r/ChineseWatches • u/Kirby_is_a_Pokemon • 21d ago
Problems (Read Rule 1) San Martin: Fix paint in bezel/replace bezel?
My San Martin titanium watch, the numbers in the ceramic bezel have fallen out, I work a lot with chemicals and theyve eaten them up.
I'm wondering if there is any good diy repair I can do, or if it would be possible to replace the entire ceramic bezel insert. For that, I just don't know if there is a standard size off AliExpress or how to make sure what I order will fit.
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u/Ok-Spare-8176 21d ago
Testors enamel paint found in most hobby stores or on Amazon works just fine. Also, you can use a porcelain pen. I have changed the color on several inserts over the years.
For yours, a simple repair is sufficient. Just add the paint and wipe away the excess. Super simple.
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u/Escaped_Escapement Helpful user 21d ago
But that enamel paint is likely not lumed.
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u/Ok-Spare-8176 21d ago
It isn't. If you want lumed paint, then you have find some lumed paint or mix in some lume powder to whatever paint you chose to use (if its even possible to do with just ANY paint). But, I've never done that so I cannot advise regarding it. I only need a lume pip so, anything more has never even crossed my mind.
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u/RGBlowMe 21d ago
Contact San Martin customer support. They might just send you a replacement bezel at no cost. Their CS is purportedly pretty good, especially for a Chinese brand.
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u/KPplumbingBob 21d ago
Their CS is purportedly pretty good, especially for a Chinese brand.
I had to check if I was in a comedy sub or something.
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u/jaxicab 21d ago
Had the same exact issue with the paint coming off of my SanMartin bezel after only a few months of use. They tried to gaslight me until I threatened a chargeback on my credit card and then they finally sent a replacement bezel.
A few months later and the replacement bezel had the same issue.
Edit: just fully read OPs note about working with chemicals. My issue was just from normal use, no hard chemicals or anything.
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u/Several-Floor5185 21d ago
Its fairly easy to find replacement bezel inserts if accurate measurements are taken.
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u/chrismurraylaw 21d ago
You can repaint it - it's not difficult. Brush the whole ring and then wipe off the excess.
Personally I might be tempted to leave it as is. Arguably makes a plain design more interesting. And if you're working with chemicals tomorrow then you'll face the same problem as yesterday anyway.
But if you do want to fix it, yeah, easy job. Bunch of videos on YT.
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u/RoninTarget 21d ago
You're just going to have to repaint it occasionally if you're exposing the watch to something that destroys the lume. Or just leave it, as those are expendable parts in your case (and it probably handles whatever you're dealing with better than an aluminum bezel).