The BEST bezel

[suddha]

OK, I thought this could be an interesting thread idea...

What watch do you think has the best bezel, and by what criteria do you judge? For me, it's grippiness, legibility, and ease of use in situ (gloves, water, etc.)

I got a new JSAR and have to say this bezel is the cat's meow. I can pick the watch up off of a table by grabbing the bezel and I can't wait to try it out with heavy neoprene gloves on. On the downside, the numbers are a bit small but that's a nitpick.

Others I've had with good bezels:



And some not so good bezels:

Sorry, but a screw-down internal is not user-friendly.

Let's see what you've got...

[Fatpants]

For me, the best I own or have used/played with (and I include the Sub, SD, SMP, numerous Breitling's, IWC's Aquatimer, and JLC's new Master Diver series) is fitted to this Seiko...



For £240 it manages to have the most amazing bezel action I've ever experienced.

[surfguy]

Not a fan of internal bezels - especially ones that can not be used underwater because the screw down bezel crown is not water resistent. e.g. Ball Diver - I use my watches in the water and make adjustments when needed.

Marathon GSAR is awfully tough to beat - probably the best overall, size, edge, height, smoothness

Rolex Sub gets the job done, a bit sharp though

Omega PO is good, a bit too low

Omega SMP - IMHO the biggest joke of a bezel ther is - awful design

B'ling are pretty good, the tabs are ez to grip

Doxa spins and grips nicely but is a magnet for scratches

Seiko are very good, the regular divers are better than the monster

Stowa prodiver, good except its a 60 click, would be smoother if it were 120.

IWC AT - older style is pretty good, but I don't really prefer to push down while I spin.

[stockae92]

the easiest to use is the Marathon SAR, and the nicest action is the Seiko MM auto, most solid feel is the Sinn U1.

to me, it gotta have minute markers all around

[drummerdan]

My OM is solid and smooth. I am anticipating that the Ocean7 that I have incoming will be great, too.

[goldie'sdad]

I agree with the JSAR / Marathons great bezels!!!

[behar7]

IWC the old style bezel is a masterpiece. IMO
Seiko 300 very good

[inlanding]

While this watch might not be many folk's cup of tea, but in terms of no play, positive one direction snap and feel, the Laco diver bezel feels like no other.

[Fatpants]

Originally Posted by behar7

IWC the old style bezel is a masterpiece.

Watch courtesy of Winton

I agree, an absolute work of genius. Its not the easiest to operate tho' (neither is the TC's bezel owing to the shroud, but in action it "feels" in a different league, imho), and can be a pain to get into exactly the right position because its not ratcheted. But its has to be THE most secure bezel around (save for the PloProf). Love the watch, too.

[yamahaki]

in order from my best on down. aquagraph. can't move it unless you push it down. also it moves in 15 minute increments. also the entire watch is designed to be use with gloves.


tag chronotimer. a very positive click action. again its diver friendly.

sinn u1. nuff said.

uts. very easy to use and would be hard to move it by a accidental bump.

marathon sar.

[Eric L.]

In terms of easy to grip and feel of the click, I have to go with DOXA. Its not too loud, and firm enough but not too tight.

I like tall bezels like on the SAR but the click isn't quite there. A 120 click bezel also has a nicer feel than a 60 click bezel. The LM-1 has a nice bezel feel too but the bezel isn't tall enough.

[SHANE 1000]

The absolute best, most positive bezel I have on a watch is this Invicta, it is VERY easy to grip, and solid (No slop whatsoever NONE at all)120 clicks and a solid solid click, it feels like a machine, the worse bezel action I have is the Marathon SAR C, if you blow on it the bezel turns, just wiping the crystal will get the bezel rotating.
Aquagraph is superb too.

[Beyond 'The Box']

That's so funny, I just thought of posting the same idea today, but got busy at work and couldn't find the time. Genius thread if I do say so myself! ;D

For me it's my Serket Reef Diver 2.0, which is pretty much identical to the Marathons as far as bezel height and gripability. I too can, and have, easily pick the watch up off from any surface, with my forefinger and thumb, by the bezel. Second best was my Bulova Marine Star, very surprisingly. As of late it's become very apparent to me that the smaller watch makers don't take as much care with bezels as do the larger more commercial makers (such as Seiko, Citizen, Omega, etc). My last three watches bought have had poor alignment and slack between clicks. The Serket is not immune to these flaws either, but I will give it one thing above the rest, it clicks in to stay - as did the Monstrum I owned for a very breif time. The Seastar I'm currently getting adjusted to is a very beautiful looking watch, and overall I'm not displeased with my purchase, however I've grown very aggrivated with the hollow endlinks, very small dial surface area, and easy to bump-'n-move bezel.

Things I look at when deciding on a bezel:
1. Alignment
2. Slack between clicks
3. Ease of rotation

[suddha]

Well, then there's this one, which is genius due to the ease with which it can be stripped for cleaning. Legibility of those cartoonish numbers always bugged me though, even if they are cool. Great watch.

[Rudy50]

Without Question IMO, the Rolex GMT Mll-C. I can not seem to take my eyes off of it when I wear it.

[DMB]

These two, not too hard and not too soft. Crisp and easy to grip. DOXA and Planet Ocean.





- David

[Aqua Spearo]

This one is in a entirely different league.. turns amazingly.

[Stan]

Originally Posted by Fatpants

Watch courtesy of Winton

I agree, an absolute work of genius. Its not the easiest to operate tho' (neither is the TC's bezel owing to the shroud, but in action it "feels" in a different league, imho), and can be a pain to get into exactly the right position because its not ratcheted. But its has to be THE most secure bezel around (save for the PloProf). Love the watch, too.

can you elaborate more on the bezel action. I don't see a lock and it looks like it would be fairly easy to grasp and set

thanks

[Noisy Nova]

I like this one.

[Torrid]

I haven't owned a lot of dive watches, but here's my list in order from best to worst.

Sumo- Very smooth, hard to accidently turn.
009-Very direct, but easy to bump and turn.
Seastar 1000- Good, but loud clunky 60 click.
Bond SMP- Too tight, very hard to turn when wet.