Old diver inserts with lost pearl - thoughts?

[Eric88]

I've debated this a lot over the years. One of the first things to go on a vintage diver bezel aka 5513, 1680, etc. is the pearl. We see a number of watches on sale with an empty hole where the pearl used to sit and we also see a bunch with a newer shiny white replacement that does not match the watch's overall patina. Also, it is possible to source a matching pearl or have one color-matched.

Which brings me to my question - how much do you obsess over having a perfect, matching pearl in your bezel? If you lost it, would you just roll with the empty hole? Thanks!

[samuelhuntington]

You can find original ones with patina for around $100 usd. So if I had one fall out I would source a new one. It is a challenge to match patina without holding the pearl but they can be had.

[Eric88]

Yes, I know you can get decent replacement options, but I guess I'm going for more of a visceral response about a tool watch. Presumably, when these old watches were new in the '60s or '70s (before they were such a niche collectable like now), the pearls would be compromised or lost and many divers would just keep using the watch with an empty hole in the bezel. I am interested to learn more about this to see how commonplace is the missing pearl.

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by Eric88

I am interested to learn more about this to see how commonplace is the missing pearl.

The pearls just crumble with old age, plus getting knocked about.

I am curious how many of these "Vintage Pearls" out there are really vintage and really Rolex.

[oldLeatherNeck]

Originally Posted by linesiders

The pearls just crumble with old age, plus getting knocked about.

I am curious how many of these "Vintage Pearls" out there are really vintage and really Rolex.

Yah, even VRFers are fooled.

I just shook my old head when seeing some chap selling a $3.00 chinese pearl shell filled with yellow color paint and sell them for 90 Euros, claiming it's genuine. He's at it for so freaking long, and apparently no one noticed. The bright yellow paint gives it away. I am willing to bet the PATINA will forever be that, doesn't matter how long you store it in the dark.

And if you're keen, these "Vintage Pearls" somehow are still full of "tritium" even after 40+ years. In the real genuine pearls, the tritium would have shrunken to about 1/2 of the original.

Well, a fool and his money will soon be parted

[Eric88]

Which insert is more interesting to you?

[oldLeatherNeck]

Originally Posted by Eric88

Which insert is more interesting to you?

First one is period correct for your watch. It's MK 3. The other, though faded, is a service thin font.

[omitohud]

Originally Posted by oldLeatherNeck

First one is period correct for your watch. It's MK 3. The other, though faded, is a service thin font.

X2


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[Vincent65]

Yes, the 1st one! ^^

[Eric88]

Thanks for the comments! I knew the faded insert was a thin service font, but find its grey/blue fade attractive. It's nice to have options.