D. I realize that entertainment is a big part of the RU-vid channel and those disassembling, cleaning and reassembling watches for show. However, this video was one of the most valuable instructional clips I have seem to date. I am a fellow watch enthusiast and I do a lot of work on watches, but much of my training has been by trial and error. Loved your video. Your method and style were excellent and the easter eggs you put throughout, the tips and inside baseball are excellent! Thank you so much for the video. I look forward to more from you. Jeff S.
Great vid! As a word of warning, have the right tools. There's so many videos online of guys popping bezels off of watches with small pry levers or knives. Don't do it. You can bend your bezel or damage it. This video was extremely helpful. I recently picked up a 2254.50 that had the bezel improperly removed, after an hour of massaging the bezel straight, it's sitting flush again but still slightly hard to turn. A new bezel is not easy to find and when you do, they're $500 or more new. Thanks again for the great vid!
So glad you enjoyed it and absolutely, having the right tools is key. You can get a bezel from your Omega authorized watchmaker for around $300.00. No need to go to ebay for it as they are often second hand and likely, warped. My two cents! Best, D
Massive thank you for posting this. My Goldeneye era Seamaster had a bezel that was very hard to turn. I tried the DIY bezel removers (with PVC pipe) mentioned in other videos and it did not work. Finally decided to wait the 3 weeks needed to order these pliers from overseas. The pliers arrived today and I was able to easily pop the bezel off to find all kinds of crud gumming things up. I mean seriously, it looked like a tiny mouse nest. No wonder it wouldn't turn. Cleaned it up and added a new aftermarket bezel insert (I'm keeping the OEM insert in case I sell the watch and can swap it back). Bezel turns nice and easy and it looks like I have a new watch. Awesome! Thanks again!
Hi William! So glad to hear it worked out for you and that the video was of value. Thank you for stopping by to let me know. Keep rocking the Seamaster. All the best, D
Hello Sir, just wanted to thank you very much for your fantastic video of how to remove and replace the bezel on your beautiful seamaster. It helped me so much with my planet Ocean, it has always had a rather loose bezel and seeing video showed me the best way to remove and replace the bezel. You Sir are amazing, there are no other videos anywhere explaining this in the correct way. Genius.☺️👍💙
Amazingly thorough tutorial. Thank you! I'm thinking about replacing my scratched up bezel on my Bond quartz Seamaster and this gives me all the info I need to do it.
Thank you so much for stopping by to say so, and the kind words! LMK if you need any additional guidance, I made the video to cover the process soup to nuts. Also let me know how it goes!! Best, D
I struggled with the bezel insert. I had purchased the inexpensive watch press suggested, but actually ended up bending the press itself. I managed to do this with two different presses. Obviously I was using too much pressure. I ended up purchasing a press from harbor freight which is much nicer quality and very inexpensive, the alignment and sturdiness of this press exceeds the one suggested except for the press rings. The press rings with the harbor freight press are a bit flimsy, but I was able to use the rings from the original press I bought. Thanks so much for this video!
Hey Glenn! Thanks for stopping by to say hello. Sorry you had a rough batch with the first couple of tries. Glad it worked out in the end! All the best, D
thank you so much for the kind words and for taking the time to let me know. i'm so glad the video was of some use to you. have a great Sunday!! best, D
Superb video so thank you. May I suggest the the insert could also be fitted after the bezel is fitted for more accurate fit, especialy if the bezel has been refinished. I am training in Watch repair and I kid you not I worked on one last night 1/8/21 (UK) All is ok now but I had a nightmare for a couple of hours, the tool used for removal will be ordered soon. Thank you, Regards and good wishes from Jon.
Thank you for the feedback Jon! That's an interesting re-order. I've found that the unpleasant "metal click" of the insert going into the bezel has had me doing it off the watch. I shall try your method on the next one that comes around. Very best wishes to you and thank you for joining the watch repair trade. God bless, D
Hello! If you mean the 41mm quartz 2541.80 then yes this process would work for that model. My quartz model is the next generation redline of that original Brosnan watch. Best, D
Thanks for stopping by! Determine the full Omega reference number for your watch. Then the exact parts you need to replace/upgrade. Then determine if an Omega Boutique, the standalone kind, not an AD that offers Omega, Rolex, Tag etc. is within driving distance. There are a few around the country, perhaps one near you. In the event not, you can call one of them up on a week day to discuss what you're after. If its a whole bezel, you'll have trouble getting it out of them, they'll want to be the one to replace it onsite for you. Cost is the same so no big deal there. The bezel parts can be discerned by going through the CousinUK website after you've done some wildcard searches on ebay and ebay.uk (native ebay site for Great Britain). Send me a message as to what you are up to and I'll give ya a hand. Traveling the next couple days. Very best, Darren
Great video, very clearly explained. Do you have any concerns that running the bezel through the ultrasonic will damage the ink on the insert (on this or other models)?
Hello friend,thank you for the kind words. I have no concerns with the bezel going through ultrasonic. The only "watch" that i've had that has had issues is the bracelet fro Porsche Design. It strips the powder coating. All the best, D
Good afternoon. Thanks for posting this video. I am about halfway through it, but wanted to shoot you the message before I finish because I’m going to watch it on my TV instead of iPad. My question, if you would know the answer, is will the bezel on the Omega Spectre limited edition Seamaster fit on the Omega SM 300m Heritage? I don’t want to wear my Spectre all that often but I most definitely want the GMT (in this case actually a 12 hour) capability for a second time zone. My hope is that I may be able to somehow source the Spectre bezel (or at least insert) and use it on my new Heritage 300m. Measurements appear to me to be spot on. I will note that the Spectre is bi-directional while Heritage is uni-directional. Thanks in advance for any assistance!
Thanks for stopping by to say hello! The short answer is I don't know. I've never handled those watches next to one another with an eye towards the mod. Write to me on Instagram and we can explore a bit further there. The key will be to determine the case reference number to see if it is the same. Past models had separate case numbers from the reference number, not sure if that is the case these days. To be blunt....the only way to figure this is to have both watches in front of you, pop both bezels and see if they will fit on each other. The non-OEM bezel inserts are out there, however, Omega does not sell inserts only. You'd have to get a whole bezel as a part from a certified, independent, watchmaker who is onboard with just getting the part in. Typically Omega will not ship a part only unless it is part of a service case. But you don't need a service, you just need the part, yada yada. See you on IG. Best, D
Brilliant video sir, thank you. Can you recommend a place to purchase an authentic Omega solid black ceramic bezel insert (just the insert, not the bezel)? I would like to use the bezel insert as seen on a 300M Seamaster Diver in sedna gold (solid black ceramic insert) to replace the bezel insert w/ white markings on the 300m titanium black ceramic watch. Thank you.
So glad to hear you enjoyed the video. Unfortunately, Omega does not sell the insert separately from the bezel itself. Most pre-ceramic bezels cost $300 ish from an Omega authorized dealer, repair shop. I've never had to replace a ceramic one. You could hunt ebay for the right bezel but in my experience I have yet to see ceramic bezels in parts blister packs for open sale. You could contact your Omega parts authorized watchmaker and ask him to get you the whole bezel and see what he says. Let me know how it goes! Best, D
I don't understand how the twisting motion with the tool removes the bezel. Isn't the motion same as when you are twisting the bezel with your fingers to rotate in normal operation? What am I missing?
Hello! I ought to have specified....the right hand holding the tool is also pulling upwards while the left hand is simultaneously pulling downwards. Gently and smoothly that is. Very best, D
Glad you found it useful. To confirm, you are asking about the 41mm automatic, correct? If so I believe they are the same as discussed in the video. I have the quartz version that came after yours and it works. An interesting note, some of the whole bezels themselves do not work across like-seeming models. The individual parts do. For example, the chronograph bezels are taller (obvious in person) but a seller on ebay may not identify the part they are selling accurately. Every now and then you get a bad bezel spring (the one inside the bezel itself). I see click springs on ebay, non-OEM, even tried one but it did not line up to the hole in the case.
@HobbyOfHours Thanks for your reply. Mine is the 41mm indeed. I find it hard to get the right part numbers or decide from a description if it is the right part. On one site they have set of springs described as For James Bond 1993 model, Omega 1503-825 For bezel Omega 082SU1464. Bezel Click Spring, Omega 129ST0510 (Generic) Bezel Spring Wire, Omega 085ST0051 (Generic) Could be for mine, but I'm not sure. I will contact them.
Why is this different from removing a seiko skx bezel? Does it not just pop off the same way? I would never remove an insert. I would simply purchase a new bezel and insert keeping the original
Thank you for stopping by! I've only worked on a couple Seikos. The new Omega bezels can be 300 and up now, if you just need an OEM insert (the bezel is fine, but the aluminum is scratched) then this can be a good solution, using a used bezel. best wishes! D
Excellent video! My only issue (36mm Seamaster) is that the bezel takes too much effort to rotate. I can barely adjust it as is. Is there a way to fix that? Would a drop of wd40 or something work?
Hello! Sounds like something is causing blockage and should be an easy fix I reckon. Get the red handle tool (40.00 ish these days) and pop the bezel off. Clean out any gunk, take out the bezel spring, be careful not to unseat the lume pip. Always turn the bezel in the direction it normally goes (counterclockwise) when taking off and when putting back on. The connectivity is so very simple with these bezels there is no real reason for it to be difficult to rotate unless something that doesn't belong is up in there. Or the click spring may have been damaged (one of the sky jumps) in which case you'll need a replacement (25.00 ish). LMK how it goes. Best, D
Thank you for the video. The ceramic bezel on my newer seamaster 300 has become loose as in not much friction at all when rotating. Just wondering if parts are available to buy privately as my AD seems to want to service the watch although it was only done 2 years ago. Many thanks 👌
Hey Stephen! Thanks for stopping by and the kind words. If you write to me on Instagram we can explore the issue more in depth if you like. To clarify...is it the insert itself that is loose within the bezel OR is it the entire bezel itself that is loose? I think you mean that the entire bezel assembly is loose during rotation. I'm hoping that is the case because I *believe* the only issue is the bezel spring within the bezel that holds it onto the case may be to blame. This is a $25.00 part in the open market. Please contact SJR Watch Repair, link in my current videos (www.sjrnationalrepaircenter.com/) and ask for Joe. Tell him I sent you and they will take care of you. They are Omega certified and based in TN. Let me know how it goes! All the best, D
Hi thanks for the time replying. It I'd indeed the actual bezel that is loose when rotating. It did receive a knock and slight damage to the bezel but still rotated fine for over a year up until now. I'd like to replace the steel bezel part insert is perfect and possibly the spring so it's not loose anymore. It's loose to the extent it moves just by slight touches to it. I'm very hands on and hope it's something i can have a go at myself providing I can get parts. Many thanks again.
@@stephenwilliams7056 Most welcome. If you send me pics of the watch on my Instagram I can have a better look at it. To be frank...send it to Joe. He has always charged me unusually less than the other watchmakers I've used in my time. Like...remarkably less. Having a watchmaker you can trust is like having a car mechanic you can trust. They are only going to fix what's wrong, and fairly priced. This sounds like a very simple easy fix. But since I don't know the exact watch reference or the part number for the likely culprit, I'm recommending sending it in to an independent. I love tinkering with my watches...but only after I've research it OR if I've summoned the nerve (bravely or foolishly) to forge ahead. Either way, I'm here to help brother. All the best, D
Ola amigo, estou querendo comprar essa ferramenta, encontramos dela de vários níveis de preços, ainda não conseguir identificar qual seria boa, qual voce comprou? se possível passar o link eu compro no aliexpress geralmente. Se puder me ajudar agradeço
@@EzequiasRelojoeiro Acabei de descobrir que você fala português e não espanhol. Desculpe. Comprei no Ebay. Eles estão disponíveis na Amazon e no Ebay. Qualquer um deles funcionará para você?
Hello Jose! Do you have instagram? If so please write to me @hobbyofhours and perhaps I can walk you thru fixing it. If you can send me some pics of it's current state we can probably walk it back and get it into shape by reversing the die set and "pressing it outwards." Let me know, D
@@h-hj8hl Most welcome. Feel free to keep in touch as you work through the project. You can write me on Instagram in case you need to show pictures etc. It's a fairly easy fix/mod. The most precarious part is putting the insert back into the bezel itself. You must be careful not to "pancake" it. It should "snap" in with a peppy quick click, almost in a snapping motion as opposed to a lengthy hydraulic press-type push. Hope that makes sense!
Thank you for the kind words and welcome to the channel. I have the green SM ceramic. But I'm not sure which model you'd like to test (which exact bezel to which exact watch head). Can you send me a message on Instagram and we can exchange ideas and reference pics? happy to help you out if I can. Cheers, D
My curiousity got the better of me. I popped off the ceramic bezel on my new green SM and tried fitting the bezel from either my Brosnan GMT era OR the bezel from my SM GMT 50th anniversary. They were both too small, probably by 1mm or less. So no compatibility. All the best, D
my gmt 50th got knocked onto the floor, popped out the bezel insert and wont pop back into the bezel. Are they glued in from the factory or am i missing something?
hello! they are not glued they are friction fit. it is likely the insert is now bent. if you get the $12 caseback press in the video there is a chance you bend it back into shaped. I was able to do that once. but you must be careful. if you want to send me pics of what is going on, reach out on instagram. happy to walk you thru it. make sure to get the tool with plastic die/circles. some come with metal and we don't want that. best, D
Most welcome. I meant to write you further. It's difficult to get the insert back in using just your fingers due to the inability to get uniform pressure around the entire ring. Using the case back tool, even if you use the dies by themselves will give you and advantage. Mind the part about the lume pip. those are also friction fit and if you bump it, it may take a runner on you. Best, D @@lordvader3538
Hey Alex! Thanks for stopping by to say hello. It's actually not that difficult in terms of dexterity required. Can you let me know which stage you are at? Which model you have, do you have bezel replacement parts etc already in hand etc.? I don't charge folks for watch repairs. Depending on how far along you are, I'd be inclined to recommend you to my watch guy. Let me know! Best, D
@@HobbyOfHours I have the new bezel insert but I just couldn't take the bezel off the watch. After watching your video I ordered the special tool for bezel removal and it is coming from oversea. If I still can't remove the bezel would you be willing to give it a go for a fee of course? I have the Omega Seamaster Professional Chronometer 300m and it is about 20 years old never serviced.
@@alexyu6928 Hey Alex...happy to help you some way or another, free of charge. The challenge is it would be $45-50 shipping each way to send it to me. If you've already ordered the tool, then I'm pretty sure I can talk you through it and thereby save you some $$. Give it a shot and let me know how it turns out. Best, D
@@glennda5id Hey Glenn! That idea is from the other gentleman on this thread. I've had heating issues with bezels before...such that I don't do it anymore. My two cents! Cheers, D
Hi Simon, thanks for stopping by! Do you mean for the removal of the bezel spring? The safety pin is what I had on hand and it worked. Small enough to get up in there. All the best, D
@@Rhythm24inch Just had a flashback....that particular bezel spring was "way up in there" and the tip of the safety pin is the only thing that would fit in the gap to get it out. Proper process would be to use something non-metallic to do the job generally speaking.
@@explorerjlc1743 Got it. The tutorial should work for this model. A couple clarifying questions. Is the bezel spring OUT of the bezel itself? (it needs to be out) Is there enough "travel" in the caseback press tool when everything is in place such that when you press downward the die can go ALL the way down (if not hypothetically further that is)? Let's start there. LMK.
@@HobbyOfHours I finally got it to work. Here is what I did, I flipped the watch face down with a larger press bit at the bottom so it 'contains' the bezel insert and it popped in. I think when I used your arrangement the insert just got flattened as it flexed. Thanks for your help!
