Bezel Removal During Service
 

Hello,

When Rolex services watches with fixed bezels like the OP or Explorer 1 - is it normal procedure to remove the bezel ?

For a full service the watch will be completely dismantled, including the bezel. Why do you ask?

Thanks,
Asking just out of curiosity...

The bezel is friction fit to the case - so I wonder how they manage to take it out and put it back on without scuffing the case/bezel ?

The crystal gasket sits between the rehaut and the bezel, which provides the friction.

So there's no metal to metal contact between the bezel and case ?

The underside of the bezel sits on the case, but as there is no movement of the two it will not leave a mark. The gasket is the thing that holds it all together.

Crystal gaskets should never be re-used, because they get compressed in between the case and bezel, this will always deform them in some way.

I used to think that the bezel on non-divers like the OP and Explorer served only a decorative purpose.
So the bezel actually plays a functional role in sealing the crystal's circumference by compressing the gasket...
Thanks for the explanation!