Search the Community

Hello guys, I have a nice Rolex GMT 1675 but am not very satisfied with the insert. Do you know where I could find high quality inserts with either VERY or MEGA fat fonts ? Either in faded state or still glossy. Many thanks in advance for the leads !!

Hi guys, Really need your input! Got this one some time ago, but have no idea if it's Gen, it's should be.. at least it looks nice. Thanks in advance!

Hi guys, Really need your input! Got this one some time ago, but have no idea if it's Gen, it's should be.. at least it looks nice. Thanks in advance!

For all of the experts out there, can anyone confirm that this insert looks like a GEN service insert? I would rather not overspend for something from Cartel or other sources. I still am trying to figure out how all you figure out the small nuances between the different type of inserts. I believe the seller when he says that it is a GEN service insert, but given my level of skill in identifying differences, I would feel a lot better with some other confirmation. The seller just overlayed the bezel on his sub to show the look and it does not have a pearl for those wondering. Finally any ideas on what the going rate is for a GEN service insert? Thanks!

Hi, Do you guys know where I can buy a decent 1665 rolex insert? I saw that pmwf inserts were no more available. I saw the yuki one http://www.yukiwatch.com/catalog/item/9020785/10270361.htm and the Phong http://www.jewelryandwatch.com/contents/en-us/d242_Insert_Bezel.html what do you think of these ones and do you know better 1665 insert on the market?(except gen ones of course) thank you for your help.

Lost the bezel of my 1665 MBW, does anyone knows where can I find one or a replacement that will fir the MBW case Thanks Cyb

Hello all, I have been doing some research (killing time) while waiting for my 5513 case to be engraved, polished up and to then sit down with my watchmaker and complete my 5513 build. In that time I've been wondering about how to get the gen bezel insert a bit more "unique." In that, I've been looking up how to get a tropical insert, as I think I sort of prefer it to the faded out "ghost" look, although some of the ghost inserts are *gorgeous* and those of you that have them, you know who you are and I'm jealous. That said, I think I'm going the tropical route, I've always like the sort of black/brown colorways and I think it'll be eye-catching. Here's some links on what I've found on "baking" insert's to achieve a tropical effect. I will let you all know how it comes out on mine. Warmest Regards http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=msg&goto=5111077&rid=84922#msg_5111077 http://forum.atgvintagewatches.com/showthread.php?4872-Tropical-Rolex-a-worrying-discovery! http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=188300 I'm sure there are a few other good resources out there... I'm keen to try this! Baking my dial worked well.

I recently replaced the bezel insert on my BP Omega PO Cr Ti 45mm and thought I would show you guys what it looks like inside and share some advice. Differences in the bezel I bought my Titanium PO in October 2013 and BP updated it with a new batch in November, so I was a little unlucky! Andrew @ Trusty has confirmed that these were updated and said that BP claimed everything was new. I’m not sure I believe the case has been changed, but the bezel insert clearly has been and perhaps the dial too. The pearl is now centred and much improved, but the most important part is that the bezel insert is now made from CERAMIC! For me, the insert was the only thing that didn’t quite sit right with this rep. It wasn’t really the right colour – too dark and had a greenish blue colour – and lacked the Liquidmetal shine as per the gen. I was still pleased with it but having fitted the new insert, it has made a HUGE difference to the overall appearance. The bezel now shines like it’s made from glass, has that greyish hue to it in low light and the brighter paler blue colour in bright light. The numbers/markings are also slightly finer. It has really improved the watch to no end and it feels far more gen-like to me. To anyone who bought their BP PO Cr Ti before November 2013, I seriously recommend doing this. Anyone can do it. Andrew sold me the bezel insert for a reduced price since the original I bought from him was so bad, but I think it normally costs $30-40. The only negative is that the grey markings are still only painted on and are liable to be scratched off through bumps and general wear/tear, as dredd0606 (on RWI) has found out. No clear coat on top. If you want any more convincing on whether to change your bezel, have a look at the other thread I have posted with pics and a video in the Omega section. How to remove the old insert I tried to take the bezel insert out by warming it up with a hair dryer (to soften the glue) and levering out the insert with a razor blade, following advice from forum members (thank you Sputim!). I attempted to lever out the insert with a knife but couldn’t get the damn thing out. Worried I was going to slip and scrape the watch, I ended up drilling into the pearl using a gimlet tool and pulling it out. This worked extremely well, once the gimlet’s threaded part had a grip it came out easily. Warming up the glue no doubt made this much easier. How to attach the new insert I used Unibond Extreme Power Glue and spread this using a wooden cocktail stick. Using glue was a BAD IDEA! This was because: a.) it left a residue in the gap around the insert (looks like dust in the pictures), although most of this dropped off over time and it now looks fine b.) it’s too permanent, if anything isn’t right when you’re done, you can’t change it without damaging the bezel c.) it doesn’t lift up the insert to make it properly meet the crystal/bezel. If you look in my photos, you can see the bezel now sticks out slightly over the insert, particularly near the pearl. It’s more obvious in these photos than it is in real life and I’ve learnt to live with it, but it’s not perfect. Sputim mentioned in another thread that he changed his bezel insert and used double sided tape. This is what I would recommend. The factory appeared to use a circular adhesive insert rather than wet glue (the type that has a glue on both sides) and this evenly lifts the insert by about 0.5mm, thereby eliminating problem ©. This is also helpful as this new updated insert seems slightly thinner than the old one, so it needs the extra lift. Double sided tape would also allow you to change it if anything isn’t perfect, thereby eliminating problem (b.). Of course no problem (a) either. You just need to make sure you use a very strong tape to avoid the insert falling out and clean out all the old glue to get the height of the insert right. Right, I hope that helps anyone who wants to attempt this. Here are the photos of the process. Be sure to check out the photos and video I have posted in my separate review thread to see how it looks in various levels of light. Full res photos available on Flickr here: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjSUkgZt (full screen the photo then right click) You can see the adhesive ring/glue they have used here. Part of it has come off with the old insert, which is why the new bezel now doesn’t sit correctly, as shown in photos below Comparison of bezels Bit of glue residue on the crystal that wiped off - another reason for not using wet glue! The unevenness of the insert is most clear in this photo, with the rim of the bezel sticking out over the insert. It’s not anywhere near this obvious in real life but still something that could be easily avoided/corrected by using tape or less permanent adhesive. All that glue residue that looks like dust in the gap around the insert has now fallen out. The finished job:

Attention all vintage 1680 gurus! Do you believe that this insert is gen? Also, do you believe the crystal is gen? The mag is certainly right. Thanks! P. S. I know the CGs need some work. This is a project.

Hey fellas found this very helpful link! http://www.vikbobil.se/bezel.html

Hi mates! Was offered this through a friend: Wondering if it really is gen.... Thanks for your help!!! E

Hi, as usual I need your advice.... I´m looking to build a sterile sub with a personalized dial to give as a gift to the winner of a golf tournamente y play once a month during the whole year. 1 - Where can I source a sub case to hold an eta 2824-2? This case needs to be waterproof, at least for recreational swiming. 2- I want a green bezel and as I mentioned before, sterile back and crown. 3 - Wich will be the best sterile rivetted bracelet I can get? I´ve already found someone who can build the dial for me and I will also buy mercedes hands at the bay. I am missing something else? thanks Marcos

Hi guys, I just recieved my new superlummed sea dweller and already had a gen insert to go with it, so i removed the pearl with an exacto knife to remove the rep insert wich was glued on to the bezel. When i compared them they seem identical in size, but when i tried to put it on... SURPRISE... the gen insert did not fit so i had to put back the rep insert wich did not needed to be glued again, it snapped right in perfectly. Any ideas on what mods to do so i can get it to fit? Thanks in advice

Dear fellow Rolex lovers, Just bought a Sub 16610 LN and am ready to make my move for a gen insert and dial. I have recieved an offer at 850$ for both the insert and dial. What do you think ? Good deal ? Fair ? Too expensive ? I already have gen tube, gen crown, clark cyclop. Anything else I should buy before to send everything to Domi? Hands ? DW ? Thanks for your reply. Fran Fran.

Hey all, Looking for a blue insert for this guy: http://www.perfectxclones.com/p6676/Rolex-RLSV10024-Vintage-50s-James-Bond-Sub-6205-SS/Nato-Blk-A-2836/product_info.html (Yes, this is not the real perfectclones website. Just using it for reference) Any help would be awesome, thanks!

In regards to replacing the bezel on a Rolex 16710 from a Coke insert to a Pepsi insert, what are the risks or differences for replacing the insert as compared to a gen? I understand with the GEN Subs and GMT-Masters it is a matter of prying off the bottle cap bezel and it simply pops off, I understand there is little quality control with rep timepieces so, has anyone ran into any differences with replacing their bezel inserts compared to a gen, or is the process pretty much standard to the design? Thanks.

I'm looking for a good bezel insert w/pearl for my 1665, and I'm wondering what's the best non-gen one I can get. Thanks!