Historically, the bezel was primarily an effective means of connecting the mirror to the watch case. With time, the bezel has continued to evolve, and its roles have become more prosperous and diverse. Today, the bezel remains crucial as a stylistic and technical element. It can judge the identity and highlight the design, compete with precious gems to shine; it can even absorb kinetic energy. If the watch accidentally falls off, the anti-collision pad can be separated to achieve a protective effect, just like the Inox watch launched by Victorinox.
The watch bezel (usually fixed) has the basis for creating different conditions. The term “bezel” refers to the frame that sits above the watch case, where the mirror is usually mounted. The bezel should not be confused with the “flange” or “inner bezel ring,” which is the inner component where the edge of the dial meets the middle of the case. In the era of pocket watches, bezels have been used to secure protective glass. In some cases, a small hinge can be used to raise the bezel to facilitate time adjustment. However, the conditions for the transition from pocket watches to wristwatches became increasingly demanding, and watchmakers had to make changes. The bezel must be kept in a fixed position to ensure impact and water resistance. At the same time, the bezel is assigned a new task, marking the time scale or measurement scale when the disk is entire. Later, the bezel became rotatable and movable, and additional functions were added, such as diving. Of course, that’s another story. The fixed bezel has already blazed its path. Fake Rolex for sale.
Rolex GMT-Master II watch
Protect core components
The grooved bezel equipped on Rolex watches has nearly a hundred years of history. In 1926, the brand developed a new design in which the bezel was screwed into the case to enhance waterproofing. Rolex has grooved the bezel to ensure proper grip with specialized tools. Since then, the triangular fluted bezel has become the iconic feature of the brand. At that time, watch mirrors were mainly fixed to the bezel by bonding or nailing. To better isolate and protect core components, Rolex designed a new structure based on Plexiglas – the vertical edge is wedged downward into the case, called a “chimney” or “glass frame” ( Glassbox) mirror, the greater the pressure, the tighter the fit between the mirror and the shell. Plexiglas can accommodate more complex shapes that were not possible in the era of acrylic. Of course, this technology does not eliminate the method of fixing the bezel with screws. Franck muller replica.
Cartier Santos 100 floating tourbillon watch
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch
Aesthetic elements screws
Soon, Cartier began to use screws to fix the bezel, and the Santos series is still in use today. This is a method of fastening the bezel and often the case back to the case. Over the years, several methods have been developed in the industry. Two other standard methods are snapping and clamping (via threads on the inner edge of the housing). A specific method is chosen depending on production quantities, available tools, and precise requirements.
The screw can also be transformed into an essential aesthetic element. The hexagonal screws equipped with the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches are a clear example. The hexagonal screws are used for decoration, and the threads are in the same direction. How to do this is because sleeve support is on the bottom of the watch. The “window to the sea” inspired the Patek Philippe Nautilus watch. This legendary series celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2016 and was named after Captain Nemo’s famous submarine in Jules Verne’s novel. At the time, advertisements for the Nautilus declared: “This is one of the most expensive stainless steel watches in the world!”
Bulgari Roma Finissimo watch
Roman legal wars
In the late 1970s, Corum and Bulgari were involved in legal disputes over the design of the bezel. At the battle’s center are two popular watch models: the Corum Romulus and the Bulgari. The common feature of both watches is that the bezel is used as a decoration, giving the timepiece its real “soul.” In 1958, Kunlun launched the Hourless watch. In 1966, brand co-founder and outstanding watch designer René Bannwart improved it by adding Roman numerals to the watch bezel, first engraving, then enamel, and then only the engraving survived. Roman watch and jeweler Bulgari decided to engrave its brand name on the bezel of its watches twice. In 1975, Bulgari launched the first Roma watch, equipped with a quartz movement, an oval case, and a digital LCD screen, only for the brand’s distinguished customers. In the end, Kunlun proved its originality, but this did not stop the two models from coexisting.
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Tourbillon Volant Squelette watch
Artistic R&D Innovation
The bezel can also accommodate gemstones or other forms of craftsmanship, inlaid with jeweled diamonds, often giving the watch a more feminine appeal. In this area, Roger Dubuis and Ulysse Nardin have introduced new patented processes to the watchmaking industry with the Excalibur Spider Skeleton Flying Tourbillon watch and Marine Perpetual watch, respectively. The former pioneered the setting of 60 rectangular-cut diamonds (total weight 2 carats) on the rubber of the metal bezel. The novel creativity required complete mastery of plastic deformation technology. Some brands are firmly committed to artistic craftsmanship, such as Piaget, which even wants to extend the dial pattern onto the bezel.
Sometimes, the bezel also involves the R&D department. Hublot has launched several magic gold watches. This patent requires injecting a composite of 24K pure gold and 3% liquid gold into the boron carbide ceramic body in an environment filled with inert gas under high temperature and high pressure so that the gold molecules Completely penetrate and fill every gap in the embryo body, completing the seamless integration between the two, achieving an almost perfect scratch-proof effect. In 2014, Omega entered this field and launched a Seamaster watch with an orange ceramic bezel. This color is scarce, and the method is to incorporate rare earth elements into the material. Omega also uses a unique platinum 850 Liquidmetal alloy to cast hour markers on the pre-engraved bezel. Rolex has also developed a two-color ceramic bezel production technology, contrasting the two colors. Watch fans were naturally delighted, and the Rolex GMT-Master II watch also earned the nickname Batman due to its unique blue and black color scheme on the bezel.
Series: Gmt Master Ii
Model: m126710blro-0002
Engine: Rolex Calibre 2836/2813
Band Color: Silver-tone
Brand: Rolex
Gender: Men’s
Band Length: 20cm
Case Size: 40mm
Band Width: 20mm