WG Daytona Bezel Alignment

[CHRONOLEX]

Hi, I am new to the Board and want to thank everyone for the quality discussion. I have been viewing as a visitor for some time and just joined this evening.

I have a question for all the WG Daytona owners out there that I haven't been able to get answered anywhere else. Has anyone noticed that the little triangle at 12 on the bezel (60) doesn't line up perfectly with the little black dot on the dial right above the center of the crown?

I've taken the watch back several times to my independent watchmaker (who is very good) but he claims it's straight. I disagree because the arrows at 12, 3, 6 and 9 all look off by the same amount.

Should the arrows on the bezel line up perfectly with the dial? It seems strange to me that Rolex would the allow the non-rotating bezel to be aligned based on eyesight alone whereas the dial has to be set according to the feet behind it.

I also wanted to know if you've noticed that the red chrono hand doesn't line up perfectly at the 12 when reset? I saw this question addressed in a prior thread - and it appears that problem is only corrected by repeated trial and error.

I know it's a minor question but it's been driving me crazy. I don't want to settle for less than perfection if perfection is possible. I appreciate your input!

[Tools]

Well, I hope that you can get it aligned for the purpose it was designed.

The Bezel numbers are separate from and have no relationship to the dial. But things should align this way.

When the stopwatch hand is set/re-set at zero, it (the hand arrow) should align with the triangle at 60 and when the stopwatch hand is at 30 seconds, it should align with the triangle at 120.

You use the dial if you are timing seconds, and the bezel when you are calculating speed.

Now, the hand should re-set to zero....but it doesn't always....This is mechanical perfection....which isn't always precise perfection.

[CHRONOLEX]

Thanks! I was pretty sure the 3, 6, 9 and 12 shold all line up with the 240, 120, 80 and 60 on the bezel exactly. Every time the watchmaker tells me they're straight, but I really don't think they are. I spend several days looking at it and taking measurements to convince myself that it must be, but ultimately I know they're still off.

Do you know if it's true that the bezel cannot be turned in any way and has to be physically separated from the case each time just to make a small adjustment? I was told that it's difficult to remove the bezel and that the machine used to remove it scratches the case lugs.

[Tools]

The fixed bezels, like the Daytona, cannot be easily turned without damaging the edges.

This is a bezel remover...The watch is placed bezel down, the screw is turned and the wedges press against the underside of the bezel and against the case..

If the lugs are protected before removing the bezel there should be no damage:

[CHRONOLEX]

Thanks Larry! I've always appreciated the depth and detail of your posts.

[CHRONOLEX]

Larry, can you confirm that it is possible for the 3, 6, 9 and 12 to all align perfectly with their arrows on the bezel?

[Tools]

I'm going to say that in theory, and during design, the bezel and the dial would start as a circle with two bisecting angles (a centered cross).

On paper, the 12, 3, 6, and 9 would be at the points of each line as would the 60, 240, 120, and 80.

Now translating those engineering drawings to a paint font for the dial, and a machining fixture for the bezel, and having those points end up at identical locations during manufacture, may be less than perfect..

But it should be darn close..

[CHRONOLEX]

Thank you again. I don't know how long I should continue to pursue perfection on this. I have a WG Daytona w/ meteorite and I would love for it to be exactly right. I just want to have reasonable expectations when I take it back in on Monday. We're at the point where he says "they're straight" and I say "they're not straight."

[CHRONOLEX]

I have looked at probably a hundred other Daytonas online and in person and very few are exactly right. I'm at the point where I'm looking for the IMPERFECT ones to make me feel better. Unfortunately for every 10 that are imperfect, one is perfect and that makes me want it more!!

[Tools]

Use a piece of masking tape (the blue is nice) as a straight edge and place it from the 60 triangle point straight across the crystal top through to the 120 triangle point.

Everything, including the center of the handstack and the seconds post, including the stopwatch second hand length, should be along that axis.

Once that is aligned, everything else should be too.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

I have the same issue with the chrono hand not resetting properly on my SS Daytona (it might be that thread you referred to). Anyway, I sent the Daytona to Rolex in Geneva to have it fixed and hope to get it back soon.