How to Repair VSF 126610 Submariner Bezel / Hytrel Ring - Long Term!

[Slugger]

Any idea who in the US could solve this issue and potentially also optimize the bezel play? Thank all for the help

I’m glad you are willing to give someone else a chance to fix it for you.

Explaining how to fix or replace a bezel is a bit like sharing a recipe. I could tell you all the ingredients, cooking temperatures and times but our results would not always be the same.

Truth is, everyone of us who do this regularly, has their own way of doing things and often we use our own custom made or modified tools. Most of the time, it’s a simple job but all of the time, there are a lot of ways to screw things up.

 

[butler182]

Will a YoYo ball bearing lubricant work?

I typically use a very light coating of silicone grease. When things are really tight, I have also used Molykote DX Paste for a little extra lubrication.

 

[butler182]

Will a YoYo ball bearing lubricant work?

No sure about YoYo ball bearing lubricant. You have to be careful that whatever lubricant you use is compatible with hytrel...some lubricants can break down hytrel over time. Silicone grease is definitely compatible and I've never had any issues with Molykote DX Paste.

 

[butler182]

I think i have damaged the Hytrel. When I turned the bezel I think it cut of some of the material. But the problem is really that I cannot get it deep enough.
The deeper i pressed it the easier the turning was. Maybe the lubricant really helps. Also apparently I should greese the clickspring and the parts, too.

And I believe I understand why I have that play in the bezel. The Clickspring simply has some play. A new clickspring should fix this.

Even if the hytrel ring is damaged, you can probably get it working fine. Just work out the kinks and give it another go. Also, you could try flipping the hytrel ring...some rings have a little step on the inner perimeter (L shaped) and are orientation specific. If this is the case with your hytrel ring, the correct orientation could make a big difference.

 

[Valaj]

Even if the hytrel ring is damaged, you can probably get it working fine. Just work out the kinks and give it another go. Also, you could try flipping the hytrel ring...some rings have a little step on the inner perimeter (L shaped) and are orientation specific. If this is the case with your hytrel ring, the correct orientation could make a big difference.

Yes I agree. It sounds like an issue with the hyrtel ring. I had a similar issue. In my case, the hyrtel ring has a small kink and that was what made it get stuck (like you said, it was extremely hard and almost immobile but the bezel popped out very easy compared to when I had to pop it out the first time). I removed and gently tried "re-shaping" the hyrtel ring. When I was reinstalling the bezel, I turned it while gently pushing on it and making sure it didn't get caught anywhere. That worked for me.

 

[Artyfowl]

Does the hyrtel ring sit in the groove just below the ceramic insert or the groove further down the bezel ring? Mine was sitting on the watch case when I removed the bezel so didn’t have the chance to see where it was fitted.

Also I’ve just changed the crystal and pressed the retaining ring right down to the watch case. Is this correct? I hope so.

 

[KJ2020]

Does the hyrtel ring sit in the groove just below the ceramic insert or the groove further down the bezel ring? Mine was sitting on the watch case when I removed the bezel so didn’t have the chance to see where it was fitted.

Also I’ve just changed the crystal and pressed the retaining ring right down to the watch case. Is this correct? I hope so.

You didn't say which model you are working on. If the insert is press fit there will be another part under it, an insert support ring. The bezel groove is below that.

If the insert is taped in the bezel groove is directly under the insert.

This thread has more pics if you need them
6-digit Sub crystal and bezel swap

The retaining ring should be fully pressed down to the case.

 

[Artyfowl]

You didn't say which model you are working on. If the insert is press fit there will be another part under it, an insert support ring. The bezel groove is below that.

If the insert is taped in the bezel groove is directly under the insert.

This thread has more pics if you need them
6-digit Sub crystal and bezel swap

The retaining ring should be fully pressed down to the case.

Hi KJ. It’s a VSF sub no date 126610

Fish line arrives today

 

[KJ2020]

Hi KJ. It’s a VSF sub no date 126610

Fish line arrives today

Start small (thin diameter) with fishline and work your way up to thicker diameter to decrease looseness. Don't force the bezel down if there is great resistance. Also I recommend leaving the insert out until the bezel is installed with its final selected fishline in place and it's working well.

Using fishline as a hytrel ring

 

[Artyfowl]

Ok so fishing line is the future

Prof crystal installed. I’m happy with that….

One ball bearing spring disappeared to the netherworld and one was bent and wouldn’t sit right to let the bezel click in so I left it out. Running one spring and the click spring and all is good. (I’ve ordered replacements from Ali but to be honest it’s working well as is.

 

[Artyfowl]

Also, I won’t stress how annoying it is forgetting about the Rolex crown etch in the crystal and having to take everything apart again to sort…

 

[KJ2020]

Also, I won’t stress how annoying it is forgetting about the Rolex crown etch in the crystal and having to take everything apart again to sort…

I put a red Sharpie dot on it so I don't forget and don't have to keep hunting for it.

 

[bertieng]

Also, I won’t stress how annoying it is forgetting about the Rolex crown etch in the crystal and having to take everything apart again to sort…

You have my respect for being adventurous.
BTW, which gauge of fishline did you finally use to give the perfect fit?

 

[Artyfowl]

0.7 worked for me. Took some pressing to get it to sit in the bezel groove and not pop out but working well

 

[bertieng]

0.7 worked for me. Took some pressing to get it to sit in the bezel groove and not pop out but working well

In such case, would 0.65mm give a better fit and easier installation?

 

[Raffaelloczz]

Does the hytrel ring guarantee the waterproofness of the watch or not?

I replaced the hytrel ring of my vsf sub because the bezel was hard in the movement with the ring of a sub ARF that I no longer use, now the bezel rotates well but I have a very small play of half a millimeter because the hytrel ring of the sub ARF is less thick.

I would not want to have compromised the waterproofness.

 

[butler182]

Does the hytrel ring guarantee the waterproofness of the watch or not?

I replaced the hytrel ring of my vsf sub because the bezel was hard in the movement with the ring of a sub ARF that I no longer use, now the bezel rotates well but I have a very small play of half a millimeter because the hytrel ring of the sub ARF is less thick.

I would not want to have compromised the waterproofness.

The hytrel ring has no impact on waterproofness. Good fitting and properly seated crown gaskets, caseback gasket and crystal gasket are the mains things to worry about.

 

[Raffaelloczz]

The hytrel ring has no impact on waterproofness. Good fitting and properly seated crown gaskets, caseback gasket and crystal gasket are the mains things to worry about.

Thanks dear

 

[Cubatobaco]

Bought some extra Hytrel rings today , but fishing line needs to be in this house as I am always fixing GMT's (my favorite watch). Today, when taking off a C+F bezel, it brought the crystal / gasket/retaining ring and all. I was like WTF!? After multiple attempts and different retaining rings, I figured I needed a new hytrel ring (too think / stretched) and some silicone grease on the ring to allow the bezel to turn. As it sits, everything is clicking , moving, and sounding good. Just need a new gasket and, unfortunately, a new Pepsi insert as I cracked it trying ti reinstall. Such is life with a GMT!