CF Sub 41mm 3235 issue with bezel

[Turney94]

Hi - just bought a clean factory sub 41mm green bezel 3235.. the bezel seems to have a lot of play in it - if I press on the top edge of the bezel. Any ideas what the problem could be and how to fix? Thanks..

 

[KJ2020]

You should read the link below to better understand how these bezels are constructed if you don't already know.

6-digit Sub crystal and bezel swap

You can try stretching the bezel springs about 20% and putting it all back together, that has been reported as a fix for your issue. Alternately you can source and install some longer springs to tighten up the bezel.

 

[Turney94]

Hi, Thanks, and for the great how to guide.. can you explain how stretching the springs would allow the bezel to sit flatter against the watch case?

 

[WatchSmith.US]

I stretched the springs on mine about 20% and it increased the tension perfectly. I installed a gen crystal and gasket and made sure the crystal retaining ring was pressed down as far as it could go and it sits flush on the case. But it sat flush with the rep crystal too. Your crystal retaining ring might not be pressed as low as it should be. Or you might have to remove it and reduce its height by .2mm or so.

 

[Turney94]

Hi,

I have removed the bezel and stretched the springs slightly. This hasn't made a difference to the tightness of the bezel. Does someone know what creates the tension between the bezel and the watch body? It seems very uneven against the body of the watch, almost loose and have now lost a spring.

I am thinking that I should somehow find some new springs and replace. I am now a bit lost with this one and wish I hadn't taken the bezel off..

Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated. Maybe I should send to a specialist?

 

[Oascom]

Flipping hyrtel gasket upside down might give you more tension, but also it's easy to ruin your hyrtel if you don't know what you are doing.

 

[WatchSmith.US]

Is the crystal retaining ring sitting as low as possible? It looks like there's a gap under it. The hytrel ring rides under that ledge on the retaining ring. If that ledge is too high, the bezel sits higher. It can to some degree be adjusted with the hytrel ring being inverted but I haven't tried it. I've mangled a few hytrel rings pulling and replacing bezels.

You can also sand down the bottom of the retaining ring to make it shorter, which should bring your bezel closer to the case. KJ2020 has a lot of experience with this. I've only done a few.

 

[KJ2020]

Your crystal retaining ring is definitely not pressed down fully. Take a look at the thread linked below to learn more about how the bezel assemblies work.

6-digit Sub crystal and bezel swap

For replacement springs/balls/click see below

Sizes you need

Springs
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131353754666

Balls
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174470244530

Or look for these items on Ali Express. Links to specific vendors can change often

 

[40mm]

Hi, Thanks, and for the great how to guide.. can you explain how stretching the springs would allow the bezel to sit flatter against the watch case?

Stretching the springs would increase friction on the bezel by pushing it up against its retaining ring. This would reduce play, not lower the bezel.

This is an awesome post. I had no idea there were springs and ball bearings under the bezel. I could see myself easily launching them across the room never to be seen again.

 

[Replisimio]

It would appear that the crystal retainer is not fully pressed as there normally would not be a gap between that and the case as has been suggested.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Turney94]

Hi, I'm going to try and find or fabricate a die for the crystal retainer and ensure its fully seated without a gap to the watch body - what diameter should this be? How do I know if I need a new plastic hytrel ring? Is there any way of testing this? Where could I source one from? Apologies for all the questions and you've all been a great help so far.. thanks

 

[WatchSmith.US]

Hi, I'm going to try and find or fabricate a die for the crystal retainer and ensure its fully seated without a gap to the watch body - what diameter should this be? How do I know if I need a new plastic hytrel ring? Is there any way of testing this? Where could I source one from? Apologies for all the questions and you've all been a great help so far.. thanks

You should measure the crystal retaining ring and then choose (or make?) a die accordingly. I'm sorry I don't remember which diameter I used when seating mine. Personally I would use an aluminum die and not plastic or nylon. I've had one nylon die expand enough to swallow the retaining ring and it was a bitch getting it out. Aluminum won't flex like plastics.

Ebay has hytrel rings but I don't know for certain if they will fit. EBAY HYTREL RINGS

 

[Oascom]

Hi, I'm going to try and find or fabricate a die for the crystal retainer and ensure its fully seated without a gap to the watch body - what diameter should this be? How do I know if I need a new plastic hytrel ring? Is there any way of testing this? Where could I source one from? Apologies for all the questions and you've all been a great help so far.. thanks

it's for GMT but will give you idea. Do you have a lathe ?

 

[Turney94]

Hi I dont have a lathe.. would a GMT Master die fit?

 

[KJ2020]

Hi I dont have a lathe.. would a GMT Master die fit?

It might if the GMT die uses the retaining ring lower teeth as a point of contact. For Subs you have to use the skinny top ledge of the retaining ring. I recently opened up the inner perimeter of a lathed die to accommodate a gen SD43 crystal, which like the Subs has to contact the top ledge. An unintended benefit of this mod was that it now works on the lower retaining ring teeth and scallops of GMT and YM I retaining rings.

Measurements need to be precise when using a retaining ring die on a Sub ring, there is very little room for error in clearing the crystal and catching the ring ledge. The outer diameter can vary.

It also doesn't hurt to add some protective tape to the die. I also drilled an inside dip for the SD43 die because that crystal is quite thick. It's pretty easy to nick or chip a crystal if you aren't ultra careful doing this.