot tables, but not for repairing my Omegas. 😀

I went with a different one in the end since I won’t be able to get the bezel fixed anytime soon. I get that it is an easy fix for a pro, but would bug my OCD out in the meantime, and no clue when “my” shop will be open again.

 

T

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TXwatchfan

·Apr 18, 2020

Good luck, My bezel is slightly off, it bothered me for weeks then I just accepted it. I'll have mine fixed once I send it to Omega for service. In the meantime its OK.