What is a bezel on a watch?
A bezel on a watch is a ring of material, usually metal or ceramic, that encircles the crystal glass to secure it in place. It is a part of the watch case and can be fixed or rotating, with rotating bezels serving various functions such as countdown timers, GMT indicators, compasses, and more. The purpose of a watch bezel depends on the type of watch, with utility-based bezels featuring specific markings relevant to their function. For example, the bezel of a divers watch is used to warn divers when their oxygen is running low, and it is split into 60 sections, with each section representing one minute. Additionally, bezels can be used to calculate speeds, show cardinal points, mark diving times, navigate aircraft, and stop or count down the time. The bezel of a pilots watch is bidirectional, allowing it to be rotated in both directions, and it is used by pilots who fly visual flight.
In summary, a watch bezel is a functional and decorative component of a watch that serves various purposes depending on the type of watch, such as diving, pilot, or military watches.
