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Old 6 October 2020, 12:53 AM   #1
watchmainspring
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Bleaching Bezel Inserts

I was curious what bleaching a bezel insert might do for resale of a 16700? I recently purchased a used coke insert and was considering bleaching it rather than paying double or triple for one that is sun-faded. Of course I am an honest person and would disclose that the insert was artificially altered by oxidation with liquid bleach, should I ever decide to sell it. Or I'd simply only sell it with a genuine insert that has not been artificially altered.

Is this a pointless venture; does a bleached insert generally look inauthentic and cheap?
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Old 6 October 2020, 12:59 AM   #2
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Is this a pointless venture; does a bleached insert generally look inauthentic and cheap?
Yes.
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Old 6 October 2020, 01:03 AM   #3
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Yes.

Thanks.

What do you think is a reasonable price for a Pepsi or Coke insert that is seriously washed out, then? Any suggestions on vendors. Kind of off topic I guess.


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Old 6 October 2020, 01:53 AM   #4
joli160
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I see some ridiculous prices for bleached examples, a fool and his money
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Old 6 October 2020, 01:53 AM   #5
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Thanks.

What do you think is a reasonable price for a Pepsi or Coke insert that is seriously washed out, then? Any suggestions on vendors. Kind of off topic I guess.


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Less than a good unfaded insert IMO. This whole "ghost" bezel thing is BS. Just people trying to charge extra for a degraded insert. I think most buyers have caught onto this by now, and aren't willing to pay more.
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Old 6 October 2020, 01:53 AM   #6
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I see some ridiculous prices for bleached examples, a fool and his money

I wonder about some of them on eBay....


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Old 6 October 2020, 02:06 AM   #7
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Less than a good unfaded insert IMO. This whole "ghost" bezel thing is BS. Just people trying to charge extra for a degraded insert. I think most buyers have caught onto this by now, and aren't willing to pay more.
Interesting. I find some appeal in the "ghost" bezel but at the same time a new/crisp bezel has it's appeal as well. I'd buy a ghost bezel but probably wouldn't pay more than a couple hundred dollars. This $1000+ ordeal is not something I can justify.
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Old 6 October 2020, 02:12 AM   #8
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It's strange what people pay premium for....

Like numi coin collectors, they pay crazy premiums for "toned" coins, but people have learned to artificially tone coins with egg yolk, etc...And sell for much more....

If you like the faded look, then who cares if it's from age or artificial means....Pay what you want to get what you want...
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Old 6 October 2020, 02:14 AM   #9
watchmainspring
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It's strange what people pay premium for....

Like numi coin collectors, they pay crazy premiums for "toned" coins, but people have learned to artificially tone coins with egg yolk, etc...And sell for much more....

If you like the faded look, then who cares if it's from age or artificial means....Pay what you want to get what you want...

Wow. Maybe we should egg yolk our watches


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Old 6 October 2020, 02:26 AM   #10
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Most people pay premium for nice, undamaged inserts. Fade is not the first thing to look at. Chemically faded inserts ruin the top layer before the color can fade. Something that is easily spotted and not very attractive.
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Old 6 October 2020, 03:48 AM   #11
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Maybe if you were it normally, swim in the sea, etc...it will whenever finally bleach...just sayin'...
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Old 6 October 2020, 03:57 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by Handey0465 View Post
It's strange what people pay premium for....

Like numi coin collectors, they pay crazy premiums for "toned" coins, but people have learned to artificially tone coins with egg yolk, etc...And sell for much more....

If you like the faded look, then who cares if it's from age or artificial means....Pay what you want to get what you want...
I dont think putting bleach on an insert gives it a natural look, just as a bottle blonde doesn't appear truly natural either.

Pay what you want to get what you want is a dangerous phrase unless you know what you're doing. "Too good to be true" drives a lot of uninformed buyers in vintage...
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Old 6 October 2020, 04:04 AM   #13
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There is a great article on the forum by @Springer specifically on how to identify correct inserts. Bleaching is covered.
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Old 6 October 2020, 04:06 AM   #14
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There is a great article on the forum by @Springer specifically on how to identify correct inserts. Bleaching is covered.
I know this is cheap but do you have a link please?
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Old 6 October 2020, 04:11 AM   #15
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Ghost inserts are nice. They do also bring out dials more. Im against bleaching inserts but some of them are well done and had some members confused about whether it was naturally faded.
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Old 6 October 2020, 04:11 AM   #16
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I know this is cheap but do you have a link please?
I think the title says it all. GMT Bezel Inserts, Aftermarket Inserts and Bleached Inserts. Ta da!
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...hlight=inserts
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Old 6 October 2020, 05:35 AM   #17
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Artificial faded bezels - ghost bezels
Artificially aged lume plots - phony patina
Cracked dials - Spider dial
Aftermarket internals
Laser welding of cases
Aftermarket acrylic crystals

Vintage is not for the weak of heart.
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Old 6 October 2020, 05:50 AM   #18
roh123
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Artificial faded bezels - ghost bezels
Artificially aged lume plots - phony patina
Cracked dials - Spider dial
Aftermarket internals
Laser welding of cases
Aftermarket acrylic crystals

Vintage is not for the weak of heart.
The hardest thing is to find nice enough stuff.
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Old 6 October 2020, 06:17 AM   #19
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The hardest thing is to find nice enough stuff.
Agreed. The further you get into the hobby the higher your standards get. You need to see a lot of pieces to get a feel for how things should be and what might be off.
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Old 6 October 2020, 06:29 AM   #20
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Inserts for the sapphire models are still pretty reasonable, I would think you should be able to find a nice faded insert for well under $500.

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Old 6 October 2020, 06:48 AM   #21
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I was curious what bleaching a bezel insert might do for resale of a 16700? I recently purchased a used coke insert and was considering bleaching it rather than paying double or triple for one that is sun-faded. Of course I am an honest person and would disclose that the insert was artificially altered by oxidation with liquid bleach, should I ever decide to sell it. Or I'd simply only sell it with a genuine insert that has not been artificially altered.

Is this a pointless venture; does a bleached insert generally look inauthentic and cheap?
Would it matter if I mentioned that the 16700 never came with a Coke bezel insert?

Not a fan of bleached inserts under any circumstances. Forget for a moment that it's an artificial/fake way to age a part, they never look right.
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Old 6 October 2020, 07:07 AM   #22
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Would it matter if I mentioned that the 16700 never came with a Coke bezel insert?

Not a fan of bleached inserts under any circumstances. Forget for a moment that it's an artificial/fake way to age a part, they never look right.

Oh wow didn't realize that about 16700. Pepsi and black only, then?


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Old 6 October 2020, 07:59 AM   #23
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Oh wow didn't realize that about 16700. Pepsi and black only, then?


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Correct.
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Old 6 October 2020, 08:00 AM   #24
watchmainspring
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Correct.

Out of curiosity what would Rolex do if I sent a Coke 16700 in for service?


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Old 6 October 2020, 08:10 AM   #25
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Out of curiosity what would Rolex do if I sent a Coke 16700 in for service?


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Good question, and not 100 percent sure, but probably nothing.

About two years ago, I took my insert-less 16700 to the RSC in NYC to have them install a new insert. They gave me a choice of black, Pepsi or Coke. Perhaps that was an indication they didn't know, or maybe they didn't care.

I hear it's more strict now doing stuff like this, so perhaps the rules have changed.

We need a photo!
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Old 6 October 2020, 08:49 AM   #26
watchmainspring
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Good question, and not 100 percent sure, but probably nothing.

About two years ago, I took my insert-less 16700 to the RSC in NYC to have them install a new insert. They gave me a choice of black, Pepsi or Coke. Perhaps that was an indication they didn't know, or maybe they didn't care.

I hear it's more strict now doing stuff like this, so perhaps the rules have changed.

We need a photo!

Very interesting. I sent my date 1500 in twice on a genuine jubille and they didn't say or do anything other than the service requested. Their fault for selling it with filled oyster links that stretch like rubber.

I checked out the price for a Pepsi insert and it doesn't seem appealing. If I install the coke for long term use is that taboo? Will resale be a head scratcher?


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Old 6 October 2020, 11:25 AM   #27
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Fashion. And more money out of a used piece of old anodized aluminium.

All my inserts are as close to factory colours as possible.

Would you drive a vintage Guards Red Porsche faded to orange or pink/fuschia?
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Old 6 October 2020, 11:56 AM   #28
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Would you drive a vintage Guards Red Porsche faded to orange or pink/fuschia?
Not sure of that analogy, but I would much rather own a vintage Gibson Les Paul sunburst that had faded to a honey or iced tea color rather than a new bright red/orange one.
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Old 6 October 2020, 12:04 PM   #29
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I see 16700s selling with coke inserts all the time on HQ milton and Tropical watch etc

No one seems to care anymore


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Old 6 October 2020, 12:35 PM   #30
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Agreed. The further you get into the hobby the higher your standards get. You need to see a lot of pieces to get a feel for how things should be and what might be off.
Yup! Love a watch with character, but not one that is artificially done. Don’t do it, just wear it...
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