I surprised that you didn't have alignment issues. Putting the bezel insert into the bezel randomly before it's on the watch is a recipe for frustration. Lucky boy.
I have the same tool as you. Applied tape. Bezel is still on the watch and my case is completely scratched up since that cheap prying tool just ate itself through the tape. I have the Orient Kano
I had the same issue on a Steeldive homage watch. I couldn't get anything to slip between the bezel and watch case, not even a razorblade. I gave up after I scratched the case a bit and didn't try anymore. THese are the risks we take when trying to modify our watches. These UA-cam videos make it look was easier than it really is.
1. Use a razor blade first to open bezel from case then use bezel removal tool no taping required. 2. Apply bezel first to case before putting on bezel insert on. This is better for alignment.
I have never been so mad in my life. Haha I’ve tried everything to get the bezel off. My case is scratched to bits and I’ve tried everything. I guess I’m stuck with the bezel and bezel insert I have.
Very helpful. I just got a Mako II with the white face. Wondering if I should add one of the LIW black bezels to it. But I did managed to change a sapphire crystal in another watch, so I'd imagine if I can do that - I can do this.
Hello! Im new to the mod wafch world, i was wondering if doing this will affect the 200 meter water resistance? Or if i try to change for à dôme, will it affect the water resistance? Thank you, this vidéo is really good :)
Very cool vid. I have a blue dial Mako II and this looks like a fun mod. The current crystal already has a minor scratch or two and the bezel has some wear. And I am careful with it.
I tried removing a bezel on one of my Steeldive 6105 homages and that thing would not budge for the life of me. I have the same kit you mentioned and tried to use that prying tool and nothing would work. Maybe some bezels aren't removable once they are installed?
Hi, l see this video is a few years old, but l'm hoping you'll be able to answer a question. I have an Orient Star diver. The tension in the bezel is really light, ie it moves while l sleep. Not sure if you know what l should expect to see when l pop the bezel off, and how to increase its tension? Cheers
Theodorus Kurniawan i’d like to know as well.🤔 Probably so but there might be a bit up a raised lip between the insert and this particular crystal. The flat insert perfectly lines up with the beginning of the slop with my setup.
Watch Counter my concern was that the skx slope bezel insert inner diameter is 30,5mm on average, which is perfect for skx that have a 30mm crystal diameter. Meanwhile the ray crystal is 31mm in diameter, well I think it’s okay because the crystal has a bevel edge. I wanted to try, but the cost is just to expensive if I failed. The mod costs more than half of the watch itself 😅
Theodorus Kurniawan haha it’s an expensive gamble for sure 😅, if this watch didn’t hold a bit of sentimental value I probably wouldn’t have rolled the dice on this mod
You need a domed crystal to match the sloped bezel. With the standard flat mineral, there will be a raised lip (from the domed insert) between bezel insert and crystal. Changing a crystal shouldn't effect the WR, but you need to test it.
Namokies sells a sapphire crystal for the Rays/Makos that allow for sloped bezel inserts. I put a DLW yachtmaster bezel insert into my Crystaltimes coin edge bezel on my blue Ray 2 and everything is flush and looks awesome.
I've seen most people applying the bezel insert after the bezel is on. How did you manage to line it up properly with the insert being on already. I'm new to this so I'd love to know.
Thanks for the helpful how-to. The end result looks great. I just received my coin-edge bezel from long island watch and it was a breeze to replace (with the same tools). What happens to everyone's discarded Ray and Mako bezels, I wonder? I'd be interested to see how my Mako II would look with a Ray bezel...
Happy to help, glad yours came out great too! Can’t speak for everyone’s discarded bezels but I’m keeping mine tucked away just Incase I ever want to go back to the original look a few years down the road.
@@AustinSamuelF I went with a lumed sapphire "planet ocean" style bezel insert in dark blue from L.C.B.I., but I'm still waiting for it to arrive. I'm a bit nervous as to whether it will look as as good as I hope, especially since I'm so tempted by your Pepsi bezel.
Watch Counter my PO style lumed sapphire bezel finally arrived. I have to say, it looks fantastic and the blue on the bezel is pretty close to the blue watch face. Thanks again!
I'm having an incredibly hard time removing the bezel off my Ray II. I used the exact same yellow tool in this video and the tip of the tool broke off.
Don't know if you're still attempting, but I was in the same boat. I did some research and apparently soaking in warm, soapy water helps. I did it for 5 mins or so and then tried again and it popped right off.
@@devind6020 To this day, I have not been able to remove the bezel. May I ask what year is your model? Based on my research the Orient Rays made in last 2-3 years have a bezel that is unremovable.
Did anyone actually try the instructions in this video? I have the exact same tool that was used in this video to pry the bezel off and I literally cut my hand in three places and scraped the shit out of my watch…
Thanks for this and nice work. Super helpful. I’m getting ready to do my first ever mod on a Ray 2. I also purchased the bezel and insert from Long Island Watch. Should be here this week. I purchased the sapphire crystal off eBay and it is a flat crystal that is 31mm in diameter and 2.8mm high. I’m hoping it fits with the LIW bezel because it doesn’t look as if it has a bevel like the LIW flat sapphire crystals do. It is however slightly shorter. The LIW Crystal is 3mm high and the one off eBay is 2.8mm high. I chose the one on eBay because it was not only cheaper, but mostly because it had AR coating as well. Any thoughts as to wether or not I should be concerned with the fit of the eBay crystal with the LIW bezel and insert? Will the 31mm crystal be too wide to fit inside the LIW bezel? Thanks!
Jason Rowland I think you’ll be okay. My sapphire crystal is a 31mm dd with no bevel edge from crystal times and it works perfect! That being said I was experimenting and got super lucky so I can’t be 100% sure on your sapphire. Good on you for rolling the dice as well though! Let me know how it goes 🤘
@@AustinSamuelF Thanks for the reply. I will report back in a week or so. I did find online that most of the LIW and other standard SKX007 style inserts are about 31.5mm measuring from the inside. That gives me another .5mm or so to play with should the flat 31mm crystal I purchased not have the bevel. Yours fit perfectly and I do feel better knowing It didn’t have a bevel. Again, much appreciated!
The Crystal is now installed and it does not have a bevel. It’s totally flat on both sides. I think it is in evenly. It fits almost perfectly flush to the inner part of the OEM, Orient insert. It appears to be seated properly. I’m now waiting for the SKX style bezel and insert to arrive from LIW in another 3-4 days. My current problem is I turned the new sapphire crystal around before I installed it and can’t tell which side has the AR and which side doesn’t. I went straight to Google and found several methods to tell, but I’m only about 75% certain I got it right. The info I found didn’t result in me knowing conclusively and the eBay seller hasn’t yet responded. I’ll know eventually for sure if the crystal top starts to get scratched as the exposed AR wears away. This is one of those “things” you don’t plan on happening after watching excellent videos like yours over and over again. Good times! :)
Jason Rowland I’m glad it fit but wow that’s something I didn’t even think about since I haven’t done a flat crystal install yet. I do know that some crystals come with AR on both sides so that may be the case here. In the worst case scenario maybe try removing the AR if it begins scratching away (link below on how-to). If it turns out it only has AR on one side and you find a good way to determine which side it is on please let me know! www.60clicks.com/how-to-remove-ar-coating-from-outer-crystal/
Finally got the new bezel and insert installed. It all fits barely, but it works. One huge problem. The new bezel from LIW is five times tighter than the stock bezel. It will barely turn and I can’t get it off the watch case to inspect it. I’ll likely have to take it to someone to remove the bezel and to trouble shoot. I’m stuck. It looks amazing though, lol. Maybe the little ratchet ring prongs are pointing up too much and causing the friction when turning? I can hear clicking. Maybe the gasket inside the bezel needs to be lubed or is pinched somehow? There is zero space between the bezel and the case now. There is zero space to wedge a bench knife or case back tool in between there without doing some serious damage. Oh well. Nothing is ever easy. :)
I wanted a lumed bezel insert and they don't make one in the shape of the standard Orient insert so I went with this option instead. Also, imo this watch is nicer looking than my SKX007 Japan red text watch.
@@AustinSamuelF I agree it's a better-looking base from which to work. And I get the point of a lumed bezel. I just prefer the Orient "vibe" over the SKX, and this mod, which a lot of people seem to do, wrecks that vibe for me. Maybe some day the aftermarket will see the light regarding Orient mod parts. Meantime, it's your watch, of course. Enjoy it your way. Cheers, and thanks for the discussion.
@@rangersmith4652 Of course, thank you for the input. If someone ever makes a direct Orient replacement lumed bezel I'll give it a shot in a video because I do agree that would be a better looking mod.
What is going on , you buy a watch and change it ??? why buy it in the first place ,there are plenty of watches for sale that are so much better and cheaper plus better looking,
That's the beauty of modding. Is not only cool but also fun. Not for everyone, that's for sure, but if you have the tools and a calm enough hand, go for it. Let me give you an example. I wanted an SKX that looks like the Yatch master, with a steel bezel, blue dial and mercedes hands. But the closest one is the Islander Red October, which costs $329. Back in November I used the Long Island Watch black friday deal and got a Islander SL-08 for $223, which came with a ceramic Pepsi bezel, quite hideous, really, but it also came with a very nice blue dial, so I purchased a set of mercedes hands with C3 lume ($29) plus a steel bezel with red C3 lume pip ($19) and for $271 I got my Yatch Master for $60 less than the Red October.
You're not going to find 'lots of better, cheaper watches' than Orient automatics. They are *the* best, cheapest watches. That's why they're a great platform to mod.
I surprised that you didn't have alignment issues. Putting the bezel insert into the bezel randomly before it's on the watch is a recipe for frustration. Lucky boy.
Definitely should have gotten a lottery ticket also.
I have the same tool as you. Applied tape. Bezel is still on the watch and my case is completely scratched up since that cheap prying tool just ate itself through the tape. I have the Orient Kano
I had the same issue on a Steeldive homage watch. I couldn't get anything to slip between the bezel and watch case, not even a razorblade. I gave up after I scratched the case a bit and didn't try anymore. THese are the risks we take when trying to modify our watches. These UA-cam videos make it look was easier than it really is.
@@brantisonfire the second issue was getting the damn bezel back again. I had no tools for that
FYI: I've never seen a bezel come off this easily. So be prepared for a bit more of a fight.
1. Use a razor blade first to open bezel from case then use bezel removal tool no taping required.
2. Apply bezel first to case before putting on bezel insert on. This is better for alignment.
I have never been so mad in my life. Haha I’ve tried everything to get the bezel off. My case is scratched to bits and I’ve tried everything. I guess I’m stuck with the bezel and bezel insert I have.
Great video I’m bit nervous to do it myself though but fancy modding a mako 2 with the orange bezel to make a small mako XL!
Will bezel inserts for Mako II and Ray II fits Kamasu (Mako III) bezel? My Blue Kamasu I bezel has already faded from constant use (abuse).
En un Orient Kamasu, se podría cambiar la tapa trasera por una transparente que permitiría ver su mecanismo, así como en otras marcas? Gracias.
Very helpful. I just got a Mako II with the white face. Wondering if I should add one of the LIW black bezels to it. But I did managed to change a sapphire crystal in another watch, so I'd imagine if I can do that - I can do this.
Matt Brighton sweet! You’ve got this! My first time changing a bezel here actually haha
I think all dive watches look better with the coin edge bezel just my opinion
I want to see you try and remove the new bezel.
and what about orient kamasu?
You have to install the bezel before you place the bezel insert in order to align it perfectly!!!
Nice video, thanks
Hello! Im new to the mod wafch world, i was wondering if doing this will affect the 200 meter water resistance? Or if i try to change for à dôme, will it affect the water resistance? Thank you, this vidéo is really good :)
Long Island website says it will.
Very cool vid. I have a blue dial Mako II and this looks like a fun mod. The current crystal already has a minor scratch or two and the bezel has some wear. And I am careful with it.
Never install your insert before you install the bezel back on the watch.. unless you are going for the seiko misaligned look..😆
Link Buy please 😮
I tried removing a bezel on one of my Steeldive 6105 homages and that thing would not budge for the life of me. I have the same kit you mentioned and tried to use that prying tool and nothing would work. Maybe some bezels aren't removable once they are installed?
Great vid. Any interest in selling your old Ray II insert? Or do you know where i can get one?
They can be ordered by emailing orient directly. Super cheap too
Really helpful video mate, straight and clean!
thanks for taking the risk haha. Waiting on my parts to mod my orient ray with black dial, cant wait!
Niklas Hartmann No problem, happy I could help out!
Hi, l see this video is a few years old, but l'm hoping you'll be able to answer a question. I have an Orient Star diver. The tension in the bezel is really light, ie it moves while l sleep. Not sure if you know what l should expect to see when l pop the bezel off, and how to increase its tension? Cheers
thanj u
Can you provide model numbers for bezel and insert? Also, how to install insert to ensure it will be aligned perfectly?
What's with the annoying background music. Very distracting.
Hi..please answer,from which watch did you put the bezel on the Orient?Please give a link.
I have an orient mako 1 and I need to replace the bezel insert. Can I just use some glue? Only have the insert and no adhesive
I’m curious if it could take a slopped bezel insert
Theodorus Kurniawan i’d like to know as well.🤔 Probably so but there might be a bit up a raised lip between the insert and this particular crystal. The flat insert perfectly lines up with the beginning of the slop with my setup.
Watch Counter my concern was that the skx slope bezel insert inner diameter is 30,5mm on average, which is perfect for skx that have a 30mm crystal diameter. Meanwhile the ray crystal is 31mm in diameter, well I think it’s okay because the crystal has a bevel edge. I wanted to try, but the cost is just to expensive if I failed. The mod costs more than half of the watch itself 😅
Theodorus Kurniawan haha it’s an expensive gamble for sure 😅, if this watch didn’t hold a bit of sentimental value I probably wouldn’t have rolled the dice on this mod
You need a domed crystal to match the sloped bezel. With the standard flat mineral, there will be a raised lip (from the domed insert) between bezel insert and crystal. Changing a crystal shouldn't effect the WR, but you need to test it.
Namokies sells a sapphire crystal for the Rays/Makos that allow for sloped bezel inserts. I put a DLW yachtmaster bezel insert into my Crystaltimes coin edge bezel on my blue Ray 2 and everything is flush and looks awesome.
Great video, thanks. I have a question-- my bezel has actually begun to change my Orient Ray's date... has this happened to you?
I've seen most people applying the bezel insert after the bezel is on. How did you manage to line it up properly with the insert being on already. I'm new to this so I'd love to know.
Could you please tell me where I can buy the Orient Bezel Inserts? Orient's spec is unique.
What size of sapphire fits ray 2?
My watch is 42mm what size would insert be??? Any idea
Awesome video! Just bought a Ray 2 and want to put a pepsi on it too!
Thank you! New videos coming soon!
Hello, I have one question, what is the outer and inner diameter of the bezel?, I bought a bezel for skx 007, it did not fit on Orient mako 2
same question.
Nice. You made it all look so easy.
The Regular Guy Look It is! This was my first ever bezel swap 😂
Watch Counter AWESOME!
what is the inside size of bezel 32mm?
Great video, I’m ordering parts to do the same... is that the CT039 crystal?
Thanks for the helpful how-to. The end result looks great. I just received my coin-edge bezel from long island watch and it was a breeze to replace (with the same tools). What happens to everyone's discarded Ray and Mako bezels, I wonder? I'd be interested to see how my Mako II would look with a Ray bezel...
Happy to help, glad yours came out great too! Can’t speak for everyone’s discarded bezels but I’m keeping mine tucked away just Incase I ever want to go back to the original look a few years down the road.
@@AustinSamuelF I went with a lumed sapphire "planet ocean" style bezel insert in dark blue from L.C.B.I., but I'm still waiting for it to arrive. I'm a bit nervous as to whether it will look as as good as I hope, especially since I'm so tempted by your Pepsi bezel.
Glenn Hagman Oh nice, that sounds like it should look awesome. Let me know how it goes, I might have to do another install vid with a LCBI insert too!
Watch Counter my PO style lumed sapphire bezel finally arrived. I have to say, it looks fantastic and the blue on the bezel is pretty close to the blue watch face. Thanks again!
Glenn Hagman Awesome!!! If you have an Instagram give me a follow so I can share! @watchcounterofficial
I'm having an incredibly hard time removing the bezel off my Ray II. I used the exact same yellow tool in this video and the tip of the tool broke off.
Don't know if you're still attempting, but I was in the same boat. I did some research and apparently soaking in warm, soapy water helps. I did it for 5 mins or so and then tried again and it popped right off.
@@devind6020 To this day, I have not been able to remove the bezel.
May I ask what year is your model? Based on my research the Orient Rays made in last 2-3 years have a bezel that is unremovable.
can you link the site where to buy these parts?
Is the coin edge bezel off crystal times and Dlw all the same quality as the Long Island watch bezel?
They are all comparable, and better (tighter) than stock.
Did anyone actually try the instructions in this video? I have the exact same tool that was used in this video to pry the bezel off and I literally cut my hand in three places and scraped the shit out of my watch…
battle scars are cool
I have the same experience. Tried it hundred times, the bezel is still on the watch.
Exactly what I was looking for!
What about triton
Great video. Thanks.
Thanks for this and nice work. Super helpful. I’m getting ready to do my first ever mod on a Ray 2. I also purchased the bezel and insert from Long Island Watch. Should be here this week. I purchased the sapphire crystal off eBay and it is a flat crystal that is 31mm in diameter and 2.8mm high. I’m hoping it fits with the LIW bezel because it doesn’t look as if it has a bevel like the LIW flat sapphire crystals do. It is however slightly shorter. The LIW Crystal is 3mm high and the one off eBay is 2.8mm high. I chose the one on eBay because it was not only cheaper, but mostly because it had AR coating as well. Any thoughts as to wether or not I should be concerned with the fit of the eBay crystal with the LIW bezel and insert? Will the 31mm crystal be too wide to fit inside the LIW bezel? Thanks!
Jason Rowland I think you’ll be okay. My sapphire crystal is a 31mm dd with no bevel edge from crystal times and it works perfect! That being said I was experimenting and got super lucky so I can’t be 100% sure on your sapphire. Good on you for rolling the dice as well though! Let me know how it goes 🤘
@@AustinSamuelF Thanks for the reply. I will report back in a week or so. I did find online that most of the LIW and other standard SKX007 style inserts are about 31.5mm measuring from the inside. That gives me another .5mm or so to play with should the flat 31mm crystal I purchased not have the bevel. Yours fit perfectly and I do feel better knowing It didn’t have a bevel. Again, much appreciated!
The Crystal is now installed and it does not have a bevel. It’s totally flat on both sides. I think it is in evenly. It fits almost perfectly flush to the inner part of the OEM, Orient insert. It appears to be seated properly. I’m now waiting for the SKX style bezel and insert to arrive from LIW in another 3-4 days. My current problem is I turned the new sapphire crystal around before I installed it and can’t tell which side has the AR and which side doesn’t. I went straight to Google and found several methods to tell, but I’m only about 75% certain I got it right. The info I found didn’t result in me knowing conclusively and the eBay seller hasn’t yet responded. I’ll know eventually for sure if the crystal top starts to get scratched as the exposed AR wears away. This is one of those “things” you don’t plan on happening after watching excellent videos like yours over and over again. Good times! :)
Jason Rowland I’m glad it fit but wow that’s something I didn’t even think about since I haven’t done a flat crystal install yet. I do know that some crystals come with AR on both sides so that may be the case here. In the worst case scenario maybe try removing the AR if it begins scratching away (link below on how-to). If it turns out it only has AR on one side and you find a good way to determine which side it is on please let me know!
www.60clicks.com/how-to-remove-ar-coating-from-outer-crystal/
Finally got the new bezel and insert installed. It all fits barely, but it works. One huge problem. The new bezel from LIW is five times tighter than the stock bezel. It will barely turn and I can’t get it off the watch case to inspect it. I’ll likely have to take it to someone to remove the bezel and to trouble shoot. I’m stuck. It looks amazing though, lol.
Maybe the little ratchet ring prongs are pointing up too much and causing the friction when turning? I can hear clicking. Maybe the gasket inside the bezel needs to be lubed or is pinched somehow? There is zero space between the bezel and the case now. There is zero space to wedge a bench knife or case back tool in between there without doing some serious damage. Oh well. Nothing is ever easy. :)
Now your Orient watch looks like a Seiko. Why not just buy a Seiko?
I wanted a lumed bezel insert and they don't make one in the shape of the standard Orient insert so I went with this option instead. Also, imo this watch is nicer looking than my SKX007 Japan red text watch.
@@AustinSamuelF I agree it's a better-looking base from which to work. And I get the point of a lumed bezel. I just prefer the Orient "vibe" over the SKX, and this mod, which a lot of people seem to do, wrecks that vibe for me. Maybe some day the aftermarket will see the light regarding Orient mod parts. Meantime, it's your watch, of course. Enjoy it your way. Cheers, and thanks for the discussion.
@@rangersmith4652 Of course, thank you for the input. If someone ever makes a direct Orient replacement lumed bezel I'll give it a shot in a video because I do agree that would be a better looking mod.
Sorry, but looks quite not absolutely beautiful
What is going on , you buy a watch and change it ??? why buy it in the first place ,there are plenty of watches for sale that are so much better and cheaper plus better looking,
That's the beauty of modding. Is not only cool but also fun. Not for everyone, that's for sure, but if you have the tools and a calm enough hand, go for it. Let me give you an example. I wanted an SKX that looks like the Yatch master, with a steel bezel, blue dial and mercedes hands. But the closest one is the Islander Red October, which costs $329. Back in November I used the Long Island Watch black friday deal and got a Islander SL-08 for $223, which came with a ceramic Pepsi bezel, quite hideous, really, but it also came with a very nice blue dial, so I purchased a set of mercedes hands with C3 lume ($29) plus a steel bezel with red C3 lume pip ($19) and for $271 I got my Yatch Master for $60 less than the Red October.
You're not going to find 'lots of better, cheaper watches' than Orient automatics. They are *the* best, cheapest watches. That's why they're a great platform to mod.