The bezel, also known as bezel, welt or limb, is the outer rotary ring around the watch face. In some watches, the bezel is only a decorative element. But the classic function of the bezel is to mark time periods on a scale, similar to a timer. Some people think that the name "bezel" owes its name to the Swiss city of Basel, however, there is no connection between them.
Diver's watch
The development of the watch industry has pushed engineers to take new steps in solving the problems they face. A diver's watch needed a simple and reliable device that could help a diver diving into the sea to determine how much time they had to explore the seabed. Hence, the first purpose of the bezel in a diver's watch is to inform the wearer about the time spent under water.
It works simply: there is a minute mark on the bezel with a zero point in the center. For example, the supply of air in a diver's tank is designed for 25 minutes underwater. Turn the bezel until the zero point coincides with the minute hand, and then, as they say, it's a matter of technology. The minute hand continues to move towards the values marked on the bezel. As soon as it approaches the value "25", it's time to float to the surface.
The bezel of a diver's watch is always unidirectional. After all, its accidental turn can lead to tragic consequences: the dive time will increase, but the oxygen supply will remain the same. Therefore, manufacturers of diving watches make sure that the bezel is securely fixed.
Watch with a second time zone
The watchmakers did not pass by the side of travel lovers, presenting models with a bezel on which the time values are applied. This is typical for watches with the GMT function, that is, a function that shows the time in a different time zone.
On the watch itself, the current home time is set, and to display the second time, the markings on the bezel are used, which are turned to the right or left by a certain number of hours. In this case, as a rule, the names of cities that are in the respective time zones are written on the bezel.
Compass watch
Going on a hike? You can't do without a compass! Well, or without a watch with a bezel on which the cardinal directions are applied.
Extend your hand horizontally with the hour hand pointing towards the sun. Then move the S (south) position so that the angle between the hour hand and 12 o'clock is halved. All ingenious is simple!
Tachymeter clock
For fans of the world of speeds, manufacturers offer bezel-tachymeters. The speed values are applied to such a bezel. The chronograph starts at the starting point of the path and stops at the end.
For example, when you drive past a kilometer post, you start the chronograph. We've reached the next pillar - stop the chronograph. The central chronograph seconds hand will indicate the driver's average speed for that segment. Its arrow will indicate the average speed during the journey.
Pilot's watch
Watches with a bezel were also not spared by those who aspire to the clouds or even higher.
With the help of a rotating bezel, the pilot can calculate time, speed, fuel consumption on such watches. The pilot's watch was also equipped with a special pilot slide rule for performing specific navigational calculations (remaining distance, remaining fuel, etc.)
In the name of beauty
As we said at the very beginning of the article, in some watches the bezel is just a decorative element. For example, in women's models, the bezel is encrusted with precious stones or crystals.
