HauteHippie Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 (edited) A supposed gen 16610 black/silver insert pictured here. The look of the pearl in the picture doesn't do it justice. But still, now that I look at this thing blown up, it screams fake to me. I can't believe the gen underside would look like such a mess. I think this one is going back. Please chime in. Here you go: Edited September 13, 2006 by chieftang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linder Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 This is from the source that quoted $275 for the 16610LV bezel insert so I am keeping my fingers crossed. Those are dang nice pictures, by the way.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 (edited) Those are dang nice pictures, by the way.. Boy I thought the pics turned out crappy. Quick handheld snapshots using available light. BTW this black/silver insert was $75 with a money back guarantee. The price was reasonable, assuming it to be genuine, and the guy was easy to deal with. I even spoke over the phone with him. Apparently he sources these from a guy who he has worked with for 2 years and claims to have never had any counterfeit issues. But I also get the impression that he wouldn't know a fake if it bludgeoned him over the head. Given the guy's candor and willingness to provide me his contact info, I agreed to accept this one sight unseen since he wasn't able to provide a pic in advance. And if all else fails, I have the ole CC chargeback option anyhow. Edited September 13, 2006 by chieftang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slay Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 275$ for an INSERT? OMG lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 (edited) A pearl shot.... Couldn't really get good light. Even, so, it's looking faker and faker now. Hmmm. Experts? Edited September 13, 2006 by chieftang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnkay Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 The pearl looks OK to me (I'm comparing it to a gen at this moment). What doesn't look right is the point of the triangle below the pearl. The gen should have a distinct and well-formed point below the pearl, which looks like a mess in these pictures. I suppose there could be individual variation, but with the QC of Rolex, I doubt it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 The pearl looks OK to me (I'm comparing it to a gen at this moment). What doesn't look right is the point of the triangle below the pearl. The gen should have a distinct and well-formed point below the pearl, which looks like a mess in these pictures. I suppose there could be individual variation, but with the QC of Rolex, I doubt it. Is the underside of your gen like this one? Besides the messy setting for the pearl, this just seems thin given that everyone says to fit it in a rep material from the underside must be removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2005SUBMARINER Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 $75 preety cheap for gen .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Hmmm... I'm not so sure... Pearl looks a bit too white, though it could be the pics. The pearl should have a glossy irridescence to it, and the pearl's setting should be very thin, and low in profile. As for the finish of the insert... Under direct light, it should appear to be very dark, somewhat glossy black, and in certain lighting conditions where the lighting is not as optimal, it should have almost a matte gray appearance. Hard to explain, so maybe this pic might do a better job of providing an example... As for the rest of it... The back looks okay, but I have to ask- Are these inserts sold as new, or used? These are either used pieces, taken off and being resold, or they are factory seconds. If you look at the 7:00 marker... It might just be my eyes playing tricks on me, but that marker appears to be thicker than the others... Any chance that you can get some additional pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 (edited) Hmmm... I'm not so sure... Pearl looks a bit too white, though it could be the pics. The pearl should have a glossy irridescence to it, and the pearl's setting should be very thin, and low in profile. I'm holding it in my hand right now.... Yes, the pearl does have that glossy irridescence to it. The pics are terrible in this regard. And I'd agree that the setting is low in profile and thin. But do you notice what appears to be an indentation in the pearl? This isn't visible to the naked eye, but is noticeable in the top picture. As for the finish of the insert... Under direct light, it should appear to be very dark, somewhat glossy black, and in certain lighting conditions where the lighting is not as optimal, it should have almost a matte gray appearance. Hard to explain, so maybe this pic might do a better job of providing an example... Yes I think I see what you mean. That seems to be what I see too. As for the rest of it... The back looks okay, but I have to ask- Are these inserts sold as new, or used? These are either used pieces, taken off and being resold, or they are factory seconds. If you look at the 7:00 marker... It might just be my eyes playing tricks on me, but that marker appears to be thicker than the others... Any chance that you can get some additional pics? I can take additional pics tonight. So the backside looks right? Interesting and good to know. I have to assume these inserts are NOS judging by the dings on the backside. But I'm staring at the 7:00 marker right now, and it does not appear any different to the naked eye than the others. I think it is out of focus in the picture. I was hand holding with a wide aperture and focusing on the pearl. You'll also notice the 30 and 40 look off as they too are out of focus. I need to get the tripod out so I can decrease the aperture. Edited September 13, 2006 by chieftang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 I recall a few of mine showing up with some imperfection on the back... Not a huge deal, as I had to grind mine down to fit to the bezel anyways, so no worries there. Based on all that you've mentioned... I think you're alright with that one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linder Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnkay Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Haven't looked at the underside of mine (haven't taken the watch apart). The other thing I noticed is that on mygen, the 5, 15, 25, etc. markers as well as the triangle with the pearl all extend from edge to edge of the insert. But I notice Ubi's don't do that, so again, maybe some variation.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 275$ for an INSERT? OMG lol When you're able to source an OEM LV insert - check that - IF you're able to source an OEM LV insert, please let us know what price you find. My experience has been 2.5X the price of an OEM black/silver insert. If the ADs would supply them, however, it seems pricing would be more along the lines of 50% more. So I don't know what's going on in the gray market other than supply shortage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Yeah... I've seen several genuine 16610's, 14060's, etc. (both in person and in pics) that have the dash markers that either extend edge to edge or don't. A search on TZ alone will result in a mix of styles... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 (edited) Based on all that you've mentioned... I think you're alright with that one... I'll try to supply a few new pics tonight anyhow. I think based on what *you've* said that it's the real deal now. One thing I do notice is that the pearl irredescence is more noticeable in artificial lighting (i.e. indoors) than in natural sunlight. Edited September 13, 2006 by chieftang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 When you're able to source an OEM LV insert - check that - IF you're able to source an OEM LV insert, please let us know what price you find. My experience has been 2.5X the price of an OEM black/silver insert. If the ADs would supply them, however, it seems pricing would be more along the lines of 50% more. So I don't know what's going on in the gray market other than supply shortage. Purely supply and demand! No question 'bout that. These LV inserts are highly sought after... And it's not just us mod hungry rep modders that are after them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 More bezel pics... Crappy lighting - no time to break out all the equipment - but some new angles nevertheless. I think mine might be slightly glossier than yours, ubiquitous. What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Looks good to me! Though, I believe yours is an older example- Note the slight serif on the fonts... I've typically seen those style of insert on the older models (pre-2003)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Looks good to me! Though, I believe yours is an older example- Note the slight serif on the fonts... I've typically seen those style of insert on the older models (pre-2003)... Yea I had noticed that in studying the pics. Totally unnoticeable to the naked eye. And quite difficult to notice under magnification even. I'm keeping it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 That pearl looks definitely genuine to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJGladeRaider Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 A supposed gen 16610 black/silver insert pictured here. The look of the pearl in the picture doesn't do it justice. But still, now that I look at this thing blown up, it screams fake to me. I can't believe the gen underside would look like such a mess. I think this one is going back. Please chime in. Yep, you're right! Obviously a miserable excuse for a cheap fake - sorry you got ripped off. In an absolute fit of altruism, I'm gonna help you out and take that piece of junk off your hands for $20 so you don't have to throw it away. Where shall I send the PayPal? Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 One thing is for sure- Once you've seen a genuine pearl in person, it's appearance and characteristics become very distinct to the eye. It's quite interesting that something so tiny can make such a big difference... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 (edited) Yep, you're right! Obviously a miserable excuse for a cheap fake - sorry you got ripped off. In an absolute fit of altruism, I'm gonna help you out and take that piece of junk off your hands for $20 so you don't have to throw it away. Where shall I send the PayPal? Bill Hehehe. Apparently it is real, and yet I'm far from impressed by the fit and finish. The irridescense of the pearl is cool though. Edited September 14, 2006 by chieftang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dachshund Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 chieftang Looks gen to me, check the glow, I've seen some pretty good rep inserts, but I've never seen one that glows like the gen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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