The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Well as said in my thread last week I'm really thinking about selling the 312. The only problem I have is that there a couple of minor scratches on the bezel, nothing serious but enough to hold me back from putting it up for sale especially after the problems we've seen here with sales lately.

Anyway I'm sure you can get new bezels I think there is a thread about it somewhere but can anyone confirm this or even give a cost?

Sorry Mods don't have time at the mo to search for the answer but Roff I'm sure you'll cut and paste that thread on here in about 2 minutes!

Cheers

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Currently:
Avenger Skyland(Black)
Super Avenger(White)

Moved on:
Montbrillant Legende(Silver)
Panerai 312
SOHC 125th Ann. LE(Silver)
Navitimer World(Pearl)
Panerai 441

The bezel on the 312 scratches just by looking at it. It's unavoidable....any potential buyer needs to understand that. I sold mine to a member on here with full disclosure on the bezel condition and he completely understood. Maybe you can polish it? I've never used a polishing cloth but I heard that they work great.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

Thanks Serge, as I said they're really minor but the problem is what 'I' think is minor and what someone else thinks is minor could be as big as the Grand Canyon .

I haven't tried polishing them and you never know, they might easily come out but just thought I'd ask the question. I know you have a bit of experience buying and selling, I just don't want to get into an almighty row about something like this because it is important. The other thing is I won't be able to photograph the scratches either probably cos a) they are quite small and b) I'm shit with a camera!

Cheers

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Currently:
Avenger Skyland(Black)
Super Avenger(White)

Moved on:
Montbrillant Legende(Silver)
Panerai 312
SOHC 125th Ann. LE(Silver)
Navitimer World(Pearl)
Panerai 441

If you photograph the watch using your flash it will show all the imperfections in the bezel...most likely the photo will make it look worse than it actually is. I can appreciate that you want to make sure that the watch is absolutely perfect before selling it, shows that you want to make your buyer as happy as possible.

I don't think you can replace the bezel, I believe it is part of the case and isn't removable. Maybe a local Pam AD can polish the bezel for you? I wouldn't attempt to do that job because the bezel sits on a brushed case and you don't want to polish the brushed case....that wouldn't be good.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

Serge is right. My 320 looks excellent, but the bezel just has a mind of its own. Replacing it would be expensive. A good watch place can easily polish it for you. Tape off the case and crystal (no AR either so there isnt much to worry about there) and stick it under the polishing wheel. I cant imagine they would charge more than $50 to do it.

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-RJ

Why don't you post some pics? I might be interested.

Can't be avoided, my 312 is cared for like a baby and it still has more scratches on the bezel than anything else I own. I agree with Sergio and RJ, either full disclosure to the buyer or get it polished by someone who knows what they're doing before selling it.

Hi Andrew,

When I came to trade in my own 312 last year I polished it first myself.

I masked off the satin finish area and then used brasso. Came up looking like new. The new owner thought I'd never worn it.

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

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I think the tiny swirls are a given on a worn 312. Sergio meantioned the marks to me prior to me purchassing his 312, but honestly I didn't notice them all that much. I think this "issue" is something that the PAM owners just understand and live with.

Since there isn't a AR coating on the outside of the crystal, just masking off the brushed case and a little work with a cape cod cloth would make the bezel shine like new again.

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

I didn't realize PAMs had this issue. I'm SUPER anal about scratches on my watches. This would drive me absolutely mad. Maybe I should rethink that PAM 320 I've been lusting after . . .

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

It is impossible to avoid it regardless of how much you baby your watch. I thought it would be an issue for me, but surprisingly I have been ok with it.