Where to get bezel inserts for GMT 16710?

[samson66]

I've had my "Coke" GMT 16710. I'm thinking it's time to change up and go "Pepsi" and swap out bezel inserts.

Can someone tell me a good source for replacement bezel inserts? I see some listed in the classified section but I have no idea what they should cost?

Most over there are in the 170-220 range. That seems high to me. What do these cost at AD's? Will they sell you a insert that is not matched up with the model of your GMT?

[VerticalHorizon]

They should be $80 at an AD.

[Mfrankel2]

AS long as your watch was originally available with that particular option, you can buy form RSC or AD. Typically they'll want you to bring in (or send in) the watch.

[samson66]

So if I take my 16710 into an AD and request a 16750 bezel insert, they will sell it to me?

I was under the impression that if you sent to RSC they are willing to put a different bezel insert on, however they keep the old one?

[mtgjr]

Best bet is an independent watchmaker with a Rolex parts account. However, even they will likely require you bring/send in your watch for the replacement. Watchmaker Rik Dietel recently charged me $125 for a new BLRO insert, replaced in conjunction with a full service. I did keep the original, too.

Experiences by forum members have been mixed with regard to RSCs keeping or returning the original inserts after installing a new one.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by mtgjr

Best bet is an independent watchmaker with a Rolex parts account. However, even they will likely require you bring/send in your watch for the replacement. Watchmaker Rik Dietel recently charged me $125 for a new BLRO insert, replaced in conjunction with a full service. I did keep the original, too.

Experiences by forum members have been mixed with regard to RSCs keeping or returning the original inserts after installing a new one.

Good info, thanks!

[RastabanStar]

Are these things not readily available online? I occasionally see used ones pop up on eBay, but not for under $150.

[mtgjr]

Originally Posted by RastabanStar

Are these things not readily available online? I occasionally see used ones pop up on eBay, but not for under $150.

Lots of aftermarket versions out there. I wouldn't want to risk paying that kind of money and getting a fake one.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by samson66

So if I take my 16710 into an AD and request a 16750 bezel insert, they will sell it to me?

I was under the impression that if you sent to RSC they are willing to put a different bezel insert on, however they keep the old one?

You don't want a 16750 insert, you want a blue/red (aka Pepsi) insert for a 16710. A 16750 insert won't fit.

[tubojunk]

I don't know how it is now... but when these were in production it seemed like it was much harder for people in the US to get extra inserts from an AD. Normally the AD would not just order you inserts. You would have to send in watch and replace, then service center would keep.

But people overseas did not seem to have trouble getting extra inserts. Pretty sure that is why you are seeing them for sale > $150. If i remember correctly i think i paid $75 each from AD, this was at least 5 years ago though.

[Timesurfer]

Forum classifieds with reputable sellers.... Ask for the real deal... They will be pricy. Then have your jeweler install it..

[Joearch]

I had my all black insert taken out of the SS bezel. Took my watch to the RSC and asked for a Coke insert that was available since my watch is an A series. They installed the new Coke for $78 on the spot in 15 minutes. I told them my original one had fallen out.

[kirksingleton]

I paid 80 also

[samson66]

Well I went to my local jeweler and their watch maker has a Rolex account. Asked for a price on a pepsi insert.

They called and wanted $275 for the insert including installation.

I said that sounds too high for me.

Well they called back and said the owner talked to him about the price and blah blah blah they got him to lower it to $190 including installation. I asked how much for the part only. They said $190 either way, he was "doing the install for free" which I found amusing.

Anyway I said fine, go ahead. This place is close to my house and I didn't feel like traveling to an AD or a RSC. I'll post some before & after pics. I know I could have gotten a better price but the $190 was in line with what vendors are charging on this site and this way I don't have to mess with it myself and screw something up. I am getting the coke bezel insert back by the way - I've heard RSC keeps the old bezel insert when they do this.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by mtgjr

Best bet is an independent watchmaker with a Rolex parts account. However, even they will likely require you bring/send in your watch for the replacement. Watchmaker Rik Dietel recently charged me $125 for a new BLRO insert, replaced in conjunction with a full service. I did keep the original, too.

Experiences by forum members have been mixed with regard to RSCs keeping or returning the original inserts after installing a new one.

$125 for a ceramic BLRO insert replacement? That sounds really low. Yours was damaged / faded?


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[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

$125 for a ceramic BLRO insert replacement? That sounds really low. Yours was damaged / faded?


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I think he's talking about the aluminum one.

[mtgjr]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

$125 for a ceramic BLRO insert replacement? That sounds really low. Yours was damaged / faded?


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I never said ceramic. This whole thread is about aluminum 16710 inserts.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by mtgjr

I never said ceramic. This whole thread is about aluminum 16710 inserts.

Sorry! I associated the BLRO nomenclature to the newest ceramic version

[mtgjr]

No worries.

[masyv6]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

Sorry! I associated the BLRO nomenclature to the newest ceramic version

I was thinking the same thing for a bit as I was reading the thread. I was gonna ask where I could get a ceramic bezel for that price.

You're not the only one, my man

[dbhak22]

Sounds like you got your Pepsi insert but I was in the exact same scenario (have a '03 Coke and wanted a Pepsi insert to mix things up). I heard the service center in San Francisco gladly does this (assuming they have it in stock) so I walked in and was out within 5 minutes with a newly installed Pepsi insert and my original Coke insert in a plastic baggy to take home. Oh, it cost $100 total.

Sounds like your AD/service center is charging a bit more for "installation".

[dbhak22]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

You don't want a 16750 insert, you want a blue/red (aka Pepsi) insert for a 16710. A 16750 insert won't fit.

Exactly. And for future reference, you CAN use 16700 and 16760 inserts as they will fit.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by dbhak22

Sounds like you got your Pepsi insert but I was in the exact same scenario (have a '03 Coke and wanted a Pepsi insert to mix things up). I heard the service center in San Francisco gladly does this (assuming they have it in stock) so I walked in and was out within 5 minutes with a newly installed Pepsi insert and my original Coke insert in a plastic baggy to take home. Oh, it cost $100 total.

Sounds like your AD/service center is charging a bit more for "installation".

Come on, according to them the "installation is free!"



My nearest service center is a 5 hour drive, so I don't really have the option to do it that way. If I lived in New York I would definitely try it.

[blue lion]

I got my Pepsi from Rik for under $100 not that long ago. I forget how much but cheaper than on the Forum or Ebay (for the real thing).

[samson66]

Finally got my bezel insert swapped out. Loving the Pepsi so far. Here's a before shot:



And here's an after shot:



I love them both. Might go a year or so with the red/blue, then switch back to the red/black. Still considering picking up an all black to complete the set.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge using Tapatalk

[saskmh]

A new replacement insert with serif fonts??? (little tails on the number 2's) I was under the impression that those were the old style fonts and haven't been available for +-15 years. I've been looking for a coke insert with those fonts for a while.

[aekdb]

Looks great. Very cool you can switch them up at will now

[samson66]

Originally Posted by saskmh

A new replacement insert with serif fonts??? (little tails on the number 2's) I was under the impression that those were the old style fonts and haven't been available for +-15 years. I've been looking for a coke insert with those fonts for a while.

Hmmm, I hadn't even noticed that. My impression was he ordered the part from Rolex. Any chance this isn't a real Rolex bezel insert? If it is legitimate, how would he have gotten it. I kind of like the look actually but had not idea it was any different than the previous insert.

[Loevhagen]

A new insert with serifs? Huh. That is not a service insert seen every day...

[saskmh]

I've never seen an aftermarket insert with serif fonts and believe me I've been looking. Your watchmaker must have had (or got ahold of) a new old stock part. Lucky bugger ;)

I've been heavily researching the different bezel inserts that were made for the sapphire GMT's (16760, 16710 and 16700) and from what I can put together there are generally three different types of font combinations (other details, fat fonts, etc, excluded). The earliest ones had serif fonts with tails on all of the 2's. Second style had serif fonts on the 12, 20 and 22 but the 2 by itself was a roman font. The third type was the later style with all roman 2's.