Original Insert Indication for Non-US 16710 GMT2

[purestrike]

Can a US based RSC tell which insert a European 16710 was born with? It seems that the suffix (A, B, N) indicating the insert color is absent in European 16710s.

The reason I am asking is if I brought a European 16710 Pepsi to say NY RSC to change out a damaged Pepsi insert, can they check their database and say its a Coke and that I can only replace with a Coke insert?

Thanks.

[jaisonline]

Originally Posted by purestrike

Can a US based RSC tell which insert a European 16710 was born with? It seems that the suffix (A, B, N) indicating the insert color is absent in European 16710s.

The reason I am asking is if I brought a European 16710 Pepsi to say NY RSC to change out a damaged Pepsi insert, can they check their database and say its a Coke and that I can only replace with a Coke insert?

Thanks.

It depends on the people you're working with at RSC. In your situation, if you bring the watch there with a legit Pepsi insert on it, I think you'll be fine and it will be replaced. I know this from my recent personal experience with NY RSC.

[purestrike]

Thanks! In other words, even Rolex does not know which insert a non-US 16710 was born with?

[CRM114]

Rolex RSCs know what they were born with, as they have access to the production database. There's no reason why a US RSC wouldn't, since they check serial numbers not the "A", "B", or "N" suffixes. Those only appeared on U.S. sold watches, the rest of the world (not just Europe) didn't have them.

There's a good chance a U.S. RSC may only replace with an insert it was born with, but that's no different from many other non-US RSCs as well.

[purestrike]

Originally Posted by CRM114

Rolex RSCs know what they were born with, as they have access to the production database. There's no reason why a US RSC wouldn't, since they check serial numbers not the "A", "B", or "N" suffixes. Those only appeared on U.S. sold watches, the rest of the world (not just Europe) didn't have them.

There's a good chance a U.S. RSC may only replace with an insert it was born with, but that's no different from many other non-US RSCs as well.

Ah the production database, thanks. Makes a Non-US 16710 a little more risky then, with all the insert swapping going on.

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by purestrike

Ah the production database, thanks. Makes a Non-US 16710 a little more risky then, with all the insert swapping going on.

Yes, there's no indicator on non-US watches. It must be assumed that a US RSC can easily access Rolex's database like all other RSCs around the world can and may force a change. If you're after a specific "born as", U.S. sold offers some assurance, but remember that boxes and papers can be counterfeighted as well.

I believe if you're after something specific like that your best bet is to work with a trusted seller here like John "Springer" who deals/specializes in vintage GMTs and older items including complete sets, and knows what's real and what's not, not only the watches but the paperwork, boxes, tags etc as well. Just advise exactly what you're after.

[purestrike]

Originally Posted by CRM114

Yes, there's no indicator on non-US watches. It must be assumed that a US RSC can easily access Rolex's database like all other RSCs around the world can and may force a change. If you're after a specific "born as", U.S. sold offers some assurance, but remember that boxes and papers can be counterfeighted as well.

I believe if you're after something specific like that your best bet is to work with a trusted seller here like John "Springer" who deals/specializes in vintage GMTs and older items including complete sets, and knows what's real and what's not, not only the watches but the paperwork, boxes, tags etc as well. Just advise exactly what you're after.

Thanks, I will certainly check John out. I guess one way is to take advantage of the return policy and rush to the nearest RSC to get a service estimate, they should be able to tell me what the watch is born with in the process (maybe I have to ask specifically?), I do that with my watches anyways for peace of mind to a make sure it is not stolen goods.

[purestrike]

Originally Posted by CRM114

Yes, there's no indicator on non-US watches..

I was told just by a overseas dealer that for non-US models the swimpruf tag actually indicates the color, i.e. it says "16170BLRO".

So the warranty says "16710" and the tag says "16170BLRO"?

Is that true?

Thanks!

[pkrussel]

Could you bring it in with no insert atl all?

[purestrike]

Yes but you will given whatever insert RSC thinks it was born with per their production database.

That is the conundrum, if a non-US 16710 has NO indication, how would we what it was born with? The non-US swimpruf tag MAY have such indication but I am not 100% sure, which is why I am asking the seasoned collectors in this forum.