My coke is a Pepsi…

[aboutime]

Hello everyone

I’ve just discovered from RSC that my recently acquired 16710 GMT Master II Red / black bezel is actually a 16710BLRO as per the Rolex database - which I believe refers to it having come originally on a Blue / Red bezel.

This might seem completely trivial and I’m not suggesting it’s an issue either. Not sure what to think as I’ve only been just made aware.

Appreciate these bezels are regularly interchangeable and it’s almost hard to know what a gmt might have originally been born with but I was chasing the red / black one for my specific preference. Papers didn’t have the additional detail that it appears the Rolex system has when the serial number is punched in.

Curious on perspectives..

[Lol-x]

I think it is just too much information from Rolex.
It shouldn't matter what colour your bezel was originally, if you want to change it that should be your right and obviously at your expense.
I think a factory pepsi may be more desirable than a factory coke but at the end of the day its chalk and cheese.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Some RSCs will sell you a different insert and aren’t concerned with what the watch was born with. This was some time ago, however. Things may have changed.

[GGGMT]

Read this


https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=834019


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[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by aboutime

Hello everyone

I’ve just discovered from RSC that my recently acquired 16710 GMT Master II Red / black bezel is actually a 16710BLRO as per the Rolex database - which I believe refers to it having come originally on a Blue / Red bezel.

This might seem completely trivial and I’m not suggesting it’s an issue either. Not sure what to think as I’ve only been just made aware.

Appreciate these bezels are regularly interchangeable and it’s almost hard to know what a gmt might have originally been born with but I was chasing the red / black one for my specific preference. Papers didn’t have the additional detail that it appears the Rolex system has when the serial number is punched in.

Curious on perspectives..

What’s the model number say on the certificate


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[omar-rye]

So what’s bothering you? Is it the fact that you found out your current bezel is not original to the watch, or that it was born with a Pepsi bezel and you wanted one that was born with a Coke bezel, or both?

[aboutime]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

What’s the model number say on the certificate


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The certificate only references the serial number in hole punched paper on the top right. There’s no A B or N reference which I think in some
Countries could have further identified bezel colour

[aboutime]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

So what’s bothering you? Is it the fact that you found out your current bezel is not original to the watch, or that it was born with a Pepsi bezel and you wanted one that was born with a Coke bezel, or both?

A bit of both really. Bothered is probably a fair way to describe it. I’m not upset per se, rather thought one truth and now shown another truth.

[aboutime]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

Some RSCs will sell you a different insert and aren’t concerned with what the watch was born with. This was some time ago, however. Things may have changed.

RSC will only sell me what the watch was born with. So a red / blue and they’d take back the current coke bezel. That isn’t my main issue, it’s rather finding out it’s a BLRO. Which I completely appreciate may be a good news story to many and many others may feel it’s a non issue

[omar-rye]

It is very possible that it was swapped before it was sold to the original owner by the AD, as Rolex often did to accommodate buyers requests. So the seller and Rolex could both be telling you the truth, if that makes sense.

[Scholar]

It used to be totally normal to sell and switch out different bezel and bracelet options.

You seem to be taking this to mean your GMT is a Frankenwatch. It’s not. Modern Rolex is just idiotic about these things.

[SS Oyster]

Comes from 2006 GMT Master II 16710 booklet




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[Deppe]

Originally Posted by aboutime

RSC will only sell me what the watch was born with. So a red / blue and they’d take back the current coke bezel. That isn’t my main issue, it’s rather finding out it’s a BLRO. Which I completely appreciate may be a good news story to many and many others may feel it’s a non issue

That is really interesting. I know that Rolex changed their practice last year, so they will no longer sell the inserts and let you keep the old one, but I was not aware that they will now only sell the insert that the watch originally came with.

[karleone]

Originally Posted by aboutime

RSC will only sell me what the watch was born with. So a red / blue and they’d take back the current coke bezel. That isn’t my main issue, it’s rather finding out it’s a BLRO. Which I completely appreciate may be a good news story to many and many others may feel it’s a non issue

That’s only true on a 126710 where bezel inserts are not interchangeable.
On a 16700/16710 you could change the bezel insert at an AD or RSC - I have done it a few times without any issue.

[brandrea]

I always thought the papers were supposed to denote which way it was born.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I always thought the papers were supposed to denote which way it was born.

Mine does if you credit dcash below




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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Mine does if you credit dcash below




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[Tools]

This is completely wrong!!!

A 16700 and other GMT Master models never came with a "coke" insert. The "A" designation for the 16700 means red/blue, its original color. A is for original issue, where B would be for subsequent issue.

For the GMT II, "A" is original issue for that model - red/black. That code carried over to the GMT II 16710; "A" is red/black, "B" is red/blue. This is opposite the GMT Master code.

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Mine does if you credit dcash below




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[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Tools

This is completely wrong!!!

A 16700 and other GMT Master models never came with a "coke" insert. The "A" designation for the 16700 means red/blue, its original color. A is for original issue, where B would be for subsequent issue.

For the GMT II, "A" is original issue for that model - red/black. That code carried over to the GMT II 16710; "A" is red/black, "B" is red/blue. This is opposite the GMT Master code.

Larry, thank you so much for clarifying this. I always felt in my bones It was wrong because I bought this watch in 1994 from the A.D., I intentionally bought it as a GMT I precisely because it was a Pepsi. There is no swapping bezels discussed or that took place to my knowledge.


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Tools

This is completely wrong!!!

A 16700 and other GMT Master models never came with a "coke" insert. The "A" designation for the 16700 means red/blue, its original color. A is for original issue, where B would be for subsequent issue.

For the GMT II, "A" is original issue for that model - red/black. That code carried over to the GMT II 16710; "A" is red/black, "B" is red/blue. This is opposite the GMT Master code.

Thank you Larry, I learned something new here today

[Deppe]

Originally Posted by karleone

That’s only true on a 126710 where bezel inserts are not interchangeable.
On a 16700/16710 you could change the bezel insert at an AD or RSC - I have done it a few times without any issue.

Originally Posted by SearChart

Not anymore. All 16710 inserts are on exchange and RSC can see which configuration it had from the factory. You'll not be able to obtain different colours through the official network anymore.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...0&postcount=24

[Scholar]

Originally Posted by Deppe

https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...0&postcount=24

I don't even understand what Rolex gains from this. It's not like they're getting any money from someone buying multiple 16710s. Just a middle finger to the customer.

[Deppe]

Originally Posted by Scholar

I don't even understand what Rolex gains from this. It's not like they're getting any money from someone buying multiple 16710s. Just a middle finger to the customer.

Agreed. The only thing I could see was, that they won’t allow people making money on original Rolex spare parts on the secondary market, but this does not seem like a proportional solution to avoid that. But suddenly it is important what you watch was “born” as, if they won’t even allow a change of bezel even if they keep the old one.