• Tired of adverts on RWI? - Subscribe by clicking HERE and PMing Trailboss for instructions and they will magically go away!

How can a ceramic bezel ring be installed on a Rolex GMT Rep (GMF)

MASH4077

You're Saying I Can Sell?
3/5/19
43
9
0
EU
I am unable to re-install a ceramic bezel ring on a GMT Rep (GMF), I removed the bezel ring, removed the insert and then found out that it is impossilble to snap the ring again onto the watch. The little plastic gasket inside the ring is too stiff.

Is someone able to explain the steps and tricks?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1ftyvyxk70jtjtd/IMG_0222.JPG?dl=0

I could not find anything in the forum - only the older bezel.
Thanks very much
Christian
 

Souzouteki

Horology Curious
29/12/18
12
6
3
I'm actually having the same issue on my GMF GMT... I can't seem to be able to snap the bezel back in. Any advice to help?
 

bc1221

Put Some Respect On My Name
30/4/14
4,079
453
83
The insert has to be glued back in. Since there’s a layer of glue already on there, I would probably just use a little line of gorilla glue. Before you do that, align the clicks to match the markers and make draw little lines under the bezel so you can align them when you glue it on. I would suggest at least 3 spots.

Then, you have to get the little wrong with the notches on the bezel. This can get tricky sometimes but if they won’t stay in, try bending the little notches down. Once that ring is set, put the bezel over the holes, push down and turn. It should pop in to place. It might take a few tries tho.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

KJ2020

Time Traveler
Supporter
12/3/18
32,372
56,758
113
OK, first off a bezel should not be reinstalled with the insert in it. There is too much risk of cracking the insert.

1. Clean out all the old glue from the bezel well so it looks like new. WD-40 and a paper towel wad does a great job of liquefying this type of glue. Rinse in alcohol.
2. Examine the white/clear bezel gasket carefully to ensure it's not pinched or deformed. Make sure it is fully seated in its groove. If it's not, it can be sanded lightly to restore its shape.
3. You can put a thin coating of silicone grease on the bezel gasket to help set the bezel if needed.
4. Place the flat tension ring on the case.
5. Place the wire ring with 3 posts on top of the flat tension ring. Place the oval post bases inside the scalloped detents of the case retaining ring.
6. Orient the bezel so the 3 holes in it line up with the 3 posts.
7 Use a crystal press and die or a block of wood and a piece of round pvc pipe set in the bezel insert well to press the bezel in place. It's important that pressure is applied evenly around the entire bezel circumference during the press.
8. Once the bezel snaps home, test its ability to rotate.
9. Align the insert and reinstall it using 3m double sided tape.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-HQ-3M-AD...T/311735707180

If the bezel will not press on, 9 /10 times the problem is the bezel gasket. Check it again per step 2. You can try boiling it for 5 minutes to soften and shrink it and restore its shape. Next try cutting out a small section if part of it is pinched or deformed. It will work fine with a small piece missing. It will even work in two pieces if it comes to that. Always try to save as much of it as possible, as aftermarket gaskets will not work. They are way too thin and get swallowed entirely in the bezel gasket groove.

If you STILL cannot get the bezel to seat, the case retaining lip that anchors the bezel may have to be shaved (sanded or grinded) a bit. See this post for more. I had to do this on a BP (same as GMF) Hulk. It's been fine since then, and has worked flawlessly for over a year.

https://forum.replica-watch.info/for...ings-and-balls

One last note - bezel gaskets sometimes have a stairstep profile on their inner side. The orientation of this profile matters. Noob is bottom step down (toward the case), ARF is bottom step up (toward the insert). IDK about GMF or whether it even has a side profile. But pay attention to how it is seated as you take it out and put it back the same way. If you get a bezel on and it won't rotate, take it back off and turn the gasket upside down and seat it again.
 
Last edited:

tenx139

Renowned Member
16/5/19
801
1,543
0
US
I just received the GMF ceramic bezel insert for the GMT, Any suggestions of how to remove the old ceramic insert without damage ? I found a how to for the noob version, where plastic shirt collar stiffener was used, the tolerances are so tight on the insert I can’t get started, I’m concerned if I use an x-acto blade, it will may damage the bezel or break the insert. Any suggestions, I’m asking for help or suggestions. Thanks
.
 
  • Like
Reactions: johnlogan

KJ2020

Time Traveler
Supporter
12/3/18
32,372
56,758
113
Ideally you would use a bezel removal tool

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/330048...11563256214892

Failing that, you can try masking off the lugs and the underside of the bezel and use a very thin knife to pry the bezel up away from the case. Lift it a little then work your way around the bezel, lifting a little more as you go. It may pop off at any pry attempt or it may take a while to incrementally raise it. What you don't want to do is bend the bezel or scratch anything up.

Alternately you could try using a hair dryer to heat the bezel and insert and melt the glue then put some strong tape on it like Gorilla tape and lift it up enough to get a razor blade under it and work your way around it. You really should decase the movement in this method as that amount of heat in close proximity will cook and congeal any watch lubricants you might be lucky enough to have.

Any of these techniques involves risk of cracking the insert, but once it's cracked the rest is easy. So you could just give it up straight off and crack it then dig it out. I wouldn't hit it too hard with anything with the movement inside for obvious reasons. Are you sure it's ceramic? It doesn't look like it. If it's metal you could carefully drill a small hole in it then use a sturdy paper clip or nail to pry it out. Drill on a slight angle to avoid drilling too deep. There's a thick bed of adhesive to protect the bezel well.

Whichever method you decide on, the task will be much simpler if you can do this without removing the bezel. As you've seen in this thread, they can be a challenge to put back on. Not worth saving a low quality insert for, IMO.
 
Last edited:

tenx139

Renowned Member
16/5/19
801
1,543
0
US
KJ2020 Thank you, I will try drilling small hole in ceramic insert and pry it upwards. I’ll take a few pictures and post if this is successful.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KJ2020

tenx139

Renowned Member
16/5/19
801
1,543
0
US
720c0be97dd4c4db807d2a8b76f34f6d.jpg
e9288b4556abf7ce9e135e56b2a966cc.jpg
cae7d655600ac88dba362e4291c5e7ad.jpg
0bce384aa74bd88c2703d5aa41ee7bf7.jpg
edf298194ba7b7819994373e75609e35.jpg
ce204682484d6d149cdf114fff6eff64.jpg
8031225ea104f7a191e2193bdf7da67a.jpg
e8f726b619fbbef1703786de1363fdb3.jpg
e0da2bed21ca3d3c4b5ab9bc77b7404b.jpg


@ kj2020 thanks for help.

1. Drilled small hole
2. Heated bezel using a precision hot air soldering device , TXINLEI 8586, warm adhesive
3. Used hooked tool to remove bevel
4. Cleaned old adhesive with hooked tool, and final clean with 99% isopropyl alcohol to remove all traces of old adhesive
5. Removed liner from two-sided adhesive and applied in bezel ring


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

KJ2020

Time Traveler
Supporter
12/3/18
32,372
56,758
113
Awesome work bro, looks marvelous. So much easier when you do it this way. Looks like that old insert was in fact metal. Very good photo documentation, well done!
 

MASH4077

You're Saying I Can Sell?
3/5/19
43
9
0
EU
tenx139 : Could you give us a source/link of the new bezel? Is it really ceramic? Could you give us a closer view on it?
Thanks
 

tenx139

Renowned Member
16/5/19
801
1,543
0
US
MASH4077 Yes, the bezel insert is Ceramic, I ordered the GMF bezel from Puretime, cost $68. The watch is the GMF version with an aluminum insert that I upgraded to ceramic. I am very happy with the quality and look.
6ccbaddb32fe89dcfac6dc0a0ab52802.jpg
cb9250ba77f4a5e45425f158e2a87921.jpg
b23939af6437f954f3624b0c12562068.jpg
I believe any of the TDs can order parts from the various manufacturers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: KJ2020

KJ2020

Time Traveler
Supporter
12/3/18
32,372
56,758
113
MASH4077 Yes, the bezel insert is Ceramic, I believe any of the TDs can order parts from the various manufacturers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TDs are more receptive to parts orders if you have an established relationship and if you add the parts on to a larger order, i.e., also buy a watch.
 

pascdumal

I'm Pretty Popular
Patron
Certified
5/10/16
1,581
163
63
MASH4077 Yes, the bezel insert is Ceramic, I ordered the GMF bezel from Puretime, cost $68. The watch is the GMF version with an aluminum insert that I upgraded to ceramic. I am very happy with the quality and look.
6ccbaddb32fe89dcfac6dc0a0ab52802.jpg
cb9250ba77f4a5e45425f158e2a87921.jpg
b23939af6437f954f3624b0c12562068.jpg
I believe any of the TDs can order parts from the various manufacturers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What’s your opinion about the blue of GMF bezel compared to the Gen one ?