Is the Gen pearl attrition rate as high as mine?

[crystalcranium]

I just lost my third pearl, first on a rep bezel insert, the last two on aftermarkets, to routine, daily wear and tear. I think the biggest culprit is sinking my hand into the pocket on a pair of blue jeans. This seems to strip the pearl right out of the hole. What's the secret for genuines...stronger glues??...a different attachment arrangement???...or are they lost at a high rate also. On my Gen Omega SMP chrono, the bezel "pearl" is luminous material under the bezel hole. The Sub and sea-dweller pearls stand proud and unprotected. Aren't they just begging to be sheared off? BTW, this was my MBW 1665 that lost the pearl and despite thoughts to the contrary among "vintagizers"...I dont like the look of a pearless bezel.

[freddy333]

I have never lost a pearl, but the pearl should fit tightly into the bezel insert even without the additional of glue (I do use a dab of GC crystal cement just for added assurance). Your pearls are not properly fitting into your bezels, which is why they keep falling out. You need either a better insert, pearl or both. Try one of these inserts (you will need to measure your bezel to get the right insert) and if your watch is a vintage model, try Ofrei.com's Illumines Dot for the pearl (it will fit perfectly into the insert & should not fall out under 'normal' conditions).

[alligoat]

With all of the replacement inserts around, it stands to reason that the pearls fall out of the gens just as much. And after paying $125 or more to get the insert replaced at Rolex, a $25 fix would start to look good after a time or two.

I'd try the illumunes dots from ofrei for $10, like freddy says, but I'd use a drop of GS Hypo-cement at least. I got the supposedly vintage, NOS acrylic pearls from watchesandparts over in Hong Kong for around $40 to $50 for a pair and was very happy w/ those- snapped into my two inserts perfectly. A big improvement