rag9fx Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 I found a NOS bezel and insert for 5513/1680 on ebay in the 270 usd range . is this a fair price ? secondly what are people's experience with MBW inserts I took mine out to remove the pearl ... its seems pretty flimsy it bent out of shape quite easily and it was a real b*tch to reshape it to re-insert it and is still quite uneven ... i have never had this problem before on other vintage sub reps (non-MBWs) ... i am thinking of getting an aftermarket insert but i think the markings on the mbws are more accurate ... anybody have any thoughts on that? Cheers Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 I thought I saw an insert and bezel from a guy in Desoto, TX for $225us today on the bay- it looked authentic to me. Type in Rolex bezel and do a search! But really you only need the insert, I would think. Unfortunately, finding a gen is tough- you have to suck up to someone who has access to genuine parts, or keep watching ebay. You could try Raymond Lee Jewelers for an aftermarket insert. I like the one that I got for my 16610- it's not bad for a little over $20 w/ s&h. I bought the one for a 5513, but I think the ring around the pearl was a tad large. The original 5513 inserts had an acrylic pearl, no metal ring and the later replacements have a very thin ring around the pearl, thinner than the 16610 pearl ring. And the pearl is smaller, also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsons Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 It's a reasonable price if what you receive is 100% authentic parts. If it's from the Bay seller "time-holder", he seems to post pics of gen parts and sends something else. Another seller that claims to have the vintage OEM bezel/insert, shows a quantity of 25. Doubltful. The MBW insert is not too bad and the bezel is accurate (accepts OEM insert prefectly). It does need a pearl replacement to look more authentic. Once it's glued to the bezel, it's plenty rigid. It may strighten if heated with a hair dryer as its a plastic ring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherrington Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 The MBW bezel isn't that accurate as the fonts are too bold, even for a vintage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rag9fx Posted November 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Thanks for the feedback and advice guys ! well i guess my hasn't been conditioned enough to spot the print flaws on the mbw bez-insert but for my two pence i think it is one of the better rep bez inserts i have seen save for the pearl and its construction. my mbw insert is most definately metal -tinny and quite soft- unlike others i have seen on reps which seem to be more solid. it would be amazing if orginals were more avialable (hell i would settle for just the pearl) - i was looking at the aftermarket ones that ubi had made up and was absolutely drooling... I am quite happy with the MBW 1680 i have and hollow centre link on it ... working on messing about with a folded bracelet but i think i might just stick with the hollow centre link, a t 127 in the mail and i would really love a gen bezel insert ... im thinking about swapping out the date wheel with silver one ... the only problem are those threes but i guess i can live without the flat head threes until i find a soloution... thats all the work i think i would be willing to do myself... the rest of my issues with it are the crown gaurds ,crown, lugholes etc ... but i am enjoying watching this piece come together... its quite rewarding owning and working on one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsons Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 rag9fx, interesting that your insert is thin metal (same as my old TW 16610). I have had three MBW vintage sport models and all have had plastic inserts. They are quite sturdy and durable. I have one with a gen pearl & acrylic surround and it looks good......not as accurate as the hard as hell to source gen but very acceptable. BTW, I have a gen folded mid link bracelet for my Tudor Sub and never use it. I much prefer the after-market bracelet I fround at the Bay. Best of luck with your MBW project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 Genuine vs. Ubi-Made... My next and final run of 5 is already sold out!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rag9fx Posted November 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 Ubi ... you're such a tease ! Whats it gonna take to convince you to get more made and send one my way?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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