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Old 3 February 2009, 02:00 AM   #1
Tools
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The Rolex Rotating Bezel And It's Evolution..

Way back in 1952/53, Rolex came out with an interesting watch, the Turn-O Graph...

This was interesting because it had an outer black rotating bezel. This watch was not popular, however, it is historically important because it spawned both the Sub, and the GMT which became two of the best selling watches of all time for the Company.

Early bezels on the Turn-O Graph, the Sub, and the GMT were all bi-directional with no clicks. They were a friction ring. You pushed down on the ring to "unlock" it, and then rotate it to where you wanted, then released it and it stayed in place until it was moved again.. Rolex included this handy reference for the user:
bezel2copww7.jpg

This was seen as a safety issue for Divers who needed the timer to time decompression sets or submerge time, and underwater, you didn't want to make a mistake or have the bezel turned in the wrong direction so in the late 70's/80's we got the clicking version..

Since the clicking bezel started we now have


. Any Sub, 120 clicks and counter-clockwise rotation only, aluminum insert (newest releases will be ceramic)

. Sea Dweller, 120 clicks and counter-clockwise rotation only, aluminum insert

. The New DSSD, 120 clicks and counterclockwise only, ceramic insert.

. The GMT II 16710, 120 clicks and rotates either direction, aluminum insert

. The GMT II 116710, 24 clicks and rotates in either direction, ceramic insert

. The Turn-O Graph, which was re-introduced in the 70's as a DateJust line, no-clicks and turns either direction, solid bezel.

. The Yachtmaster, 120 clicks, rotates in either direction, precious metal insert.

. The Yachtmaster II, partial-rotating bezel for function actuation, ceramic insert..
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Old 3 February 2009, 02:48 AM   #2
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Old 3 February 2009, 02:50 AM   #3
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Good info as always, Larry. Thanks!!

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Old 3 February 2009, 03:04 AM   #4
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Larry, I am new the forum but have come to appreciate your excellent "reporting"...GREAT INFO that I have used in my purchase...and I wanted to say THANK YOU and keep it coming!
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Old 3 February 2009, 03:07 AM   #5
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Larry, exactly like i wanted. U r the best
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Old 3 February 2009, 03:09 AM   #6
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But what about the new subs????
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Old 3 February 2009, 03:11 AM   #7
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Quote:
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But what about the new subs????
Hmmmmm........good question. I think they should also have 120 clicks in the counter-clockwise direction only.

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Old 3 February 2009, 04:35 AM   #8
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Good info. Which Turn-o-graph are you referring to that clicks?

FYI...my F series (2004) Turn-o-graph bezel does not click. It turns smoothly in either direction.
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Old 3 February 2009, 04:40 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rocco1109 View Post
FYI...my F series (2004) Turn-o-graph bezel does not click. It turns smoothly in either direction.
This is true for the TOGs I recently say. Smooth turning, no clicking -- I actually didn't like it.
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Old 3 February 2009, 04:42 AM   #10
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Great piece of info. Thanks!
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Old 3 February 2009, 04:50 AM   #11
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Thanks Larry
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Old 3 February 2009, 06:37 AM   #12
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Thanks for the info Mr Encyclopedia!!
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Old 3 February 2009, 07:48 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rocco1109 View Post
FYI...my F series (2004) Turn-o-graph bezel does not click. It turns smoothly in either direction.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Timber Loftis View Post
This is true for the TOGs I recently say. Smooth turning, no clicking -- I actually didn't like it.

I did not know the new TOGs were smooth.. I will correct that info..
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Old 3 February 2009, 08:03 AM   #14
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Thanks Larry!
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Old 3 February 2009, 01:42 PM   #15
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Thanks Larry, great info
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Old 3 February 2009, 01:45 PM   #16
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Old 3 February 2009, 03:15 PM   #17
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Good stuff Larry. Thanks.
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Old 3 February 2009, 05:05 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tools View Post
I did not know the new TOGs were smooth.. I will correct that info..
That's right, I can confirm that the TOG bezels move smoothly in both directions.

JJ
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Old 3 February 2009, 06:25 PM   #19
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Brilliant stuff, as always. Thanks!
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Old 3 February 2009, 06:38 PM   #20
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Thanks Larry, great info
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Old 3 February 2009, 06:49 PM   #21
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Gotta love the whole concept with Rolex bezels. How they make the watch do more than just tell the time.
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Old 3 February 2009, 07:19 PM   #22
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Excellent info and history - thanks Larry!
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Old 3 February 2009, 10:47 PM   #23
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Interresting .Thanks.
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Old 4 February 2009, 01:58 PM   #24
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great thread! It's also interesting, if you get a chance, to look at the bezels and compare the changes.
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Old 5 August 2009, 03:11 AM   #25
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Now part of the Reference Library.........
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Old 19 August 2009, 11:33 PM   #26
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thank u
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Old 27 September 2009, 04:22 PM   #27
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I just purchased a Y Serial GMT 16710-T and the bezel does not click at all, just smooth friction. Is this normal?
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Old 28 September 2009, 01:47 AM   #28
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Thanks for the info
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Old 28 September 2009, 06:13 PM   #29
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Never actually knew you could lock it. Learn something new every day. :)

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Old 13 October 2009, 08:50 AM   #30
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I have an '06 TOG and it is smooth like mentioned but I had a Thunderbird in the 90's that if I remember correctly did click and went only one way. Someone can either confirm or correct me on that.
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