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Thread: The watch bezel - it's pretty important

  1. #1
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    The watch bezel - it's pretty important

    The bezel is a major component for the appearance for a watch. It can be bold or mild or 100 levels in the middle.

    The diver bezel is somewhat limited in the design options. It needs to be large enough to display very legible numbers and needs a grippy edge. The same could be said for a GMT bezel. This adds width and/or requires a smaller dial face.

    Then comes everything else - flat, beveled, fluted, rolled, sloped, multi faceted - hundreds of bezel designs have been used.

    For me, I no longer an interested in a diver (or GMT) bezel. I bet I haven't used the bezel to time anything more than 10 times in my life. I'd rather have a bezel that somehow adds a different character and different visual interest.


    What thoughts do you have on this?
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    El bot. geoffbot's Avatar
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    I like shiny things
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  4. #3
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    Succinct and to the point.

    Quote Originally Posted by geoffbot View Post
    I like shiny things
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    Retired from Fire/Rescue January 2019 with 30 years on the job

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    Super Member Raza's Avatar
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    I use secondary functionalities quite a bit. I use my dive bezel often, same with chronographs. GMTs less so, I suppose, but it’s nice to have for when travelling. These are definitely the kinds of watches that appeal to me the most.

    As for the rest of the kinds of bezels, I can’t say I’ve given them much thought, other than to say that overly flash bezels are a turn off, like the fluted bezels on Datejusts.
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    Moderator - Central tribe125's Avatar
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    I like the word. Off-hand, the only type I don’t much like are hobnail bezels. Maybe I’d have had a platinum Patek but for that.

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    El bot. geoffbot's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tribe125 View Post
    I like the word. Off-hand, the only type I don’t much like are hobnail bezels. Maybe I’d have had a platinum Patek but for that.
    Bezel comes from 'embezelment' where in the 1700s a man smuggled diamonds across the French border hidden in the outer ring of his watch
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  9. #7
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    I too use my rotating bezels to track time on a regular basis, genuinely useful function

    Regarding bezels, my opinion is that watch without rotating bezels rarely receive enough focus on their bezel. For example, bezel thickness impacts dial size, which can have a significant impact on how a wstchlooks on the wrist.

    I had a GS SBGF019, and the watch is beautiful. I also am a fan of the 8J movement. The thicker dial, smaller bezel made it wear smaller on my wrist than expected, so it is now sold

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    Moderator - Central tribe125's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by geoffbot View Post
    Bezel comes from 'embezelment' where in the 1700s a man smuggled diamonds across the French border hidden in the outer ring of his watch

    I clicked. I’m an idiot.

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  12. #9
    Hangaround member Fantasio's Avatar
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    Andy Zaltzman, is that you?

    Quote Originally Posted by geoffbot View Post
    Bezel comes from 'embezelment' where in the 1700s a man smuggled diamonds across the French border hidden in the outer ring of his watch

  13. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by tribe125 View Post
    I clicked. I’m an idiot.
    No clue what it is, but I am now glad I did not click LOL

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