Seiko A829 Bezel Removal

[charger105]

I recently acquired a Seiko A829 at a flea market.
I've since learnt that his is the model worn by Space Shuttle astronauts in the 1980s, and has a rotating bezel for mode selection. It's a very efficient and 'natural' method of selecting modes (compared to pushing buttons).
I really like it

For thos unfamiliar with it, here's a link to Adams library:
http://www.digitalwatchlibrary.com/DWL/ ... a829-6019/

My rotating bezel is rather scuffed, and I plan to find a replacement for it.
Can anyone help with advice on how it can be removed ? I've had a dig around on the net and can't find any info about bezel removal. The tech guides don't cover it either.

Rgds.

[PG101]

Hi Andrew

Have you had a look at this manual? http://service.seiko.com.au/i/seiko/documents/technicalguides/A829A.pdf

[charger105]

Thanks PG.
That's the tech guide I was looking at. Unless I'm missing something, it doesn't talk about removing the bezel

[PG101]

Hi Andrew

No, it doesn't say anything specifically about the removal, but looking at the disassembly guide, it doesn't show any screws, thread etc. holding down the bezel, so I assumed it can be pried off.
I did read somewhere that someone used a butter knife to pry his bezel off, and that it popped back on quite easily afterwards, but that's not an overly technical suggestion

Sorry, I hope someone who has experience with it offers some advice.
Good luck

[Old Tom]

They just pop off- I use a sharp knife and lift a little at a time as I work round. They are always filthy underneath and the track for the actuating pins needs to be spotlessly clean for the select mechanism to work properly- you can lubricate the bezel pivot but don't lubricate the selection track. Also be careful not to lose the tiny actuating pins- the O rings on these harden and swell- you can either buy replacements or "shave" them lightly with a sharp knife (scalpel), tiniest dab of silicone lubricant and re-assemble.

JUles Borel list spare bezels for these at a not unreasonable price (but will they have them?) or you can haunt ebay till one turns up.

[Kasper]

Yes just like Old Tom said..they just pop off

[Adam]

Andrew
Have you downloaded the library tech guide for this. I recently rescanned it so its a higher quality greyscale version so you can see the exploded view in a much crisper version rather than the bitmapped originals


regards

Adam

[767Geoff]

The bezel pops off as stated, the internal painted ring (insert) is held in by glue and was available at Jules borel at one time.

There are various ring shapes and inserts and are all interchangeable physically. If you do change the COLOUR or shape it will no longer match the case description inscribed on the back.

There a three different examples listed in my eye candy posting a while back.

http://www.newdwf.com/viewtopic.php?uid=2004&f=58&t=5551&start=0


Cheers, Geoff

[charger105]

Thanks for your help gentlemen.
I suspected it must've just popped off, but it's always wise to resist temptation and ask first. There's nothing worse than breaking something because you're impatient.
In fact I think it's generally a good philosophy for watch repair. If you run into problems, put it down, go away and think about it, and then ask others for advice.

Thanks again.
Rgds.

[Seiko Kid]

I nearly broke my hand "popping" an A827 bezel of recently. I was using Seikos S-280 Bezel tool aswell.

Had to use a crystal press to push it back on too! I find the Letherman skeltool blade is sometimes better and easier to use

there not all that easy!

[767Geoff]

Try heating with a hair dryer to very hot but not cracking glass hot. Also spray some silicon lubricant on it and leave over night.

This may help real old dried plastic gaskets.

Geoff

[charger105]

Mine popped off easily enough.
There was heaps of grime under there, which I cleaned out.

I re-instated the old bezel (still looking for a replacement ) but it doesn't really sit flat (it didn't sit flat prior to removal and cleaning either). It's as though the spring and ball bearing is pushing it up on one side.
Anyone encountered this before ?

Rgds.

[Seiko Kid]

push and clean out the ball bearing and apply some oil to it. If it does pop out then a Bic Biro pen uses the same size bearing which can be secured in place by you knocking the top edge of the hole with a small screwdriver