Ok I know I am an Idiot
Discussion
As per title, the bezzel on my Baliha'i Project Q got stuck, so being a wise man I thought if I lever it up a little maybe the obstruction will drop out and all will be fine...
So I insert a knife under the bezzel and give it a tiny little twist... and now have a bezzel in my hand
I have tried the Haynes manual method of reassembly is the opposite... but it does not seem to want to go back on... Is there a knack to it or do i need to get a proper watch fixer on it?
So I insert a knife under the bezzel and give it a tiny little twist... and now have a bezzel in my hand
I have tried the Haynes manual method of reassembly is the opposite... but it does not seem to want to go back on... Is there a knack to it or do i need to get a proper watch fixer on it?
From an engineer's POV (knowing nothing about watchmaking), it looks like the bezel is either located, or held in by that spring steel clip on the left of the image - my guess is that if the bezel came off with the simple twist of a lever device, it should go back in just as easily.
Without a closer view of the watch case, or the back side of the bezel, I would say check to see if the assembly should be placed in a certain orientation (is there a key way in the case or bezel, meaning that it can only go on one way) and try building the assembly in different methods (clip onto bezel first, or clip onto case first, etc).
If all else fails, and assuming the watch doesn't have sentimental value, use a bit of PH man-maths and buy yourself something new!
Without a closer view of the watch case, or the back side of the bezel, I would say check to see if the assembly should be placed in a certain orientation (is there a key way in the case or bezel, meaning that it can only go on one way) and try building the assembly in different methods (clip onto bezel first, or clip onto case first, etc).
If all else fails, and assuming the watch doesn't have sentimental value, use a bit of PH man-maths and buy yourself something new!
It looks identical to other snap on/off bezels I've removed, and so should press back on again (in theory).
That circular metal ring on the left of your picture does not hold the bezel on - simple friction does that.
The ring is the 'click' spring - the little 'ramped' or raised arm at the 3 o'clock side of your picture is what the underside of the bezel drags across to make the ratcheting click when turned.
There are two or more little pronged 'feet' on the underside of the metal ring (opposite side to the click lever) - there looks to be two at 7 & 11 o'clock on yours.
Insert the ring - feet downwards - around the dial again, there will be two holes that the feet can insert down into. The ring is thin & can bend easily, but it should lie flush with the case in that little channel around the dial - if not, you might need to bend the ring to suit. The click lever will be bent upwards & outwards towards you - that's normal.
Check the underside of your bezel for any debris that would stop it snapping on again.
There can be an o-ring gasket there as well which is fiddly but seats inside the bezel underside - if that's not in place properly, it can obstruct the press fit back on again.
If all that goes ok, then you can snap on the bezel itself. It's friction fitted, so it's tricky to get back on again.
It won't really snap on again if you try to press it on level/horizontally - the fit is too tight. You need to first seat one side on the bezel onto the case, then run your two thumbs around the bezel from that first seating point - the idea is that with increasing firm, consistent pressure evenly exerted around the ring, your thumbs should meet at the stiffest part and with some downwards & outwards pressure, force the bezel to snap back on again. It's a trial & error pain, but you should get there. Try not to let the first part of the bezel seated to rock off - slow & steady even pressure is the key.
You could always try removing the case from the bracelet, and using something flat & hard - book, timber etc. to press the bezel on, but I find that working from an angle is better, rather than trying to force all sides of the ring bezel on at the same time.
Clean the dirt off your bezel channel on the case as well. Tight fits/turning can be hard to fix. Don't use an oil or WD40 lubricant - they only attract & hold dirt in the long-term. I've ordered a graphite powder 'dry' lubricant for this reason. Same stuff used in stiff locks.
Good luck.
That circular metal ring on the left of your picture does not hold the bezel on - simple friction does that.
The ring is the 'click' spring - the little 'ramped' or raised arm at the 3 o'clock side of your picture is what the underside of the bezel drags across to make the ratcheting click when turned.
There are two or more little pronged 'feet' on the underside of the metal ring (opposite side to the click lever) - there looks to be two at 7 & 11 o'clock on yours.
Insert the ring - feet downwards - around the dial again, there will be two holes that the feet can insert down into. The ring is thin & can bend easily, but it should lie flush with the case in that little channel around the dial - if not, you might need to bend the ring to suit. The click lever will be bent upwards & outwards towards you - that's normal.
Check the underside of your bezel for any debris that would stop it snapping on again.
There can be an o-ring gasket there as well which is fiddly but seats inside the bezel underside - if that's not in place properly, it can obstruct the press fit back on again.
If all that goes ok, then you can snap on the bezel itself. It's friction fitted, so it's tricky to get back on again.
It won't really snap on again if you try to press it on level/horizontally - the fit is too tight. You need to first seat one side on the bezel onto the case, then run your two thumbs around the bezel from that first seating point - the idea is that with increasing firm, consistent pressure evenly exerted around the ring, your thumbs should meet at the stiffest part and with some downwards & outwards pressure, force the bezel to snap back on again. It's a trial & error pain, but you should get there. Try not to let the first part of the bezel seated to rock off - slow & steady even pressure is the key.
You could always try removing the case from the bracelet, and using something flat & hard - book, timber etc. to press the bezel on, but I find that working from an angle is better, rather than trying to force all sides of the ring bezel on at the same time.
Clean the dirt off your bezel channel on the case as well. Tight fits/turning can be hard to fix. Don't use an oil or WD40 lubricant - they only attract & hold dirt in the long-term. I've ordered a graphite powder 'dry' lubricant for this reason. Same stuff used in stiff locks.
Good luck.
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