Fading 1680 Bezel

[crispyness87]

Has anyone left a spare authentic Rolex Submariner 1680 bezel on their car dashboard for a couple of months? I'd imagine a day long exposure to UV rays will age the bezel 10 times quicker than under normal usage (which let's face it mostly happens indoors), assuming it is in fact UV rays that fades/ages the bezel.

Thinking of running this experiment :)

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by crispyness87

Has anyone left a spare authentic Rolex Submariner 1680 bezel on their car dashboard for a couple of months? I'd imagine a day long exposure to UV rays will age the bezel 10 times quicker than under normal usage (which let's face it mostly happens indoors), assuming it is in fact UV rays that fades/ages the bezel.

Thinking of running this experiment :)

The aging / fading of original 60/70/80's insert is not just sun but likely enhanced by moisture, salt, oil, etc over decades of wear.

The reality is if you have 1680 with an original insert, it's likely already faded. If you have a service insert that is newish - its probably pointless trying to fade it as it'll be easy to tell its a MK 6/7/8 anyway.

If you like the look of a faded insert, I suggest you try to source an original (I know its expensive) or buy an aftermarket and faded it with water / beach mixed.

[MorningTundra]

It takes more than just UV…

[Dan S]

In addition to the above, your car dashboard is not outdoors, the glass of the windshield will absorb most of the UV.

[zapokee]

I left a 1680 insert out in strong sunshine on our south-facing balcony for over a year (never mind a couple of months!) to see how much more it would fade. It didn't change at all.

Meanwhile, the newish fabric chairs on the same balcony are already bleached out after one summer in the sun.

The conclusion to my experiment? Different materials fade at different rates in response to sunlight. I suppose I could have just Googled that.

[JustinK]

I put a black GMT insert on my car dash for a couple months in the hot FL sun.

Nothing happened.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by JustinK

I put a black GMT insert on my car dash for a couple months in the hot FL sun.

Nothing happened.

Makes sense. Naturally faded inserts have been exposed to decades of UV, moisture, salt, wear and god only knows what else.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by crispyness87

Has anyone left a spare authentic Rolex Submariner 1680 bezel on their car dashboard for a couple of months? I'd imagine a day long exposure to UV rays will age the bezel 10 times quicker than under normal usage (which let's face it mostly happens indoors), assuming it is in fact UV rays that fades/ages the bezel.

Thinking of running this experiment :)

Simple answer UV light will fade most anything if you leave it long enough.

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by zapokee

I left a 1680 insert out in strong sunshine on our south-facing balcony for over a year (never mind a couple of months!) to see how much more it would fade. It didn't change at all.

Meanwhile, the newish fabric chairs on the same balcony are already bleached out after one summer in the sun.

The conclusion to my experiment? Different materials fade at different rates in response to sunlight. I suppose I could have just Googled that.

You know how to live on the edge

[MorningTundra]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Makes sense. Naturally faded inserts have been exposed to decades of UV, moisture, salt, wear and god only knows what else.

Perhaps most tellingly, they fade unevenly but consistently with the bezel ring and case. For an all-over, even effect, there's bleach.

[Styles Bitchley]

We’re there different insert manufacturers like with dials? Wondering if there’s a reason some fade and others don’t - like tropical or spider dials. My 1680 mk3 insert is jet black.

[henrylee]

Just wear it and let it fade naturally on its own. Don’t just try to rush the process and lose out on experiencing the watch. That’s charm of the aluminum bezel inserts.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by henrylee

Just wear it and let it fade naturally on its own. Don’t just try to rush the process and lose out on experiencing the watch. That’s charm of the aluminum bezel inserts.

You'd be waiting a long time. I suspect most vintage watches with naturally faded inserts were originally worn by somebody who is no longer with us.

Those previous owners are, somewhat ironically in a timepiece context, late.

[Tom1675]

I read a thread a long time ago where someone had put a couple of inserts on a board with a nail and put it on their roof. Always wondered what the product of that experiment was.

[snakeeyes]

depends on where you live in the world too I guess