Helenarou 5517 milsub bezel question

[obiwan]

I know this is an old thread but I wonder if anyone can help? I have a HR complete milsub. I love the watch but the bezel has always bothered me. It's either the plexi crystal is too high or the bezel is too thin (something I know others have complained about on these forums). Does anyone here know of anyone that can provide a more accurately sized and correct gen like complete bezel assembly and graduated insert? I've heard Clarks make a 5513 bezel set up but I'm not sure if it will fit on the HR case. Attached is a photo of the side profile of the watch. You can see, it's looks like the bezel is too thin. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Feefo]

Moved to vintage watches, I think here it might get more visibility from expert builders

 

[Karbon74]

what crystal are you using?

 

[aus_wolfie]

When I bought mine 2 years back I spent all my time with MK trading pics on case and lume ageing but relied on his (or her?) narrative about the crystal:

"Glass: same size as Genuine Super dome Plexi"

It's pretty up there

 

[aus_wolfie]

@obiwan - I compared to gens and other great reps here (@jackflash Was an absolute standout I recall!!) And our HR insert and bezel is too narrow.

But I gave up thinking that a wider bezel was just going to collide into the crown and/or overhang the case more (kinda at the 2, 4, 8 and 10 markers if that makes sense)


I'd be glad to hear I was wrong. I'd join you in your quest

 

[Singapore9]

Clark 5513 bezel set is a direct fit with a Clark crystal.. did it to my HR case myself, a week or two ago!

HR crystal ring, bezel, insert (you won't be able to reuse it really, it's a weird, thin thing) and crystal (too large diameter for GEN-spec insert) all straight in the bin!

The Clark bezel ring will need polishing and perhaps a bit of thinning and easing of the hole, so you have a nice turn with the friction washer, but all pretty easy.

If you're not into doing any work, there is always this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226033071316 (bought a dial off him, happy with it)

Or Phong's son, Jensen: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234633157784

With a Jensen insert, either way: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234740639578

 

[jackflash]

The numerals are too small on the Jensen insert. Ruby or Crownartcustoms are better. Here are some shots of them.

Crownartcustoms insert on top, Ruby below.


Jensen insert on top, Crownartcustoms below.


Crownartcustoms insert installed.

 

[Singapore9]

Love the blue on the CAC! I even use a CAC on one of my GEN 9411s I think they're that good.

GEN blistered service 5513 on my HR case, which fitted fine in the Clark bezel, albeit I swapped to a GEN bezel I had spare.

 

[jackflash]

Yeap, CAC inserts are the way to go. Rep above, gen below.

 

[Karbon74]

sorry to ask this
CAC sells on ebay?

 

[jackflash]

sorry to ask this
CAC sells on ebay?

No, via Instagram:

Crownart Customs

www.crownartcustoms.com

 

[Karbon74]

No, via Instagram:

Crownart Customs

www.crownartcustoms.com

thank you brother

 

[Singapore9]

Also via ebay: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ssn=oldwatchparts&store_name=oldwatchparts&_oac=1&_sop=10

 

[Singapore9]

Another interesting bezel set option for what looks like very reasonable money: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305474530744

I've used Chad for a dial and was very happy for the money - good value!

 

[Molokai express]

Came across this because I unwittingly bought a helenarou 5517 with another companies watch brand on it and the bezel was one of the first things that bothered me too. Do I understand this thread correctly that you can change out the crystal with a clark and then the clark bezel assembly will fit with some slight polishing and it would fit a crown art custom's bezel insert? Trying to decide if it's all worth the expense and fuss, but on another hand, it's not a bad project

 

[Singapore9]

HR bezel in the bin, my Clark bezel with Clark crystal was fairly plug and play (no sanding on retaining ring) on my HR case and a CAC snapped in fine. Since then, I have swapped for an Old Crowns / DrVintage bezel set up as I think it is 'better' but no idea if he will sell you one separately - can ask! Fitted together like a glove and no sanding/polishing required. Wearing mine as I type with a CAC and Stern plexi.

 

[Molokai express]

Thank you! Does the bezel overhang the crown a little bit (assuming the clark bezel is just a hair wider than the stock helenarau?

 

[Singapore9]

I would say no - the bevel on the underside of the bezel sits nicely in the bevel of the crown but of course it may depend what crown you're using. I still have mine on the standard HR 702-style crown but will be upgrading to a GEN 703 shortly, which will perhaps sit closer to the bezel.

 

[Molokai express]

Thanks so much.

 

[Explorista]

Riding along here, i hope op dont mind. Is “clark” the same as “clark watch parts” on ebay? Im looking to get a bezel ring from him. Have a new bezel but my current one is a tad too big for it. Need to use some adhesive to get the insert to sit. Dont mind that actually, but the tiniest gap around the outer ring of the insert and the bezel ring bothers me. Got the insert from lobtime and he told me it was gen spec as per dimensions. You guys know if clark watch parts bezel ring is good?