How to Remove a Bezel From a Pocket Watch

Screw-Down Pocket Watch

• 1

  Place the pocket watch crystal side up in the palm of you hand. Place your fingertips around the edges of the bezel. The bezel is a ring that holds the crystal, or glass, into place.

• 2

  Rotate your fingers counterclockwise. Continue rotating the bezel until it's free from the watch case. Be careful that the crystal does not fall away from the bezel.

• 3

  Use a rubber jar opener or a flat piece of rubber no larger than the size of a computer mouse pad, to remove a stubborn bezel.

• 4

  Use soapy warm water and a toothbrush to gently clean the bezel to free it of dirt and grime. Dry with lint-free absorbent cloth.

• 5

  Replace the bezel in the reverse order of disassembly.

Snap-Down Bezel

• 6

  Locate the lip on the underside of the bezel at either at 6 or 12 o'clock. Snap-down bezels are usually found on older, inexpensive pocket watches.

• 7

  Insert the case blade or fingernail under the lip and push down. The bezel will pop off.

• 8

  Follow steps 4 and 5 of Section 1 to clean and reassemble the bezel and crystal.

Hinge Back Pocket Watch

• 9

  Locate the two small hinges at 6 o'clock for the case back and bezel. Locate the lip at the opposite end.

• 10

  Insert a case blade or fingernail under the lip to pry open the bezel. The bezel will remain on its hinges.

• 11

  Put two drops of oil on each of the hinges to lubricate them. Wipe excess oil with a lint-free cloth.

• 12

  Follow steps 4 and 5 of Section 1 to clean and reassemble the bezel and crystal.