16610LV servicing: Will RSC replace Flat Four bezel insert with Pointy Four?

[Gottog]

Was the green flat four bezel insert on the 16610LV something that was intentionally versioned that way and is kept in stock at RSC for OEM replacement? Or was it just a quirk that will be phased out when the watch comes in for service and a replacement is requested?

There are alot of dial variations with tiny changes in the early 16610LV run. There's no way they keep all those different OEM dials. So it got me thinking about the green flat four bezel insert.

Any ideas?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Gottog

Was the green flat four bezel insert on the 16610LV something that was intentionally versioned that way and is kept in stock at RSC for OEM replacement? Or was it just a quirk that will be phased out when the watch comes in for service and a replacement is requested?

There are alot of dial variations with tiny changes in the early 16610LV run. There's no way they keep all those different OEM dials. So it got me thinking about the green flat four bezel insert.

Any ideas?

There have been many font changes on dials bezel inserts etc on many Rolex watches over the past decades.If you have a replacement insert it will be whatever Rolex has in stock at the time its only slight font difference anyway.

[tifosi]

To Rolex, it is just a bezel. We are the ones that make a big deal out of the small details (and tryo to get more money for them, haha). No, Rolex doesn't care what font/ shade of green your LV comes in for service with. If they have to replace it, you will get whatever they have on hand.

[cdweller]

Agreed with above! You'll get whatever they have, which will probably be the newer pointy 4.

[Gottog]

Dang. I was afraid of that. So people who are paying a premium for Y and early F serial Sub LVs with the green flat four bezel are screwed royally if they scratch the bezel insert. The bezel insert is completely exposed and prone to scratches. But then again... I guess people who are currently paying a premium in the aftermarket for an early Sub LV are not wearing them as beaters.

[Chris B]

As above with the bezel insert.

I had similar experience with my ex-wife's Lady DJ a few yrs ago, the dial upgrade to MOP was so disappointing, I understand that all MOP is different but this dial was barely perceptible as MOP & just looked a faded off white colour.

RSC said all parts are fitted strictly in order of how they come off the shelf & offered another dial which may looked better but the ex didn't want the additional wait of sending it back again.

Recently I was almost tempted to an absolutely gorgeous 25 yr old walnut dial DD, but conversation with RSC put me off as if whilst being serviced it was discovered that the dial had deteriorated its replacement would almost certainly be of a different colour to the shade that initially grabbed my interest, worst case scenario it could have very dark & almost black!

Sorry to have wittered on

[Lion]

As a thought maybe you should do some research and see if you can get an extra bezel insert now before they are all gone.....I have a GMT Pepsi Rolex and this year I went and bought a new bezel insert to have and keep as a spare!!!

[L-16610]

Originally Posted by Gottog

Dang. I was afraid of that. So people who are paying a premium for Y and early F serial Sub LVs with the green flat four bezel are screwed royally if they scratch the bezel insert. The bezel insert is completely exposed and prone to scratches. But then again... I guess people who are currently paying a premium in the aftermarket for an early Sub LV are not wearing them as beaters.

have you seen how crappy some real vintage bezels look like ? And what their price is

A scratch won't be a problem :-)

[mike]

Originally Posted by tifosi

To Rolex, it is just a bezel. We are the ones that make a big deal out of the small details (and tryo to get more money for them, haha). No, Rolex doesn't care what font/ shade of green your LV comes in for service with. If they have to replace it, you will get whatever they have on hand.

Spot on. People try to create markets.

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by Gottog

Dang. I was afraid of that. So people who are paying a premium for Y and early F serial Sub LVs with the green flat four bezel are screwed royally if they scratch the bezel insert. The bezel insert is completely exposed and prone to scratches. But then again... I guess people who are currently paying a premium in the aftermarket for an early Sub LV are not wearing them as beaters.

I really hope that people aren't paying premiums for those details, flat fours and oval "O"s. I'm hoping they are paying for the fact that it is a 2003 serial and the actual 50th anniversary. Those details just happen to be a part of it. The watch will always be a "Y" or "F" serial regardless of the bezel insert.

[Johny]

if you dont want to lose your old bezel then take it off before you send your watch for servicing. tell them that you lost it and need a new one.

[Grissom]

Originally Posted by Johny

if you dont want to lose your old bezel then take it off before you send your watch for servicing. tell them that you lost it and need a new one.

Smart advice!!! Elinimates all the potential issues....

[maxxor]

its funny as one of the posters stated above.....rolex will put on whatever bezel they have in stock, pointy or flat, different shade of green etc....doesent matter to rolex

same applies to the 'REAL' anniversary sub debate.....rolex doesent care nor do they refer to one series or another as the real 50th...in rolexes eyes they prodeuced a 16610LV model to commemorate 50 years of the submariner.....it was a model they allowed to run until recently discontinued......some prefer the newer models with the rolexrolexrolex some prefer earlier series with the flat 4.....in the end they are all the same model # 16610LV aka 50th anniversary sub

i personally prefer the newer ones as they look way sharper and less like fakes thanks to the rolexrolexrolex

just my opinion...rolex rocks...this site rocks....

[HL65]

Originally Posted by tifosi

I really hope that people aren't paying premiums for those details, flat fours and oval "O"s. I'm hoping they are paying for the fact that it is a 2003 serial and the actual 50th anniversary. Those details just happen to be a part of it. The watch will always be a "Y" or "F" serial regardless of the bezel insert.

Exactly why I have one!! It is just part of the watch--and like all of my watches-they are kept the way they are made-all original! One can seriously take away the value of a watch overnight by replacing dials, hands, and yes some bezel inserts.

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

One can seriously take away the value of a watch overnight by replacing dials, hands, and yes some bezel inserts.

I completely understand that point, but since I am not a collector I guess it isn't such a big concern for me.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by tifosi

I completely understand that point, but since I am not a collector I guess it isn't such a big concern for me.

Then you need not worry!

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by tifosi

I completely understand that point, but since I am not a collector I guess it isn't such a big concern for me.

It could if you decide to sell it. I agree with Ken, all original is the way to go scratches or not

[maxxor]

this talk is getting crazy!

my father replaced the rim on his 2003 ferrari this summer( 2010 ) with a factory replacement.....did it lose value???????





rolex rocks

[HL65]

Originally Posted by maxxor

this talk is getting crazy!

my father replaced the rim on his 2003 ferrari this summer( 2010 ) with a factory replacement.....did it lose value???????





rolex rocks

Welcome to Rolex world. One change can change the value of your watch by over half in a flash!! All those poor people who sent in their 1960-70 Subs or SD's in for service and got back a nice new dial and hands so it looked brand new!!!

[tifosi]

Some some reason my pc won't let me quote this morning, but in reference to the Ferrari wheel comment...
If that 2003 Ferrari had a wheel that was in only a short run of cars and people associated that with an early production car and Ferrari replaced the wheel with a later version because they no longer make that wheel....then yes...a collector would pay less for that car. The value wouldn't necessarily be changed, but certain people would not pay a premium for that car. I don't agree with it as long as its a genuine Ferrari wheel, but that's the way the world is.

[maxxor]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

Welcome to Rolex world. One change can change the value of your watch by over half in a flash!! All those poor people who sent in their 1960-70 Subs or SD's in for service and got back a nice new dial and hands so it looked brand new!!!

i know what your saying and understand your point........however when it comes to the sub LV and its production run of 7-8 years im pretty sure the a y series bezel swapped for a v series bezel isnt going to mean much in 20 years.......its still a 16610LV.....bezels arent exactly like actual parts where small changes in materials could happen over time resulting in a factory replacement part but not a EXACT replacement part...a metal green bezel isnt going to change much in the next 20 years anyways and really has no bearing on future value....i mean a replacement bezel is peanuts compared to the value of the watch........again......i for one as do many others prefer the newer series to the older series and considering that the LV really isnt going to make anyone rich by selling in 20 30 years its all really a moot point.....rolex is rolex...wear your rolex.......what happens if a Y series crystal breaks in 2013?.....will the watch be devalued if replaced?...rolex DOES have a service record.........

again...just my opinion

rolex baby!!!!!

[Johny]

welcome to rolex world. the one where we dont care about values or collecting or investment returns in the future. and just go around wearing our watches and looking at the time...changing bits just for the hell of it and because we think that it looks beter and increases our enjoyment... heresy i hear you shout. burn them all....they shouldnt be allowed watches...where will it end:thumbsup:

[HL65]

Originally Posted by maxxor

i know what your saying and understand your point........however when it comes to the sub LV and its production run of 7-8 years im pretty sure the a y series bezel swapped for a v series bezel isnt going to mean much in 20 years.......its still a 16610LV.....bezels arent exactly like actual parts where small changes in materials could happen over time resulting in a factory replacement part but not a EXACT replacement part...a metal green bezel isnt going to change much in the next 20 years anyways and really has no bearing on future value....i mean a replacement bezel is peanuts compared to the value of the watch........again......i for one as do many others prefer the newer series to the older series and considering that the LV really isnt going to make anyone rich by selling in 20 30 years its all really a moot point.....rolex is rolex...wear your rolex.......what happens if a Y series crystal breaks in 2013?.....will the watch be devalued if replaced?...rolex DOES have a service record.........

again...just my opinion

rolex baby!!!!!

To each his own---But--Actually-some bezels are worth the same amount as the watch itself--6542 Bakelite bezel-$18-20k for a decent bezel-if you could even find one. Some bezels cost thousands to find original one--ie. 6241 black bakelite vs. service bezel. I collect the way I do--and yes I put a lot of thought into it and want it original. Anyone can get a period correct new old stock crystal--that is 100% true. As for original bezel--not so easy my friend. I can tell you most people like myself would not touch a watch that we knew going into it that we would most definitely never get the correct bezel. Again though--to each his own--for the general casual Rolex wearer --not a big deal. For me--a deal breaker!

[Atomant]

Originally Posted by tifosi

To Rolex, it is just a bezel. We are the ones that make a big deal out of the small details (and tryo to get more money for them, haha). No, Rolex doesn't care what font/ shade of green your LV comes in for service with. If they have to replace it, you will get whatever they have on hand.

[maxxor]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

To each his own---But--Actually-some bezels are worth the same amount as the watch itself--6542 Bakelite bezel-$18-20k for a decent bezel-if you could even find one. Some bezels cost thousands to find original one--ie. 6241 black bakelite vs. service bezel. I collect the way I do--and yes I put a lot of thought into it and want it original. Anyone can get a period correct new old stock crystal--that is 100% true. As for original bezel--not so easy my friend. I can tell you most people like myself would not touch a watch that we knew going into it that we would most definitely never get the correct bezel. Again though--to each his own--for the general casual Rolex wearer --not a big deal. For me--a deal breaker!

i meant bezel insert......

[HL65]

I understand that--I was referencing bezel inserts as well. Not a big deal as it is important to collectors like myself and not everyone else. All good--again-to each his own.