16610 Bezel Assembly

[omgiv]

Hi Guys,

I was contacted by someone selling a 16610 bezel assembly and was wondering if this looks legit. The insert looks aftermarket to me but I can't say anything about the rest. The seller gave me a 3 day return so I can take better pictures when I get it. Any thoughts or ideas on how to tell the real deal would be great. Thanks!!!!

[watcher]

It is very hard to tell from the pics. It is certainly not new if it's genuine. The teeth have lost their sharpness on the bezel. The insert looks gen to me. If you can take the assembly apart I can tell if the retainer is genuine straight away. It looks pretty ok from this pic though. Some other experts will give their opinion I'm sure.

[ubiquitous]

Looks pretty worn, but there are details such as the lip against the insert that look correct.

[watcher]

Yes I agree about the lip on the bezel, it looks nice and thick with a good recessed insert.

[highoeyazmuhudee]

bad pics... cant tell about insert

[preacher62]

I think the insert is aftermarket. The "2" is always wrong. I know of no aftermarket insert that has a "2" that looks gen. On the aftermarket inserts, the line goes up and over to the right and then comes straight down almost half of the height of the number (just like this one). The gen goes up and over and just after it starts down it angles back to the left side. I want two gen inserts for this very reason...for $25 each. Come on...someone have sympathy.

Edited May 14, 2010 by preacher62

[JoJo35]

I think the insert is aftermarket. The "2" is always wrong. I know of no aftermarket insert that has a "2" that looks gen. On the aftermarket inserts, the line goes up and over to the right and then comes straight down almost half of the height of the number (just like this one). The gen goes up and over and just after it starts down it angles back to the left side. I want two gen inserts for this very reason...for $25 each. Come on...someone have sympathy.

???

I've got a gen matte dialed 16660 and the insert is exactly like this one (except mine has an aged tritium pearl)

I also have a gen matte dialed 16800 and the insert is exactly like this one (except serifed font on my sub insert)

I also have a gen 5513 with white gold surrounds that has an insert exactly like this one.

So, I'm curious as to what you are basing your opinion on. Do you have photographs of every genuine insert font style used by rolex?

[preacher62]

???

I've got a gen matte dialed 16660 and the insert is exactly like this one (except mine has an aged tritium pearl)

I also have a gen matte dialed 16800 and the insert is exactly like this one (except serifed font on my sub insert)

I also have a gen 5513 with white gold surrounds that has an insert exactly like this one.

So, I'm curious as to what you are basing your opinion on. Do you have photographs of every genuine insert font style used by rolex?

I'm sorry JoJo...I wasn't clear. I was talking, specifically, about late model 16610s...as that is what the OP is referring to and is what many of us are trying to duplicate. This is one that is on sale on the bay and it seems that this is the "2" that is present in all of the late, gen 16610 inserts. Does Rolex modify these from time to time. If so, then I will defer.

If the above insert is fine for a late 16610 then I am delighted and will stop my search for a gen insert as it is like the one in my MBK, as well.

To answer your question...no, I have made no exhaustive study of the subject, just an observation over a couple of years.

Thanks for all your insightful postings on this forum.

Mike

Edited May 15, 2010 by preacher62

[watcher]

The '2' on the insert in the pics is perfect and identical to my brand new gen insert I have just fitted to my Sub.

[panerai153]

I have a genuine insert on my 1680 and the 2 is exactly like the one shown in the photos above.Also a genuine on my Tudor 9411 is the same.

AP

[praetor]

Wow, you scared me there because I bought a gen insert on the bay 2 months ago.

but I don't see a difference either. This is from a Y series and your pic

[JoJo35]

I'm sorry JoJo...I wasn't clear. I was talking, specifically, about late model 16610s...as that is what the OP is referring to and is what many of us are trying to duplicate. This is one that is on sale on the bay and it seems that this is the "2" that is present in all of the late, gen 16610 inserts. Does Rolex modify these from time to time. If so, then I will defer.

If the above insert is fine for a late 16610 then I am delighted and will stop my search for a gen insert as it is like the one in my MBK, as well.

To answer your question...no, I have made no exhaustive study of the subject, just an observation over a couple of years.

Thanks for all your insightful postings on this forum.

Mike

Hi Mike,

Both are in fact correct. However, the one posted in the opening thread is an earlier "flat 4" and "long 5" insert. The one you posted is for the newer subs, and is also the factory replacement part. FYI, my gen LV "Y" series (2003) has the original lumi insert with a flat four and long five.

Cheers,

JJ

[preacher62]

Hi Mike,

Both are in fact correct. However, the one posted in the opening thread is an earlier "flat 4" and "long 5" insert. The one you posted is for the newer subs, and is also the factory replacement part. FYI, my gen LV "Y" series (2003) has the original lumi insert with a flat four and long five.

Cheers,

JJ

Thanks for the clarification. I am now happier with my three subs.

MT

[omgiv]

Thanks for the information guys. The pearl in the pictures looked non gen to me but I feel better about it now. I will take better pictures when I get and decide if the wear is too much for this project. If nothing else, I can probably use part of it. Thanks again!!!!!

Thanks for the clarification. I am now happier with my three subs.

MT

[slickdick]

Insert is easily replaced, i guess most important is the retaining ring and the price of the whole. The worn bezel is actually very suitable for a lug-holed era sub.

[Bansenshukai]

You guys are - collectively - a freaking watch encyclopedia. That's why I love to read this forum!!!

[omgiv]

Hi Guys,

Sorry for more questions, but this is another one that was offered. The person said it was from a M serial sub. The pictures aren't great again but the best I have. Any thoughts? Thanks again!!!!

[bklm1234]

the first assembly looks aftermarket, possibly from wholesaleoutlet990. very poor bezel teeth definition, just like wso990's. Not a good assembly.

the second one looks very good, possbibly gen

I'm not talking about the insert on either one. It's hard to tell without some clear closeups.

-bk

Edited May 16, 2010 by bklm1234

[omgiv]

Thanks for weighing in BK! The references for both sellers are very good. The first gave me a 3 day return If it isn't genuine. I ended up getting both and will take better pictures when they arrive. Thanks!!!!

[watcher]

The second assembly is without doubt Genuine and at the right price is worth buying!!!

[preacher62]

Thanks, BK. The second pics are what I'm talking about. I would love to have that one.

[ubiquitous]

I still stand on my belief that the first bezel is okay; just worn down.

[omgiv]

Okay Guys,

I received the first bezel mentioned and I have to agree with Ubi. It seems to be a genuine but it is very worn down. It was absolutely filthy and the seller said it had been lying in a bag in a drawer. It clicks very smoothly when turing it. I took it apart and tried to get better pictures. I know that the bezel teeth didn't come out very clear at all, and I apologize. They are pretty worn. The insert snapped out and it is very thick like the replacement that I have. I also test fitted the new insert I have and it will snap in as well. I am not sure about the insert but the pearl doesn't glow. I don't know if that means it is tritium or luminova. How would I tell. Anyway, if anyone has any comments (not about the poor photography skills ) that would be great. If there is something you would like to see more clearly, I will try and capture it later. The other bezel looks so much better but I might just keep this one for later on down the road. You never know....Thanks again!!!!

P.S. Does anyone know the gasket number to go under the retention ring? I can't seem to find it mentioned anywhere.

[watcher]

HI

THe retainer gasket I used is under this number on Cousins website: C8413 My assembly is also all genuine parts.

[alligoat]

Omgiv, your insert looks just like my older tritium insert in my 16800. And the pearl quit glowing because it's old!

Everything else looks fine to me also.