Insert swappers. How often do you swap?

[Onikage]

And does anyone utilise certain colours for certain moods, occasions, seasons etc?

[Speed]

Once / no.

[757doc001]

I am about to start the swapping...

I have a 16710 Z with a pepsi bezel, I am awaiting on the black to arrive in the mail and I will be purchasing a coke soon after.

To go with the black I plan on purchasing a new 116710 dial with maxi markers and then a green GMT hand to go along with it.

That's why I got the GMT II so many combos done relatively easy

[PanosI]

At least 3 times a year. Summertime = Pepsi, Fall= Coke, Winter= all black, Spring=a little coke and then back to Pepsi.

In the meantime I also
change the bracellet from jubilee to oyster and back

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by 757doc001

I am about to start the swapping...

I have a 16710 Z with a pepsi bezel, I am awaiting on the black to arrive in the mail and I will be purchasing a coke soon after.

To go with the black I plan on purchasing a new 116710 dial with maxi markers and then a green GMT hand to go along with it.

That's why I got the GMT II so many combos done relatively easy

That would be interesting. You know where to post the pics of the results! With the black insert this could be like a GMT2C without the fat lugs and the cluttered looking bezel font.

[Speed]

Obviously you can swap out an insert. That said, Rolex did not design the watch so folks could change out and deny them a watch sale.

Eventually the steel contacts will wear after frequent changing and you compromise the bezels
ability to hold fast to the watch.

[Puffy]

Not any more, i leave that to the experts...

[PanosI]

Accidents happen all time, puffy but if you are lucky the first times and you don't ding your watch, then time and practice makes perfect. After many times you can pop off the bezel in 1 sec with some kind of blade covered with plastic tape.

I did something like yours but much more light the first time I changed my bezel, which dissappeared at the first service.

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by PanosI

Accidents happen all time, puffy but if you are lucky the first times and you don't ding your watch, then time and practice makes perfect. After many times you can pop off the bezel in 1 sec with some kind of blade covered with plastic tape.

I did something like yours but much more light the first time I changed my bezel, which dissappeared at the first service.

it looks a lot worse than it is in real life, it's just a bit of the satin finish that has been flattened

having said that my bezel changing days are over

[757doc001]

the cost of expertise!

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by Puffy

Not any more, i leave that to the experts...

Yowch. I feel your pain. I guess my general enthusiasm for swapping is fuelled by the complete lack of any really negative accounts about it. Ie; the bezel falling off . My father's tag had a badly worn bezel which did fall off but that was down to the years of abrasive dirt trapped underneath it, The click spring was the first to go, when the bezel easily turned both ways. My GMT is thoroughly cleaned regularly so I really can't see this happening in the immediate future. Bezels are meant to be turned, surely this causes wear and tear too? Especially a bezel which hasn't been cleaned under? I've changed my insert four times now in the last couple of months, I think of it like changing the wallpaper on a PC desktop or the theme on a mobile phone. A little extra variety for my viewing pleasure. I find the pepsi nice on sunny days, black on cooler days and coke for inbetween There are people out there I have read about who do this very frequently, whose watches have been subject to this procedure hundreds, possibly thousands of times.
If anyone can point me to an actual account of any serious longterm effects of this dirty little hobby. I will cease doing it completely and strongly advise against it....

[Dan Pierce]

I change the bezels on my GMT II for the seasons, pepsi for spring, coke for winter, and all black for whenever that itch needs to be scratched. Same w/ bracelets and straps.


I've changed the bezels on my snowflake and Big Block but mostly enjoy the vintage look best.
dP

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

I change the bezels on my GMT II for the seasons, pepsi for spring, coke for winter, and all black for whenever that itch needs to be scratched. Same w/ bracelets and straps.


I've changed the bezels on my snowflake and Big Block but mostly enjoy the vintage look best.
dP

Nice variety! Your flat retention washer looks a little curly. May I ask if this causes you any problems? My washer is still flat but I hit it on the first time and it warped the reflection where I got it.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Onikage

Nice variety! Your flat retention washer looks a little curly. May I ask if this causes you any problems? My washer is still flat but I hit it on the first time and it warped the reflection where I got it.

Thanks!
No problems that I've seen.
dP

[J.Alan]

Nope. I change watches!!

J. Alan

[757doc001]

Very nice Dan, love the combos

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

I change the bezels on my GMT II for the seasons, pepsi for spring, coke for winter, and all black for whenever that itch needs to be scratched. Same w/ bracelets and straps.


I've changed the bezels on my snowflake and Big Block but mostly enjoy the vintage look best.
dP

[ptugolf]

Originally Posted by Puffy

Not any more, i leave that to the experts...

I feel your pain, Puffy.

[isampark]

Maybe a green Sub insert for future purposes wouldn't be bad. But I am sticking to my Black insert for at least a few years :)

[Dr. Robert]

Doesn't changing the bezels do something to the bezels?????? Even gentle prying must
do something to them?????

[Speed]

Bob

SF RSC advises to limit changes as the metal contacts will indeed wear
down eventually.

[Batfink666]

Where is a good place to get differant bezels in the uk, i have d serial pepsi gmt , i would like black maybe,

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by Batfink666

Where is a good place to get differant bezels in the uk, i have d serial pepsi gmt , i would like black maybe,

You need an authorised Rolex dealer with a Rolex parts account. Or a Rolex Service Center.

[jdc]

Originally Posted by Batfink666

Where is a good place to get differant bezels in the uk, i have d serial pepsi gmt , i would like black maybe,

Rolex HQ UK
19 St James's Square London London SW1Y 4JE United Kingdom. Tel: +44 20 7024 7300. Fax: +44 20 7024 7317. Many have done so on this forum, take your watch in and they will pop in the insert you want and return your old one. Around £30.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by 757doc001

Very nice Dan, love the combos

Thanks, Jason!

Originally Posted by jdc

Rolex HQ UK
19 St James's Square London London SW1Y 4JE United Kingdom. Tel: +44 20 7024 7300. Fax: +44 20 7024 7317. Many have done so on this forum, take your watch in and they will pop in the insert you want and return your old one. Around £30.

Spot on, Martin. That's what I did.
dP

[dddrees]

I could with my Sub LV, however I have yet to as the Green insert is a nice change of pace.

I should have my GMT 16710 soon, and I may change the inserts on that watch. Although Puffys' results do give me reason for concern.

[brady]

Threw the original green bezel back on my LV today. I usually end up putting green on for a bit during the summer months, but since it doesn't always go with what I'm wearing, I'll normally put the blackie back on after a month.