You’re in the mood to change your watch’s bezel insert. Why? Well according to the watch experts at Watchdig.org Customization is fun, and change can be a good thing. You’ve chosen your watch’s new bezel insert online and are eager to show off a new bezel design. But then you stop and think about how and where to get your watch changed and fixed. Doing a double-take on your plans sure does happen a lot in the middle of a world health crisis! Double-take not, because if there’s anything this crisis has taught us, it’s that we can do anything we set our minds (and watch) to. Presented below is a step-by-step guide to changing your watch’s bezel insert. So don’t be afraid, have a pocket or case knife ready, and get to customizing that watch!
Materials Needed
Case knife/pocket knife
Multipurpose adhesive or double-sided tape
Small flathead screwdriver
Optional: watch cushion or pillow
Changing Your Watch’s Bezel Insert
Follow this guide closely if you don’t want to damage your watch’s bezel and case. Also, a worthy bezel insert to use would be ceramic. Ceramic is not only a trendy material to use for watches but is also scratch-resistant and exceptionally durable. A ceramic bezel insert for Seiko and other brands is sure to extend the life of your watch and make it like new again. Check out this process to help you become a proper bezel insert installer:
- Find a good place to insert your case knife or a pocket knife.
Do this so you can safely and comfortably apply the force necessary to remove the bezel
and bezel insert.
- Remove the bezel.
Push your knife firmly into the watch case at your chosen insertion point. The bezel will pop off as your knife goes in. Additionally, if you’re wary of scratching the case, you can put some electrical tape near your chosen insertion point.
- Separate the insert from the bezel.
With the bezel removed from the watch, you can separate the old bezel insert from the bezel itself. The insert is usually attached to the bezel through an adhesive. Flip the bezel, then insert a small flathead screwdriver between the bezel insert and the bezel. Work the flathead screwdriver along the insert to remove it from the bezel. Oftentimes, there will be adhesive left on the bezel. Clean it off before applying a new insert. Any residual adhesive left will cause the new insert to fix itself unevenly on the bezel.
- Reinstall the bezel.
Before reinstallment, make sure your watch’s click spring is still in place, along with the bezel gasket (the black rubber ring along the bezel’s inner side). Next, push the bezel onto the watch case. Due to the ample amount of force required to push the bezel, it would be best to put a little cushion between your working surface and the case. After doing so, press down on one side of the bezel first, then press down on the whole bezel. After reinstalling the bezel, check if it’s turning correctly. A unidirectional bezel should turn counterclockwise, for example.
- Apply adhesive to your new bezel insert.
New bezel inserts can come with a new adhesive along with instructions for proper placement. You can also place a multipurpose adhesive or some double-sided tape on the new insert before putting it back on the bezel.
- Place your new bezel insert onto the bezel.
You must first advance your bezel one click counterclockwise. Afterward, turn it clockwise to ensure no wide gap forms between the bezel and the watch’s click spring. Make sure your bezel is clean before attaching the new bezel insert. Peel off the new bezel insert’s protective casing and align it at 12 o’clock. You may use the minute mark on your watch’s chapter ring for visual reference. Check 3, 6, and 9 o’clock for proper alignment. Apply the new insert gently, then double-check the alignment first before pressing the insert down firmly.
- Enjoy the new look of your watch.
Now you can finally enjoy the new look of your watch. Go on and flaunt it!
Author’s Bio:
William Ross is often described as a jack of all trades. He loves to explore new things and cultivate his knowledge everywhere he goes. These days, he spends most of his free time writing about watches and watch accessories, as he is a collector himself.
