Vintage Seamaster 166.003 cracked bezel

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Hal-A

·Jun 22, 2020

I have a vintage omega seamaster marked as 166.003 on the inside of the case.

unfortunately the bezel is cracked. Does anyone know what material the bezel is made from ?

I would have guessed steel or perhaps stainless steel, but steel shouldn’t really crack ?

Also any ideas on how to get a replacement bezel / repair the current one.

Thanks

Thanks

 

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X350 XJR

·Jun 22, 2020·Vintage Omega Aficionado

Yes, stainless steel does crack.

You can have it laser welded, finding a replacement will be all but impossible.

 

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DON

·Jun 22, 2020

Lot of stress on a thin piece of steel. Internal from the crystal which is a pressure fit + the pressure from being pressed onto the case

DON

 

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SkunkPrince

·Jun 22, 2020

You might find a manufacturing jeweler, they should be able to make you a new one.

 

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masteroftime

·Jun 22, 2020

As others have said, the bezel is made out of stainless steel and I'm sure a case restorer could reweld it. I've seen them do wonders repairing deep scratches and dents, so I would assume this is definitely doable and potentially cheaper than re-fabricating it. Unfortunately, I've seen quite a few Omegas from this time period with cracked bezels. Mostly 166.010's on eBay.

 

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Hal-A

·Jun 23, 2020

Ok thanks guys much appreciated. I now know what material the bezel is made from so hopefully a repair can be considered.

 

D

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downtownbobbyb

·Jun 24, 2020

I have had these laser welded in the past and they always crack again at the same spot when being installed. Good luck.

 

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Hal-A

·Jun 24, 2020

D downtownbobbyb

I have had these laser welded in the past and they always crack again at the same spot when being installed. Good luck.

i was considering the laser welding route, so if you’ve tried this already, cheers mate as it saves me a lot of wasted time going down that particular rabbit hole.

 

D

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downtownbobbyb

·Jun 24, 2020

Yes, I’ve tried it more than once and when you try to press the bezel into place they split at the same fracture point.

 

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SkunkPrince

·Jun 24, 2020

D downtownbobbyb

Yes, I’ve tried it more than once and when you try to press the bezel into place they split at the same fracture point.

I wonder whether the bezel can be kept open and filled so it will fit better and not crack again?

 

D

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downtownbobbyb

·Jun 24, 2020

It’s a problem I’ve never been able to properly solve.

 

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Hal-A

·Jun 24, 2020

SkunkPrince

I wonder whether the bezel can be kept open and filled so it will fit better and not crack again?

my understanding is that the bezel cracks because of the pressure from the glass. Whether this is true I don’t know. But a looser fit might stop the glass from being held securely ? Just a thought.

 

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X350 XJR

·Jun 24, 2020·Vintage Omega Aficionado

Hal-A

my understanding is that the bezel cracks because of the pressure from the glass. Whether this is true I don’t know. But a looser fit might stop the glass from being held securely ? Just a thought.

Mmm, no. The crystal has nothing to do with holding the bezel in place on this reference.

 

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Brent Watson

·Mar 10, 2021

Where could we find the exact dimensions of the bezel, having to resort to a manufacturing jeweler?

 

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Brent Watson

·Mar 10, 2021

I'm sorry I should have specified that I have the issue of no bezel to refer to and a 166.020 case.

 

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Archer

·Mar 10, 2021·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

B Brent Watson

I'm sorry I should have specified that I have the issue of no bezel to refer to and a 166.020 case.

You didn't specify a case material, but the SS bezel is available from Omega for that case...082ST1660020 is the part number.

 

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Brent Watson

·Mar 10, 2021

Archer, Thank you so much for that. I had no idea. And certainly didn't expect such a timely response!
Very grateful, as I have been agonizing for some time over this. I should have asked sooner!
Cheer,
Brent
P.S .yes, you guessed it. SS

 

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Brent Watson

·Mar 10, 2021

I'm thinking an authorized service center would be needed to order this bezel as Otto Frei doesn't offer it. Or you may have other suggestions.

 

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Brent Watson

·Mar 10, 2021

Thanks Archer, I contacted Swatch Group in Seattle, as the West Coast Authorized Omega Dealer. They want the watch sent in for service before they'll order any case parts for me. I'm in the middle of servicing the watch and it is somewhat disassembled.
Do you think there are other less strict service centers willing to help out?

 

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Archer

·Mar 10, 2021·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

B Brent Watson

Thanks Archer, I contacted Swatch Group in Seattle, as the West Coast Authorized Omega Dealer. They want the watch sent in for service before they'll order any case parts for me. I'm in the middle of servicing the watch and it is somewhat disassembled.
Do you think there are other less strict service centers willing to help out?

No - you will either have to send it to Omega, or to a watchmaker with an Omega parts account.