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tifosi521 · 13 April 2015, 09:48 AM

Upon visiting a reputable dealer selling pre-owned Rolex watches, I was informed that a permanent marker can be used to touch up the numbers on the 16570.

Many of the vintage examples I've seen for sale have been restored with a polish and have bezels with perfect numbers. I assume they must have been touched up.

Do you think that pre-owned dealers are using a permanent marker to touch up the numbers?

I'd hate to buy one with touched-up numbers only to have them wear away in the rain or if I get soap and water on the bezel.

-Ray

Old Expat Beast · 13 April 2015, 09:51 AM

If that happens, you can touch them up yourself with enamel paint. Or get a new bezel.

Blingtone · 13 April 2015, 09:53 AM

Don't think soap or water would have much affect on permanent marker ink, but alcohol or similar spirit based products would....

tkerrmd · 13 April 2015, 09:58 AM

Some of the older ones do need touched up and that is one way

CHRONOLEX · 13 April 2015, 11:04 AM

Should be thankful that bezel wear is surest way to tell condition of preowned watch. Everything else hides pretty well. Bezel don't lie.

crowncollection · 13 April 2015, 11:18 AM

Yes this is common

Annan · 13 April 2015, 11:23 PM

As Adam already said, you can use paint. I've read that model airplane paint made by Testors is good. Apply it with a toothpick or very fine tip brush and wipe off the excess.

Speed · 13 April 2015, 11:54 PM

I've seen video of paint applied to Leica lens markings, branding etc. I recall a pen like device with a very thin tip was used to squirt paint into the engraved text...and then the excess was wiped off. I'm guessing that how it was done originally.

watchwatcher · 14 April 2015, 01:21 AM

Good stuff.

tifosi521 · 14 April 2015, 04:28 PM

Thank you everyone for the posts. I'm feeling much better about it now. And it's nice to know that if the numbers wear away they can be restored nicely.

13 April 2015, 09:48 AM	#1
tifosi521 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 24	Dealers use permanent markers to touch up numbers on 16570? Upon visiting a reputable dealer selling pre-owned Rolex watches, I was informed that a permanent marker can be used to touch up the numbers on the 16570. Many of the vintage examples I've seen for sale have been restored with a polish and have bezels with perfect numbers. I assume they must have been touched up. Do you think that pre-owned dealers are using a permanent marker to touch up the numbers? I'd hate to buy one with touched-up numbers only to have them wear away in the rain or if I get soap and water on the bezel. -Ray

13 April 2015, 11:18 AM	#6
crowncollection "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: David Location: australia Posts: 20,216	Yes this is common __________________ watches many

13 April 2015, 11:23 PM	#7
Annan "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Real Name: Ron Location: Arizona, USA Watch: 116233 Posts: 3,180	As Adam already said, you can use paint. I've read that model airplane paint made by Testors is good. Apply it with a toothpick or very fine tip brush and wipe off the excess. __________________ *so many Rolexes.....so little time*

13 April 2015, 09:51 AM	#2
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,825	If that happens, you can touch them up yourself with enamel paint. Or get a new bezel.

13 April 2015, 09:53 AM	#3
Blingtone "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: Tony Location: Loughton UK Watch: 16610LV no Rehault Posts: 369	Don't think soap or water would have much affect on permanent marker ink, but alcohol or similar spirit based products would....

13 April 2015, 09:58 AM	#4
tkerrmd "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Tom Location: In a race car! Watch: ME RACE PORSCHES Posts: 24,123	Some of the older ones do need touched up and that is one way

13 April 2015, 11:04 AM	#5
CHRONOLEX 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA Posts: 1,629	Should be thankful that bezel wear is surest way to tell condition of preowned watch. Everything else hides pretty well. Bezel don't lie.

13 April 2015, 11:54 PM	#8
Speed "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 19,706	I've seen video of paint applied to Leica lens markings, branding etc. I recall a pen like device with a very thin tip was used to squirt paint into the engraved text...and then the excess was wiped off. I'm guessing that how it was done originally.

14 April 2015, 01:21 AM	#9
watchwatcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Larry Location: Kentucky Watch: Yes Posts: 35,047	Good stuff.

14 April 2015, 04:28 PM	#10
tifosi521 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 24	Thank you everyone for the posts. I'm feeling much better about it now. And it's nice to know that if the numbers wear away they can be restored nicely.

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