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Bezel Instinct 2 Solar is not fitting perfectly to the screen? There's a gap in between

Rockel83
over 2 years ago

I've a new Instinct 2 Solar Tac. since this week now. And I'm really happy with this watch!

But I noticed that the bezel is not fitting/touching the screen, and there's a gap between screen and bezel.

The Instinct 2 Solar Tac. has a slightly curved screen and so I guess all solar editions have.

It's prety hard to see though, but I think think gap is just the curvation difference of the screen from middle to side.

I suppose or I can imagine that this is probably because the non solar versions have a flat screen, where the bezel would fit then, just like all the Instinct (1) with flat screen. And it could be possible that there's only one type of bezel for the instinct 2, so they could use one and the same bezel production for the solar (with curved screen) and non-solar (with flat screen) version.

But I was actually wondering if other Instinct 2 Solar owners see the same on their watch.

Because I think it's a bit strange for a "rugged outdoor watch" from this price point. This gap could collect a lot of debris, dust, sand, mud etc. now, without having the possibility to rinse it out or clean it. Especially with outdoor activities.

They could not have changed bezels from other types of watches, since the Instinct 2 Solar Tac. is their only watch in the "coyote color".

So maybe I will have a production error? Or maybe all the solar edition have this because of the curved screen and a possible universal bezel?

If it's the last thing, then I don't understand why they did not have used a small thin rubber or plastic compensation ring or seal. To compensate the curved screen distance to the bezel.

It's a bit hard to get it clearly on picture, but the gap is this big that I could easily put a piece of paper under it, maybe even 2 on top of each other.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Rockel83

    Yes, it is normal at all Instinct 2 models, including the non-solar ones. There are couple of threads here on the same topic - look for example the top "Related" thread on the right side of this page.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to trux

    Ah yes, missed that. But now I see.

    Thanks! Thumbsup

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    My Instinct 2 (standard edition) has this gap too. Also, the display viewing angle issue with the backlight on is indeed present, although it doesn't bother me much. The watch seems good otherwise for the price I paid ($250 during Thanksgiving) considering its military grade durability and battery life. The gap does collect dirt and water. I'm thinking of using an ethanol spray to clean it periodically to prevent any fungal (e.g. mold) or bacterial growth in there over time. Any thoughts? Also, have you guys noticed any growth inside the gap after months of use?

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to 5724515

    Oh? It's even with the standard (non solar) version? I thought this would have had a flat screen. And I think the bezel should just fit straight with a lat screen.

    "to prevent any fungal (e.g. mold) or bacterial growth in there over time. Any thoughts? Also, have you guys noticed any growth inside the gap after months of use?"

    This was also part of my concerns, and I think only because of this it would have been a great adition for a watch this pricepoint to had it properly finished with just something simple as a cheap plastic or silicon compensation ring. The watch should be waterproof allready, so just fill up this gap for preventing debris. It would have been just something simple and cheap like €0,05. Guess that would not had been a great issue on a normall €300+ watch.

    But besides this it's actually a great watch, surely agree on that.

    The gap is actually a bit annoying though. It's just too wide to prevent debris getting in between, and too small to clean it. I sometimes use a small soft brush to wipe it through.

    But a putting a a tightfitting (of the same diameter) screenprotector on it can be helpfull too. It protects your screen a bit and it minimizes the gap between glass and bezel when using a protector from the exact same diameter. Hope this is helpfull for you Slight smile

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Rockel83

    Thanks! A screen protector will be difficult to remove once put because of the tall bezel. Also, it might still leave a thin opening through which moisture might enter the gap and lead to mold growth, while making the gap impossible to clean. Also, one of the main reasons to buy this watch is the lack of the need to put a screen protector due to the protection provided by the raised bezel. I feel cleaning the gap periodically will help. Thoughts?

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to 5724515

    Well I guess all efforts to fill the gap will lead into the same results. It will never be completely watertight. Unless you should remove the bezel and place a perfectly fitting rubber or silicon seal to fit the glass and the bezel (I still think this should have been part of the construction). But guess you don't want to do that, me neither btw haha

    I guess it's only minimized to 2 options so far. Or trying to fill up the gap a bit. I choose to put a screenprotector on it, also to protect te screen. Guess I will still be able to get it of with a good small suction nap (and I still have 1 mm of space to get my nail in between on 1 side to lift it up). But it makes it harder for sand etc, to enter. Which is the most important thing for me now. I'm actually not that afraid of water or mold, siince it will never be watertight (as long the watch itself is, it will be fine though).

    Other option is to leave it as it is, and try to flush it o now and then. When you afraid of mold, you could also choose to lay it a bowl of medium warm water with a verry mild solution of vinegar or something like that. It'll kill a lot of mold and bacteries etc I guess. But you need to choose something verry mild for that. Something that will not interact with the plastics or rubber seals.