Vintage Bezel

[rag9fx]

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

[alligoat]

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.

[Jetsons]

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.

[Sherrington]

The MBW bezel isn't that accurate as the fonts are too bold, even for a vintage.

[rag9fx]

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.

[Jetsons]

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!

[ubiquitous]

Genuine vs. Ubi-Made...

My next and final run of 5 is already sold out!!

[rag9fx]

Ubi ... you're such a tease ! Whats it gonna take to convince you to get more made and send one my way?!