ROLEX 16760 GMT Bezel Insert Question

[Katze]

Hello,
I wonder if someone can shed some light on these three 'fat lady' bezel inserts:
I notice that on the first, the '8' of '18' is partially on red ground, partially on black ground, whereas on the other two, are all on black ground (and also are of fatter font with serifs).
Which version would be factory-correct?

I have seen this difference also with the Pepsi 1675, 16700, 16710 inserts.
Is one version a fake, or are they of different time periods or versions that coexisted?

Thank you!


ROLEX 16760 GMT 1987:



16760 Circa 1987:



ROLEX 16760 GMT 1986:

[southtexas]

#2 and 3 with serif fonts are what I understand to be factory-installed. The first one looks Rolex, maybe it's slightly later or service? Hopefully mr. Springer will come along and correct me.


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[springer]

Here is one that I consider correct - from a one owner, original, unpolished complete set from 1986.

[Spyder555]

I read somewhere that there are 2 versions of the bezel insert. The one Springer shows above, with less serif, and the one above that in a previous post that clearly shows a lot of serif. The top one, originally posted looks like an aftermarket insert. I'm not sure which insert came first, the serif or non serif version. Maybe someone here knows. Cheers

[saskmh]

There seams to be a lot of back and forth about this subject. I have seen a couple of watches in private collections that are original owner watches said to be completely untouched and never serviced with very faded inserts that have serif fonts. This might be one of those debates that goes on forever. Haha.

[springer]

The "snowman" 8's are later inserts.

Because someone tells you it is all 100% original does not mean it is. I had a guy contact me a couple months ago looking for an original GMT II 16760 "coke" insert for what he described as his all original 16760. It currently had a black insert.

Obviously the black insert wasn't original and mine wouldn't be original either but it would be correct. ( I passed on selling him an insert since I didn't have one.) Later I saw photos of it posted as an original, unmolested barn find (or whatever he called it) with a "coke" insert. That made me chuckle and made my day.

[Nikita70]

My insert looks exactly like Springer's 1986. Mine is a 1987. Threads like these are good, I love increasing my knowledge of these timeless timepieces.

[MorningTundra]

Do you know the start year for snowman 8s?


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[saskmh]

Springer can you educate us on what a "snowman 8" is?

[springer]

Originally Posted by saskmh

Springer can you educate us on what a "snowman 8" is?

Small head, large mid section. Check the first post.

[Punchthefatkid]

Very interesting stuff!

apols for my ignorance, could someone please explain the difference in 'Serif' fonts?

how do they differ - they all look very similar to the un-trained eye?

Thanks in advance

[omitohud]

"Snowman" lol I like that. I thought nicknames r shun here. Here r the close up comparisons.

Snowman non serif


Serif



I blame it on the autoconnect.

[saskmh]

Thanks springer. I hadn't ever heard that term before.

Good comparison shot Sam!

[springer]

Originally Posted by saskmh

Thanks springer. I hadn't ever heard that term before.

Good comparison shot Sam!

I made it up for you!!!

[saskmh]

Originally Posted by springer

I made it up for you!!!

Hahaha.

[schaumburgla]

All the Fat Ladies I have received over the yrs in supposed untouched original condition came with this insert.. I call it the Mk1 Sapphire insert.
Also any early series ( L & E) 16710 GMT2 I have gotten in untouched condition had this Mk1 insert as John illustrated. I believe the serif inserts came after & I choose to call them Mk2 for my own reference :)

Thanks
Justin

[timlo]

So the 16760 actually came with both serif and non serif inserts with non serif coming with the later produced ones?