What Is a Base Metal Bezel?
Last Updated Apr 8, 2020 3:42:18 PM ET

A base metal bezel is the part of a watch made from non-precious metals that holds the protective covering known as the crystal in place. Common base metals include copper, zinc, brass and other relatively inexpensive metals.
A bezel either screws or snaps onto the watch case. Some bezels add aesthetic value to a watch such as diamond set bezels, while other types are more functional in nature. Diving bezels for example allow a diver to track his dive time visually. Since base metals are often prone to corrosion, plating base metal bezels with gold, silver, nickel or another resistant metal is a common practice.
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