GMT master ii bezel insert

[Kulayeb]

I have a GMT master ii ref 16710 with serial number starting with U66**** with black bezel insert.



I've just taken it for service at the local AD and I also requested them to change the bezel insert to coke but they refused. They said that the red/black insert was a different size and only offered the red/blue (at about 160$).

I was under the impression that all three were the same size and interchangeable. I have searched the forums here and I see people changing inserts with impunity.

Could someone shed some light why they would refuse and claim it's a different size? Is it truly different size or is it just a policy to only change to pre approved colors?

Thank you.

[GMTMasterDallas]

Rolex will NEVER switch out anything on any watch that comes in to them for a part that didn't originally come with the watch when purchased. It's fairly common knowledge. There you go.

[Kulayeb]

They did offer to switch out for the pepsi insert which it did not come originally with when purchased. Why would they offer that but refuse the coke? I am scratching my head atm

[xjeeunitx]

It's the same size. It's interchangeable.

[Ryuden]

Originally Posted by GMTMasterDallas

Rolex will NEVER switch out anything on any watch that comes in to them for a part that didn't originally come with the watch when purchased. It's fairly common knowledge. There you go.

Originally, the Pepsi only comes with the Gmt Master and the Coke with the Gmt Master II but eventually the Master II comes with all 3 inserts, black, Coke and Pepsi but when, maybe Padi or Tool can share.

Originally Posted by Kulayeb

They did offer to switch out for the pepsi insert which it did not come originally with when purchased. Why would they offer that but refuse the coke? I am scartching my head atm

Exactly. Weird that they don't changed for you the insert for the 16710 which should comes in Coke as well.

But yeah, it's interchangeable. All 3 insert.

[fishingbear]

They all three are the same exact size and are a easy DYI switch on your watch.
ADs here in the US will still change out the 16710 for all three bezel inserts whether it be Pepsi, Coke or black.

[sickened1]

Well, when I took my 16710 to RSC in Beverly Hills for a complete overhaul it had a Coke insert on. They also gave me an option to either stay with the Coke insert or switch to Pepsi insert and they'd keep the old insert as trade-in. I told them to go ahead since I have extra inserts anyway.

[Kulayeb]

I guess I'll just try other service centers when I travel. Maybe the representative didn't want to bother ordering the insert and just offered what they had at hand and claim the other is not the correct size? who knows.

Thanks guys.

[joe100]

They're always for sale in the classified section here, just buy them

[red29ant]

Go to St Jame's Square when in London. I got my Pepsi and black inserts for my GMT II Coke there. You get to keep your original insert at £55/insert. They give you an nice Rolex tin box with each insert too.

However, you may do the swap once a day. I have a friend whom was kind enough to visit the service centre twice. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Kulayeb

I guess I'll just try other service centers when I travel. Maybe the representative didn't want to bother ordering the insert and just offered what they had at hand and claim the other is not the correct size? who knows.

Thanks guys.

[kilyung]

Just do it yourself. Takes about 2 minutes and sourcing bezels isn't that hard yet.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by red29ant

Go to St Jame's Square when in London. I got my Pepsi and black inserts for my GMT II Coke there. You get to keep your original insert at £55/insert. They give you an nice Rolex tin box with each insert too.

However, you may do the swap once a day. I have a friend whom was kind enough to visit the service centre twice. Hope this helps.

So it was £55 in total for the new insert and you getting to keep the original? is that correct? Thanks

[red29ant]

Originally Posted by strafer_kid

So it was £55 in total for the new insert and you getting to keep the original? is that correct? Thanks

Yes, that is correct. Pretty good deal. They will install the new one for you and return the old insert in a Rolex tin box. So I paid £55 x2 but on two visits.

[Alpino]

Originally Posted by Ryuden

... but when, maybe Padi or Tool can share.

I am not Padi neither Tool, but maybe I can share ...

The change was in year 2000, when Gmt 16700 have been discontinued.


And if you don't trust me, here's 2 different extracts from Rolex official Master catalogs, 16710 page ...


.

[CPRWATCH]

Hi Guys , interesting thread . Just had a new pepsi insert supplied & fitted at Local AD for £ 60.00 & kept the original . I think it may just depend on your AD as I tried several local ADs & all said the insert couldn't be changed without the watch having a service , my watch is a 16700 .

[GMTMasterDallas]

Originally Posted by Kulayeb

They did offer to switch out for the pepsi insert which it did not come originally with when purchased. Why would they offer that but refuse the coke? I am scratching my head atm

Rolex used to be a lot more relaxed when it came to changing things around to make the customer happy... Things are different now. They regardless of what they said years ago, they will no longed switch out a bezel. Your choice here is if you want to try and find a genuine bezel online or through some of the more well-known aftermarket guys, and have the bezels switched out. That's your only way of getting a different bezel.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Kulayeb

. . .
I've just taken it for service at the local AD and I also requested them to change the bezel insert to coke but they refused. They said that the red/black insert was a different size and only offered the red/blue (at about 160$).

. . .

It is unfortunate, but this AD is mistaken. All 16710 (sapphire crystal) bezel inserts are the same size and interchangeable.

What is even more of a shame is that the red/black insert was introduced on the GMT II (16760), and so it could be argued that it is the "proper" insert for all following GMT II's.

[fishingbear]

Originally Posted by GMTMasterDallas

Your choice here is if you want to try and find a genuine bezel online or through some of the more well-known aftermarket guys, and have the bezels switched out. That's your only way of getting a different bezel.

You can still get them at ADs here in the US. It may just depend on the AD policy but I bought two 16710 inserts from my AD in 2016 for around $60 a piece.

[Ryuden]

Originally Posted by Alpino

I am not Padi neither Tool, but maybe I can share ...

Sorry Alpino. How can I forget you...?

This guy is like the database of Rolex related information.

And the supporting documents are un-believable.

[Kulayeb]

A small update.

Steeled by the responses I got from you guys, I contacted the RSC again and was more adamant this time. They agreed and admitted that they can fit the coke bezel. My guess is they were confusing the GMT master i with ii? anyways, that issue is resolved.

Thank you guys for all the information and help, you guys rock