How to replacing the Bezel Insert - by ebay user: kurtyiu

Hi, my name is Kurt Yiu.

I AM A HONEST EBAY SELLER WITH 99%+ POSITIVE FEEDBACK - VISIT MY EBAY STORE

Many of people keep email me to asking the same question: How to replacing the bezel insert ?

Now, with this instruction, you can Do it yourself.
However, contact the jeweler to do this for you is still recommend.

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NOTE : THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTION IS FORWARDED FROM 'Poor Man's' Watch Forum ARCHIVE
Created By: Matt V. <[email protected]>
Date: Sunday, 12 December 2004, at 3:41 a.m.

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First step: remove the Bezel Insert.

Notice, most Bezel Inserts on watches are built the same way or at least very similar, so hopefully this pictorial will help with some of the basics for maintenance: removing the bezel, cleaning the parts and replacing the Bezel Insert.

The bezel insert is an aluminum ring that has been glued to the steel bezel, so in order to remove it I am using a small, sharp blade (watchmakers knife) to cut in between the bezel and the insert and to lift the insert up. Be careful not to cut yourself, it sometimes requires a bit of force to slide underneath the insert and to lift it off from the glue.

You can cut into the insert when the bezel is attached to the watch, but be careful not to slip with the blade and to cut yourself (or scratch the watch)! The blades slim enough to cut underneath typically are the really sharp ones.

It is really not that difficult and gets easier once you've done it a few times, but don't be afraid to try this yourself as long as you're careful with the knife.

So dirty:

Now you can see the leftovers of the glue on the bezel. This is what we need to clean up before we can glue the new insert on. I recommend alcohol to clean up the remains of the old glue. A piece of wood works great to help scrape off the more sticky parts (and the wood won't scratch the bezel).

After clean up:

Looks weird, doesn't it?

Allright, here comes the glue. Most glue will work, miracle glue/instant glue/contact cement is used very often and this is the glue I use (mainly because of the precision applicator).

This glue is also used for watch crystals, but again; for getting a new bezel insert to stick to the bezel, a less expensive glue will do as well.

Now carefully drop the insert onto the bezel. Make sure not to touch the bottom of the insert with your fingers to avoid getting fingerprints/fat onto the surface. Make sure you have the insert roughly aligned because now you'll have to be quick before the glue cures.

Some quick pushes and it aligns perfectly. Than I use a piece of fabric to clean up the top of the insert, push it down through against the bezel to make sure the glue catches on evenly and everywhere. Look carefully for glue being squeezed out and remove it immediately.