ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

seedgun · 19 March 2010, 02:25 AM

Folks,
I read the tutorial on replacing the insert on my 1675 and watched the u tube video- it seemed very straight forward so I popped off the bezel and took out the old insert. Now for the life of me I cannot get the new one to go in or even the old one. I saw Jockes edge of table tip and tried that till I was fearful of bending the bezel. Does anyone have any other suggestions or tips? I finally put it aside to lower my level of frustration.
It seems very simple but for some reason I cannot get it in.

Thanks in advance for any ideas,
Andy

ParisDakarBmw · 19 March 2010, 02:31 AM

I would think that it would fit into place. ??? I've had a few get stubborn, but they alwas snapped into place. I think it may just be technique if you can't get the old one back in place.

seedgun · 19 March 2010, 04:34 AM

I'll agree there must be something wrong with my technique but it has me stumped. I'm going to try again tonight.

BGRINDEL · 19 March 2010, 08:58 AM

Are you sure that your new insert is for 1675? I believe they are slightly different size than the 16710 inserts.

Some are a little trcky and you need to apply a decent amount of pressure. Try to get it properly seated, and then "two-thumb" press the opposite side. It should snap in.

TimeToGo · 19 March 2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seedgun

Folks,
I read the tutorial on replacing the insert on my 1675 and watched the u tube video- it seemed very straight forward so I popped off the bezel and took out the old insert. Now for the life of me I cannot get the new one to go in or even the old one. I saw Jockes edge of table tip and tried that till I was fearful of bending the bezel. Does anyone have any other suggestions or tips? I finally put it aside to lower my level of frustration.
It seems very simple but for some reason I cannot get it in.

Thanks in advance for any ideas,
Andy

I agree with you, I had the same problem and ended up taking it to a watchmaker to put it back in...

MitchSteel · 19 March 2010, 09:40 AM

Stick them both in the freezer for an hour, then try it again.

David Woo · 20 March 2010, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MitchSteel

Stick them both in the freezer for an hour, then try it again.

Actually, try freezing the bezel and placing the aluminum insert into a dish of hot water. The bezel should shrink a tiny bit and the insert should expand a tiny bit: this should help with your tight fit.
The edge of table trick works well, I usually cover the table edge with a dish towel to avoid scratches.
DW

Rikki · 23 March 2010, 09:08 AM

When I have a tough bezel I use a piece of soft leather and a pair of smooth chain nose pliers. You get as much of the bezel insert in,cover the part that won't and slowly roll with the pliers from the edge to the bezel and push down it will usually snap in if done right no damage will occur. Rik

seedgun · 23 March 2010, 10:47 AM

Rikki- Thanks for all the suggestions, but I finally gave up. I tried heat, the edge of the table etc. Now that I read Rikki's advice I bet that would have done the trick. But, I was afraid of damaging the bezel- also the friction washer would not stay under the bezel so I'm wondering about it's roundness. After some thought, I decided since it was a new purchase that I didn't know it's last service date, I sent it to Bob Ridley today. I'm sure when it returns home it will be perfect.
Thank again for all the suggestions but this one beat me.
Andy

Latrodectus · 23 March 2010, 12:23 PM

Sometimes it is very hard, even with a towel or the edge of the table. I damaged one insert by doing it that way. The outcome was it was almost impossible to turn the bezel when I was done. You need pliers like this to be on the safe side....or give it to an AD. Good luck.

seedgun · 31 March 2010, 07:31 AM

Thought I'd give you all a bit of an update. As I said this one needed to go to Bob Ridley for service and to determine why the insert would not fit. Well Bob called this afternoon and told me why ( in the nicest possible way) it was due to the fact that it was not an official Rolex insert.
For those of you that have not had the pleasure of dealing or conversing with Bob he is one of the most knowelegable Rolex folks I've run across. In the course of our discussion he noted that the Hour hand was not quite the original and what needed service and what was fine. He takes the time to carefully explain everything that needs to be done and what the options are.
In the future he is going to be sending some picts to show what he is doing and a few things that all of us that like vintage should know. I'm still very happy with the watch, it was accuratly described and still a bargain for what I paid. When it comes home from Bob's it will be as close to perfect as a vintage watch can be.
All the best,
Andy

19 March 2010, 02:25 AM	#1
seedgun Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Andy Stone Location: ill.,Jeyll Is,Stl Watch: All of them! Posts: 188	1675 bezel insert replacement problem Folks, I read the tutorial on replacing the insert on my 1675 and watched the u tube video- it seemed very straight forward so I popped off the bezel and took out the old insert. Now for the life of me I cannot get the new one to go in or even the old one. I saw Jockes edge of table tip and tried that till I was fearful of bending the bezel. Does anyone have any other suggestions or tips? I finally put it aside to lower my level of frustration. It seems very simple but for some reason I cannot get it in. Thanks in advance for any ideas, Andy

19 March 2010, 09:40 AM	#6
MitchSteel "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: MDangerSteel Location: Canada Watch: Vintage Rolex Posts: 2,301	Stick them both in the freezer for an hour, then try it again. __________________ Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons Probability of survival is inversely proportional to the angle of arrival---Capt. Rage Don't believe anything in aviation, 'till V1---Mitch Danger Steel

31 March 2010, 07:31 AM	#11
seedgun Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Andy Stone Location: ill.,Jeyll Is,Stl Watch: All of them! Posts: 188	Update Thought I'd give you all a bit of an update. As I said this one needed to go to Bob Ridley for service and to determine why the insert would not fit. Well Bob called this afternoon and told me why ( in the nicest possible way) it was due to the fact that it was not an official Rolex insert. For those of you that have not had the pleasure of dealing or conversing with Bob he is one of the most knowelegable Rolex folks I've run across. In the course of our discussion he noted that the Hour hand was not quite the original and what needed service and what was fine. He takes the time to carefully explain everything that needs to be done and what the options are. In the future he is going to be sending some picts to show what he is doing and a few things that all of us that like vintage should know. I'm still very happy with the watch, it was accuratly described and still a bargain for what I paid. When it comes home from Bob's it will be as close to perfect as a vintage watch can be. All the best, Andy

19 March 2010, 02:31 AM	#2
ParisDakarBmw Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Paul Location: New Haven, CT Watch: 116610 Sub-C Posts: 6,552	I would think that it would fit into place. ??? I've had a few get stubborn, but they alwas snapped into place. I think it may just be technique if you can't get the old one back in place.

19 March 2010, 04:34 AM	#3
seedgun Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Andy Stone Location: ill.,Jeyll Is,Stl Watch: All of them! Posts: 188	I'll agree there must be something wrong with my technique but it has me stumped. I'm going to try again tonight.

19 March 2010, 08:58 AM	#4
BGRINDEL "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 452	Are you sure that your new insert is for 1675? I believe they are slightly different size than the 16710 inserts. Some are a little trcky and you need to apply a decent amount of pressure. Try to get it properly seated, and then "two-thumb" press the opposite side. It should snap in.

23 March 2010, 09:08 AM	#8
Rikki TechXpert Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Rik Dietel Location: Seminole Fla Watch: 5512 s/s Sub Posts: 1,818	When I have a tough bezel I use a piece of soft leather and a pair of smooth chain nose pliers. You get as much of the bezel insert in,cover the part that won't and slowly roll with the pliers from the edge to the bezel and push down it will usually snap in if done right no damage will occur. Rik

23 March 2010, 10:47 AM	#9
seedgun Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Andy Stone Location: ill.,Jeyll Is,Stl Watch: All of them! Posts: 188	Rikki- Thanks for all the suggestions, but I finally gave up. I tried heat, the edge of the table etc. Now that I read Rikki's advice I bet that would have done the trick. But, I was afraid of damaging the bezel- also the friction washer would not stay under the bezel so I'm wondering about it's roundness. After some thought, I decided since it was a new purchase that I didn't know it's last service date, I sent it to Bob Ridley today. I'm sure when it returns home it will be perfect. Thank again for all the suggestions but this one beat me. Andy

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)