A bezel is the metal ring which holds the watch crystal in place. It is typically made from metal such as stainless steel, gold or titanium. It is important for the bezel to be securely fastened to the case in order to provide a waterproof seal and protect the watch from scratches and other damage. The bezel can be decorated with markings, such as hour markers, or can be left plain. Some watches have rotating bezels which can be used to track elapsed time or calculate a second time zone.