Yacht-Master Platinum bezel question

[stockjock1975]

Hello everyone at TRF! Purely a hypothetical question here. But I'm wondering if anyone knows what RSC would charge if the platinum bezel on a Yacht-Master needs replaced? Just curious.




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[Etschell]

Originally Posted by stockjock1975

Hello everyone at TRF! Purely a hypothetical question here. But I'm wondering if anyone knows what RSC would charge if the platinum bezel on a Yacht-Master needs replaced? Just curious.




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part cost plus labor.

easily over 1k. but prob a full service not just bezel insert replacement.

[kaien]

Originally Posted by stockjock1975

Hello everyone at TRF! Purely a hypothetical question here. But I'm wondering if anyone knows what RSC would charge if the platinum bezel on a Yacht-Master needs replaced? Just curious.

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My guess would be about $2K from start to finish.

[rebel_1]

This has to be one of the more expensive bezels. I wouldn’t even guess. I bet you could call and ask.

Is yours damaged?

[thomaswentworth]

Isn't it just the bezel insert that is platinum? I thought the bezel was stainless steel.

[77T]

Originally Posted by thomaswentworth

Isn't it just the bezel insert that is platinum? I thought the bezel was stainless steel.

Hard to say since OP made no distinction in reference number.

On the 16622, only the bezel insert is platinum - the bezel ring is SS.

On the 116622 the entire bezel is platinum.

The cost will depend on what other work is being done. If done during a routine service, the labor for just replacing the bezel or insert is less than an a’la carte job.


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[joroz001]

I asked once and the part alone was somewhere between $3500 and $4000. I did see someone recently past the a British RSC quoted him GBP 600 for a replacement (keeping old one).

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[joli160]

They can be refurbished for a fraction of the cost

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by 77T

On the 16622, only the bezel insert is platinum - the bezel ring is SS.

On the 116622 the entire bezel is platinum.

Added to my Rolex Factbook. I never got a definitive answer. Since you're saying this it must have been cleared up. I seem to remember about the bezel weighing too much for just the insert to be platinum but I had no idea of the differences between the 5 and 6 digit. I had in my mind that the entire bezel was platinum regardless of reference.

In answer to the OP - It is possible to carefully mask the bezel and individually polish the numerals without touching the satin background. If the satin background is your problem area there are people who can refurb that too... Not that I know of anyone as I treat my YM bezel like my eyeballs.

[VicLeChic]

Originally Posted by 77T

Hard to say since OP made no distinction in reference number.

On the 16622, only the bezel insert is platinum - the bezel ring is SS.

On the 116622 the entire bezel is platinum.

The cost will depend on what other work is being done. If done during a routine service, the labor for just replacing the bezel or insert is less than an a’la carte job.


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This is new to me. Do you have a source to support this?

According to Jocke when deconstructing the 16622, "The outer bezel is mirror polished and the insert is blasted with polished numbers and sticks. Both parts are made in solid Platinum but I can´t find a hallmark." Total weight is 10 grams for platinum insert and outer ring, compared to 4 grams for stainless steel insert and outer ring from the Sub.

http://www.watchwallpapers.com/plat.htm

[dr35mm]

I got mine quoted a while back it was about 2k for the bezel only. Most of the time the bezel doesn't need to be replaced, only when its heavily damaged. The thing is, it can't be polished, its sand blasted and very few RSCs have the proper equipment to do so, best bet is to have it shipped to Rolex HQ.

[spandrels]

Does anyone know if 168622 35mm YM has a full platinum bezel? I'm referring to the bezel ring & insert.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Onikage

Added to my Rolex Factbook. I never got a definitive answer. Since you're saying this it must have been cleared up. I seem to remember about the bezel weighing too much for just the insert to be platinum but I had no idea of the differences between the 5 and 6 digit. I had in my mind that the entire bezel was platinum regardless of reference.



In answer to the OP - It is possible to carefully mask the bezel and individually polish the numerals without touching the satin background. If the satin background is your problem area there are people who can refurb that too... Not that I know of anyone as I treat my YM bezel like my eyeballs.

Originally Posted by VicLeChic

This is new to me. Do you have a source to support this?



According to Jocke when deconstructing the 16622, "The outer bezel is mirror polished and the insert is blasted with polished numbers and sticks. Both parts are made in solid Platinum but I can´t find a hallmark." Total weight is 10 grams for platinum insert and outer ring, compared to 4 grams for stainless steel insert and outer ring from the Sub.



http://www.watchwallpapers.com/plat.htm

Good questions worth asking guys...

My source is the certified Rolex & Omega watchmaker who works on my Rolex & Omega timepieces. It is also from my own reading.

Before we take anything as gospel let me RE-check with him. I will get back with you soon.

The Rolex parts catalog did not differentiate the bezel from the insert back when I was having my old 5-digit YM worked on. When we called RSC to order an insert, they advised “no, we only sell the bezel and insert as a single unit”. They cited risk of counterfeiting - a point well taken as eBay has many “Bezel insert ‘for’ Yachtmaster” listings of fake parts.


The text on Rolex’s website was clear when they mentioned the 116622 that the bezel is all Pt.: “While the case and bracelet are in rugged 904L stainless steel, the bezel of the Rolesium versions is made of 950 platinum, imparting a silvery whiteness and vibrant luminosity for an unmistakable sense of luxury.”

As for Jocke’s fine post - remember his source said one thing about the bezel, and a wrong thing about the dial. So even he had to deduce the materials from weighing them.

(One small item, the Sub bezel is SS with an aluminum insert vs. SS as you mentioned.)




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[77T]

Sorry this took so long...
So a partial update - I had a search done on the Rolex extranet (I do not have access myself). The part for the 5-digit YM’s is 313-16622 as you probably know. Rolex will not allow me or watchmaker order directly - nor can an AD. “Permission tag error” is stated - so I went to the descriptor and all it said is “PT”.

Jocke didn’t find hallmarks on his. Because my YM’s bezel wasn’t purity tested using a Gemoro Tester, or other method, when it was taken off during an overhaul - all I have is my watchmaker’s version.

We all agree the insert is Platinum. It is the knurled bezel which surrounds it that is in question...

After running up against this wall, I decided to have a YG YM bezel inspected/tested. I will let you know if I find that the YG bezel and/or insert is hallmarked. While not direct evidence, it provides some circumstantial proof - if a YG YM bezel is hallmarked, then so should the Platinum one. If a YG YM bezel isn’t hallmarked then the point is left to the Rolex descriptor (And I get to walkback my watchmaker’s original statement that I repeated here).


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[77T]

Part 2:
The YG YM bezel did not have a hallmark on the underside.


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[saskmh]

I am curious about this as well. From all of my research and my own experience with the bezel I was certain that it was platinum. It is definitely softer than the stainless bezels. Under certain colours of light you can see the difference in hues between the stainless and platinum of the 16622 bezel. Unless someone has difinitive proof I would argue that it is solid platinum.

[saskmh]

The easiest confirmation would be to test the hardness between the 16622 bezel and a stainless bezel.

[VicLeChic]

Originally Posted by 77T

Part 2:
The YG YM bezel did not have a hallmark on the underside.

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So following your logic we assume the 16622 outer ring is platinum although there's no hallmark?

[77T]

Originally Posted by saskmh

The easiest confirmation would be to test the hardness between the 16622 bezel and a stainless bezel.

I suppose that is correct, but who wants to potentially damage their bezel ring solely for curiosity?

Since we know Rolex isn’t playing either SS or Pt. it’s not really about a counterfeit plated part. So no need to scratch or indent the part which can cause damage.

Another technique is the tester that calculates via a conductivity calculation. Gemini or AuRACLE are such tests. So now all you need is a willing participant to take their 16622 bezel to a Gold/Platinum buyer to test the outer ring alone. Any takers?

BTW, the bezel ring would need to be separated from the insert otherwise the insert (which we all agree is platinum) will change the conductivity analysis. So even the simplest tester would run a risk of damage.


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[77T]

Originally Posted by VicLeChic

So following your logic we assume the 16622 outer ring is platinum although there's no hallmark?

Well, you know what they say about the word “assume”...

My top of mind analysis is this: the one-time YG bezel validation step didn’t provide any logic. Nor did it offer circumstantial evidence. There simply wasn’t any hallmarks on the very thin YG bezel outer ring.

After that step provided no evidence, I reached out to a watch parts reseller. He breaks down perished watches to build inventory. (As some of you know, the synergy is the parts are sometimes worth more than the whole watch once the movement is ruined for some reason). Here is what he said:

“I've never seen a hallmark on YM, GMT, or Sub PM bezel surrounds. DJ bezels will have them after 1980-ish but there's a much larger flat area for the hallmark. I measured the largest flat area (of the YG YM bezel) - is 0.80mm wide.”

His point was the hallmark wouldn’t fit on the ring itself.

Remember, over the years Rolex has changed marking or not marking certain parts. So again this isn’t a certainty.

Conclusion:
For me that leaves my original Statement standing on one leg - i.e., my watchmaker’s observation. In other words, Not 100%...

It didn’t prove the opposite either; therefore, “If a YG YM bezel isn’t hallmarked then the point is left to the Rolex descriptor” is my only conclusion. Proof is left to another day when someone has just the 16622 bezel ring alone tested.

I’m betting on Jocke!!!


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[saskmh]

Jocke did have pics of a 16622 that was run over by a lawn mower or something. That would be a perfect piece to have tested.

[Londonboy]

Circumstantial - when the 116622 version came out Rolex themselves mentioned that on this version the whole bezel is platinum - not just the insert. Which could lead people to presume (somewhat obviously) that on the older 16622 model it was just the insert that was platinum

[TXT]

If the bezel part 313-16622 is used for both 16622 and 116622, doesn’t that confirm both models have identical bezels? I assumed that Rolesium was a way Rolex marketed platinum and 904L steel combined, which was a platinum insert welded on top of the stainless steel ring. But when Jocke weighed the bezels of both the 16622 and Sub showing a 6g difference, seem like the ring was not stainless steel (unless the insert was that much heavier on the 16622 vs the Sub)?

[Polarexplorerii]

Originally Posted by dr35mm

I got mine quoted a while back it was about 2k for the bezel only. Most of the time the bezel doesn't need to be replaced, only when its heavily damaged. The thing is, it can't be polished, its sand blasted and very few RSCs have the proper equipment to do so, best bet is to have it shipped to Rolex HQ.

whoa $2k?

[Jocke]

It is around 2300CHF for the 16662 and 2800CHF for the 116662 Platinum bezel.

[JohnnyM]

I bet several K

[Henrimontgomery]

Originally Posted by Jocke

It is around 2300CHF for the 16662 and 2800CHF for the 116662 Platinum bezel.

Always happy to see the original currency

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

Always happy to see the original currency

It it always good to use correct currency. 🤣🤣

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Jocke

It it always good to use correct currency.

Hey Jocke so its the 16622 bezel Plat or not? Not conclusive what is stated above, think you said somewhere it is.


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[Jocke]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

Hey Jocke so its the 16622 bezel Plat or not? Not conclusive what is stated above, think you said somewhere it is.


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I send a letter to Rolex maybe 20 years ago and ask about the bezel, I ask if it was made of steel or Paltinum and what it weight.
One day I got a call from Rolex and the guy told me the complete bezel is made of Platinum but he will not tell me the weight.
That is the only proof I have for this, my word. I guess they don't want to send me the answer in a letter because maybe then
it will be posted on the net.