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dpt.calvin · 12 September 2022, 12:12 AM

I acquired my first "Pepsi" (Tudor GMT) in 2020. The blue was interesting in that it sometimes appeared black, making it almost look like a Coke. Despite my recent transition to Coke on my 16710, I still desired a Pepsi bezel (new 16710 inserts are too bright/shiny for me, new and/or pre-faded inserts are too expensive).

I found a cheap (genuine) Tudor Pepsi insert to play with and I am happy with the results. Here are some pictures.

After about 20 minutes of 50/50 water/bleach.

This is after about 5 minutes of 100% bleach (I tried diluting the bleach with water thinking I would have more control, but the process was TOO slow).

And under natural lighting.

Note that the inserts are not pressed in in the following two photos.

The final product.

I know this isn't for everyone, but what fun is this hobby without a little variety? Completely reversible, so no harm no foul.

Chadridv · 12 September 2022, 12:25 AM

I think i'd have to see it in person, but from the pictures I think it looks super cool!

brandrea · 12 September 2022, 12:27 AM

Nicely done. IMO it looks great

JayHantz · 12 September 2022, 12:30 AM

I think it looks great.

Brian Page · 12 September 2022, 12:46 AM

I like it!

GGGMT · 12 September 2022, 12:49 AM

Very interesting. How is it reversible?

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Chadridv · 12 September 2022, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Very interesting. How is it reversible?

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I think you can just put the original (unfaded) insert back in. I don't think the bleached insert could ever be brought back.

dpt.calvin · 12 September 2022, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Very interesting. How is it reversible?

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Sorry, maybe I wasn’t clear. The fading itself is not reversible. But since I did this to a spare insert, the original is still in its perfect form and can be reinstalled as if nothing ever happened.

Dan Pierce · 12 September 2022, 01:06 AM

Kudos for giving this a shot. I think I prefer the original colors that Tudor absolutely nailed w/ the BB GMT. But it's always nice to have options.
dP

Easy E · 12 September 2022, 01:15 AM

Nice work.

Bizcut1 · 12 September 2022, 01:18 AM

Funky! I like it!

Eric88 · 12 September 2022, 01:23 AM

Nice modification and kudos for giving this a try! I have a service insert for my 1680 that someone bleached and I occasionally use it for fun.

AzHadEnuf · 12 September 2022, 01:43 AM

Wow, that looks really good!

Calatrava r · 12 September 2022, 01:53 AM

How do you pop out the insert?

101031-28 · 12 September 2022, 01:56 AM

Good to have the option, enjoy!

Slimpee · 12 September 2022, 01:56 AM

I think that’s pretty cool!

How hard was it to remove the insert?

dpt.calvin · 12 September 2022, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

How do you pop out the insert?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slimpee

I think that’s pretty cool!

How hard was it to remove the insert?

It’s very similar to the 16710.

I tried a pry tool but it’s a tight fit and I could not get enough leverage. So I used. Bezel removal tool and that easily did the trick. Once the bezel is removed, the insert can be pushed out (as with the 16710).

WILLIWALKER · 12 September 2022, 01:58 AM

Love it !!

Gab27 · 12 September 2022, 02:16 AM

I like it!

Hollie_Rollie · 12 September 2022, 02:27 AM

Cool! Looks like you have yourself a vintage Pepsi!

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fskywalker · 12 September 2022, 03:32 AM

Nicely done!

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ACWATCHES · 12 September 2022, 03:43 AM

The bezel loses bit of sheen and goes matte after bleaching, I’ve seen this done by dealers on Rolex GMT trying to give more character/claim original bezel. This custom is fine in my book though for the Tudor GMT given it’s just a personal custom on a modern watch, not trying to fool anyone.

dpt.calvin · 13 September 2022, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACWATCHES

The bezel loses bit of sheen and goes matte after bleaching, I’ve seen this done by dealers on Rolex GMT trying to give more character/claim original bezel. This custom is fine in my book though for the Tudor GMT given it’s just a personal custom on a modern watch, not trying to fool anyone.

Only fooling myself! Hehe

Srct · 12 September 2022, 04:30 AM

Nice work - though not for me like it as is

Baiv · 13 September 2022, 03:00 AM

Looks good

melhk · 13 September 2022, 03:01 AM

Very nice, I like the look!

Jerrocop · 13 September 2022, 03:36 AM

Very cool. I'm surprised there aren't aftermarket bezels available and with different color combinations, that would be cool too.

jb335 · 13 September 2022, 04:32 AM

Wow, I never like mods but this looks good

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Innocenti · 13 September 2022, 04:43 AM

I knew someone who would clean their Rolex submariner in the dishwasher . Same effect

dpt.calvin · 13 September 2022, 05:18 AM

I had so much fun with this that I’ll be doing the same with a blue BB58 bezel!

12 September 2022, 12:12 AM	#1
dpt.calvin "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: TRF Posts: 2,270	Controversial: Forced Fading (bleach) I acquired my first "Pepsi" (Tudor GMT) in 2020. The blue was interesting in that it sometimes appeared black, making it almost look like a Coke. Despite my recent transition to Coke on my 16710, I still desired a Pepsi bezel (new 16710 inserts are too bright/shiny for me, new and/or pre-faded inserts are too expensive). I found a cheap (genuine) Tudor Pepsi insert to play with and I am happy with the results. Here are some pictures. After about 20 minutes of 50/50 water/bleach. This is after about 5 minutes of 100% bleach (I tried diluting the bleach with water thinking I would have more control, but the process was TOO slow). And under natural lighting. Note that the inserts are not pressed in in the following two photos. The final product. I know this isn't for everyone, but what fun is this hobby without a little variety? Completely reversible, so no harm no foul. __________________ 16570 \| 16710 \| 116710 \| 116500 76214 \| 79090 \| 79030 \| 79830

12 September 2022, 12:25 AM	#2
Chadridv 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Real Name: Chadri Location: LI, NY Watch: 116610LV Posts: 11,357	I think i'd have to see it in person, but from the pictures I think it looks super cool! __________________ - i͞n͟s͞t͟a͞g͞r͟a͞m͞ @ⓒⓄⓁⒹⓒⒶⓈⒺⓦⒶⒶⓉⒸⒽⒺⓈ

12 September 2022, 01:06 AM	#9
Dan Pierce 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: D'OH! Location: Kentucky Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3 Posts: 36,215	Kudos for giving this a shot. I think I prefer the original colors that Tudor absolutely nailed w/ the BB GMT. But it's always nice to have options. dP __________________ TRF Member# 1668 Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation The Crown & Shield Club Honorary Member of P-Club

12 September 2022, 01:43 AM	#13
AzHadEnuf "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Real Name: Ralph Location: Tucson, Arizona Watch: 6263,DJ,SUB,BB,THR Posts: 2,043	Wow, that looks really good! __________________ "The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." -A. Einstein

12 September 2022, 01:56 AM	#15
101031-28 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USA Watch: 1665 Posts: 4,764	Good to have the option, enjoy! __________________ He could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex. Ian Fleming

12 September 2022, 12:27 AM	#3
brandrea 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Brian (TBone) Location: canada Watch: es make me smile Posts: 78,075	Nicely done. IMO it looks great

12 September 2022, 12:30 AM	#4
JayHantz 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Real Name: Jonathan Location: Texas Watch: @Escapementt Posts: 9,844	I think it looks great.

12 September 2022, 12:46 AM	#5
Brian Page "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: USA Posts: 6,624	I like it!

12 September 2022, 12:49 AM	#6
GGGMT 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Itinerant Watch: 79010sg Posts: 8,345	Very interesting. How is it reversible? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12 September 2022, 01:15 AM	#10
Easy E 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: GA Posts: 5,075	Nice work.

12 September 2022, 01:18 AM	#11
Bizcut1 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Real Name: Ben Location: Valley of the Sun Watch: 126331 126610 3861 Posts: 3,253	Funky! I like it!

12 September 2022, 01:23 AM	#12
Eric88 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: 88 keys Posts: 2,241	Nice modification and kudos for giving this a try! I have a service insert for my 1680 that someone bleached and I occasionally use it for fun.

12 September 2022, 01:53 AM	#14
Calatrava r 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: United States Watch: Rolex and Patek Posts: 11,417	How do you pop out the insert?

12 September 2022, 01:56 AM	#16
Slimpee 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Midwest, USA Watch: DJ 41; 1803; BB Ch Posts: 1,290	I think that’s pretty cool! How hard was it to remove the insert?

12 September 2022, 01:58 AM	#18
WILLIWALKER "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Real Name: Latache Location: Davis CA Watch: Rolex Tudor Omega Posts: 808	Love it !! __________________ Il est doux le sommeil du travailleur

12 September 2022, 02:16 AM	#19
Gab27 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: MD/NC Watch: 114060 Posts: 2,591	I like it!

12 September 2022, 02:27 AM	#20
Hollie_Rollie 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: U.S.A. Watch: SD43 Posts: 3,353	Cool! Looks like you have yourself a vintage Pepsi! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12 September 2022, 03:32 AM	#21
fskywalker 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Real Name: Francisco Location: San Juan, PR Watch: Is Ticking ! Posts: 25,179	Nicely done! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro __________________ Francisco ♛ 16610 / 116264 Ω 168.022 / 2535.80.00 / 310.30.42.50.01.002 / 210.90.42.20.01.001 Zenith 02.480.405 2FA security enabled

12 September 2022, 03:43 AM	#22
ACWATCHES "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: LONDON Posts: 127	The bezel loses bit of sheen and goes matte after bleaching, I’ve seen this done by dealers on Rolex GMT trying to give more character/claim original bezel. This custom is fine in my book though for the Tudor GMT given it’s just a personal custom on a modern watch, not trying to fool anyone.

12 September 2022, 04:30 AM	#24
Srct "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: UK Watch: 116610LV Posts: 236	Nice work - though not for me like it as is

13 September 2022, 03:00 AM	#25
Baiv Banned Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Usa Watch: SubLV Posts: 402	Looks good

13 September 2022, 03:01 AM	#26
melhk "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Online Posts: 102	Very nice, I like the look!

13 September 2022, 03:36 AM	#27
Jerrocop 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: West Coast Watch: EXP 39, GRNR, SeaQ Posts: 961	Very cool. I'm surprised there aren't aftermarket bezels available and with different color combinations, that would be cool too.

13 September 2022, 04:32 AM	#28
jb335 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: The States Watch: Cosmograph Daytona Posts: 7,461	Wow, I never like mods but this looks good Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

13 September 2022, 04:43 AM	#29
Innocenti "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: UK Posts: 832	I knew someone who would clean their Rolex submariner in the dishwasher . Same effect

13 September 2022, 05:18 AM	#30
dpt.calvin "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: TRF Posts: 2,270	I had so much fun with this that I’ll be doing the same with a blue BB58 bezel! __________________ 16570 \| 16710 \| 116710 \| 116500 76214 \| 79090 \| 79030 \| 79830

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