What's involved in swapping bezels?

[Sperry]

Here is a decent 2001 Date with machined-turned bezel.

What would be involved in swapping to it a domed bezel?

This watch is $1800, and comes from a reputable jeweler in Fountain Valley, California.

[Rolexitis]

I'm not exactly sure, but someone will come along and let us know.....

[Sperry]

Betcha like my clickable linked thumbnail pictures, huh?

[CVerKuilen]

You need to first of all find a reputable individual who is properly equipped and willing to change bezels for you, which is almost a paradox.

Then, they should:

Detach the bracelet.

Unscrew the caseback, and remove the movement from the case.

Remove the bezel, preferably with a Rolex bezel removal tool. It has 4 edges to penetrate underneath the bezel at once, as opposed to the one by the common "pocket knife" method. It will lift the bezel evenly, preventing stretching or deformation of the bezel AND crystal shoulder on the case.

Apply a new crystal gasket (if on a sapphire-equipped watch).

Align the cyclops, and press the bezel on using (you guessed it!) a Rolex bezel press. It is machined with extreme precision, which will ensure that the die used to press the bezel on is centered over the case properly. It also prevents damage to the case frame by supporting it at it's strongest point.
The dies are aluminum with a Delrin-type plastic pressing surface to ensure the bezel isn't damaged during the pressing process. The press also has a pressure-limiting ratchet mechanism that prevents any damage from occurring as a result of too much force being applied.

Now, the movement must be re-cased, being sure to maintain the level of cleanliness the customer would expect. Nobody likes lint or dust on the dial!

After the movement has been re-cased, the watch should be pressure tested and checked for accuracy to be sure nothing happened during the bezel change. Re-attach the bracelet.

I think that's about it... Again, the key is finding someone who will actually do all of this. Some people won't even decase the movement, leaving the hands and dial vulnerable to damage and preventing any dust or lint from being removed after the bezel is replaced.

Of course, this is the case for a non-rotating bezel. If you wish to remove the rotating portion of the bezel on another model, the process is much simpler.

[Sperry]

Thanks, CVerKuilen. I appreciate you taking the time for a complete answer.

As I suspected, I'm best off waiting for exactly the model I want.
Or I can acquire $$$ in tools, and do it myself . . .

The crystal and bezel are factory-attached on that model?

I saw some info Tools/Jocke posted under watch repair, but had a feeling there was more to it than the simple picture-by-picture lesson he shared.

The reputable individuals generally don't do modifications, and the properly equipped can be prone to swapping your sweet action for a problem movement?