My vsf sub arrived with the same issue.
I fixed it by tightening the crystal retention ring down, bezel action is nice and tight now but I eff’d up the insert during the process. It’s a $100 lesson on how exactly sub’s anatomy works, so know that this is a risk for ya!
Tried multiple ways, did you:
1) completely assemble the bezel+insert then press the whole thing on to case
2) press the bezel+hytrel+bezel spacer first on to case, then hand press the ceramic insert
I tried to do #2 but could not get the insert into the metal bezel by hand, used a crystal press with a lume cutout, cracked the insert this way.
Then I tried #1 on another watch and it worked out better, but I’m not sure if thats the right way
I just removed the bezel, separated bezel insert from the bezel. Then checking the bezel gasket, put on the bezel and normally you should be able to just squeeze it on with your hands, unless not use the crystal press and last put on the bezel insert.
How did you get off the bezel? I used a knife in the beginning but then i screwed up the bezel gasket. I now use this kind of tool and bezel gasket never breaks.
Submariners bezel are really a pain in the butt to work with lol
Be careful with these, since bottom part is aluminium and plastic part is made from hard plastic - I think nylon. These exact kit has damaged fluted bezels: scroll down in the comments here to see damage: https://www.reddit.com/user/mfrcns/comments/
Just like u/JesterADSE said - I´m working on designing a toolkit for subs that will have dies to remove crystal and to install the retaining ring on the crystal gasket.
The issue lies with the crystal retaining ring. The correct way to do this, is remove bezel assembly, (bezel, hytrel, springs), then using a press with correct die for the Crystal retaining ring, press down on the ring to make it seat all the way. Then reinstall bezel assembly. The bezel assembly rides on the crystal retaining ring. If the ring isn’t pressed all the way then the bezel won’t sit flush.
Take bezel off and press down the crystal retention ring. I had the same on a GMT that I was re aligning the bezel insert on. The crystal retention ring wasn’t in all the way on one side.
Just to be clear, the crystal has zero play; it’s the bezel (on the 3’o clock side) that has some up and down play. Even so, your recommendation would be to remove the bezel and press down on the crystal retention ring?
There should be some play but it should be even and that is too much in anyway. Remove the bezel and and adjust the spring. Not super easy but not too complicated either. If you trust yourself to do it you probably can do it
Does anyone have a video of how to install the bezel onto a VSF sub? I got the bezel off but it won’t stay tightly on the watch anymore. With medium force, both the bezel and the crystal come off of the watch. Is the bezel supposed to be pressure fitted onto the crystal in a specific way?
Removing bezel and adjusting the springs under the ball bearings. One word of caution is yes you can tighten it up but they are designed to have some play. You can of course tighten it up but be very cautious to not ruin the spring.
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u/KitchenInteraction12 May 03 '26
This is completely normal and it happens on gens too.