Bleaching Bezel Inserts

[watchmainspring]

I was curious what bleaching a bezel insert might do for resale of a 16700? I recently purchased a used coke insert and was considering bleaching it rather than paying double or triple for one that is sun-faded. Of course I am an honest person and would disclose that the insert was artificially altered by oxidation with liquid bleach, should I ever decide to sell it. Or I'd simply only sell it with a genuine insert that has not been artificially altered.

Is this a pointless venture; does a bleached insert generally look inauthentic and cheap?

[btinl]

Originally Posted by usawinston

Is this a pointless venture; does a bleached insert generally look inauthentic and cheap?

Yes.

[watchmainspring]

Originally Posted by btinl

Yes.

Thanks.

What do you think is a reasonable price for a Pepsi or Coke insert that is seriously washed out, then? Any suggestions on vendors. Kind of off topic I guess.


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[joli160]

I see some ridiculous prices for bleached examples, a fool and his money

[watchmainspring]

Originally Posted by joli160

I see some ridiculous prices for bleached examples, a fool and his money

I wonder about some of them on eBay....


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[Dan S]

Originally Posted by usawinston

Thanks.

What do you think is a reasonable price for a Pepsi or Coke insert that is seriously washed out, then? Any suggestions on vendors. Kind of off topic I guess.


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Less than a good unfaded insert IMO. This whole "ghost" bezel thing is BS. Just people trying to charge extra for a degraded insert. I think most buyers have caught onto this by now, and aren't willing to pay more.

[watchmainspring]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Less than a good unfaded insert IMO. This whole "ghost" bezel thing is BS. Just people trying to charge extra for a degraded insert. I think most buyers have caught onto this by now, and aren't willing to pay more.

Interesting. I find some appeal in the "ghost" bezel but at the same time a new/crisp bezel has it's appeal as well. I'd buy a ghost bezel but probably wouldn't pay more than a couple hundred dollars. This $1000+ ordeal is not something I can justify.

[Handey0465]

It's strange what people pay premium for....

Like numi coin collectors, they pay crazy premiums for "toned" coins, but people have learned to artificially tone coins with egg yolk, etc...And sell for much more....

If you like the faded look, then who cares if it's from age or artificial means....Pay what you want to get what you want...

[watchmainspring]

Originally Posted by Handey0465

It's strange what people pay premium for....

Like numi coin collectors, they pay crazy premiums for "toned" coins, but people have learned to artificially tone coins with egg yolk, etc...And sell for much more....

If you like the faded look, then who cares if it's from age or artificial means....Pay what you want to get what you want...

Wow. Maybe we should egg yolk our watches


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[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by Handey0465

It's strange what people pay premium for....

Like numi coin collectors, they pay crazy premiums for "toned" coins, but people have learned to artificially tone coins with egg yolk, etc...And sell for much more....

If you like the faded look, then who cares if it's from age or artificial means....Pay what you want to get what you want...

I dont think putting bleach on an insert gives it a natural look, just as a bottle blonde doesn't appear truly natural either.

Pay what you want to get what you want is a dangerous phrase unless you know what you're doing. "Too good to be true" drives a lot of uninformed buyers in vintage...

[roh123]

Most people pay premium for nice, undamaged inserts. Fade is not the first thing to look at. Chemically faded inserts ruin the top layer before the color can fade. Something that is easily spotted and not very attractive.

[athom]

Maybe if you were it normally, swim in the sea, etc...it will whenever finally bleach...just sayin'...

[TimeLord2]

There is a great article on the forum by @Springer specifically on how to identify correct inserts. Bleaching is covered.

[watchmainspring]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

There is a great article on the forum by @Springer specifically on how to identify correct inserts. Bleaching is covered.

I know this is cheap but do you have a link please?

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by usawinston

I know this is cheap but do you have a link please?

I think the title says it all. GMT Bezel Inserts, Aftermarket Inserts and Bleached Inserts. Ta da!
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...hlight=inserts

[swaini3]

Ghost inserts are nice. They do also bring out dials more. Im against bleaching inserts but some of them are well done and had some members confused about whether it was naturally faded.

[dricig]

Artificial faded bezels - ghost bezels
Artificially aged lume plots - phony patina
Cracked dials - Spider dial
Aftermarket internals
Laser welding of cases
Aftermarket acrylic crystals

Vintage is not for the weak of heart.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by dricig

Artificial faded bezels - ghost bezels
Artificially aged lume plots - phony patina
Cracked dials - Spider dial
Aftermarket internals
Laser welding of cases
Aftermarket acrylic crystals

Vintage is not for the weak of heart.

The hardest thing is to find nice enough stuff.

[NOPDK]

Originally Posted by roh123

The hardest thing is to find nice enough stuff.

Agreed. The further you get into the hobby the higher your standards get. You need to see a lot of pieces to get a feel for how things should be and what might be off.

[Andjwhite]

Originally Posted by NOPDK

Agreed. The further you get into the hobby the higher your standards get. You need to see a lot of pieces to get a feel for how things should be and what might be off.

Yup! Love a watch with character, but not one that is artificially done. Don’t do it, just wear it...

[springer]

Originally Posted by dricig

Artificial faded bezels - ghost bezels
Artificially aged lume plots - phony patina
Cracked dials - Spider dial
Aftermarket internals
Laser welding of cases
Aftermarket acrylic crystals

Vintage is not for the weak of heart.

I believe the only one you missed are the re-lacquered/repaired dials.

[dricig]

Originally Posted by springer

I believe the only one you missed are the re-lacquered/repaired dials.

Yep, I forgot that one as well as ridiculously perfect chamfers on the 50 year old "unpolished" piece.

[JustinK]

Inserts for the sapphire models are still pretty reasonable, I would think you should be able to find a nice faded insert for well under $500.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by usawinston

I was curious what bleaching a bezel insert might do for resale of a 16700? I recently purchased a used coke insert and was considering bleaching it rather than paying double or triple for one that is sun-faded. Of course I am an honest person and would disclose that the insert was artificially altered by oxidation with liquid bleach, should I ever decide to sell it. Or I'd simply only sell it with a genuine insert that has not been artificially altered.

Is this a pointless venture; does a bleached insert generally look inauthentic and cheap?

Would it matter if I mentioned that the 16700 never came with a Coke bezel insert?

Not a fan of bleached inserts under any circumstances. Forget for a moment that it's an artificial/fake way to age a part, they never look right.

[watchmainspring]

Originally Posted by swish77

Would it matter if I mentioned that the 16700 never came with a Coke bezel insert?

Not a fan of bleached inserts under any circumstances. Forget for a moment that it's an artificial/fake way to age a part, they never look right.

Oh wow didn't realize that about 16700. Pepsi and black only, then?


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[swish77]

Originally Posted by usawinston

Oh wow didn't realize that about 16700. Pepsi and black only, then?


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Correct.

[watchmainspring]

Originally Posted by swish77

Correct.

Out of curiosity what would Rolex do if I sent a Coke 16700 in for service?


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[swish77]

Originally Posted by usawinston

Out of curiosity what would Rolex do if I sent a Coke 16700 in for service?


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Good question, and not 100 percent sure, but probably nothing.

About two years ago, I took my insert-less 16700 to the RSC in NYC to have them install a new insert. They gave me a choice of black, Pepsi or Coke. Perhaps that was an indication they didn't know, or maybe they didn't care.

I hear it's more strict now doing stuff like this, so perhaps the rules have changed.

We need a photo!

[Filipão]

Fashion. And more money out of a used piece of old anodized aluminium.

All my inserts are as close to factory colours as possible.

Would you drive a vintage Guards Red Porsche faded to orange or pink/fuschia?

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Filipão

Would you drive a vintage Guards Red Porsche faded to orange or pink/fuschia?

Not sure of that analogy, but I would much rather own a vintage Gibson Les Paul sunburst that had faded to a honey or iced tea color rather than a new bright red/orange one.