Can anyone tell me how to remove the bezel from an Explorer2?
Can I ask why you would want to? Also, just my opinion but I wouldn't recommend anybody but an expert repairer to carry out that task. There's a video somewhere on youtube of a guy removing a bezel with a kitchen knife etc. A) it's dangerous and B) you'll probably do more damage :-)
If you have to ask… you shouldn't.
Somebody has toOriginally Posted by wileeeeeey
I just use a chisel and light hammer.
I'm sure you're right. I wondered if there is a technique as it is a fixed bezel hence minimal gap to watch body/case.
Maybe an industrial (backed) razor blade Each side, carefully pressed together with a G-clamp may just do it?
Go careful and wear gloves/safety glasses,obviously
🐐
What do you intend doing with the bezel once it's removed?
I have a tool for removing bezels, a cheaper copy of a Bergeon tool with 4 blades that contact the edges simultaneously. I used it on my own Datejust but I can`t say I enjoyed it. It's all too easy to leave tiny marks on the bezel or case; if you have the refinishing skills to polish them out there isn`t a problem.
My strong advice is to send the watch to a Rolex accredited independent, who will probably be happy to do whatever it is you're intending to do. OK, money will be involved, but it isn`t worth taking the risk of marking the watch yourself. I won`t touch other folks's Rolex watches for this reason, it's all about risk/reward and the risk far outweighs the reward for me.
Even if you get the bezel off, how are you going to get it back on?
Paul
I'd second pauls comments, i caught my exp II on a wall in italy and it could probably do with a rebrush, but i'll leave it until there are a few more dings and then send it to Brendan (webwatchmaker) who did a lovely service on it just over a year ago for me. New bezels are cheaper than you might expect too at about £250 iirc
ktmog6uk
marchingontogether!
I actually spoke to Rolex St James about this the other day, because I have this whacky idea to source a second hand and black letter faded Explorer II bezel and pick out the remaining lettering, get it radial polished and put it on my Explorer II. They said they weren't against doing it per se, provided the bezel in question was a) definitely a Rolex part and b) not one that could compromise the water resistance in any way.
They strongly advised me not to do it myself(!) and said they only ever suggest changing up (in my case down) explorer II bezels if the water resistance is compromised by their condition.
How is a bezel removal going to compromise water resistance?!!!
have spent years popping my SD bezel off to dig out the mud with the blade of my Leatherman , never a problem and certainly never "compromised water resistance"
mike
Thanks for the replys. I have my own tame and well trained watch specialistwho is unfortunately off on a long holiday hence I was wondering if I could tackle the job myself. Obviously not so I'll wait till he's back.
No idea myself, but the service guy said the fixed bezels hold/align the crystal and are tougher to remove and certainly affix than the rotating ones? He certainly put me off trying myself.
Not sure how it works on the Explorer 11, but the fixed bezel on the Datejust and Explorer 1 fits over a plastic gasket that holds the glass in place. If this is similar it'll definitely affect water resistance if disturbed. I could be wrong, but I`d always assumed the explorer 11 bezel was a snap fit, similar to a Speedmaster bezel?
Paul
That would chime with what the service engineer was trying to tell me, that basically removing one and trying to refit one myself could compromise water resistance. But he wasn't averse to Rolex doing it for me (I'm sure for a price)
As per our chat on that other thread, Rolex have still got my 16570...it'll have been two weeks by the time I get it back next Tuesday (they've forecast) but they say no rotor parts needed replacing, and that it's not entirely unusual for a post service watch to need some tweaks to bring it within the -2 +2 tolerance. Anyway it's under warranty and with the right people to get it right.
I just miss the damn thing. With the 6 week service it'll have been off my wrist for 2 months of the 6 in 2017 thus far....
The bezel is friction fit and keeps the crystal and gasket in place, making the watch waterproof. Same as daytona, datejust etc.
You could probably manage to remove it with a pocket knife and some plastic, going around bit by bit.
You will struggle to press it back on though as you need to align it perfectly, use a correct die, and a crystal press that can exert quite a bit of pressure.
Then youd want to pressure test it...
Id go to Rolex with it... They can replace gasket too as they shouldn't be reused.
Ignore my post then, I got it totally wrong!!, I thought the bezel was like the subs/dwellers.
mike
Yup, not the same as the others. But RSC will replace them with a new one for about £200. Might need to be during a service though.
I use a very sharp penknife to remove these bezels with my hand totally wrapped in chamois to avoid slicing my fingers off.
I Don't like the bezel removing tools. The blades bend too easily and the tightening knob does not give a firm grip.
Brendan(webwatchmaker)
Last edited by Webwatchmaker; 20th July 2017 at 10:08.
The Rolex tools work perfectly, no risk of bent jaws or marks, just use a piece of plastic film as protection for the case. Using a knife on a plexi watch like that you run the risk of scratching the outside of the rehaut with the knife blade, compromising waterproofness.
So...
Does the Explorer II 16570 have a different case to the GMT II 16710?
It's just a matter of time...
RSC Dallas told some guy on TRF that his 16710 was actually an explorer 2 with all the parts removed (and then wouldn't give his watch back), so I think the mid case is identical.
I'll certainly take the advice re plastic film. My Explorer 1 will need a dose of refinishing soon.
Paul
The reason I use a very sharp knife is to avoid just that !
Once you have seen a bezel that has not been removed for over 30 years and is almost welded to the case with user corrosion, you will find that only a knife can lift it enough to finish removal with the Rolex tool.
Brendan(webwatchmaker)
I vaguely remember seeing a thread (or video) where the dial and bezel were swapped out to make an explorer 2 look like a GMT.
True they can be stuck on there, what I do is drop the case into the ultrasonic at high heat and alot of Galvex for 15 mins. After that its usually not a problem. The point of the tool is to avoid distortion of the retaining ring I believe but a knife works if careful I guess.
Yes !
Many ways to cook an omelette !
Brendan(webwatchmaker)
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