Prof. Rolex
07.11.2007, 09:23
Dear Rolex-Fans,
from the patent of the bezel for the GMT-Master II 11671x please find following some scans, which (hopefully) show the function of the bezel. At first you will find an explosion drawing of the bezel:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/bezelexplosion.jpg
1=turning bezel with guidance (1a) and spring operated pins (14)
2=lower part with sinusoidal running path and 24 lock-in positions (2a) in which the pins (14) snap in
13=spring ring with 3 pins (14), equi-circumferential positioned every 120°
Following you will find a top view:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/bezelbidirectional.jpg
By turning the bezel the pins (14) operated by the spring ring (13) are lifted in their guidance (1a) through the sinusoidal running path and are then guided smoothly to the next lock-in position (2a) with a position shifted by 15°. The sinusoidal running path and the three equi-circumferential positioned pins ensure a smooth and bidirectional turning of the bezel. The design allows despite the smooth running of the bezel defined snap-ins of the bezel every 15°.
And now please have a look to another, very interesting picture from the patent:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/bezelunidirectional.jpg
This view has nothing to do with the GMT-Master, as the lower part (32) does NOT have a sinusoidal running path and 24 snap-ins, but a saw-toothed running path with much more snap-ins (33a). It can also be seen, that the turning bezel himself and the spring ring with 3 pins are unchanged. The bezel therefore can only be turned in one direction and is positionable in much more smaller steps. Here we have the preview of the bezel for the Submariner coming in the near future!
Best Regards
Matthias
from the patent of the bezel for the GMT-Master II 11671x please find following some scans, which (hopefully) show the function of the bezel. At first you will find an explosion drawing of the bezel:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/bezelexplosion.jpg
1=turning bezel with guidance (1a) and spring operated pins (14)
2=lower part with sinusoidal running path and 24 lock-in positions (2a) in which the pins (14) snap in
13=spring ring with 3 pins (14), equi-circumferential positioned every 120°
Following you will find a top view:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/bezelbidirectional.jpg
By turning the bezel the pins (14) operated by the spring ring (13) are lifted in their guidance (1a) through the sinusoidal running path and are then guided smoothly to the next lock-in position (2a) with a position shifted by 15°. The sinusoidal running path and the three equi-circumferential positioned pins ensure a smooth and bidirectional turning of the bezel. The design allows despite the smooth running of the bezel defined snap-ins of the bezel every 15°.
And now please have a look to another, very interesting picture from the patent:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/bezelunidirectional.jpg
This view has nothing to do with the GMT-Master, as the lower part (32) does NOT have a sinusoidal running path and 24 snap-ins, but a saw-toothed running path with much more snap-ins (33a). It can also be seen, that the turning bezel himself and the spring ring with 3 pins are unchanged. The bezel therefore can only be turned in one direction and is positionable in much more smaller steps. Here we have the preview of the bezel for the Submariner coming in the near future!
Best Regards
Matthias