Removing and installing ceramic inserts

[Pelagic]

Recently had a few members ask about pressing ceramic inserts that are gen construction so took a few pics and I’ll explain my process.

I’ve done a few gen assemblies this way. Cross my fingers I haven’t cracked one yet. A bit of a pucker factor at first but each time went smoothly.

I’ve as well done some ARF as they are gen construction. One of the DSSD inserts I’ve removed and pressed was glued to the metal base ring.

The sd43 I’m picturing here was not glued to the ring. I pressed a full gen sd43 bezel assembly and it is the same as ARF.

I used a razor exacto style knife to separate the metal ring from the bezel. It is important that you wedge the blade between the ring and the base of the bezel rather than between the ceramic insert and bezel ring as it will crack it. The metal base ring acts as a support for the ceramic insert.


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/920f99a245dc1cf8795c6387df12202c.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/94b4027e0f16867cf97777be73a7840b.jpg


Once separated you will have the bezel support ring and insert.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/50358a38c18bd374e2b56e462f6f5b18.jpg


Installing the insert the base metal ring will sit in the bezel without pressing.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/2495c4949562f7d6aba9f75f346d4d9b.jpg


I used a junk die and notched out where the pearl is on the insert. Putting pressure on the pearl will instantly crack the insert.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/c84413b62e1c26a96462cd2e0e43d969.jpg


When pressing I used a screw down style press. This allows you to press slowly and evenly. You will hear a snap when it seats. I crapped my pants the first time cause I thought I snapped the insert but no crack nicely seated insert.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/673d5ae04c60a595bb380d074e9843a7.jpg


Complete

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/2e882748ab7a050167e53bbab97e78ce.jpg


Here is some pics when I built a franken sd43. I suggest installing just the bezel first so you can align the pearl at 12.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/ddd704c3d9d8567c7cd9a2dd069eabb5.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/de406c554458178d47614a4337e91caf.jpg

 

[paulvillo]

Such a nice tuto mate! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Pelagic]

For some reason the pics didn’t transfer.

 

[Raddave]

Very helpful information here !

Thanks Bro

 

[RepC]

That’s nice to see up close!


Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk

 

[mega12]

Very nice write up man. Many thanks.
I cracked dozens of inserts and wanted to stay away from them, but after your write up I will try again with a screw down press and to remove inserts between the insert ring and bezel and not touch the insert itself. Two very helpful recommendations. Thanks

 

[Pelagic]

Very nice write up man. Many thanks.
I cracked dozens of inserts and wanted to stay away from them, but after your write up I will try again with a screw down press and to remove inserts between the insert ring and bezel and not touch the insert itself. Two very helpful recommendations. Thanks

I have another possible process in the works. Hard to explain, but I think this is the way Rolex does it.

Making a die in theory will press the center of the back side of the bezel, the other side of the die will be the diameter of the bezel. While pressing the center of the bezel it will slightly torque/bend the bezel outward and the insert will fall out. Also working on the reverse process to press the bezel in without any stress.

This is all in theory. I haven’t personally seen the Rolex press but I imagine this is how it is.

 

[Pelagic]

 

[KJ2020]

Looks promising bro. I love seeing new ways to build our toys!

 

[mega12]

I have another possible process in the works. Hard to explain, but I think this is the way Rolex does it.

Making a die in theory will press the center of the back side of the bezel, the other side of the die will be the diameter of the bezel. While pressing the center of the bezel it will slightly torque/bend the bezel outward and the insert will fall out. Also working on the reverse process to press the bezel in without any stress.

This is all in theory. I haven’t personally seen the Rolex press but I imagine this is how it is.

I don’t get it 100% but assume you are talking about removing the bezel again?
There is very limited area, where you can „touch“ the bezel from the backside. But probably yeah, there must be any tool / die or whatever either to push or pull it out. Can imagine that Rolex uses knifes to remove them

 

[5digit4ever]

Good stuff here! Just now I realigned the insert on my zzf v2 114060 (it was a half click off). Besides this thread I couldn’t find a good tutorial so I probably should have done a good pic tutorial, whoops. Anyways here’s a before and after shot! Cheers!

 

[brokeAF]

for people that dont have the screw down type press, are there other ways to split them?

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[Patron7]

Great instruction! Thanks!

 

[Slugger]

On another thread, I read about using a plastic shirt collar stay to release taped or glued in inserts. I thinned the working end (the tapered end) to get it between the insert and bezel and it works like a charm with zero risk of scratching anything.

 

[RyanEdwards]

Hi would any one be able to suggest a good glue to re glue glued insert for GMT master II. I didn’t realise it was glued when I removed it!

 

[Raymond]

Recently had a few members ask about pressing ceramic inserts that are gen construction so took a few pics and I’ll explain my process.

I’ve done a few gen assemblies this way. Cross my fingers I haven’t cracked one yet. A bit of a pucker factor at first but each time went smoothly.

I’ve as well done some ARF as they are gen construction. One of the DSSD inserts I’ve removed and pressed was glued to the metal base ring.

The sd43 I’m picturing here was not glued to the ring. I pressed a full gen sd43 bezel assembly and it is the same as ARF.

I used a razor exacto style knife to separate the metal ring from the bezel. It is important that you wedge the blade between the ring and the base of the bezel rather than between the ceramic insert and bezel ring as it will crack it. The metal base ring acts as a support for the ceramic insert.


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/920f99a245dc1cf8795c6387df12202c.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/94b4027e0f16867cf97777be73a7840b.jpg


Once separated you will have the bezel support ring and insert.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/50358a38c18bd374e2b56e462f6f5b18.jpg


Installing the insert the base metal ring will sit in the bezel without pressing.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/2495c4949562f7d6aba9f75f346d4d9b.jpg


I used a junk die and notched out where the pearl is on the insert. Putting pressure on the pearl will instantly crack the insert.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/c84413b62e1c26a96462cd2e0e43d969.jpg


When pressing I used a screw down style press. This allows you to press slowly and evenly. You will hear a snap when it seats. I crapped my pants the first time cause I thought I snapped the insert but no crack nicely seated insert.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/673d5ae04c60a595bb380d074e9843a7.jpg


Complete

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/2e882748ab7a050167e53bbab97e78ce.jpg


Here is some pics when I built a franken sd43. I suggest installing just the bezel first so you can align the pearl at 12.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/ddd704c3d9d8567c7cd9a2dd069eabb5.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/de406c554458178d47614a4337e91caf.jpg

Is this sub from the clean factory?