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kwingy · 2 September 2018, 05:58 AM

Hey All,

I might get flamed for this as I know custom faded bezels are frown upon on this forum but end of the day it's just a bit of fun and I don't want to have to wait 30 years for a bezel to fade naturally!

So I sourced an aftermarket bezel from the bay (I wasn't going to try and do this on my original bezel given this was my first time of trying!!)

There wasn't really much of a sweet science other then to dunk it in bleach. I submerged it and with gloves just rubbed the bezel over and over. Nothing happened for 2-3 minutes until around the 5 minute mark where the paint literally started coming off. I rubbed at it and then took it out after another minute. A quick blast of cold water and this was the result!

Quick DIY bezel change later and there you go. 30 years of fades done and applied in 10 minutes. End of the day it's just a bit of harmless fun and I have to say I am happy with my first attempt at this.

Gonna keep the Original bezel mint and wear this for a litte while, I think it looks better then the black bezel if I am honest...

Jondouthit · 2 September 2018, 06:12 AM

Looks pretty sweet to me. If you’re using official parts what’s the problem?

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Mephist · 2 September 2018, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jondouthit

Looks pretty sweet to me. If you’re using official parts what’s the problem?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree with this

judson · 2 September 2018, 06:19 AM

Awesome look.

Odie-r · 2 September 2018, 06:22 AM

Looks pretty slick!

~Haze~ · 2 September 2018, 06:26 AM

It actually doesn’t look bad at all. I thought this was going to be a cauti9nary tale when I opened the thread.

Snow-Dweller · 2 September 2018, 06:30 AM

Looks pretty good to me.

Ivan · 2 September 2018, 06:41 AM

That grey color is fantastic. Thanks for posting.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Burlington · 2 September 2018, 06:44 AM

Next step is the dial to match !!

Chloe&Harley · 2 September 2018, 06:45 AM

Very nice looking. Great post

BigBlue1 · 2 September 2018, 07:17 AM

I think I see this insert on ebay right now for 2000.00.

Just kidding.
It actually looks really nice. the fade really compliments the SS

thesharkfactor · 2 September 2018, 07:20 AM

I like it.

maylebox · 2 September 2018, 07:32 AM

Looks great. An old school vintage look for $15 and no loss of value because you can always swap the original back. I may see a fun mod project in my future.

jason10mm · 2 September 2018, 08:07 AM

Somewhat related, but are there other bezels for the 16610 or 14060? Wouodnt mind a 12 hour bezel ir some color for my 14060 just for fun on occassion.

Loevhagen · 2 September 2018, 08:15 AM

It doesn't look good at all. Look around the WG-marker / pip...

Old Geezer · 2 September 2018, 08:20 AM

To me it looks incongrous alongside the normal colored dial. But hey, it’s your watch enjoy it.

Twentyfourframe · 2 September 2018, 09:10 AM

Looks great, I love the fade.

RXAPPP · 2 September 2018, 09:54 AM

How to take a nice watch and make it franken

Yours to do as you please but for me aftermarket equals fake

101031-28 · 2 September 2018, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RXAPPP

Yours to do as you please but for me aftermarket equals fake

Second this.

padi56 · 2 September 2018, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RXAPPP

How to take a nice watch and make it franken

Yours to do as you please but for me aftermarket equals fake

Have to agree and subject closed .

shaunylw · 2 September 2018, 09:59 AM

Looks great, i love it!

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jlafou1 · 2 September 2018, 10:20 AM

Came out better than I expected. Not bad, looks good!

Nikrnic · 2 September 2018, 01:46 PM

No harm No foul. I admit, I like it. I wonder how many pepsi bezels have had that done.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

The Libertine · 2 September 2018, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikrnic

No harm No foul. I admit, I like it. I wonder how many pepsi bezels have had that done.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

I agree.

airpeace · 2 September 2018, 02:17 PM

lol funny

madgpol · 2 September 2018, 04:01 PM

Looks great but not a fan of using aftermarket pieces on a Rolex. If nothing else it highlights the subtle differences between the 2 bezels which I hadn't noticed before.

Thanks for sharing

Tomas Eriksson · 2 September 2018, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madgpol

Looks great but not a fan of using aftermarket pieces on a Rolex. If nothing else it highlights the subtle differences between the 2 bezels which I hadn't noticed before.

Thanks for sharing

Is either of the inserts genuine?

kwingy · 2 September 2018, 08:20 PM

Thanks all for the comments especially the positive ones.

I knew there would some polarizing comments, amazing what a quick bezel change can lead to a lot of discussion/difference of opinion. Makes a change from SS shortage/silly grey market prices and investments.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomas Eriksson

Is either of the inserts genuine?

Yes as mentioned in my original post, I was not going to do this experiment on my original gen bezel and it's a quick 5 minute change back.

I think experiment can make this watch hobby just a bit more fun. It's why we love a strap change after all.

roosvelt · 2 September 2018, 06:51 PM

Doen't look right w/o the dial being aged .

Prestige_Swiss · 2 September 2018, 07:15 PM

As long as you like the finished product, that’s all that matters. Enjoy!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2 September 2018, 05:58 AM	#1
kwingy "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: UK Posts: 1,369	My Custom Faded Ghost Bezel On 16610 Hey All, I might get flamed for this as I know custom faded bezels are frown upon on this forum but end of the day it's just a bit of fun and I don't want to have to wait 30 years for a bezel to fade naturally! So I sourced an aftermarket bezel from the bay (I wasn't going to try and do this on my original bezel given this was my first time of trying!!) There wasn't really much of a sweet science other then to dunk it in bleach. I submerged it and with gloves just rubbed the bezel over and over. Nothing happened for 2-3 minutes until around the 5 minute mark where the paint literally started coming off. I rubbed at it and then took it out after another minute. A quick blast of cold water and this was the result! Quick DIY bezel change later and there you go. 30 years of fades done and applied in 10 minutes. End of the day it's just a bit of harmless fun and I have to say I am happy with my first attempt at this. Gonna keep the Original bezel mint and wear this for a litte while, I think it looks better then the black bezel if I am honest...

2 September 2018, 06:30 AM	#7
Snow-Dweller 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Real Name: Clive Location: The Alps Watch: collections change Posts: 6,284	Looks pretty good to me. __________________ . The path from WIShood to WISdom can have many turnings... ——————————————————————————————————— . 16803. 16570. 18038. 114300. GMW-B5000D.

2 September 2018, 06:44 AM	#9
Burlington "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Europe Posts: 5,643	Next step is the dial to match !! __________________ “My tastes are simple; I am easily satisfied with the best.” ― Winston S. Churchill

2 September 2018, 07:17 AM	#11
BigBlue1 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Real Name: Webmaster Location: Space Watch: it pal ! Posts: 2,956	I think I see this insert on ebay right now for 2000.00. Just kidding. It actually looks really nice. the fade really compliments the SS __________________ " Even I don't wake up looking like Cindy Crawford". Cindy Crawford Hypochondria is the only disease I haven't got RIP Mikey

2 September 2018, 07:15 PM	#30
Prestige_Swiss "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Real Name: John Location: Texas Watch: 126610LN Posts: 1,279	As long as you like the finished product, that’s all that matters. Enjoy! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ ________________ Present: 126610LN “You can have everything in life you want, if you’ll just help enough other people get what they want.” -Ziglar

2 September 2018, 06:12 AM	#2
Jondouthit 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Real Name: Jon Douthit Location: Austin Watch: Tudor Black Bay Bl Posts: 37	Looks pretty sweet to me. If you’re using official parts what’s the problem? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2 September 2018, 06:19 AM	#4
judson "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: USA Watch: changes depending Posts: 800	Awesome look.

2 September 2018, 06:22 AM	#5
Odie-r "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: London Posts: 4,452	Looks pretty slick!

2 September 2018, 06:26 AM	#6
~Haze~ "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: BOSTON, MA USA Posts: 373	It actually doesn’t look bad at all. I thought this was going to be a cauti9nary tale when I opened the thread.

2 September 2018, 06:41 AM	#8
Ivan "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Ivan Location: Edmond, OK Watch: 126600 Posts: 34	That grey color is fantastic. Thanks for posting. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2 September 2018, 06:45 AM	#10
Chloe&Harley 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Real Name: Mark Location: Niagara Falls Can Watch: Milgauss white Posts: 3,124	Very nice looking. Great post

2 September 2018, 07:20 AM	#12
thesharkfactor "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Scotland Watch: GMT Posts: 3,643	I like it.

2 September 2018, 07:32 AM	#13
maylebox "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 881	Looks great. An old school vintage look for $15 and no loss of value because you can always swap the original back. I may see a fun mod project in my future.

2 September 2018, 08:07 AM	#14
jason10mm "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: TN, USA Posts: 161	Somewhat related, but are there other bezels for the 16610 or 14060? Wouodnt mind a 12 hour bezel ir some color for my 14060 just for fun on occassion.

2 September 2018, 08:15 AM	#15
Loevhagen "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: The aperture Posts: 4,941	It doesn't look good at all. Look around the WG-marker / pip...

2 September 2018, 08:20 AM	#16
Old Geezer "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: South Carolina Posts: 5,287	To me it looks incongrous alongside the normal colored dial. But hey, it’s your watch enjoy it.

2 September 2018, 09:10 AM	#17
Twentyfourframe "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Real Name: Alex Location: Australia Posts: 38	Looks great, I love the fade.

2 September 2018, 09:54 AM	#18
RXAPPP "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Blue Planet Watch: 5 Posts: 1,201	How to take a nice watch and make it franken Yours to do as you please but for me aftermarket equals fake

2 September 2018, 09:59 AM	#21
shaunylw "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Here Posts: 4,657	Looks great, i love it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2 September 2018, 10:20 AM	#22
jlafou1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Real Name: Josh Location: Louisiana Watch: 114060 Posts: 96	Came out better than I expected. Not bad, looks good!

2 September 2018, 01:46 PM	#23
Nikrnic "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2017 Real Name: Louis Nick Ric Location: Michigan, USA Watch: Blnr, Expll, Subs, Posts: 10,172	No harm No foul. I admit, I like it. I wonder how many pepsi bezels have had that done. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

2 September 2018, 02:17 PM	#25
airpeace Banned Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Phila Posts: 393	lol funny

2 September 2018, 04:01 PM	#26
madgpol "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Jason Location: UK Posts: 695	Looks great but not a fan of using aftermarket pieces on a Rolex. If nothing else it highlights the subtle differences between the 2 bezels which I hadn't noticed before. Thanks for sharing

2 September 2018, 06:51 PM	#29
roosvelt Banned Join Date: Aug 2018 Real Name: achille Location: Grosse Pointe Mi. Watch: 16613 serti 18078 Posts: 446	Doen't look right w/o the dial being aged .

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