Bezel Insert Swap Gone Wrong!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Ouch, man! Sorry to see this!

My advice is to not touch the watch anymore but have your nearest RSC or AD watchmaker fit it for you. The watch needs a new WR test under all circumstances. All this can be done in a giffy, so don't worry.

[Pete17]

Ouch!! I feel your pain mate.

Another reason why I'll never have the balls to work on my watches.
You should have sent it to our resident watch repairer Jeff!

[daveathall]

I don't trust myself to undertake anything more technical than winding the watch when needed, I feel your pain though, hope you can get it sorted swiftly.

[Goldbug]

I can understand your pain. I would follow Bo's advice. Good luck and let us know what happens.


John

[colemanitis]

I've heard of this happening before, but have never had it happen to me. I have intentionally removed a crystal ring a few times, so I know how it's done. It's not hard, but if you've never done it it will take some time and patience. Here's what you need to do.

1. Get the crystal ring seperated from the the bezel.
2. Position the crystal on the case. Make sure you align the cyclops.
3. Place the rubber gasket in the groove of the crystal ring and press the cyrstal ring over the crystal and on to the case. This takes a large amount of pressure. You'll need something to help you do this. Take the cap off a bottle of salad dressing, or any other cap that fits OVER the crystal. It needs to fit perfectly over the crystal while sitting ON TOP of the crystal ring. Use the cap to apply a large amount of pressure to press the ring on to the case.
4. Snap the bezel on to the crystal ring.
5. Snap the insert in to the bezel, if it's not already installed in to the bezel.

[lubrifar]

Jeff,

I've tried to seperate the crystal ring from the bezel ring but it is near impossible as my fingers aren't strong enough to do this without using some sort of tools. I tired to sleeve the entire ring unit over the crystal once but that procedure didn't felt right and I stopped immediately as I felt that I might damage the crystal. At this point, the crystal is on the case with tape around it for security. I am still amazed how easily the crystal popped up along with the bezel with little effort. I re-inspected everything and luckily there are no damages at all. What an experience!

... sigh

[colemanitis]

Sorry to hear this happened. I think it's time to go to bring it to a watchmaker. Let us know how it goes.

Jeff,

I've tried to seperate the crystal ring from the bezel ring but it is near impossible as my fingers aren't strong enough to do this without using some sort of tools. I tired to sleeve the entire ring unit over the crystal once but that procedure didn't felt right and I stopped immediately as I felt that I might damage the crystal. At this point, the crystal is on the case with tape around it for security. I am still amazed how easily the crystal popped up along with the bezel with little effort. I re-inspected everything and luckily there are no damages at all. What an experience!

... sigh

[DSimon9]

[Jocke]

I have get it to a pro and let him put it together.

Jocke

[SPACE-DWELLER]

At this point, the crystal is on the case with tape around it for security.

That was a good move!

This way, you avoid dust particles coming onto the dial. Had you not put the crystal back on, I'd pulled the crown to stop the movt. to avoid those particles entering the movt. via the date aparture. Take the watch to your AD watchmaker and keep it away from moist environment meanwhile.