16610LV insert. Green to black and back again?

[Thorien]

Hi all!

I'm considering buying my first Rolex. I've decided it's going to be a 16610LV. Love the heritage of the sub plus the maxi dial. It seems a bit of an all rounder to me. I actually love the green bezel insert, but have read in lots of places people talking about buying a black insert and changing the look if they want to.

Now the way people talk about it makes it seem like they will have 2 inserts and just pop in whichever suits on the day, almost at whim. Is it really possible to do this easily at home yourself? Even with out any experience of working with watches? If so I would love to learn how to do so and what tools would be required. Having said that I wouldn't want to damage anything.

Any advice appreciated.....

[TimeToGo]

Welcome to the Forum!

Here is a good tutorial for you to see what is involved:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=49732

[77T]

Even with out any experience of working with watches?

No, I wouldn't do it for the first time on my Rolex with the chance of damage.

The tutorial is easy since the guy doing it is our own mad modification Rolex scientist, Jocke!

[Thorien]

Excellent tutorial. Thanks, will bookmark that. Seems OK apart from the spring bit. That bit looks scary. Usually when I dismantle things springs go flying everywhere. Guess if I did want to change the insert I'd get an watchmaker to do it.

[gmtm2]

never change a Rolex! accepted it as it is born...

[PanosI]

Originally Posted by Thorien

Excellent tutorial. Thanks, will bookmark that. Seems OK apart from the spring bit. That bit looks scary. Usually when I dismantle things springs go flying everywhere. Guess if I did want to change the insert I'd get an watchmaker to do it.

Here is a similar thread with the bezel insert of my 16710.
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=201020

I have also posted somewhere in another thread the same operation with my LV but i can't locate it.

The whole operation is a piece of cake for the expert user but a hell for the newbie.

Remember if you decide to change it yourself that Safety always comes first (cover the most of the watch head and lugs with thick tape) otherwise you're going to scratch your watch.

And of course practise makes perfect.

Good luck whatever you decide

[esm]

Originally Posted by gmtm2

never change a Rolex! accepted it as it is born...

This.

Why fix it if it ain't broken?

[PanosI]

Originally Posted by gmtm2

never change a Rolex! accepted it as it is born...

Originally Posted by esm

This.

Why fix it if it ain't broken?

For the fun of it Guys

I have all my Rolex moded but the kind of mods that they can revert back to original in less than half an hour.

[Thorien]

Oohh! Nice thread Panos, and a lovely watch!
Thanks for that, if you can find your one with the LV that would be fantastic also.
Many thanks!

[Johny]

green to black insert. second pic is it sitting on top of the green. i only lasted a day with the black one on.

[PanosI]

Originally Posted by Johny

i only lasted a day with the black one on.

I've been there, Johny

[Johny]

Originally Posted by PanosI

I've been there, Johny

yes we have panos.

[ecsub44]

Originally Posted by Johny

green to black insert. second pic is it sitting on top of the green. i only lasted a day with the black one on.

I HATE seeing that watch!

Makes me want to get a gold crown for my Sub! and the green bezel is just icing on the cake!

[Johny]

Originally Posted by ecsub44

I HATE seeing that watch!

Makes me want to get a gold crown for my Sub! and the green bezel is just icing on the cake!

the green datewheel is the icing on the cake.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Johny

green to black insert. second pic is it sitting on top of the green. i only lasted a day with the black one on.

This from a man who has a gold crown........

And that is a green to black BEZEL with insert which does make things a bit easier J.
I picked up a new black insert with bezel for $180 so they are out there.
After reading your post from way back I didn't bother trying it on.

Johny.

Hope all you guys are well.

[Thorien]

I'll have it if you are not using it!

[Johny]

Originally Posted by directioneng

This from a man who has a gold crown........

And that is a green to black BEZEL with insert which does make things a bit easier J.
I picked up a new black insert with bezel for $180 so they are out there.
After reading your post from way back I didn't bother trying it on.

Johny.

Hope all you guys are well.

hi eddie we are fine. hope you are all ok as well bud. they have started to salt the roads for winter over here. dont let me put you off, why not give the black one a try and then you can give us your thoughts about it. green bezel with black maratac nato is my favourite, with the green nato a close second. eddie.

[PanosI]

Originally Posted by Johny

hi eddie we are fine. hope you are all ok as well bud. they have started to salt the roads for winter over here. dont let me put you off, why not give the black one a try and then you can give us your thoughts about it. green bezel with black maratac nato is my favourite, with the green nato a close second. eddie.

Johny, i think that the green nato-zulu's are a perfect match for the beauty

[Thorien]

Excellent phots there Johny. It actually looks (dare I say it) dull with a black insert! Will just stick to the green when I get my LV I think!

It is good to know how it's done though.

[Brushpup]

The 16610 LV has really grown on me, and I must say when I see someone wearing one, I like the look a lot. It took a while as I thought it was pretty weird at the start.

As for changing, it really isn't hard to do, and it really is easy to damage the watch. It might be minor, like a scratch or gouge...but without experience and tools, damage comes too easily.

[Roller07]

i wouldn't change it myself even though it does look pretty simple.

too scared i might damage something

[impalass]

When I purchased my LV a black bezel was on my radar, but after wearing the classic SS Submariner for over 30 years I found myself warming up to the touch of green, and now I would'nt dream of changing it.

[cdweller]

I am sporting the black bezel as I type this - it is an easy swap and keeps me interested in the watch

[kdub]

There is a youtube video on this. Looks so simple.

http://youtu.be/7Ev6DJT0P4U

[Thorien]

Great vid! Does it make it look simple and took less than 5 mins. Hmmm. Decisions, decisions......

[fishingbear]

First, you have to get the nerve for the first time to separate the bezel from the case. After you get past that first time it becomes a very easy procedure.
It keeps the watch interesting in that it totally changes the look but i wear the original green insert 99% time that I wear my LV. Good luck.

[Check]

I have a Sub LV and have worn it with a black insert since I pretty much got it.

I love the maxi dial and the dressy /versatile black bezel insert. This being said I have never attempted to change it myself.

[BaltimoreBrian]

Swapped my LV's insert just a few minutes ago for first time. Black insert with the maxi dial looks great!

[gr33n]

Excellent choice, Kermit has been my only rolex for 10 months now, I love it. I bet you will keep the green insert on.