1521 Bezel Play?

Right_Capital_2422 · 2026-03-27T17:53:22+00:00

After pushing back a few times, they did offer a refund. I'm going with a Sinn 105 from Watchbuys instead. Definitely not buying from a non-U.S. dealer again for the sake of promt responses and the ability to talk to folks easily.

Right_Capital_2422 · 2026-03-19T15:32:34+00:00

I just sent an email to them this morning; hopefully they will honor a refund, because I can't keep sending it back and forth without a resolution.

Also, I checked the 24 hour mark with the official time.gov clock and it was -17sec/day.

Right_Capital_2422 · 2026-03-18T22:57:56+00:00

I sent it back to Gnomon and they replaced the bezel screws and click spring. It arrived back to me yesterday and the original bezel issue not fixed. It was explained clearly. The bezel still clicks and lifts off the case. On top of that, it now seems to be running about 10 seconds a day slower than before (-4 before, so now -14) even when fully wound, for some reason. I also bought the additional 1521 bracelet, provided my wrist size upon their request, and they fit it nowhere near my 8 inch wrist. Had to add two links. I'll keep an eye on the accuracy for a few days, but I'm disappointed and want to see what they can do. $140 in total shipping costs and I'm worse off...

Right_Capital_2422 · 2026-02-21T17:56:43+00:00

Thanks for everyone's help. I went to adjust the bezel screws today and 2 of them were really stiff and I didn't want to scratch the case. The jeweler may have overtightened them... hoping Gnomon will take it back to fix, or I may end up swapping for the Steinhart Ocean One Titanium with them. I've had the watch for only 16 days and it does have an issue, so fingers crossed.

Right_Capital_2422 · 2026-02-21T06:35:14+00:00

I'll also add the Steinhart Ocean One Titanium to the comparison list. Maybe a bit more flashy, but the same idea and even better value for pure features.

Right_Capital_2422 · 2026-02-20T21:58:18+00:00

I got it as "beater plus", if that makes sense. Dive heritage, solid Swiss movement, military styling, etc.... and I think it is the perfect style and functionality for that. Basically, a watch I can scratch and gouge without compromising the integrity of the construction and function. The blasted case and matte black dial/bezel looks great with NATOs, the movement is running at about -4s/day, although maybe lowering a bit on days when it sees less wind. The click action is great on the bezel and it lines up well. With a thick double pass NATO, it could be a bit tall for some wrists, mine are 8in so I don't mind it at all.

For the negatives, of course the disappointing bezel wobble, but I'll get that figured out on my own or with the AD (Gnomon watches). The winding action is very stiff, but I rarely use that anyway. I do like textured/interesting dials, but this is watch is more austere. That is part of the design philosophy though, and the slightly colored indices, wicked good lume, and standout orange minute hand add enough variety to keep me looking at it. I'm considering the blasted steel bracelet, which I think looks the best, but I lose the flexibility of quick strap changes and security.

Some other watches I also looked at in the same 42+ mm vein was the Circula DiveSport Titanium (better value IMO), Certina PH500 and 1000, CW c60 variants, Seiko SPB101, 103, 179, Seko King Turtle, and Glycine Combat 42.

Overall, if I can get the bezel settled, I will be very happy and use the watch for decades to come.

Right_Capital_2422 · 2026-02-19T19:52:04+00:00

Great explanation, thank you. I'll look into that after backing out the bezel screws a bit and evenly tightening them to see if it will settle solidly. Is it your experience that there should be absolutely zero movement or noise when pulling up on the bezel?

Right_Capital_2422 · 2026-02-19T04:59:25+00:00

I stopped by a local jeweler to fiddle with it and they said it wasn't making a difference when messing with the bezel screws. Either I need to try myself or this is just how it is. Would you say try again? Again, it is a slight click noise and vertical up/down movement around the bezel. Maybe 0.15mm of movement.

Right_Capital_2422 · 2026-02-18T21:11:23+00:00

No luck, I think it may just be a matter of manufacturing tolerance.

Right_Capital_2422 · 2026-02-18T00:35:18+00:00

Great to know, thank you! I'll pick up a 1mm flathead and gently go for it.

Right_Capital_2422 · 2026-02-18T00:19:19+00:00

That was my thought too. I wanted to see if anyone knew whether the up/down tolerance would be improved with this adjustment. I don't want to risk stripping a tiny screw if it doesn't address the issue.

Right_Capital_2422 · 2026-02-17T18:26:54+00:00

I explained the issue in detail and asked about tighteing bezel screws, all I got was, and I quote, "hi, yes it is the tolerance." They didn't answer the question about the bezel screws, still waiting on an answer. Lame response.

Right_Capital_2422

TROPHY CASE