The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Not Breitling but vintage hopefully some of you experts can help.

In my limited research seems like there were a lot of divers coming out made from various parts from various suppliers in the 70s. I am a huge Jaws fan and had my eye out for an Alsta Nautoscaph...while my latest pick up is not quite the exact dreyfuss watch I decided to pick it up anyway since I like the eara/style. Plus the price was right. Problem is no bezel. Will I be able to find a bezel that will fit and work, possibly from another company from that same period while I keep an eye out for the actual correct one or a more complete watch? If so what do I need to measure and look at on the watch to find a suitible match? Or are they specific to each and every watch so I am SOL?

Don't have it in hand yet, should later this week.

Rich, enjoy it without a bezel. not worth the effort, it would be miraculous to find a correct bezel for this one, I'm afraid - they are case-specific. but it is nice like this, too !

Yea, it does not really look so terrible in the picture without it. I just thought perhaps there were several companies importing cases/movements in the 70s that it might be possible to find one to work. At the very least I will wear it when I watch Jaws on DVD. I have tracked down on ebay a Speidel Mach 1, but don't think I will invest in the proper Jaws band just yet....if I find the correct cased watch I will have to have the right band. For now maybe some other stainless rally looking sort of band.

I've been down this road before with the missing bezels. Measure the diameter of the crystal and note if there are one or two steps for the bezel mounting ring. Once you have that info what I do is start emailing ebay sellers that sell watch parts or watch lots on ebay and ask them if they might have a stash of bezels somewhere. I've found two that worked on a couple of my Enicar projects that way.

Thanks Paul, great info. I'll give it a go when it arrives.

Watch showed up. Really nice weight, the size is a nice change from my big, modern watches too. I could not quite live with the two Zodiacs I had a 35mm so I sold them. This Alsta I am really liking.

As for the Bezel hunting can you please tell me where I should measure the crystal...guessing the larger at the bottom but want to make sure. And it only has one "step" correct?

Thanks!

Yep, one step. Measure the width across the crystal and figure in an addition .5 to 1mm for the bezel to be able to turn. You'll need the inside diameter of the prospective bezel and it wouldn't hurt to measure the step diameter to get the best inside fit. I found that, most of the time, getting a bezel which fit around the crystal well would also fit the step properly too although you might have to experiment around the the thickness of the bezel spring to get it mounted properly. A lot of trial and error but worth it when it works.