GMT Master (I) bezel replacement or not?

[thunder17]

Hi all

Interesting forum and my first post here.

I have my GMT Master (I) in for service and some repairs (Tokyo). I bought it in the early eighties in Sydney. Today i spoke on the phone with the service guy and he said that if I have the bezel replaced with one of the same color I can't get the original back for reasons to do with counterfeiting! If I get a different color bezel then I can get it back.

There wasn't enough time to go through the sense of all this, but I'd appreciate knowing what's going on here. Anyone?

Also, after a quick glance through some posts here it seems that it may be a mistake to replace the bezel after all. The faded look, like faded jeans, has value after all.
Actually, the faded bezel does have sentimental memories attached to it so maybe I should tell them to leave it alone. Hmm.

Thanks

[springer]

Most vintage collectors prefer the look of the faded bezel insert for their vintage GMT's.

If you have it replaced with a different colored insert and receive the old one back, you can always sell the new one and replace it with the original insert when it is returned. People will pay much more than retail prices for new inserts because they are not easy to obtain from Rolex due to this policy.

[thunder17]

Most vintage collectors prefer the look of the faded bezel insert for their vintage GMT's.

If you have it replaced with a different colored insert and receive the old one back, you can always sell the new one and replace it with the original insert when it is returned. People will pay much more than retail prices for new inserts because they are not easy to obtain from Rolex due to this policy.

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Thanks for that.

If I get the same color bezel replacement then I will lose all options (since Rolex will not return my original bezel).

I don't understand Rolex's logic here, though.

I'd like to get a new bezel, either the same color or different color, while retaining my old one. Why is getting the same color bezel (with original returned) not allowed?

Alice goes down a Swiss rabbit hole here ....

[azguy]

Keep the old bezel on the watch, you can source a new one on-line and keep your faded old one........either for you or for re-sale

Many folks here on TRF can get you a new bezel insert

Post some pics when you have a chance

[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by azguy

Keep the old bezel on the watch, you can source a new one on-line and keep your faded old one........either for you or for re-sale

Many folks here on TRF can get you a new bezel insert

Post some pics when you have a chance

But, if you want a fresh bezel of a different color and get your old one back, that 's the best of all worlds. Unless you've got a museum piece or just like the faded look, I'd get the new bezel.

[thunder17]

Originally Posted by azguy

Keep the old bezel on the watch, you can source a new one on-line and keep your faded old one........either for you or for re-sale

Many folks here on TRF can get you a new bezel insert

Post some pics when you have a chance

I'm concluding that keeping the old bezel is the best option. But, can anyone explain RSC's non-return policy for same color replacement bezels?

I'll see if I can dig up some recent pics.

Thanks.

[Paladin]

Make sure they do not change out the dial either!!!!!!!

[thunder17]

Originally Posted by Paladin

Make sure they do not change out the dial either!!!!!!!

When I took the watch in I inquired about replacing the dial. RSC said it would cost an extra ¥39,000 (about US$480). Anyway, since reading this forum I'm not going to do it, as keeping it as original as possible is preferable, I think.