First Rolex, but not the last

[adub206]

Sadly said goodbye to my first Rolex last week. Decided to trade up.

But I’m already on the hunt for another GMT Master II, but need help deciding Coke or Pepsi?



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[rmagoo57]

You can buy a coke and pepsi bezel insert for your GMT for a few hundy then pick up a different reference with the savings! The 3 insert (colors) are interchangeable. I recently bought a 16710 coke - it came with the pepsi bezel insert as well. I'm planning to swap and rock the pepsi next summer. Enjoy your GMT!

[adub206]

Originally Posted by rmagoo57

You can buy a coke and pepsi bezel insert for your GMT for a few hundy then pick up a different reference with the savings! The 3 insert (colors) are interchangeable. I recently bought a 16710 coke - it came with the pepsi bezel insert as well. I'm planning to swap and rock the pepsi next summer. Enjoy your GMT!

Now this, is using your brain. Thanks for the tip. Pretty easy to change yourself?

[rmagoo57]

Originally Posted by adub206

Now this, is using your brain. Thanks for the tip. Pretty easy to change yourself?

I don't know yet! Have seen a few YouTube videos though, seems relatively easy. I will research proper tools and techniques over the winter. Planning for Pepsi incoming next summer! You can also source a jubilee bracelet for the 16710 for more variations. This would look great with the red/blue bezel. Thinking the black bezel would look great with a rubber strap!? You can search here for more threads/pics on this subject. One member has posted picks of his 16710 with the 3 bezels and 2 bracelets!! Here's mine:

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by adub206

Now this, is using your brain. Thanks for the tip. Pretty easy to change yourself?

Yes; quite easy to change. My previously owned 16710N (black bezel insert) was delivered to me with a pepsi insert installed and the original black insert came with the watch. I've swapped them myself a couple of times. I think the black insert looks better for more formal occasions while the pepsi looks better for a more casual look.

I've found the only tricky part is getting the bezel back on the case without messing up the function of the "click spring" which engages the bezel's inside teeth to keep the bezel from rotating unless you want to rotate it. I'll take some photos showing how I did it and post them this afternoon.

Same watch, different bezel inserts.

[Stan Cooper]

I took some photos that I hope will make the bezel insert swap process pretty clear.

The first step is to use a cloth covered knife blade inserted between one of the bottom (6 O'clock) lugs and the bezel and pry upwards until the bezel pops off. Be careful not to lose the click spring; it is small and hard to find. I recommend doing all of this over a white terry cloth towel so the spring won't bounce off the table surface and onto the floor.

Next, using both thumbs, push the insert out of the bezel. It will just pop out.

With the bezel tension washer in place, carefully position the end of the click spring in the case hole and place it as shown against the watch case. Then carefully position the bezel over the click spring making sure it's under tension and press the bezel firmly in place all around the case.

You may have to use tweezers to position the free end of the click spring so it engages the inside teeth of the bezel. Check to make sure the bezel turns freely in both directions and clicks in place as the click spring engages the gear teeth as you rotate the bezel.

Finally, position the insert to be installed so that the diamond at 24 hours on the bezel lines up exactly with the 12 o'clock diamond on the dial and press the top of the insert into place. Then press the insert into the bezel with both thumbs working your way around on both sides until you get to 6 o'clock.

Make sure the insert is firmly pressed into the bezel all the way around.

You're done! It looks like I left fingerprints on the crystal from pressing in the insert in the last photo. :(

[rmagoo57]

Thanks Stan!! I'm saving this for future reference!

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by rmagoo57

Thanks Stan!! I'm saving this for future reference!

Happy to be able to help. The YouTube videos actually confused me so I had to figure it out for myself. :-)

[adub206]

Wow Stan, those are awesome photos! So much value out of one watch. I'll definitely be on the hunt at some point in the next year. Here's what I got when I traded.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=764408

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by adub206

Wow Stan, those are awesome photos! So much value out of one watch. I'll definitely be on the hunt at some point in the next year. Here's what I got when I traded.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=764408

Very, very nice! Beautiful Patek Philippe. Congratulations!

[2th_doc]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

The first step is to use a cloth covered knife blade inserted between one of the bottom (6 O'clock) lugs and the bezel and pry upwards until the bezel pops off.

I get a little nervous using a cloth covered knife. I like the following tool better. It wont scratch your watch even if you slip.

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/i.../IF145-335?o=2




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[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by 2th_doc

I get a little nervous using a cloth covered knife. I like the following tool better. It wont scratch your watch even if you slip.

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/i.../IF145-335?o=2

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Nice! I'll order one.

[Sean46]

I took mine apart for the first time. Thanks for the pics..my bezel spring was about half of what yours was. I have a 1999 16710.

[JerryGrey45]

So happy with my purchase :)

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by Sean46

I took mine apart for the first time. Thanks for the pics..my bezel spring was about half of what yours was. I have a 1999 16710.

Sean, I believe the bezel click spring for the 16610 Submariner is about half the length of the 16710 GMT-Master II click spring. The spring design for the Submariner is a little different as it's suppose to allow the bezel to turn in only one direction (counter-clockwise) while the GMT spring is designed for bi-directional rotation.

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by JerryGrey45

So happy with my purchase :)

Beautiful watch, Jerry. Congratulations.