Best source for a replacement bezel insert for 16710?

[S52]

I am looking to source an original replacement insert for my 16710 Pepsi, as I discovered last week my watch has an aftermarket "hooked 2's" one installed likely by the gray dealer I bought it from 12 years ago...

Has anyone purchased one recently through Rolex? I have found a few for sale on C24 still in the OEM wrapper for $500.

Any idea on the retail price from Rolex on the inserts and if they are even available from Rolex at the moment or am I stuck going "gray" with obtaining one.

Thank you!

[dcash0615]

Call Los Angeles Watchworks in Pasadena, CA. They can source you one if they don’t have in inventory.

[Hkspwrsche]

Originally Posted by S52

I am looking to source an original replacement insert for my 16710 Pepsi, as I discovered last week my watch has an aftermarket "hooked 2's" one installed likely by the gray dealer I bought it from 12 years ago...

Has anyone purchased one recently through Rolex? I have found a few for sale on C24 still in the OEM wrapper for $500.

Any idea on the retail price from Rolex on the inserts and if they are even available from Rolex at the moment or am I stuck going "gray" with obtaining one.

Thank you!

Any AD can order it for you.

[Sothy]

I thought that aluminum bezels were much cheaper than ceramic ones (much much less than $500?). Any AD can order them as mentioned.

[Sothy]

Oh, I realize that you may be reluctant, but if there’s a grey market dealer putting after market bezels on watches, several forum members would like to know…

[Tools]

Dealers and watchmakers with parts accounts can get you one, if they don't have them in stock, and of course, the RSC always has them.

They're around 50 bucks

[Sothy]

Sorry. Just realized. Did you mean that you wanted a faded bezel that looks like it might have been sold X years ago instead of a brand new replacement one from Rolex? Or were you more concerned about the “flat four” (not sure what the GMT had as an equivalent) type fonts on the original bezels vs the replacements? It’s not vintage per se, but the vintage sub forum may be able to help then.

[kegan]

Depends on what you mean by original. There is a good chance your 16710 insert was a serif font when the watch was new. A pristine example is going to hard to find and expensive. A Rolex service replacement can be easily had through official channels for about a hundred bucks. This to me is one of the things I dislike about Rolex. For all their arrogant fuss about
original parts they can’t even supply exact replacements when it comes time. The good news is it only really makes a difference if you want to sell the watch and it’s hard to tell the difference without magnification. That’s an awesome watch you have and it’s gonna look great with a new insert. Faded is way over rated.

[S52]

Originally Posted by Sothy

Oh, I realize that you may be reluctant, but if there’s a grey market dealer putting after market bezels on watches, several forum members would like to know…

I originally bought the watch from a small pre owned watch dealer in Miami FL about 12 years ago. Honestly dont recall the name of the business, nor can I guarantee it was them that did the insert swap. All I know is I got the watch from them and recently learned about the hook nose 2 aftermarket insert which is what my watch happens to have.

The watch may have come to them that way or they could have swapped it... now way to know and too much time has passed to be pointing fingers at this point. lol

Originally Posted by Tools

Dealers and watchmakers with parts accounts can get you one, if they don't have them in stock, and of course, the RSC always has them.

They're around 50 bucks

Cool thanks I will reach out to one

Originally Posted by Sothy

Sorry. Just realized. Did you mean that you wanted a faded bezel that looks like it might have been sold X years ago instead of a brand new replacement one from Rolex? Or were you more concerned about the “flat four” (not sure what the GMT had as an equivalent) type fonts on the original bezels vs the replacements? It’s not vintage per se, but the vintage sub forum may be able to help then.

I would like to just have a minty new insert that is an original Rolex part. The insert on my watch now has faded pretty badly and I think it has faded because it is an aftermarket one.

Originally Posted by kegan

Depends on what you mean by original. There is a good chance your 16710 insert was a serif font when the watch was new. A pristine example is going to hard to find and expensive. A Rolex service replacement can be easily had through official channels for about a hundred bucks. This to me is one of the things I dislike about Rolex. For all their arrogant fuss about
original parts they can’t even supply exact replacements when it comes time. The good news is it only really makes a difference if you want to sell the watch and it’s hard to tell the difference without magnification. That’s an awesome watch you have and it’s gonna look great with a new insert. Faded is way over rated.

That sucks. Of course I would like to have the correct serif font example if that is correct for an F serial 16710... but not sure I'm willing to pay a huge premium for a NOS one. I am also leery now of buying any used inserts as I want it to be an authentic Rolex part- so I will probably just be stuck with a "service replacement" from an AD it seems.

This is the insert on the watch now:
(note the wonky 2's and the extreme fade)



Thank you for the replies and suggestions gents!

[PepsiBezel]

Hello S52,

I think by F-serial, the 16710 inserts were generally sans-serif.

As others have mentioned, your best bet is just your local AD that offers local Rolex service. They generally have this part and can do the swap for $100-$125.

People will avoid the AD or Rolex service centers because they tend to require a bezel “swap” — which in your case is not a concern.

There are a few trusted seller types I can recommend if you are interested in that route.

I also recommend 16710 owners get this simple ifixit plastic pry tool, as it makes DIY insert swaps so easily!

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/i...saArvbEALw_wcB

[kegan]

S52, There you have it. Didn’t know if you needed serif or not. Do yourself a favor and listen to Harry. I’ve been on the hunt for a pepsi serif and it’s ugly out there.

[S52]

Originally Posted by HarryFlashman

Hello S52,

I think by F-serial, the 16710 inserts were generally sans-serif.

As others have mentioned, your best bet is just your local AD that offers local Rolex service. They generally have this part and can do the swap for $100-$125.

People will avoid the AD or Rolex service centers because they tend to require a bezel “swap” — which in your case is not a concern.

There are a few trusted seller types I can recommend if you are interested in that route.

I also recommend 16710 owners get this simple ifixit plastic pry tool, as it makes DIY insert swaps so easily!

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/i...saArvbEALw_wcB

Thank you! Will make some calls this week to my local AD's and see if they can help.

Originally Posted by kegan

S52, There you have it. Didn’t know if you needed serif or not. Do yourself a favor and listen to Harry. I’ve been on the hunt for a pepsi serif and it’s ugly out there.

Good luck with the hunt!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Sothy

I thought that aluminum bezels were much cheaper than ceramic ones (much much less than $500?). Any AD can order them as mentioned.

Aluminium inserts are around $50- $70 from Rolex themselves.

[S52]

Update:

Just got home from visiting my local AD. Had a nice chat with a sales man about my 16710 and obtaining a new bezel insert.

He told me they do not carry any inserts and that my watch would have to be shipped off to the Rolex service department in Dallas with a request for the new bezel. He also said since the bezel is aftermarket they could flat out refuse to service the watch and swap the part out for me.

It seems like I am in a bit of a bind and may wind up having to source my own OEM bezel insert off the gray market. :/ I am not too happy about this since they are expensive gray and I of course will worry about receiving another aftermarket insert.

I browsed around the store and of course the Rolex section was barren, just a couple of diamond dial'd TT lady models on display. They did have a fairly large section with used Rolex mostly Subs, Sea Dwellers, and a few 16710's. The 16710 Pepsis they had for sale were being offered at $17.5k which was rather shocking!

[Tools]

Your AD must not have a watchmaker or shop they refer to.

Try the old SFO RSC over on Post Road in SF, Giovanni has been servicing Rolex watches for decades and might even have an insert in the drawer.

[S52]

Originally Posted by Tools

Your AD must not have a watchmaker or shop they refer to.

Try the old SFO RSC over on Post Road in SF, Giovanni has been servicing Rolex watches for decades and might even have an insert in the drawer.

Good call. I currently have my vintage Red Sub at Giovanni's for a service. Should be ready next month. I think I will ask him if he has any spare inserts leftover when I go pick up my sub.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by S52

Good call. I currently have my vintage Red Sub at Giovanni's for a service. Should be ready next month. I think I will ask him if he has any spare inserts leftover when I go pick up my sub.

Hi

Perhaps contact him now as he may need some time to order an insert.