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How To Remove This Bezel

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clockboy Distinguished Member

clockboy

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I read this when researching for a bezel remover last year.

 

 " The Horotec 4-blade remover is pre-dominantly for Rolex cases only. For items like Tag Heuer, and revolving sports watch bezels, you will need another bezel remover with claws.

Horotec item code is MSA 07.115- 2 claws available 2009/2010 catalogue. SEE BELOW for £200

 

I have also read on another post that using the 4 blade remover on a Tag resulted in a bent bezel. Only remove Tag bezels if absolutely essential

 

post-234-0-23489800-1424278573.png

Edited by clockboy
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jnash Super WRT Addict

jnash

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I read this when researching for a bezel remover last year.

 

 " The Horotec 4-blade remover is pre-dominantly for Rolex cases only. For items like Tag Heuer, and revolving sports watch bezels, you will need another bezel remover with claws.

Horotec item code is MSA 07.115- 2 claws available 2009/2010 catalogue

 

I have also read on another post that using the 4 blade remover on a Tag resulted in a bent bezel. Only remove Tag bezels if absolutely essential 

Thanks Clockboy

 

gonna go to gleaves at some point and get a new glass and gasket, i hate measuring them as im never sure if im correct!

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clockboy Distinguished Member

clockboy

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I have a 4 blade bezel remover & I have never been that happy with it. It just does not seem to work as efficiently as I thought it would. I usually wind it in as tight as I dare without bending the bezel and then also lever either side of the 4 blazes & the bezel then pops off.  I just wonder if the Horotech two prong is better.

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omgiv WRT Addict

omgiv

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This is a great thread. I have always struggled with removing bezels. I have several bezel removing tools and I wouldn't say I have "the one". I have the horotec tool pictured above and have never had great success with it. I even bought the four jaw (Rolex style) adapters for it. I have found that I have the most success with polyimide tape and razor blades. Working my way around the bezel and stacking the blades if necessary. I would love to hear what others have used and how they like them.

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Geo Distinguished Member

Geo

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This is a great thread. I have always struggled with removing bezels. I have several bezel removing tools and I wouldn't say I have "the one". I have the horotec tool pictured above and have never had great success with it. I even bought the four jaw (Rolex style) adapters for it. I have found that I have the most success with polyimide tape and razor blades. Working my way around the bezel and stacking the blades if necessary. I would love to hear what others have used and how they like them.

I could have written your post word for word as that is exactly what I have found. Same tools, same results and same technique! :)

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  • 7 years later...
VWatchie Distinguished Member

VWatchie

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On 2/19/2015 at 1:09 AM, omgiv said:

This is a great thread. I have always struggled with removing bezels. I have several bezel removing tools and I wouldn't say I have "the one". I have the horotec tool pictured above and have never had great success with it. I even bought the four jaw (Rolex style) adapters for it. I have found that I have the most success with polyimide tape and razor blades. Working my way around the bezel and stacking the blades if necessary. I would love to hear what others have used and how they like them.

Very old thread, but I hope that doesn't matter too much.

I have a Chinese Submariner case and I really don't like the cyclops for the date and so I figured I could just replace the crystal. Anyway, I thought it would be a good idea to remove the bezel to get a better view of what needs to be done but I just can't get it off. I have the tool in the picture by @clockboy but the bezel just won't budge. So, I thought I'd get myself a 4-blade remover, but it would seem it's no guarantee for success.

So, I too was thinking to get myself a stack of razor blades. But, what is the polyimide tape for? I would assume for protecting the case, but I thought I'd better ask. Any recommended videos or other instructions for the razor bade method?

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MechanicMike Super WRT Addict

MechanicMike

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have you tried using a little heat say from a lighter or jewelers lamp to remove separate the cyclops from it's adhesive?  I removed one using a soldering flame and it slid right off the crystal. A little One-Dip later and the remaining adhesive disappeared.

correct-the tape is to protect from scratches. What i'm more concerned with is safety. my fingers and razor blades just smacks of a bloodletting for me. Case knives work best for me when removing bezels. it takes a little muscle sometimes but they work. 

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HectorLooi Distinguished Member

HectorLooi

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5 hours ago, VWatchie said:

So, I thought I'd get myself a 4-blade remover

The 4 blade tool works great.... but not the way you think it would work. 

Initially I had problems with the 4 blade tool. It takes a lot of pressure on the knurled wheel to actually wedge under the beze and advance the bladesl. When having to use so much force, you lose tactile feedback. You can't tell when the blades are not engaged proper or when it has traveled so deep that it is touching the lip of the watch case. In any case, the risk of damaging the bezel, watch case or the tool is very real.

The way I discovered to use the 4 blade tool safely is to use a small hammer to tap on the movable jaw of the tool. I first engage the blades of the tool into the gap between the bezel and the case and tighten it lightly. Then I use the small hammer to tap on the movable jaw. The small amount of backlash in the screw threads will allow the jaws to move forward. If there is any "give", you will feel the knurled screw loosen and will be able to tighten it a little more. Continue this tapping and tightening until the bezel pops off or the blades stop advancing anymore.

If the blades stop advancing, it probable means that it has reached the lip of the watch case. In that case, you can wedge a thicker blade into the gap under the bezel and pry it off.

I hope this helps.

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clockboy Distinguished Member

clockboy

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The tool mentioned I still own but don’t use it because it’s just too brutal.. I have been criticised many times but I use an vintage butter knife which I find has the strength and sharpness to get under the bezel. However for really tight bezels I suspect my method would not work..  The tools that look promising is the horotec tools see pics.

58ADDE2F-E216-400D-857E-0C160A76083F.jpeg.e755931b254b08b55c567d4df0448fc0.jpeg3F8D5C4B-5ED7-47AE-AB0C-2606EC5D5BA6.jpeg.1eef3da3e98bf7bc09a09785cd240e9b.jpeg

 

Edited by clockboy
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HectorLooi Distinguished Member

HectorLooi

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I have the Horotec tool too. But it tends to leave marks on the finish as the blades are very narrow. If the 4 blade tool is used in the way I described, it is very gentle and you have full control over the force used.

But I haven't tried using the Horotec tool with tapping action yet. I'll try it the next time.

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