Why are "116710 BLNR"s more expensive than "116710 Custom"s? Educate me.

[paxjedi]

So I understand that the original 116710LN came out only with a black ceramic bezel. And then it was eventually discontinued and replaced with the current models 216710 BLRO and 216710 BLNR. So educate me please on the following:

1. On the first iteration of the 116710LN, did Rolex ever come out with a simple 116710 (no suffix letters) or was everything an LN

2. So the 116710 Custom that I see on Chrono24, were these watches all originally 116710LN that were modified by changing the bezels to Pepsi or Coke, adding color to the bezel?

3. Or did Rolex allow customers to order Custom 116710 from the AD and had the option to change the bezel (or dial) to whatever color was available then?

4. Why is the average price of the 116710 Custom in Chrono24, about $6,000 cheaper than a 116710BLRO or BLRN? Is it because the latter is all original, while the former is customized?

All so confusing to me. Right now I am interested in a 116710 but was wondering about the big price discrepancy.

Thank you all.

[HogwldFLTR]

Simply Authentic vs. not.

[paxjedi]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Simply Authentic vs. not.

But if the Custom started its life as an authentic, then its easy to bring it back. Just change the bezel again and all is good - and you get to save a lot even by getting a new and original color bezel because the customs are waaayyy cheaper.

Is it that simple?

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[vh2k]

Authentic vs. counterfeit. Terms like "custom" mean FAKE.

Real Rolex bezel is more valuable than a fake one.

Rolex with factory diamonds (dial/bezel/etc.) is more valuable than those with fake ones.

Real Rolex from an AD is more valuable than a fake one from Chinatown.

[rtalk]

so this is a big change in Rolex policy that I am not a fan of.

For example, with the 16710, they used to be shipped with codes indicating original bezel color. E.g. 16710A for Pepsi (this is off the top of my head could be Coke). So for these watches you can tell how they were born (and if I recall Rolex only started doing this later on in the production of the 16710).

However, to this day, in most areas, Rolex services center will freely let you swap bezels, regardless of how your watch was born. When I was in the market for a 16710, it was not like the six digit references where the bezel drove prices. The advice I got was buy the best 16710 you can, and swap the bezel. BTW rolex will return your old bezel back, so I amassed a collection of different bezel colorways.

It's interesting that in the 16710, this is totally acceptable (even though our papers indicate color just like in six digit), but in the six digit world this is taboo. A lot of that has to do with the decisions Rolex made, and people wanting to protect their watches value. Also Rolex did change the text colors for different six digit references. The LN has green text.

My last rant piece, for a company that invests so much in sustainability, for them to make you buy a new watch, just to get the bezel you want ... is horrible for the environment.

P.S. I am a 116710BLNR owner and 16710 owner.

[dpt.calvin]

Originally Posted by paxjedi

So I understand that the original 116710LN came out only with a black ceramic bezel. And then it was eventually discontinued and replaced with the current models 216710 BLRO and 216710 BLNR. So educate me please on the following:

1. On the first iteration of the 116710LN, did Rolex ever come out with a simple 116710 (no suffix letters) or was everything an LN

LN just means Lunette Noire (referring to the black bezel).

2. So the 116710 Custom that I see on Chrono24, were these watches all originally 116710LN that were modified by changing the bezels to Pepsi or Coke, adding color to the bezel?

BLNR = Bleu/Noir – Blue and black
BLRO = BLRO = Bleu/Rouge

116710 only came in LN and BLNR.

3. Or did Rolex allow customers to order Custom 116710 from the AD and had the option to change the bezel (or dial) to whatever color was available then?

No.

4. Why is the average price of the 116710 Custom in Chrono24, about $6,000 cheaper than a 116710BLRO or BLRN? Is it because the latter is all original, while the former is customized?

Because a "custom" 116710 indicates it wasn't born the way it's being sold.

All so confusing to me. Right now I am interested in a 116710 but was wondering about the big price discrepancy.

Thank you all.

See above.

[rmwill]

Rolex is doing folks a favor by keeping later references true to their original configuration. Last thing buyers need to worry about some hack putting fake parts on and calling them original. Enough games are played already.

[dpt.calvin]

Originally Posted by vh2k

Authentic vs. counterfeit. Terms like "custom" mean FAKE.

Real Rolex bezel is more valuable than a fake one.

Rolex with factory diamonds (dial/bezel/etc.) is more valuable than those with fake ones.

Real Rolex from an AD is more valuable than a fake one from Chinatown.

I don't think custom and fake are always synonymous. That's a blanket statement.

[rtalk]

Originally Posted by rmwill

Rolex is doing folks a favor by keeping later references true to their original configuration. Last thing buyers need to worry about some hack putting fake parts on and calling them original. Enough games are played already.

There is nothing that Rolex can do to prevent that. Once that watch leaves an ORJ, it's been buyer beware and always will be. You could buy an LN, put a BLNR custom bezel on it, paint the text white instead of green, and sell it naked ... or spoof the warranty card ... This may seem far fetch, but crazy $#$@#$@# happens given the high ROI of cheating.

[rmwill]

Yes, they absolutely can and do. Any swapped bezel on a ceramic model is fake because Rolex never sold it without an exchange. Period.

Originally Posted by rtalk

There is nothing that Rolex can do to prevent that. Once that watch leaves an ORJ, it's been buyer beware and always will be. You could buy an LN, put a BLNR custom bezel on it, paint the text white instead of green, and sell it naked ... or spoof the warranty card ... This may seem far fetch, but crazy $#$@#$@# happens given the high ROI of cheating.

[paxjedi]

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

See above.

OK. All very good to know.

That's why those 216710 Customs in Chrono24 are so much lower priced than the untouched 216710(XXXX).

Cheers folks.


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[paxjedi]

Originally Posted by rmwill

Yes, they absolutely can and do. Any swapped bezel on a ceramic model is fake because Rolex never sold it without an exchange. Period.

But what if you put back the original bezel (that you kept), then would it be authentic again? Then the following week, you put back the Pepsi bezel... then it would be fake again? .... and so .....

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[rmwill]

5 digit models are a bit of a different animal. Rolex did source aluminum bezels more freely, so it is possible that a swapped bezel is a genuine Rolex part. Still there are many fakes there also. Not possible on the ceramic models, unless someone stole the part from Rolex or an AD.

Originally Posted by paxjedi

OK. All very good to know.

That's why those 16710 Customs in Chrono24 are so much lower priced than the untouched 16710(XXXX).

Cheers folks.


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[rmwill]

You can always swap a fake bezel with the original one and vice versa if you kept the original. Does the "faken"watch come with both the fake and correct bezel at that price? I bet not.

Originally Posted by paxjedi

But what if you put back the original bezel (that you kept), then would it be authentic again? Then the following week, you put back the Pepsi bezel... then it would be fake again? .... and so .....

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[JH419]

This guy did it. Looks like he had to get the WG Bezel and Older dial version. Hence no crown in-between "Swiss Made"

Can't imagine how much or long it took him to source those parts.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=667066