Swapping Speedmaster bezels: what am I in for?

M'Bob · Sun. 10:39am

I’m kicking around the idea of swapping some Speedmaster bezels, and I’m wondering what the collective experience here has mostly been regarding interchangeability.

There’s been a lot of posts about how to remove them, and re-fit them, but my main question is, how often does a retrofit go on without a hitch? Or put differently, do they often just snap right into place, or require a watchmaker to either enlarge, or decrease the diameter? Thanks.

Davidt · Sun. 10:46am

I’ve never had an issue getting the same bezel back on. Occasionally I’ve tried to swap bezels and found they’re too tight to go on. Perhaps one in ten. If this happens I just put the original bezel back on

M'Bob · Sun. 12:10pm

Davidt
I’ve never had an issue getting the same bezel back on. Occasionally I’ve tried to swap bezels and found they’re too tight to go on. Perhaps one in ten. If this happens I just put the original bezel back on

Thanks. If you remove and replace these yourself, can I ask what you’re using for both?

Davidt · Sun. 1:13pm

I use a case press with nylon dies for attaching bezels to cases.
For removal I used one of the aforementioned dies and a toffee hammer as per the poker chip method.

I’m sure it’s not the right way to do it but I’ve never had an issue.

M'Bob · Sun. 1:41pm

Davidt
I use a case press with nylon dies for attaching bezels to cases.
For removal I used one of the aforementioned dies and a toffee hammer as per the poker chip method.

I’m sure it’s not the right way to do it but I’ve never had an issue.

Thanks. Do you remove the movement from the case for bezel removal?

Davidt · Sun. 2:03pm

Nope. I’d be much more dangerous if I started removing movements etc

I’ve also used a case knife for removing the bezels and now I’ve practiced over the years on a lot of cheaper whatches, that would probably be my method of removal now.

M'Bob · Sun. 2:53pm

Davidt
Nope. I’d be much more dangerous if I started removing movements etc

I’ve also used a case knife for removing the bezels and now I’ve practiced over the years on a lot of cheaper whatches, that would probably be my method of removal now.

Thanks. Very helpful.

Dan S · Sun. 3:12pm

Davidt
... toffee hammer ...

I had to google this. 😁

140dave · Sun. 3:21pm

I do the same as davidt and he covers it well.
Similar, I don’t have issues popping the same bezel off and on but have more issues when trying to swap them or use a random vintage bezel on a watch. Probably 1/5 for me just don’t want to work with a particular watch but often they will work on another with no issue.

My rule of thumb is, if the bezel doesn’t seat after 3 tries just stop, it’s not going to work.

Also, if not removing the movement, make sure you are not putting pressure on the crown with the lip of the bottom die when using the press.

Davidt · Sun. 5:11pm

Dan S
I had to google this. 😁

Ha. It’s not actually a toffee hammer, just a very small, pathetic little hammer that’s of no use for anything apart from gently removing Speedmaster bezels! Or perhaps breaking toffee if I needed it to.

Dan S · Sun. 5:14pm

Davidt
Ha. It’s not actually a toffee hammer, just a very small, pathetic little hammer that’s of no use for anything apart from gently removing Speedmaster bezels! Or perhaps breaking toffee if I needed it to.

I have a similar little hammer that came with a kit for adjusting bracelets, it's used to punch out press pins. Otherwise, I use the same approach as you, including the nylon dies and crystal/bezel press.

Davidt · Sun. 5:14pm

140dave
Also, if not removing the movement, make sure you are not putting pressure on the crown with the lip of the bottom die when using the press.

As a dangerous tinkering, I find this is good advice for any slightly clueless amateur, like me. Through the years I’ve damaged several crystals and probably other case parts I’ve forgotten about, using a case press in haste.
Whenever I use a case press I now spend a good few minutes offering up and checking the fit of various dies to make sure I have the correct one with no fouling on crowns, pushers, crystals or bezels.
It wasn’t too much of an issue a few years ago when o cracked a couple of crystals and Cousins had genuine replacements, but with that no longer being the case, it pays to be careful

Davidt · Sun. 5:20pm

Dan S
I have a similar little hammer that came with a kit for adjusting bracelets, it's used to punch out press pins. Otherwise, I use the same approach as you, including the nylon dies and crystal/bezel press.

I have one from a similar bracelet resizing kit actually. It even has a nylon tip. I might give that a go next time (although I’m slightly fond of the toffee hammer now!)

Emeister · Sun. 5:47pm

Slightly off topic but easier to ask here while the thread is new...

I've got an old DON "insert only". It's already cracked in one spot.
What's the advice/chances of putting it in a bezel, old or new?

The old one would involve removing the later insert from a service replacement bezel.

M'Bob · 2025-05-06T10:36:36-0500

I looked carefully at the area between the Speedmaster bezel and case, and it looks like I’d be lucky to wedge a razor blade in there. Is this what you gents use before the case knife?

And, once you have an edge lifted, do you work gradually around the perimeter; or go from 12 to 6, then 3 to 9, in that sort of rotation? Or, once you have an edge in with the knife, do you just pop it off in one rapid motion?

Swapping Speedmaster bezels: what am I in for?

M'Bob

Davidt

M'Bob

Davidt

M'Bob

Davidt

M'Bob

Dan S

140dave

Davidt

Dan S

Davidt

Davidt

Emeister

M'Bob

Similar threads

Help with swapping Speedmaster Delrin brake for metal part (cal. 1861)