Blueberry GMT: how to spot a fake bezel insert? What serial numbers considered good

[mika13]

There are many warnings about buying a bluberry GMT and ample fake inserts.
How to authenticate a real one? Also, when is the watch with a blue insert considered correct? Is there a serial number range that is "acceptable" for correct blue insert GMT watches? Also, must they come with ALL-RED 24 hour hand? Thanks for sharing your thoughts here.

[southtexas]

A real one sold today at VRF. Compare that to the fake ones on ebay, and you'll be able to notice the differences. Frankly, if I ever came across a legit blue insert on any GMT at regular GMT price, I'd buy the watch instantly as the insert is worth more than a lot of GMTs themselves. The insert on VRF was listed for north of $8k.

I've read that the blue inserts were used on certain batches destined for militaries of certain countries. I've also read that some of the USA RSCs had them in stock. I've not heard of any correlation to the all-red hand.

The blue inserts seem to be a very mysterious item......

[mika13]

Thanks for your post, SouthTexas. I have searched the VRF and could not find the bezel. Please send me a link. My contact is 213..804..5678 thanks!

[southtexas]

I can't copy the link for some reason, but it was posted March 6, 4:32am. It's on the front page of the market section at the moment, just scroll down til you see that time.

[Vincent65]

Here it is - photo borrowed from published ad. Asking price was $8,300...

[Beaumont Miller II]

Originally Posted by mika13

There are many warnings about buying a bluberry GMT and ample fake inserts.
How to authenticate a real one? Also, when is the watch with a blue insert considered correct? Is there a serial number range that is "acceptable" for correct blue insert GMT watches? Also, must they come with ALL-RED 24 hour hand? Thanks for sharing your thoughts here.

Do you own one?

[greekbum]

I have owned my share of 1675 blue inserts. Almost all were NOS as Rolex service centers had them for ages. There are many good fakes out there as the prices for just the insert have skyrocketed in recent years. These inserts imho never came on watches you could buy at any Rolex AD. They came on special order (military issue etc) watches. Unless you have provence for a watch like this with a blue insert I personally would consider the insert added to the watch. So for my opinion to sum it up if its on a special watch it might have come on it. All others most likely it was added by somebody.

[springer]

Originally Posted by greekbum

I have owned my share of 1675 blue inserts. Almost all were NOS as Rolex service centers had them for ages. There are many good fakes out there as the prices for just the insert have skyrocketed in recent years. These inserts imho never came on watches you could buy at any Rolex AD. They came on special order (military issue etc) watches. Unless you have provence for a watch like this with a blue insert I personally would consider the insert added to the watch. So for my opinion to sum it up if its on a special watch it might have come on it. All others most likely it was added by somebody.

X2.

[watchcrank]

Originally Posted by greekbum

I have owned my share of 1675 blue inserts. Almost all were NOS as Rolex service centers had them for ages. There are many good fakes out there as the prices for just the insert have skyrocketed in recent years. These inserts imho never came on watches you could buy at any Rolex AD. They came on special order (military issue etc) watches. Unless you have provence for a watch like this with a blue insert I personally would consider the insert added to the watch. So for my opinion to sum it up if its on a special watch it might have come on it. All others most likely it was added by somebody.

Agree 100%, last I saw were being sold at a NY watch show about 8 years ago for $250. each & no I did not buy even one. m

[Chris1974]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Here it is - photo borrowed from published ad. Asking price was $8,300...

Pardon my ignorance, but are you saying just that blue insert is worth over $8000.00?

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by Chris1974

Pardon my ignorance, but are you saying just that blue insert is worth over $8000.00?

Yes the asking price was over $8,000 usd.

One of the collectors over on VRF put up a pic recently of his collection of blue inserts, maybe 50 (or more??) of them spread out on a table.

[Beaumont Miller II]

To the OP, sorry for some reason I thought you had one for sale.

[Chris1974]

Originally Posted by southtexas

Yes the asking price was over $8,000 usd.

One of the collectors over on VRF put up a pic recently of his collection of blue inserts, maybe 50 (or more??) of them spread out on a table.

Wow that is amazing! Eight grand for a bezel insert......incredible. I have been into Rolex's for quite a few years and am actually getting into the hobby of buying and reselling Rolex's and I have never heard of anything like that.

I know certain vintage watches and vintage watch parts can fetch some big money, but $8K for a bezel insert? And you're telling me one guy potentially has $400K in old bezel inserts?.....unreal.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

To the OP, sorry for some reason I thought you had one for sale.

LJ, were you wishing or hoping???

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by Chris1974

Pardon my ignorance, but are you saying just that blue insert is worth over $8000.00?

Last year 8k was cheap as I saw much stronger prices with aggressive buyers.