Just picked up an LV and I'm thinking of doing a modification....

[TSW]

That combo looks great!! Go for it.

[joeychitwood]

Has anyone replaced a ceramic bezel insert on their own? Knowing how hard you have to push to replace the aluminum insert, I could imagine the ceramic breaking if uneven pressure was applied.

[zippaul]

I ordered my 16610LV from DavidSW and a black insert from Steve Mulholland both here on TRF and couldn't be happier. The maxi-dial and black insert looks incredible. The green looks amazing too, best of both worlds.

[magnetmandan]

Thanks all! Looks like it's gonna' be a done deal :)

:-Dan

[underwater]

you've got me thinking I should be doing the same with my LV

[HL65]

Leave it stock--or buy a Sea Dweller or one you like exactly the way it is....

[magnetmandan]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

Leave it stock--or buy a Sea Dweller or one you like exactly the way it is....

That would be great if Rolex made one "exactly" how I like it. The Sea Dweller doesn't have the maxi dial. If I could afford to have a Sea Dweller too, I certainly would have both. Unfortunately, that is not an option for me. I totally understand the "leave it alone" way of thinking and I usually live by that. But I don't think this is a major mod. If it were a non-reversible modification, I would never think of doing it.

:-Dan

[JBat]

Dan, congrats on a great watch. Me, I'd wear the watch as is for a while. The black bezel is a great option, and looks great, but I'd wait a while and enjoy the LV as it comes out of the box.

[Deep Sea]

Originally Posted by magnetmandan

If Rolex will service a watch with that modification, knowing how strict they are with their policies, then I wouldn't consider it a Frankenwatch. Just my Opinion though

:-Dan

Originally Posted by TattooedGQ

Will they service it??? I only have a regular black sub, so I don't know.

Rolex will NOT service it, without exchanging the insert back to green, and charging you accordingly (and keeping the black insert).

Re a frankenwatch...outside of somebody on one of these nerd watch forums, who would ever know the difference? 99.99999999% of anybody who would even know the watch is a Rolex would not have a clue what a maxi dial is, much less know it should be on a watch with a green bezel insert. Before Nov 2009 (when you joined this forum), would you have known the difference? Prior to joining these forums in 2006, I had no idea of these little idiosyncracies.

Keep the green insert handy to switch back when you send it in for service (or buy another complete bezel w/ insert); that way there'll be no issue.

[magnetmandan]

Originally Posted by Deep Sea

Rolex will NOT service it, without exchanging the insert back to green, and charging you accordingly (and keeping the black insert).

Re a frankenwatch...outside of somebody on one of these nerd watch forums, who would ever know the difference? 99.99999999% of anybody who would even know the watch is a Rolex would not have a clue what a maxi dial is, much less know it should be on a watch with a green bezel insert. Before Nov 2009 (when you joined this forum), would you have known the difference? Prior to joining these forums in 2006, I had no idea of these little idiosyncracies.

Keep the green insert handy to switch back when you send it in for service (or buy another complete bezel w/ insert); that way there'll be no issue.

Hi Randy,
My Rolex AD is the one I bought the black insert from and who is installing it. He"s done a fine job at servicing all of the Rolex's I"ve had. I joined this forum in Nov 2009 but that's not when I fell in love with my first Rolex. I've been active on other forums long before discovering this great place called Rolex Forums. I knew of the Maxi Dial when this model first arrived in 2003. No doubt I will keep the green bezel insert, though. I totally agree with you--anybody who knows the black bezel insert didn't originally come standard on my watch, will know that I did the mod because I like the "Big Dots"!

Cheers and Big Dots!!

:-Dan

[magnetmandan]

Originally Posted by JBat

Dan, congrats on a great watch. Me, I'd wear the watch as is for a while. The black bezel is a great option, and looks great, but I'd wait a while and enjoy the LV as it comes out of the box.

Thanks John,
I've actually enjoyed the green the last few days more than I thought. You may just talk me into keeping the green on for another week or two. Great that I can change it back and forth. Too bad it's not a "quick change system" LOL!

:-Dan

[rkim11]

I agree...Rolex didnt mean for the maxi dial to have a black bezel. Theres just something inherently wrong with this.

[JPS]

Although I agree that the maxi dial looks great with the black bezel, I'd rather have the standard Sub-Date and LV than swapping bezels. I personally feel that watches should remain the way Rolex intended them to be. That's why I can't wait until they release the new ceramic Sub, because it's all about the maxi-dial for me, and the main reason why I chose the LV over the standard Sub-Date.

There has to be a maxi-dial preference going on with me here because I own an LV, GMT IIc and Yacht-Master!

[magnetmandan]

Originally Posted by rkim11

I agree...Rolex didnt mean for the maxi dial to have a black bezel. Theres just something inherently wrong with this.

DSSD, GMTIIc and many other new ceramic subs all have black bezels and maxi dials, if I'm not mistaken.

:-Dan

[viper]

Originally Posted by rkim11

I agree...Rolex didnt mean for the maxi dial to have a black bezel. Theres just something inherently wrong with this.

agreed. the LV should be green. i bought one because i like the whole package. to each there own though, its your watch so do what you want.

[Rob_b]

Black bezel on an LV kind of reminds me of a Super Jubillee on a GMT, both of these little modifications actually enhance these watches appearances INHO.

BTW, stunning pictures of the LV, makes me want one

Rob.

Remember people it's your watch, you did not lease it from ROLEX. Do what you will, but don't be surprised by ROLEX's attidude to this.

[magnetmandan]

Originally Posted by Rob_b

Black bezel on an LV kind of reminds me of a Super Jubillee on a GMT, both of these little modifications actually enhance these watches appearances INHO.

BTW, stunning pictures of the LV, makes me want one

Rob.

Remember people it's your watch, you did not lease it from ROLEX. Do what you will, but don't be surprised by ROLEX's attidude to this.

Thanks Rob!

The lease option may not be a bad idea. I kinda' feel that's how I am working my collection now, however...just tryin' to find that perfect collection--will it ever happen?

:-Dan

[magnetmandan]

So excited my LV has arrived....and in better condition than the new one at my AD. Thanks Clint!




On my wrist...



and next to his fellow green friend...



I've got a black bezel insert ordered but may wait for a few weeks to install in--I'm kinda' liking the green.

The only other question is: should I keep the clops?




Thanks for looking!

:-Dan

[wanasub]

86 it and congratulations on a beautiful watch!!

[magnetmandan]

Originally Posted by wanasub

86 it and congratulations on a beautiful watch!!

Thanks Jonathan...it just may happen.

Man, am I gonna get cr*p for that if I do. LOL!

:-Dan

[scl6118]

I wouldn't do anything to it, the LV is beautiful as is!

[Arrgo]

Originally Posted by scl6118

I wouldn't do anything to it, the LV is beautiful as is!

A big +1. Green is so in

I think part of the appeal is that the LV is different from all of the other Subs. That being said, the black insert does look great, and as it is your watch, do with it as you see fit, as long as your happy

[jrssv]

I thought I would change to a black bezel when I got my LV but the green has really grown on me. Maybe having a black bezel on my GMT IIc colors my thinking a bit.

[joeychitwood]

I would not buy a green LV, but if I happened to win one or find one laying in the street, I'd immediately buy a black bezel insert for it. I like colored bezel inserts like the Pepsi and Coke, but I can't understand why Rolex chose green for the watch.

[BealeAss]

What's the best place to pickup an OEM black bezel?

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by BealeAss

What's the best place to pickup an OEM black bezel?

I purchased one from Steve Mulholland here on TRF.

[Arrgo]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

I would not buy a green LV, but if I happened to win one or find one laying in the street, I'd immediately buy a black bezel insert for it. I like colored bezel inserts like the Pepsi and Coke, but I can't understand why Rolex chose green for the watch.

Because green is Rolex's corporate colour, and it is appropriate for an special edition or commemorative edition watch.

[DATEJUSTSS]

This one has been on my wrist for about two hours. She's a mint D serial with all the goods. Great to be green again! There is nothing like a sub.

[crazycarlitos]

i was gonna change the insert to a black one as well.

even ordered one with a seller here already.

but when i got my LV today, i realized how beautiful it is just the way it is..

[magnetmandan]

...for all your input and opinions--I truly appreciate every one of them. It seems there is a fairly even split. Maybe I should have started a poll. Actually, I was sure I would want to change the bezel immediately upon it's arrival. Since it came so quickly, and my bezel hasn't come in to my AD yet, I've been "forced" to wear it as is. I just may give it a little longer. I will say that I like this color version than the previous years. I'm gonna' have to try it with the black bezel sometime after it arrives.....just not sure how long I'm gonna' wait!

Again, thanks all for your replies. This place is great!!

:-Dan