Is there a way to tighten up the bezel? I have 3 GMF GMTs (batman/Pepsi/root beer) all with different degrees of bezel tightness with the batman being a bit too loose.
Ive taken it off and had a look at how it’s constructed but can’t really see what controls tightness. Maybe it’s just how loose that wire with the 3 knobs that rotate around the bumpy toothed ring is...? Sorry best description I’ve got at the mo’.
There are only two possible areas of play. The wire ring posts to the bezel underside and the wire ring post bases to the case sculpted ring.
I've not had a looseness issue with any of mine, but if I were faced with this issue and intent on a solution here's how I would approach it. First, with the pieces disassembled (including insert removed), I would place the wire ring onto the case and see if there is rotational play between the oval post bases and the sculpted indents on the case ring. Are the oval bases too small for the indents?
The oval post bases are very thin and a point of constant wear as the bezel moves but they shouldn't be worn already and if they are too small it would point toward poor machining tolerance. If that's the case there's really no easy fix short of a better quality replacement wire (not likely to be available).
Next, place the wire ring into the underside of the bezel and see if there is rotational play between the posts and their corresponding holes in the bezel. If there is, that could contribute to bezel looseness. There should be some inner and outer play between the posts and the bezel holes so the post bases can move in and out as they slide in and out of the case ring indents.
Maybe forcing the posts to stay at the innermost points of the bezel post holes would effectively decrease the diameter of the wire ring enough to tighten up the bezel. This can be tested by using a small piece of wire or toothpick as a wedge in the post holes, on the outside of the posts (inserted from above, with the bezel on the case).
If that helps and the bezel still turns OK, then the posts didn't need as much in and out play as they had and they can be permanently fixed to their new positions. Cut small wedges of wire (single pieces of the right size, maybe 22 guage) and epoxy them in place. Do that with the wire ring out of the way so it can still be installed and removed normally. Alternately you could reduce the bezel post hole sizes by filling the outer end of it with epoxy or solder. JB Weld epoxy is pretty easily shaped, and completely sandable when dry. Use masking tape on one side, fill with glue, shape it and remove excess. Sand when dry.
I'm just putting some ideas out there, maybe this works or maybe it will spark further discussion.
