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Vintage Seamaster Single Piece Case - Fitting bezel to crystal?

squiffythewombat
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Hi Everyone,

I'm rebuilding my Seamaster 14750 case and cannot for the life of me get the small gold bezel to fit the new crystal.

I've read this should almost be a push/snap fit but only seem to be able to get one side on, then the other would need the force of Thor to fit.

I have a crystal lift and a cheap glass/case press. I don't think the case press die's have a large enough recess to work and have read that some people use the lifter to fit the bezel but have found nothing in the way of instructions for this method?

(Watch Repair Channel on YouTube has a video but he seems to use a Robur glass press and it just easily pop's on).

Any advice, links or info would be really help?

Thanks in advance.

PS- Thanks to everyone for the advice on the hands; these are now cleaned, re-lumed and back in place nicely.
 
PXL_20230220_171339424.jpg
Davidt
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Is the crystal genuine (or at least designed to take the original tension ring)?
I once struggled to get a bezel back on with a new aftermarket crystal/tension ring.
 
squiffythewombat
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Davidt Davidt
Is the crystal genuine (or at least designed to take the original tension ring)?
I once struggled to get a bezel back on with a new aftermarket crystal/tension ring.

Yes genuine, ordered from Cousins UK. I did notice the original has a small recess below the very front but dimensions wise they are identical.
 
Davidt
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I didn’t think Cousins had genuine versions of this crystal still in stock.

If it’s the correct Omega crystal I’m out of ideas, assuming you have the tension ring in the correct orientation.
 
X350 XJR
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Fit the crystal into the bezel then fit the tension ring to the crystal and press the assembled pieces to the case.

Never had the issue you're having, and I've done a lot of these.
 
squiffythewombat
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X350 XJR X350 XJR
Fit the crystal into the bezel then fit the tension ring to the crystal and press the assembled pieces to the case.

Never had the issue you're having, and I've done a lot of these.

Yeah its the fitting of the crystal into the bezel that i'm having issues with (ive test fit the crystal to case with tension ring and fits beautifully). Would you mind detailing your process of how you fit the crystal to bezel? Is it a push fit with your hands or more force required from something like a crystal press?
 
Davidt
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Do you definitely have the right crystal - px5072? Cousins is showing out of stock.
 
squiffythewombat
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Davidt Davidt
Do you definitely have the right crystal - px5072? Cousins is showing out of stock.

I believe so, they only had the one when i ordered. Assuming the gold/steel are the same that is?

I still ahve the original crystal and can't even get the bezel to reseat on that either *face palm*
 
2023-02-20 19_55_38-My Orders - Ref_ 1301435 — Mozilla Firefox.png
Davidt
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Ah so that’s not an Omega crystal, it’s a generic replacement.
That said, if you can’t get the bezel and original crystal back on it suggests operator error. I’ve never had problem with a genuine crystal or refitting an existing. I’ve done it before with the lid of a calpol bottle.

Whatever you do, don’t break the bezel. You won’t find another.
 
squiffythewombat
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Davidt Davidt
Ah so that’s not an Omega crystal, it’s a generic replacement.
That said, if you can’t get the bezel and original crystal back on it suggests operator error. I’ve never had problem with a genuine crystal or refitting an existing. I’ve done it before with the lid of a calpol bottle.

Whatever you do, don’t break the bezel. You won’t find another.

Arh i had assumed that with the same part number and genuine omega packing/mark in the centre of the crystal it was the correct one? EDIT- my dyselxic brain has just noticed the G in my code number, d`oh!

and yeah im 1000% sure its operator error - I'm still learning for sure! Do you put the calpol bottle lid on top and push down? The crystal fits from beneath the bezel right? (pushing the bezel down onto the crystal?))

(Thanks for all the help!)
 
X350 XJR
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I just took one apart and put it back together with gloved fingers. It feels like you're going to break something, but I never have. BTW, correct stepped generic crystal. I always press the crystal down onto the bezel. The step in the crystal is what is holding the bezel on.
 
masteroftime
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I just want to echo what was mentioned above. In my experience, these don't need too much effort to install and I only use a press when pressing the bezel back into place with the crystal.

1) place the crystal into the bezel
2) insert the tension ring into the crystal
3) align and press the crystal/bezel into the case

If your watch originally had the correct crystal, then reuse the original tension ring. They usually fit better than the generic tension rings. I've had issues with generic tension rings fitting on more than one occasion.
 
squiffythewombat
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Hmmm yeah i THOUGHT it should be push fit too (everything ive read and seen it's push fit lol).

I'm reusing the old tension ring, that fits like a glove and both crystals fit into the case like a glove so now i'm wondering if there's something off on the bezel maybe. The new glass doesnt have the outter step but even the old glass wont seat with the bezel.

i'm going to triple check the bezel is true now...
 
Davidt
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To confirm, I follow the same steps @masteroftime outlines above.

The only time I’ve had an issue was with a poorly fitting generic crystal, but in that scenario the cracked original would fit back on fine.

How did you remove the bezel? Hopefully it wasn’t deformed during removal?
 
squiffythewombat
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Davidt Davidt
To confirm, I follow the same steps @masteroftime outlines above.

The only time I’ve had an issue was with a poorly fitting generic crystal, but in that scenario the cracked original would fit back on fine.

How did you remove the bezel? Hopefully it wasn’t deformed during removal?

It just popped off quite easily by hand. I'm thinking i must have some how damaged the bezel as from what everyone is saying it should just snap fit back on :/

The old crystal comes closer to fitting... half of it snaps into place quite neatly but i cant seem to seat he whole thing.
 
Davidt
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You do need to push equally around the perimeter of the bezel. Ie you cannot push it completely down at the 9 o’clock side, then push the 3 o’clock side down.

Pressure should be applied in a uniform manner so the entire bezel engages at once and remains parallel to the top surface of the case throughout
 
squiffythewombat
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Davidt Davidt
You do need to push equally around the perimeter of the bezel. Ie you cannot push it completely down at the 9 o’clock side, then push the 3 o’clock side down.

Arh yeah so getting it in by hands alone would be tricky Vs using the press then i persume. I'll see if i can get a die to fit (the slightly domed glass is too tall for my cheap ass newbie press!)

Checked the bezel and seems true on the horizontal and a true circle.

Davidt Davidt
Pressure should be applied in a uniform manner so the entire bezel engages at once and remains parallel to the top surface of the case throughout
(you did mean crystal not case here right?)
Edited:
 
Davidt
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No I mean the case. The bezel/crystal assembly should be placed flat on the case so it’s parallel. Apply pressure evenly so the bezel depresses in a uniform manner so it’s always parallel to the case (I.e. there isn’t more pressure applied to one side of the bezel so that area depresses quicker, leaving the bezel at a slight angle compared to the case)
 
squiffythewombat
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Davidt Davidt
No I mean the case. The bezel/crystal assembly should be placed flat on the case so it’s parallel. Apply pressure evenly so the bezel depresses in a uniform manner so it’s always parallel to the case (I.e. there isn’t more pressure applied to one side of the bezel so that area depresses quicker, leaving the bezel at a slight angle compared to the case)

Arh right, yeah that part ive done a fair few times on quite a few different watches. What i'm struggling to do is fit the bezel to the crystal itself. (assuming you fit this, then apply the bezel/crystal "assembly" to the watch).
 
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