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New ZF Tudor Black Bay 54

emameme

Active Member
Supporter
Certified
30/12/15
345
91
28
Mine did the same thing. At first I just ordered a pip off of AliExpress. It sat up too high because I didn't realize only the pearl itself had fallen out. I can't seem to find just a pearl without a metal casing.

So the options I've landed on so far are ...

1) Try to pry the metal portion of the pip out of the bezel in order to replace the whole thing. I'm scared of ruining the whole bezel if I do this.

2) Try to pry just the pearl out of the replacement pip in order to be able to glue it in. It's so small to work with I'm not sure how to pull this off.

3) Place a dot of lume paint the in the concave portion of the empty pip and just roll with it. This is where I'm leaning at the moment.
Try to buy the Insert, in this way it's more easily to done.
 

WatchYah

Do not accept unsolicited offers
9/9/24
7
10
3
This would be ideal but I can't find one for the 54. Lots out there for the 58.
COntact your TD, as they should be able to source the part. Don't be appalled however when the total cost is like $60+ still. I recently got a faint acid stain on my insert, so I'm also curious as to the cost, because I'd like to eventually replace. using this as my lab watch, so trying to not get too bent on wear and tear. great beater so far!
:LOL:
 

WatchYah

Do not accept unsolicited offers
9/9/24
7
10
3
Update on my ZF54 for anyone curious on longevity of hard usage:

I wear this watch almost daily as my work watch (Project Coordinator in a Geotech lab). I'm coming up about one year of wear. It's almost constantly exposed to water, dust, and abrasive materials. I've also worn this watch in long showers countless times. I've submerged it for minutes it at a time in sinks and tubs without any clouding of the crystal or signs of water entry. I HAVE NOT gone swimming with this or submerged it in any hot bodies of water (ex hot tubs, baths).

I have definitely banged this watch against anything from concrete, rock cores, steel counter etc. I do have a very small and faint scratch on the sapphire crystal - I believe this was from a steel counter top corner. The aluminum bezel is NOT resistant to Sodium Chloride (Lye) (Who would've thought!) This bezel does get stiff if I'm exposing it to large amounts of dust - but once I run it under some water for a few seconds while turning the bezel , its good to go.

The bracelet and finishing have been surprisingly resilient, with no significant scratches or deep cuts in any part of the watch, aside from the normal desk dives on the clasp.

Upon arrival I noticed the watch runs about +15 seconds a day and still continues to do so - cant really complain there. I did notice a bit of a looser feel after a while when pulling the crown out, Not sure if the setting lever is wearing out or the crown stem has become worn. Or perhaps it has just loosened to the appropriate tension and was actually stiff before hand. Regardless, its not as clicky so that makes me feel as if a part or parts are worn.

I would like to Sellita swap when the movement becomes damaged beyond use, but it keeps decent time still, so we wait.

I have not opened the caseback, as I assume that will breach whatever luck of a water resistance I have on this. I'll save that for the movement swap and hopefully I'll be able to get it pressure tested enough to know my limits with this.

I don't regret this purchase at all. The watch does what it needs to do. I can still use the bezel to keep track of lab tests & the lume shade difference doesn't diminish from its utility in any form.

anyways TLDR - great watch, love the bracelet, still durable for a rep, I'll update if anything tanks in the next 6 months.
 

joellanier

Getting To Know The Place
29/8/21
30
40
18
Mine did the same thing. At first I just ordered a pip off of AliExpress. It sat up too high because I didn't realize only the pearl itself had fallen out. I can't seem to find just a pearl without a metal casing.

So the options I've landed on so far are ...

1) Try to pry the metal portion of the pip out of the bezel in order to replace the whole thing. I'm scared of ruining the whole bezel if I do this.

2) Try to pry just the pearl out of the replacement pip in order to be able to glue it in. It's so small to work with I'm not sure how to pull this off.

3) Place a dot of lume paint the in the concave portion of the empty pip and just roll with it. This is where I'm leaning at the moment.
I'm replying to my own post so I can update y'all.

I purchased $6 worth of lume powder on Amazon, I mixed it with jewelers glue and placed a drop in the cavity where the missing pip was and I'm pleased with the results. Here's a wrist shot and a lume shot (a blurry lume shot but you get the idea).


 

FaintOrGloch

Getting To Know The Place
10/7/22
67
66
18
Hey all, hoping this is an easy fix. My ZF 58 just arrived, the bezel is loose. I can take it off with my thumb nail, and there is like a millimetre of play up and down. So if I press on the bezel at 6, it lifts up at 12.
I assume it's been assembled wrongly. Anyone have a diagram or tutorial, just so I can be sure?
 

FaintOrGloch

Getting To Know The Place
10/7/22
67
66
18
Hey all, hoping this is an easy fix. My ZF 58 just arrived, the bezel is loose. I can take it off with my thumb nail, and there is like a millimetre of play up and down. So if I press on the bezel at 6, it lifts up at 12.
I assume it's been assembled wrongly. Anyone have a diagram or tutorial, just so I can be sure?
Just an update in case anyone should get a 54 with crappy bezel fit from their TD.
Took the bezel off, picked out the nylon gasket from its groove. It looked fine, but then I accidentally broke it lol.
So I trimmed the broken ends and refitted. The bezel seems firmly in place now, no vertical play, rotates/clicks smoothly.
Not considering the matter fixed just yet, I'd like to renew the gasket (or use nylon fishing line as I read online, 0.56mm line is a good starting point for the best fit).
Otherwise pleased with the watch. The bracelet is a bit shabby, sharp edges on the underside, but at least looks good. The T Fit clasp is kinda crappy, I don't know why anyone needs all those positions when the Explorer 1 sliplink is ample adjustment, but that's hardly ZF's fault. I have a BB58 Uncle jubilee bracelet I want to fit on it anyway, if I can get new SELs to fit.