BIC ball point pen

[tanwill]

Just bought a pack of these BIC ball point pen.
For the usual bezel click ball alternative.

[Selym]

It might be safer to use 1 mm diameter stainless steel balls meant for ball bearings. I think it was Noah Riley who mentioned that the balls from ballpoint pens might be made from a material that's harder than stainless steel (a Google search turns up tungsten carbide). I'd hate to see you wear a track in the underside of your rotating ring.

Best wishes,
Myles

[rileynp]

It might be safer to use 1 mm diameter stainless steel balls meant for ball bearings. I think it was Noah Riley who mentioned that the balls from ballpoint pens might be made from a material that's harder than stainless steel (a Google search turns up tungsten carbide). I'd hate to see you wear a track in the underside of your rotating ring.

Best wishes,
Myles

While I agree that a stainless steel alloy of the appropriate characteristics is the best choice, I can't take credit for the BIC research.  Credit goes to Dave (7s26b):
http://www.thewatchsite.com/index.php/topic,28368.msg172090.html#msg172090

[thieuster]

if it's real bearings you're after, contact a member over on WUS: he goes by the name of 'justsellbrgs'. He's a watch nut AND runs a company that sells (ball)bearings. Perhaps he has the definite answer.

Menno

[unclepenn1]

Any reason these wouldn't work?

[tanwill]

Everyday i learn something !
Thanks guys !

[TheFastest]

Two things: 1) given the incredibly poor quality of BIC pens, I'd consider any part of them suspect--for any purpose.  I've never had any other brand leak or puke ink so badly, 2) some such balls used to be intentionally made porous to enhance skip resistance and ink flow.  If your watch is something special to you, take the time and trouble to get a real bearing. 

Just my nickel's worth.