rolexmaniac88

Does anyone know where to source a gen insert and/or bezel apart from VRF and TZ. A lot are talking about ebay but i just can't figure out the proper way to find them. I know you have to search by serial numbers and not "insert submariner 16610". Any help would be much appreciated !

In general, how do you source gen parts?

NB: go on VRF on the sales section, a guy went nuts and is currently selling is entire collection of rolex only ! Some beasts among them ! The price are somewhat interesting for some of them, if anyone wants to pull the trigger, i would suggest going and take a look at this!

$150 is ridiculous but thats what the market demands, so it IS on par. you can get older ones with the square 4 for $80, newer ones will def' run you $120 and up, negotiate for $120 but chances are good the damand will make it so you'll end up paying $150. you sure SteveM is dry? he always boasts about his hordes of parts and ability to get any part, ive seen the pics, stacks of inserts. Maybe he thinks you hang out on rep forums trying to buy gen parts to put in your rep

a gen insert definitely looks better than any aftermarket i've ever seen, but $150 can buy a lot more of anything else. your sellers insert looks good.

as for my wm9 watch all I added was a better (clarks)crystal, and a gen insert ONLY because I had one from a previous project, if I didnt already have it i'd just use a WM one. what else does it really need?

What he offered me was just older inserts with tritium pearls for $100, no luminova. He did offered me something so i hope he is not thinking that. I don't know what i could have said for him to think that way.

The price is fine. A click spring and the flat washer and you'd have the whole bezel assembly. I agree w/ watcher, the tension ring and bezel look gen.

Where can i get those? Would the one from the WM9 fit?

One question: the whole bezel assembly will fit on the WM9 right?

Well, i already contacted the seller but he speaks german and i don't know if he speaks any english. I'll see if i get an answer.

I fear Gorilladame is right for the clasp of the milgauss. It shouldn't look like that but rather like the pic Gorilladame submitted. Which is not good for the authenticity of the insert and bezel...

This might help:

What is the piece 316? Do i have it on the lot i wish to buy? It also seems from the pictures i don't have the click spring (317)?

Thanks for your input. This picture is just the best way to see how a gen is constructed!

Tricky to tell from the pics but the insert is genuine and the bezel and retainer do look right in the pics. I think it would be a safe punt if it were me. Cannot tell on the crystal though.

Great, i'm not after the crystal. And it seems the price is rather fair right ?

The insert and the pearl look OK to me. But it's always tough when you're looking at a pic. Did you ask the guy if the parts are gen?

I know it is tough. That's why i have asked for help. I didn't ask but it's on a gen forum.

Dear fellow members,

I just received my WM9 V3 from BK. So far so good. In order to make it close to perfect, i wanted to buy a gen insert. I had a friend who could hook me up with an AD. Unfortunately, the deal fell through. Since then, i've been browsing forums and the bay to find one, but no go! Steve Mulholland doesn't have any at the moment and $150 is a bit too much for my taste.

I found these from a seller and would like to get your opinion: is he legit? I added pictures from a milgauss he is currently selling, thinking that if he sells a gen watch, he shouldn't be selling aftermarket parts.

Will welcome any tips on the pictures or on where to get a gen insert at a reasonable price. Also, tell me if $150 is just the price out there, and i won't be able to find a decent one under this price range.

Why i'm suspicious ? The set for the bezel assembly, the retainer and the insert is for sale at €200 or $270. The gen crystal is at €50.

Also, if anyone could post what did you add to your WM9 (gen crown, tube) and the reference number on how to seek. I'm sure it won't just help me but all the people currently browsing these pages and just not finding the gems some members in here seems to find so easily!!!!!

Thanks in advance

Here are the pictures:

The set i'm after:

The Milgauss

Plus you are now mastering the pictures taking ! The last one is of course an "ubi-style" one! So great all the way!

I may take a similar project in the near future, if i don't choose to get gen with this one, the snowflake is growing on me!

I WANT IT !!!!!

What a beautiful beast! You gotta love the snowflakes

Great job al12.

Wished i had the skills and patience to do the same.

Maybe one day ???

Carpe Diem

Cats

+1

one question: i have an AD that might be able to sell me some parts. I am about to ask for a 16610 insert which i know i will agree upon. But what kind of lie should i say if i wanted to buy him, say a bezel assembly or a crown + tube ?????

I am only concerned on what they base their judgement when they don't actually see the watch. The AD is a friend of a friend and i'll show up with a gen rolex (not submariner) on the wrist.

Any tips would be much appreciated!

What an incredible collection! I want them all! Until then, wear them with pride my friend!

What a great watch ! I want the same !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What about the crown position ? It seems okay. What a great project ! Congratulations. Wear it well

at the beginning, i think "rail dial" was meant to the first dials you can see on the first submariners, 1675, etc, where the minutes index are all lined up in a line circling the dial which looks like a "rail".

Correct me if i'm wrong but i always get it that way

well you got the best possible enhanced WM9/BK 16610 franken ever ! Congratulations

How much ? Give us some details !

Good for you my man. I do have one question if you would be so kind. Do you like Rolex watches? Mike

I love 'em!

the only parts I added to my WM9 from BK is a gen insert and a gen oyster bracelet.. I like the feel of the gen oyster.. since the WM9 is worth the addition of a gen bracelet..

AC/Lani

How much would a gen bracelet cost? Also, do you have any idea about what a bezel assembly would cost? Thanks in advance Lani.

Anyway, great review (can't wait to get mine), in my opinion, it is a hell of a watch and your review was very informative towards its ups and downs. Thanks for that

Well, first, thank you all for your kind comments. I really appreciate it. We all share the same passion and everyone is always trying to do their best to inform or help others. That is the great thing about this place.

@jmarin.72: thank you very much. It will be much appreciated since, even though i am on the forum everyday, i still don't know everything there is to know on how to source reliable parts from reliable sellers

@Lani: next stop: PLATINUM! (well not for now but soon, i promise )

Well, i crossed a brigde yesterday and donated to RWG as to become a VIP member. All i can say is, i should have done this ages ago! It is not really what the VIP member status gives you really (now is it) but it is what you feel!

In my opinion, donating to this forum is acknowledging all that the members have given you (advice, pictures, ideas for future projects, joy!) and contributing so that it keeps going on! It is also about entering the family, being part of a community.

I just wanted to encourage all the members that are reading this (particularly the ones interesting in Rolex as i am), that this forum gives you so much information about rolex watches, gen or rep, that you couldn't have found otherwise. Giving $15 for 6 months is not much now is it, especially when you are willing to spend something like $200 on a rep.

I purchased my first rep a month ago (WM9 BK V3 sub) and i think it also explains why i chose to donate. Even though i have been in and out of the world of rep for years now, i couldn't decide myself on buying one. I wanted something really close to perfect. With BK, i found it.

There is also something i understood just recently, the real joy about rep is if you're looking for the beauty of the watch that you may not afford its gen counterpart. It shouldn't be about trying to convince people around you that you own a rolex. That is also why, after i receive my V3, i am going to decide on a project and collect all the parts necessary to my dream vintage rolex watch. I don't know about you but for me the most important thing is how the dial looks (a brownship or very light patina depending on the watch).

Also, an added feature to the world of rep is that, especially for the vintage ones, the great thing is that you can really choose to make it like you want it to be. Its look, aged insert or not, the color of the indices on the dial, everyting. Whereas, if you are looking for a gen, it is always tough to find the exact one you'd like to possess!

Anyway, it was just a small contribution to convince the members to support this community. After all, if you are reading this, it must already have given you so much!

Thank you for reading.

always been a huge fan of the GW Sea-Dweller ! A splendid work for sure !

On mine V3 the Gen Insert is loose

On my V2 Case the shaved gen Insert snaps in.

I also installed a gen Crystal and gen Tube and Crown on it.

For this small difference in Crown height it's not worth to Mod the

V3. As i told before I installed the 2824 in my V2 with no problem.

Will Post some Pics of this one the days.

So if i hear you correctly, the V3 would need a gen insert and gen bezel assembly to be good (except for the problem with the recess between the crown guards)

Does anyone have a clue about what is the price of a gen bezel and where to get one? Plus, what do we need exactly in order to put the bezel? Do we need the whole bezel assembly. Can someone please explain? I would really appreciate it (got a V3 on the way).

BTW, how come the crown guards seems much shorter on the V2 than on the V3? Which is correct ? I am referring to the lenght of the crown guards.

Thanks

I love mine V3

The only thing that must be done is to sand down the sharp edges of the bracelet, BK has a thread about how to do it using 600 emerald paper and a toothpick.

It really makes the bracelet feel MUCH better.

Be careful to sand the edges at about 45 degrees ALL the time so You do not have to sand the side-edges also!

Good luck with Your V3 and wear it well

do you have the link on this thread?

Great job! Age that insert nicely and you'll have a great budget watch! The CG's might need a go at it but otherwise, congratulations!

BTW, who is that unapproved dealer of yours, since it kinda looks great! You haven't touch the dial?