GMT II Bezel / Nit Picky Question...

[Speed]

Question for GMT owners / WIS's.

I will soon be purchasing a D Serial GMT II with Coke Bezel.

Will the papers *specify* the original bezel was a Coke? Reason I ask is that a snooty AD told me that most bezel inserts sold were aftermarket AND that papers would be a giveaway if I switched to say a Pepsi when I went to sell the watch...

Isn't 16710 the model # for all later model GMT IIs ? I think the "A" was added for the Stick font dial???

I would like to get a legit Pepsi bezel to switch out for the Coke - if I felt like it.

Apologies if this has been covered. Selfishly I want to learn all about my soon to arrive D Series GMT II.

Thanks in advance!

[jdc]

Rolex UK will switch an insert while you wait, Pepsi, Coke or black. Given that Rolex are not worried I cannot see why you should be. You can always buy another.

[Speed]

So the watch is not designated - on the papers - as Black & Red, Red & Blue - or by other means???

[padi56]

Originally Posted by jdc

Rolex UK will switch an insert while you wait, Pepsi, Coke or black. Given that Rolex are not worried I cannot see why you should be. You can always buy another.

Have to agree in the UK, but sometimes Rolex USA are a law to themselves afraid the guys across the pond get a raw deal with Rolex USA.And the 16710 is the same GMT no matter what the bezel insert, they are made to be interchangeable.

[jdc]

Originally Posted by masugu

So the watch is not designated - on the papers - as Black & Red, Red & Blue - or by other means???

mine's a GMT Y serial number 2002. European papers has serial number marked as steel but no designation regarding insert colour that I can see. Maybe later GMT's or those in USA are different?

[Speed]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree in the UK, but sometimes Rolex USA are a law to themselves afraid the guys across the pond get a raw deal with Rolex USA.And the 16710 is the same GMT no matter what the bezel insert, they are made to be interchangeable.

Thanks Padi...Good to know. I'll have to procure a Pepsi bezel / insert at some point.

I was making a point in another thread that an AD told me an bezel /inserts I saw for sale anywhere other than an AD were fake...but some TRF'ers explained how folks get hold of them. I am buying teh watch from a reputable seller who replaced the coke insert with a fresh one... so I am not worried...but will need to be careful buying a "part" later

[Speed]

I don't know if USA papers are that different

[disco stu]

This is a timely issue for me seeing as I've just got back from my AD, who told me that Rolex will know when you get it serviced if the bezel is non-original. Can't see how! He also told me that any you find for sale are fake. So where can I get a genuine one from?

[JC1305us]

The papers do say the bezel insert color. i.e. 16710 BLRO (Red/Blue) Like mine does. LN (Black) and whatever the abbreviation is for Black/Red. It escapes me right now. Hope this helps!

[Perdu]

My understanding is that an AD will change the bezel for you (any color) but they have to keep yours. Maybe someone can chime in as to whether Rolex will do that. The color designation is not shown on the watch. I had my black changed to a Pepsi at a non authorized dealer.

I'm in the UK next week to see family so I'm getting a new insert from Rolex London for 22.50 GBP. Rolex Europe seem to take better care of their customers. I can't fathom why Rolex let the U.S. do their own thing, especially when it's a downgrade in customer service.

[Speed]

I also heard that many of the TRF sellers have connections overseas or locally get authentic bezels...

However, I am wondering how prevalent fake bezels are???? Anyone have any experience with this?

I am a bit anal about authenticity - not that most folks can tell the difference, but I don;t want any fake / aftermarket parts.

[Tridor]

Generally, the papers will not specify the bezel color. As long as the bezel is appropriate for the model type, Rolex doesn't care. For example, in '98 I purchased new a GMT 16700 with a Pepsi insert. The papers said nothing about bezel color. Later on, I decided to change the insert to black and had it done during a normal service at RSC NYC. The GMT 1 could only have a Pepsi or black insert ... a red/black was reserved for the GMT II. Apparently, once the GMT 1 was discontinued, the Pepsi bezel insert became available for the GMT II.

So, don't worry about swapping out.

Regards.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Tridor

Generally, the papers will not specify the bezel color. As long as the bezel is appropriate for the model type, Rolex doesn't care. For example, in '98 I purchased new a GMT 16700 with a Pepsi insert. The papers said nothing about bezel color. Later on, I decided to change the insert to black and had it done during a normal service at RSC NYC. The GMT 1 could only have a Pepsi or black insert ... a red/black was reserved for the GMT II. Apparently, once the GMT 1 was discontinued, the Pepsi bezel insert became available for the GMT II.

So, don't worry about swapping out.

Regards.

Thanks Tridor. I am talking about a D Series...so relatively new. I think based on earlier feedback that the newer GMT IIs may specify original bezel color. At any rate, I am fine with swapping bezels for my personal pleasure in the future...I just want to buy a proper / real Rolex Pepsi which will look legit (because it is)... Am I being too anal? Is a bezel an easy thing to fake so aftermarket bezels look / feel genuine???

[Tridor]

Why not call a RSC and ask. They'll tell you.

[TurboWatch]

model 16710B=pepsi
model 16710A=coke

[Speed]

Originally Posted by TurboWatch

model 16710B=pepsi
model 16710A=coke

Thanks...Will check my papers when I get the watch. May also look to find a TRF seller who can sell me a Legit Pepsi insert to fit a D serial GMT II.

I also have a RSC near me...well, not an official RSC, but close.

[jdc]

Originally Posted by Perdu

My understanding is that an AD will change the bezel for you (any color) but they have to keep yours. Maybe someone can chime in as to whether Rolex will do that. The color designation is not shown on the watch. I had my black changed to a Pepsi at a non authorized dealer.

I'm in the UK next week to see family so I'm getting a new insert from Rolex London for 22.50 GBP. Rolex Europe seem to take better care of their customers. I can't fathom why Rolex let the U.S. do their own thing, especially when it's a downgrade in customer service.

Unless Rolex UK have changed their policy recently they will put in your choice of insert and let you keep the old one. Dan Pierce did that on his trip to London last year. The policy in USA as I understand it is that they keep the old insert.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by jdc

Unless Rolex UK have changed their policy recently they will put in your choice of insert and let you keep the old one. Dan Pierce did that on his trip to London last year. The policy in USA as I understand it is that they keep the old insert.

Spot on, Martin.
dP

[karmatp]

Rolex policy says to keep the insert but if you find a good AD with a watchmaker that you have any kind of relationship with, they will usually let you keep it.

Rolex has a new policy that says that when a Rolex AD orders a insert for a customer, they must submit the serial number from the customers watch. Now I can tell you first hand that I have submitted the serial numbers for a coke and ordered a pepsi insert and I have also ordered a solid black insert for my pepsi. Both times Rolex shipped a new insert without any questions to my local AD.

If you have a question regarding inserts, you need to go to your local AD and talk to your Rolex certified watchmaker because everyone has different relationships with their AD's. What some AD's do for some, they might not do for others. Questions like this are sometimes better researched buy just picking up the phone and calling your local AD, you would have all the answers already. Best of luck.

[Speed]

Thanks Trevor, Dan,

Will check with my local RSC as well. My local ADs don't seem to want to help much -unless you are ready to pay full retail for a watch!

Originally Posted by karmatp

Rolex policy says to keep the insert but if you find a good AD with a watchmaker that you have any kind of relationship with, they will usually let you keep it.

Rolex has a new policy that says that when a Rolex AD orders a insert for a customer, they must submit the serial number from the customers watch. Now I can tell you first hand that I have submitted the serial numbers for a coke and ordered a pepsi insert and I have also ordered a solid black insert for my pepsi. Both times Rolex shipped a new insert without any questions to my local AD.

If you have a question regarding inserts, you need to go to your local AD and talk to your Rolex certified watchmaker because everyone has different relationships with their AD's. What some AD's do for some, they might not do for others. Questions like this are sometimes better researched buy just picking up the phone and calling your local AD, you would have all the answers already. Best of luck.

[Z-Sub]

Originally Posted by TurboWatch

model 16710B=pepsi
model 16710A=coke

Bill, this is the same information I just sent to your PM and the N is Noir, black insert.
As long as they are authentic, Rolex would not care which one you sent to them during service.
in fact I'm going to send them the most used one and ask for a new relacement of the same.

[Speed]

Thanks

I was unsure if the coding varied by Serail year.

Much appreciated.