Whats in a bezel.... sourcing a GMT 16710

[joespeed29]

Looking at a 16710 ....

Question is - what exactly distinguishes a coke from a pepsi from a black bezel?

ASIDE from the obvious bezels.


I have seen some up for sale with both sets of red/black and red/blue inserts..


Could I buy a coke at a discount and source a period correct pepsi bezel?

Are the bezels tied to serials ?

I guess that COULD be true ... is it stated anywhere in the timepiece papers? or would only the RSC know?

[thlax]

I'll let others who know better correct me, but I believe the GMT will come up by serial numbers Pepsi vs Coke etc but you're allowed to swap dials.

Rolex doesn't care per say and most, not all, RSC will swap a non ceramic bezel GMT to a a different version by request but they normally keep the discarded bezel? Also be careful if sending in a Pepsi that was a Coke as they may correct it if you don't say otherwise?

Last, any corner trying to get a step a head from Rolex I'd theoretically say has been taken...so just enjoy them

[joespeed29]

Originally Posted by thlax

I'll let others who know better correct me, but I believe the GMT will come up by serial numbers Pepsi vs Coke etc but you're allowed to swap dials.

Rolex doesn't care per say and most, not all, RSC will swap a non ceramic bezel GMT to a a different version by request but they normally keep the discarded bezel? Also be careful if sending in a Pepsi that was a Coke as they may correct it if you don't say otherwise?

Last, any corner trying to get a step a head from Rolex I'd theoretically say has been taken...so just enjoy them

Thanks .. i found a black bezel 16710 relatively "cheap" (only cause the pepsi's sell at a premium) ... finding an OE pepsi insert would be the tricky part...

[Nikrnic]

I'm no expert but I don't think it's in the ser. no. but it is on the warranty certificate and hang tag. if I remember A=coke. B= Pepsi N= Black I'm sure many have been converted to Pepsi's Personally I wouldn't pay anywhere near 5 digits unless it was a full set and unpolished.

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[springer]

Originally Posted by Nikrnic

I'm no expert but I don't think it's in the ser. no. but it is on the warranty certificate and hang tag. if I remember A=coke. B= Pepsi N= Black I'm sure many have been converted to Pepsi's Personally I wouldn't pay anywhere near 5 digits unless it was a full set and unpolished.

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Warranty paper coding for the GMT bezel colors began around 1999 and is found in the style number typed on USA papers back then. On non-USA papers it can be found on the green hang tag since those papers were punched and not typed like those in the USA.

Prior to 1999, the coding found in the style number was A30 on the GMTs and many other sports models - i.e. R16610A30B9315 or R16710A30B6251

Later the style number would change on GMT warranty papers to indicate the bezel color, i.e. R16710B307879 for red/blue and N30 (Black) and A30 (Coke).

With this information, it was not unusual to receive the bezel color of choice from your dealer 10 to 20 years ago during a purchase so the codes really aren't significant for me as well as many others.

[joespeed29]

Originally Posted by springer

Warranty paper coding for the GMT bezel colors began around 1999 and is found in the style number typed on USA papers back then. On non-USA papers it can be found on the green hang tag since those papers were punched and not typed like those in the USA.

Prior to 1999, the coding found in the style number was A30 on the GMTs and many other sports models - i.e. R16610A30B9315 or R16710A30B6251

Later the style number would change on GMT warranty papers to indicate the bezel color, i.e. R16710B307879 for red/blue and N30 (Black) and A30 (Coke).

With this information, it was not unusual to receive the bezel color of choice from your dealer 10 to 20 years ago during a purchase so the codes really aren't significant for me as well as many others.

wow thanks for this info..

Sounds like all the answers are in the papers..

I guess above all, i'd argue that condition will always be paramount!

[springer]

Originally Posted by joespeed29

wow thanks for this info..

Sounds like all the answers are in the papers..

I guess above all, i'd argue that condition will always be paramount!

Stop by the vintage section more often and the reference library too. There's a lot of good info at both those locations.

[dimag333]

Aren’t the 24 hour hand different colors too green vs red

steve

[thlax]

I believe the non ceramic GMT are all red GMT hand

[dimag333]

Originally Posted by thlax

I believe the non ceramic GMT are all red GMT hand

Yeah I always look but never got close enough to really dig in, wa guessing it was a ceramic only change

steve

[thlax]

Originally Posted by dimag333

Yeah I always look but never got close enough to really dig in, wa guessing it was a ceramic only change



steve

No worries. Just googled the images :)


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[springer]

Originally Posted by thlax

I believe the non ceramic GMT are all red GMT hand

Some of the 24-hour hands are all gold too

[thlax]

Originally Posted by springer

Some of the 24-hour hands are all gold too

Gratzi


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[Nikrnic]

Great Imformation springer and good to know

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