Five watches in Fratello’s November 2022 roundup show how a metal bezel can shape a sports watch’s look and function: the Omega Speedmaster ’57, Grand Seiko SBGE285 “Mist Flake,” Tudor Black Bay Pro, Breitling AVI Ref. 765 1953 Re-Edition and Rolex Explorer II ref. 226570. It is an editor’s selection, not a ranking or a measured report of a broader return to steel bezels—and the Grand Seiko is titanium, not steel.
What “steel bezels are back” means here
Thor Svaboe’s November 9, 2022 Fratello article presents five personal picks and describes steel bezels as a returning sports-watch look. It provides no market-wide sales, release-count or popularity data to establish a measured comeback. The phrase is best read as the article’s editorial premise, not a trend statistic. Read the original Fratello roundup.
Nor is this a standardized comparison or a claim that one watch is objectively best. The five picks span chronographs and GMTs, brushed and polished bezel treatments, and case diameters from 40 to 42 mm. The Speedmaster is 40.5 mm.
Five watches at a glance
| Watch | Case material and diameter | Bezel and function | Other details reported by Fratello | Price in the 2022 article |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omega Speedmaster ’57 | Material not stated; 40.5 mm | Bezel material and function not stated | Hand-wound chronograph; two-register layout; blue sunray dial; leather or steel-bracelet configuration | €9,300 on leather or €9,700 on steel bracelet, as reported by Fratello in 2022 |
| Grand Seiko SBGE285 “Mist Flake” | Titanium; 41 mm | Brushed 24-hour bezel; GMT | Spring Drive movement; frosty dial | €8,500, as reported by Fratello in 2022 |
| Tudor Black Bay Pro | Material not stated; 40 mm | Fixed steel 24-hour bezel; GMT | Prominent orange GMT hand | €3,770, as reported by Fratello in 2022 |
| Breitling AVI Ref. 765 1953 Re-Edition | Material and diameter not stated | Polished 12-hour bezel | Vintage-influenced aviation chronograph | €8,050, as reported by Fratello in 2022 |
| Rolex Explorer II ref. 226570 | Material not stated; 42 mm | Bezel material and function not stated | Caliber 3285; 70-hour power reserve; slimmer lugs and updated bracelet and clasp, as described in the article | €9,450, as reported by Fratello in 2022 |
These are details and prices reported in the November 2022 article, not independently verified current specifications or prices. The figures should not be used as present-day price or availability guidance.
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- Stainless Steel case with Black Resin Band
- Black Dial with date window at 3 O'clock
- Luminous markers and hour hands; sweep second hand
- Anti-reverse bezel
- Water-resistant to 200 M (660 feet)
How the five picks differ
Omega Speedmaster ’57: a hand-wound chronograph
Fratello highlights the ’57’s two-register display and blue sunray dial, along with a 40.5 mm case and hand-wound chronograph movement. The article says it was offered on leather or a steel bracelet. Its listed prices were €9,300 on leather and €9,700 on the bracelet in 2022; those are historical figures, not a current quote.
Grand Seiko SBGE285 “Mist Flake”: a titanium GMT
The SBGE285 is the material exception in a steel-bezel roundup: Fratello identifies its case as titanium, not steel. The article describes a 41 mm Spring Drive GMT, a brushed 24-hour bezel and a frosty dial. Its reported 2022 price was €8,500.
Rank #2
- Waterproof: Water resistant up to 20 ATM / 200 meters / 655 feetWaterproof: Water resistant up to 20 ATM / 200 meters / 655 feet
- Luminous: Luminescent hands and hour markers, excellent night brightness
- Features: Japanese quartz movement, no need hand winding, unidirectional rotating bezel, premium 316L stainless steel, mineral crystal glass with protruding magnifying glass, screw-in crown, double safety buckle
- Size: 41 mm case diameter, 48 mm lugs to lugs length, 13 mm thickness, 20 mm lug width, 163g weight. Fits wrists up to 8.5 inches, great fit for a variety of wearing needs
- Usage Care: Keep 3+ inches from phones, speakers, microwaves – strong magnetic fields disrupt movement. Avoid prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures. Prevent hard impacts/vibrations
Tudor Black Bay Pro: a fixed 24-hour bezel
Fratello describes a 40 mm Black Bay Pro with a fixed steel 24-hour bezel and a prominent orange GMT hand. Its reported price in the 2022 article was €3,770.
Breitling AVI Ref. 765 1953 Re-Edition: a polished aviation chronograph
This pick stands apart with a polished 12-hour bezel and a vintage-influenced aviation chronograph design. Fratello listed it at €8,050 in 2022; the article does not state its case diameter or case material.
Rank #3
- BOLD BLUE SUNBURST DIAL WITH DIVER-INSPIRED AESTHETICS — The MTP-VD01D-2BV features a sporty design with a robust silver-tone case and a captivating blue dial — the sunburst finish catches light dynamically throughout the day, shifting from deep navy to vibrant blue depending on the angle. Large luminous Arabic numerals and bold hour markers deliver instant legibility whether indoors or out.
- FULL STAINLESS STEEL — CASE & BRACELET — The silver-tone stainless steel case and matching stainless steel band with fold-over clasp give the MTP-VD01D-2BV a solid, premium-feeling build that sits well above its price point on the wrist. Case dimensions are 48 × 42 × 10.7mm — a mid-to-large footprint with a slim profile that transitions from casual to smart-casual wear with ease.
- DATE DISPLAY | 3-HAND ANALOG | ±20 SEC ACCURACY — Features a date display and stainless steel band. Three hands — hour, minute, and second — with accuracy of ±20 seconds per month, tighter than the ±30 seconds typical of most entry-level analog watches. The clean dial layout keeps time reading simple and immediate at a glance.
- 50M WATER RESISTANT — BUILT FOR DAILY WEAR — Water resistant to 50 meters — suitable for everyday water exposure, hand washing, splashing, and swimming in shallow water. A practical, real-world level of protection for an everyday dress-sport watch at an accessible price point.
- SR626SW 3-YEAR BATTERY | MINERAL GLASS | FOLD-OVER CLASP — Powered by an SR626SW battery with an approximate 3-year life, the MTP-VD01D-2BV requires minimal maintenance for years of reliable daily use. Mineral glass protects the blue dial from everyday scratches. Available in Blue (MTP-VD01D-2BV), Black (MTP-VD01D-1BV), White (MTP-VD01D-7EV), and Gold-tone (MTP-VD01G-1BV) variants.
Rolex Explorer II ref. 226570: a 42 mm sports watch
The article identifies a 42 mm case, slimmer lugs, caliber 3285, a 70-hour power reserve, and a tweaked bracelet and clasp. It reported a retail price of €9,450 in 2022. Those details describe the source’s coverage at publication; they do not establish present-day price or availability.
Why choose a steel bezel?
A metal bezel can give a sports watch a more unified, tool-like appearance, especially when it is brushed or polished to contrast with the dial and case. Svaboe summarizes the visual appeal this way: “Steel bezels can toughen any sports watch up a notch, making for monochrome cool.” That is a design opinion, not a result from comparative testing.
Rank #4
- DIVER-INSPIRED DESIGN — Inspired by the sea, the MDV-106G is styled after classic dive watches and delivers 200-meter water resistance at an unbeatable price point. The black resin band and stainless steel case give it a classic look, while the anti-reverse rotary bezel adds authentic dive-watch character.
- STAINLESS STEEL CASE WITH SCREW-LOCK CROWN & CASEBACK — The MDV-106G features a stainless steel case and a reliable screw-lock crown for enhanced water resistance protection. Screw-down crown and screw-lock caseback work together to keep the movement sealed and secure during water activities — a construction standard found on dive watches far above this price range.
- LARGE FLUORESCENT HANDS & INDICES FOR INSTANT READABILITY — The dial features hands and hour indices with large fluorescent areas for easy reading in low-light and underwater conditions. The clean 3-hand analog layout with date display at 3 o'clock keeps the dial uncluttered and immediately legible at a glance.
- 44MM STAINLESS STEEL CASE | 22MM LUG WIDTH | MINERAL GLASS — The case measures 44mm in diameter, 12mm in height, with a 49mm lug-to-lug length and a standard 22mm lug width — making strap upgrades effortless with a vast range of aftermarket options. Mineral glass protects the dial from everyday scratches and impacts.
- 3-YEAR BATTERY & 200M WATER RESISTANCE — Powered by an SR626SW battery with an approximate 3-year life, the case measures 49.5 × 46.3 × 12.1mm and weighs 92 grams. At 200 meters of water resistance, the Duro is versatile and suitable for all situations — whether in the water, hiking, running, or at the office.
The article also contrasts steel’s visible wear with ceramic: it says ceramic inserts resist scratches but can crack, while wear on steel may contribute to a purposeful, used look. It offers no durability measurements or comparative test, so that observation should be treated as editorial commentary rather than a quantified claim about which material lasts longer.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which one suits your priorities?
- For a hand-wound chronograph: The Speedmaster ’57 is the roundup’s explicit choice, with a two-register display and leather or steel-bracelet configurations.
- For a GMT with a brushed 24-hour bezel: The titanium Grand Seiko SBGE285 pairs that bezel with Spring Drive and a frosty dial.
- For a fixed steel 24-hour bezel: The Tudor Black Bay Pro is the roundup’s clearly specified option, marked by its orange GMT hand.
- For a polished aviation-chronograph look: The Breitling AVI combines a polished 12-hour bezel with vintage-influenced styling.
- For the largest stated case diameter: The Rolex Explorer II is 42 mm, compared with 40 mm for the Tudor, 40.5 mm for the Omega and 41 mm for the Grand Seiko.
Those distinctions make the selection useful as a set of different design and complication choices, not as a like-for-like contest. Current configurations, prices and availability are not established by the 2022 roundup.
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Best Value
- DIVER-INSPIRED DESIGN — Inspired by the sea, the MDV-106B is styled after classic dive watches and delivers 200-meter water resistance at an unbeatable price point. The black resin band and stainless steel case give it a classic look, while the anti-reverse rotary bezel adds authentic dive-watch character.
- STAINLESS STEEL CASE WITH SCREW-LOCK CROWN & CASEBACK — The MDV-106B features a stainless steel case and a reliable screw-lock crown for enhanced water resistance protection. Screw-down crown and screw-lock caseback work together to keep the movement sealed and secure during water activities — a construction standard found on dive watches far above this price range.
- LARGE FLUORESCENT HANDS & INDICES FOR INSTANT READABILITY — The dial features hands and hour indices with large fluorescent areas for easy reading in low-light and underwater conditions. The clean 3-hand analog layout with date display at 3 o'clock keeps the dial uncluttered and immediately legible at a glance.
- 44MM STAINLESS STEEL CASE | 22MM LUG WIDTH | MINERAL GLASS — The case measures 44mm in diameter, 12mm in height, with a 49mm lug-to-lug length and a standard 22mm lug width — making strap upgrades effortless with a vast range of aftermarket options. Mineral glass protects the dial from everyday scratches and impacts.
- 3-YEAR BATTERY & 200M WATER RESISTANCE — Powered by an SR626SW battery with an approximate 3-year life, the case measures 49.5 × 46.3 × 12.1mm and weighs 92 grams. At 200 meters of water resistance, the Duro is versatile and suitable for all situations — whether in the water, hiking, running, or at the office.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
