14060 Bezel Retaining Ring question......

[Greggz]

I have an A Series 1999 14060 no date sub from whom I believe to be a reputable seller.



I recently lost the bezel as it popped off while doing some work and could never locate it (still have the tension spring!).

I picked up an aftermarket bezel kit so I could get the watch looking right while I search for an original Rolex set.

Well now this has raised some questions about my watch.

For instance, my retaining ring measures 38.19mm.



Other authentic Rolex retaining rings for the 14060 I see for sale measure at 37.60mm.

My hole for the click spring is at about 5 o'clock while every other one I see it at about 1 o'clock.



The tension spring that came with the kit measures 37.32mm.



The one on my watch measures 36.52mm.



Long story short I don't see how this bezel goes on my watch. Like I said, my retaining ring measures at 38.19mm. The inner ring on the bezel that would mate to the retaining ring measures 37.67mm. Now this would make sense since the retaining rings I see for sale at 37.60.



Is it possible the watch I purchased had an incorrect retaining ring and bezel? Or worse? I know if I go back to the seller he will make it right, but honestly right now I don't know what I am dealing with.

In the meantime I have been looking for an original Rolex bezel and insert, but now am concerned that if I find one it will not fit the watch.

Something just doesn't make sense? Any ideas?

Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

[Kyle3130]

I own a 14060M and have removed and installed the bezel a few times. My click spring is located at the 1 o’clock position as you alluded to. If I were you, I would put the spring somewhere you won’t loose it and just wear the watch bezelless until you source what you want on here or through your local watchmaker. (Most ADs have one on staff with a parts account) Aftermarket parts could screw up the genuine ones if the measurements are off as you have shown. Please do not force that fake bezel onto your watch.

[Greggz]

Originally Posted by Kyle3130

I own a 14060M and have removed and installed the bezel a few times. My click spring is located at the 1 o’clock position as you alluded to. If I were you, I would put the spring somewhere you won’t loose it and just wear the watch bezelless until you source what you want on here or through your local watchmaker. (Most ADs have one on staff with a parts account) Aftermarket parts could screw up the genuine ones if the measurements are off as you have shown. Please do not force that fake bezel onto your watch.

Thanks Kyle.

My issue now is that I am not sure if a authentic bezel will fit. The retaining ring on the watch seems to be much larger than it should be, or at least larger than authentic ones that I see for sale. There is no forcing on a fake bezel, as it's not even close.

So what I am trying to do now is verify if my watch has the correct retaining ring.

If anyone with a 14060 has measured their retaining ring, that would help a lot.

[Kyle3130]

Good luck in your search. I would touch base with a Rolex certified watchmaker and see what they say about it.

[jay_kay]

That is not a retaining ring. That is a friction ring and merely serves to allow smooth rotation of the bezel and it helps stop lots of crud from getting into the inner toothed inner mechanism of the bezel.

The bezel retailing ring is the metal ring that has the semi circle cut out of it for the hold to insert the click spring. I have a feeling the crystal and retaining ring assembly have been off your watch at some point and pressed back on in the wrong place. It shouldn't have any detrimental effect to the function and when you get the bezel back on nobody would be any the wiser.

[Greggz]

Originally Posted by jay_kay

That is not a retaining ring. That is a friction ring and merely serves to allow smooth rotation of the bezel and it helps stop lots of crud from getting into the inner toothed inner mechanism of the bezel.

The bezel retailing ring is the metal ring that has the semi circle cut out of it for the hold to insert the click spring. I have a feeling the crystal and retaining ring assembly have been off your watch at some point and pressed back on in the wrong place. It shouldn't have any detrimental effect to the function and when you get the bezel back on nobody would be any the wiser.

Yeah I agree the retaining ring and crystal may have been removed and re seated, hence the click spring hole not at the usual location.

But the strange thing is that the retaining ring on the watch measures out at 38.19mm (photo in first post). Doing some research a retaining ring I found for sale that is original to the 14060 measures out at 37.60mm.

https://www.chrono-shop.net/en/a-r-c...ng&results=128

If that is correct, it means the retaining ring on mine is not correct. And if so, then an authentic (which is what I want to find) bezel would not fit.

The other strange thing is that the tension spring (friction) that came with the kit is larger than the one that is on the watch. Been searching but can't find a measurement of an authentic one to see which is correct.

So really either the kit is WAY off for a sub 14060, or my sub does not have the correct retaining ring.

Yeah, confusing for sure. I'll probably go have it looked. I was hoping maybe someone had measured their 14060 retaining ring or tension spring, which would help make sense of it.