Tutorial: How to fix the Bezel on a CLEAN GMT Master 2

[TubeGuy]

That is helpful.

I would like to use it as a daily, so my thought is having it properly serviced and lubricated. I have a gen. Maybe I should just enjoy it. I bought a 16610 maybe 20 years ago and wore it daily. It looks great.

But having a rep is handy. I thought maybe somebody had the parts handy and could get it going. Thanks again

 

[Artyfowl]

Guys once the bezel is off is it easy ish to remove the crystal without removing the movement?

 

[KJ2020]

Guys once the bezel is off is it easy ish to remove the crystal without removing the movement?

Bro take a look at the links below to see what is involved. To get the crystal out you have to remove the crystal retaining ring. These may be relatively easy and might even come off with the bezel. Or they can be a monster bitch requiring great effort to pry loose without damaging the ring or the case. GMT retaining rings are usually easier than Subs because the GMT retaining ring has a wider base to get a pry tool underneath.

Disassembly is the same for GMT and Sub, just some different parts under the bezel.

6-digit Sub crystal and bezel swap

6-digit GMT bezel install sequence

 

[Artyfowl]

Beautiful thanks. I read this whole thread some time back but reading again… managed to get to p15 so far appreciate it cheers

 

[derjenigewelcher]

Over 2 years now since i made this thread, unbelieavable how time runs. Since then it was added lot of tips from @KJ2020 and other fellow members here, since then i upgraded my workplace for watches, and I later stopped working on watches except some case reworking. Times are crazy..

 

[TonyMonatana44]

Can confirm that anything is possible when removing the bezel from the case (not sure who said it in this thread, but you were right). This is about the 10th time i've remove the bezel off my GMT Batman. Not once did it break the hytrel ring, but I did manage to break a click spring, pull the crystal gasket and last but not least pull the entire crystal out as well. Everything BUT the hytrel ring.



I have a new right handed GMT coming in from Steve soon. And am hoping to do the degreasing/polishing of the click spring as soon as I get it. Might go as far as removing the crystal gasket and doing a coat of waterproof silicone paste since I do a lot of diving and love taking my reps along. Did this once before on my very first VSF GMT that had pressure leak issues and it did the trick somehow.

Awesome thread.

 

[Artyfowl]

I’ve just ordered another batch of crystals from prof so will be taking apart 3 clean GMTs very soon. This thread has been invaluable thank you.
Wish me luck

 

[japer]

Well, I tried everything but I guess somewhere i’m doing something wrong. Bought a gen hytrel ring and a spare clean hytrel ring, a new washer and put it al together. Now without the hytrel ring it turns well and there is no movement or clicking sound when pressing the bezel with my thumb, but the bezelis easy to pull off the watch.

With the ring, it’s also easy too take the bezel off ánd i feels like the insert comes lose, or at least i can hear a click on different sides when pushing the bezel with my thumb.

Guess i have to get it done by someone else, was hoping to fix something myself for a change

 

[derjenigewelcher]

Well, I tried everything but I guess somewhere i’m doing something wrong. Bought a gen hytrel ring and a spare clean hytrel ring, a new washer and put it al together. Now without the hytrel ring it turns well and there is no movement or clicking sound when pressing the bezel with my thumb, but the bezelis easy to pull off the watch.

With the ring, it’s also easy too take the bezel off ánd i feels like the insert comes lose, or at least i can hear a click on different sides when pushing the bezel with my thumb.

Guess i have to get it done by someone else, was hoping to fix something myself for a change

Does the washer you bought sits completely flat on the case?
Did you insert the hyrtel ring the correct way?

 

[japer]

Does the washer you bought sits completely flat on the case?
Did you insert the hyrtel ring the correct way?

First yes, second: i really don’t know.

It falls between the bezel and insert.

 

[derjenigewelcher]

First yes, second: i really don’t know.

It falls between the bezel and insert.

It should not fall. There is a slim line in the bezel where the gasket should fit. And its not round, its "T" curved afaik.
So upside down wont work

 

[japer]

It should not fall. There is a slim line in the bezel where the gasket should fit. And its not round, its "T" curved afaik.
So upside down wont work

Thanks for the help. It does not fall in, i have to squeeze it in, but it lays against the inlay, in between the inlay en the space between the bezel. But i guess that’s wrong. I’ll check it again.

 

[derjenigewelcher]

Thanks for the help. It does not fall in, i have to squeeze it in, but it lays against the inlay, in between the inlay en the space between the bezel. But i guess that’s wrong. I’ll check it again.

Can you make a photography where exactly you put the hyrtel ring in? i believe its completely wrong, it should not touch the inlay.

 

[japer]

 

[japer]

Almost seems like the old one is still in? Thought i lost it, but my eyes are not that good

 

[derjenigewelcher]

Almost seems like the old one is still in? Thought i lost it, but my eyes are not that good

Thats what I also thought

 

[derjenigewelcher]

@P..DR..D Thank you for the badge, I am truly honored. This thread is more a community project, I am just the OP with made the first step.

 

[japer]

Thats what I also thought

Can’t get it out if it’s in. Can push against it and it starts moving in the round..

 

[P..DR..D]

@P..DR..D Thank you for the badge, I am truly honored. This thread is more a community project, I am just the OP with made the first step.

Well deserved

 

[derjenigewelcher]

Can’t get it out if it’s in. Can push against it and it starts moving in the round..

Tweezers with a good spike