mrtimeshift
You're Saying I Can Sell?
- 17/8/15
- 37
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Friendly bump. Did you just build a SMP pre-ceramic franken? Im wondering if you got your bezel working and if so, how?
Yes mate, MK case is base and then;
- gen bezel is direct swap,
- gen click spring too,
- gen retaining spring is the problem. You need to re-work this spring and reduce the tension which arms give to the bezel. Like this:
Left is re-worked spring, right is gen generic spring (almost generic as I already started to bending it).
You need to recurve arms but keep the tips of the spring. There is no sliver bullet that I can tell you "bend it this-and-that" , you need to find a sweet spot for tolerances between the rep case and gen bezel. Usually you won't find it after the first time, neither the second, nor third time.
You need to re-work it - install the bezel - check how it works - if needed: pop the bezel up and re-work it further.
Is this for the model before the MKF 2012-2018 model? I'm not sure if "pre-ceramic" is referring to the ceramic dial and bezel insert or just the ceramic bezel so 2012 onwards.
Really keen to try and replace my new MKF 2012-18 SMP with a gen bezel or even another bezel because mine's a little loose and has some play. The clicks feel rather flimsy and tinny. I've replaced bezel parts on cheaper divers like SKX007 and Orients but never dared with anything more expensive as they always seem to go back a bit looser from the slight warping during removal.
Are there any recommended sources for buying an entire bezel incl all components either gen or from MKF or another factory that fits? I get that the gen will cost about as much as the whole rep but without an alternative rep bezel, there's not much to do except enjoy it as it is.
Thanks for the write up!
"pre-ceramic" is referring to gen SMP produced before 2012, here we are discussing a franken pre-ceramic based on MKF 2012-2018 (ceramic) rep.
Gen bezel will cost you more than the whole MK rep.