How To Remove The Bezel On Tudor Black Bay (Step-By-Step)
Many watch owners are well aware that cleaning the watch should be done every once in a while. Both for the longevity of the watch, but also to maintain its original luster, and shine, and to prevent tarnishing. You do not need an ultrasonic washer for the bracelet, even if it is preferable. But instead, you can use a soft toothbrush, some soap, and hot water.
However, even though you get most of the dirt out from a watch using a toothbrush with soap and hot water, there still are more hidden and hard-to-access places where dirt may accumulate. Underneath the bezel is one such place.
In this article, we’ll cover how to remove the bezel from your Tudor Heritage Black Bay, as well as how to clean it underneath. You can also use this guide in order to swap the insert of your watch or just to simply give your Tudor watch the “Marlo Brando” look, meaning no bezel.
If you are using your Tudor watch while swimming in salt water it is always recommended, even on Tudors own behalf, to clean or wash it in tap water for a few minutes so that any salt residue that might have found its way under the bezel loosens up and doesn’t get stuck under the bezel.
Now, this is not a major issue if you forget as it can be done a long time afterward as well, but it is recommended to do it within a couple of hours to prevent the salt water from drying underneath the bezel. If the salt water would dry under the bezel you can instantly feel how much more resistance there is to rotate the bezel as the salt crystals create friction. This is why we want to get rid of the salt before it dries up.
Getting rid of salt underneath the bezel is always good, but just from daily use, when the watch is worn outside the water, small dust particles and other types of dirt gather underneath the bezel, and after a few months of wearing the watch, the bezel might be hard to rotate due to the dirt. Luckily, removing the bezel is not too complicated and you really do not need a lot of tools to do it yourself at home.
We recommend using these tools:
You will use the tools accordingly:
Tape: This will be used to tape around the watch knife so the watch doesn’t get scratched up from using the knife. Some people skip this step, but it can be a good idea in order to minimize the risk of scratches.
Watch Knife: The watch knife will be used to insert between the bezel and case and that way remove the bezel.
Watch Tweezer: This will be used to remove springs underneath the bezel as it can be rather difficult to remove using your hands since it is a very delicate job.
Toothbrush: This will be used to clean underneath the bezel together with water. We recommend using a soft toothbrush.
Prepare The Tools:
As written above, you will need to protect the watch by using tape on the watch knife. This way, you can avoid steel on steel, which minimizes the risk of scratching the case. The watch tweezer is not something that will need to be taped up as it will be used once the bezel has been removed from the watch. Now, let’s see what needs to be done to remove the bezel from the case.
Step 1
When the tools have been prepared, it is time for the first step which is to remove the bezel. For this step, you will need your taped-up watch knife. The bezel is not glued nor screwed down in any way but is attached to the watch via friction. With that said the bezel has been attached to the case by pressing the bezel on. Now, if we are going to reverse this process, we will need to create a gap between the bezel and the case in order for the friction to be less and thereby have the bezel to “pop off”.
Take your taped-up watch knife and place it between the bezel and the case at the 7 o’clock position. Then gently insert the watch knife in the gap and gently push until the gap becomes bigger and the bezel “pops off”. You might need to wiggle the watch knife gently or use a thicker watch knife if the bezel is not going off. However, be gentle and careful in this process as you can damage the bezel and have it uneven which might make it difficult or in some cases impossible to attach the bezel to the case afterward.
Step 2
Now the hardest part has been done which frightens most of the people who do this for the first time. When the bezel has been removed you will first see a steel plate. Gently remove this without losing the metal part which sticks out at 2 o’clock.
Step 3
When the steel plate has been removed, you will now see 3 springs at the 5, 7, and 11 o’clock positions. You will also see a metal object at the 2 o’clock position which has the function to “click” and only let the bezel rotate 1 way. Underneath this metal object, you will find the fourth spring. Gently remove all of these without damaging or losing them with your watch tweezer. Try to place these springs in a small box as it is very easy to lose these parts in the process.
Step 4
These are all the steps in order to disassemble the bezel. Now you can clean the springs and metal plate gently as these parts are quite fragile. Then take your toothbrush which is dipped in water and start scrubbing inside the bezel until all the dirt is removed.
Remove the insert
Shall you wish to remove the insert, it is not glued onto the metal bezel. Because of this, it can be pushed out using your fingers as it, just as the bezel, holds together by friction. Shall you wish to swap out the existing insert by replacing it with a new one, simply just push it back on the bezel and reverse the process of when you removed it.
Step 5
When you have cleaned the parts and the case with your toothbrush and water, it is time to put the bezel back onto the watch. Simply reverse the process of removing the bezel and you will have your watch back with a clean and fully functioning bezel.
Start by putting the springs back.
Remember to add the metal object (which prevents the bezel from being bi-directional) onto the spring at the 2 o’clock position. The steel plate does have a hole that is meant to be placed over the metal object. Then you press the bezel back onto the watch trying to apply pressure on as much of the bezel as possible, this way it will easier be put back.
Step 6
Now the bezel is put back onto the watch and it is time to try the bezel for the first time. You should feel that the bezel is turning smoother and more precise, which of course depends on the amount of dirt that affects the friction of the bezel.
Question!
How did it go for you? Was it as difficult as you thought?
Hi There,
Thanks for detailed explanation. Is it possible to make a video of the process?
Hi!
Thank you for your feedback! We will keep it in mind for future videos!
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
What a great tip!
I received a BB 41 with the bezel off. There was an additional plastic/silicon ring which you haven’t mentioned on my watch above the flat metal ring (the one that sits over the tiny screws). Also I can’t get this bezel back on, and am unclear what makes it lock into position. I can hold it down in the correct position temporarily, rotate it and get the click/indexes etc, but nothing like say a click spring seems to be holding the actual bezel itself laterally in place.
I can sit it entirely flat against the mid case, and it just won’t stay.
The second I release pressure on it, the whole thing is loose again, and won’t do anything other than pop off.
I tried your system without the silicon ring and it still won’t go on – any tips or thoughts?
I’m thinking I might just have to send it to Tudor.
Hello,
Perhaps you are referring to a Tudor 79230 model? This article demonstrates the 79220 which is why they may be different.
If you don’t know how to do it, then it is best to get help from a Tudor retailer as they should be able to attach it easily.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
WHY IS IT SO DAMN HARD TO SNAP BACK ON!?!? ive been trying for like 10 mins and my thumbs are too sore now! Uggghhhh! LOL???
William’s post above about the presence of a plastic/ delrin ring/ gasket in the bezel of the 79220 (ETA) model is correct. The ring is located in a groove in the bezel. Very probably it did not pop out on the occasion when this tutorial was made. It is there however and in most cases will pop out and very probably require replacement. It is recommended that it be replaced every time the bezel is removed. Long story short – the above instructions will be fine if you don’t encounter the gasket problem – but if you do, you’ll not be re-fitting your BB bezel without a replacement part!
Hi John,
you are absolutely right! Thank you for pointing this out!
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
I have been trying to push on the bezel for 30 mins now! My thin white plastic gasket did not pop out, it is still there…. i didnt clean the area, just removed the bezel to switch out the insert, and trying to return the bezel again (the spring, the small metal part, and the gasket all stayed where they were) any advice?
same problem
hello, any idea how to find or how to look for this plastic ring for the insert?…
Hello,
Your best bet would be to contact a Tudor official retailer. They should be able to order it for you.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
Hi,
just got finished switching bezels on two (2) 79220Blue Tudor Smiley. Everything said so far is spot on.
What I could add, and this is crucial to snapping bezel back on case, is that the plastic ring as long as not stretched or broken can and must be used.
It is basically an “O” ring that fits in the inner circumference space in the bezel, kind of like putting an inner tube in a bike tire. The space is very narrow and easy to miss. About 1mm wide, same thickness as the ring. The plastic ring does not sit on top or under the metal ring that covers the 4 tiny springs. It seats in the space in the inner circumference of bezel and needs to be worked into place with your fingertips. Once in it will hold itself in.
It acts now like a gasket when re-assembling the bezel to the watch case. Push on firmly with even circular pressure and it “clicks” when fitted. Bezel insert will sit in place with similar even pressure. No need for service center if ring (kind of a medium hard plastic that stretches a bit” (don’t stretch it though) .
Sorry I don’t have pics, hope this helps.
Hodge
Thanks for the valuable input!
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
Hi, do you know if the fixings are the same on the newer Black Bay 79230? I appear to have got dust into the bezel and it now won’t turn so want to clean but do not want to remove it until I am sure what I am going to find! Cheers Martyn
Hi,
Yes, the bezel construction is the same for 79220 as for 79230.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
Can anyone recommend where I can buy a good (original) replacement insert for a BB41?
Hi,
Your best bet would be either a Tudor official retailer or Chrono24 and ebay.com
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
How do you replace the Bezel insert?
Hi,
Follow the steps in this guide and then push the insert out when you have removed all of the bezel. You can find inserts on ebay or chrono24. You can also ask for help from an official Tudor retailer.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
Hi Millenary Watches and fans. My issue is that I want to change the bezel of my Tudor Black Bay 41 Heritage SS, Model 79730-0006. In eBay you can find Tudor NOS bezels (new) in different colors depending on your original model, Red, Black, Blue, Bronze, etc. submarine type bezels. Since my BB 41 Heritage Steel comes with an SS “color” bezel, I want to change it to a, maybe Blue or Black then, I would have a black dial with date BB 41 Heritage Submariner blue or black insert, not in the Tudor standard model line. The thing is, that you can buy the bezel but is a thin aluminum “decal” type, not the metal solid base (were the rachet is attach) which have the bezel numbers inserted. My question is: would I have to “peel” off the original SS color aluminum bezel, and stick the new one in, to change it for the Blue or Black new NOS bezel??? TY
Hi,
We have never experimented with the bezel insert of the 79730 but it sounds unlikely that you would have to “peel” off the ss color and stick the new one in. It should be possible to change them. There shouldn’t be a difference in the bezel construction. However, you would have to evaluate it before putting it in to see how the bezel/insert is constructed.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches