GMT Bezel Inserts, Aftermarket Inserts and Bleached Inserts

[Boman]

thanks for sharing

[SeeitBuyit]

Thanks springer, most informative and appreciated.

[CAJUNSTEVE]

Excellent, thanks for sharing!

[Steve in SoCal]

I have buying a GMT from Springer as part of my 5 year plan


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[HarryLime]

Can anyone tell me what year the blueback inserts first appeared? They were never standard issue for 1675s, correct? Only as service, and then later standard issue for 16750. Do I have that right?

[springer]

Originally Posted by HarryLime

Can anyone tell me what year the blueback inserts first appeared? They were never standard issue for 1675s, correct? Only as service, and then later standard issue for 16750. Do I have that right?

GMT 1675s all had red backs with red backs continuing through the end of the matte-dialed 16750s. It might be possible to find late 16750 mattes with blue backs - I can't say for sure - but, based on my experience, 1984 seems to be the time frame for the arrival of the blue backs with some time for transition between the two.

[opzxkl]

Originally Posted by springer

GMT 1675s all had red backs with red backs continuing through the end of the matte-dialed 16750s. It might be possible to find late 16750 mattes with blue backs - I can't say for sure - but, based on my experience, 1984 seems to be the time frame for the arrival of the blue backs with some time for transition between the two.

Slightly heartbroken now after taking out the insert on my 1675 and seeing a blue back. Lol.

[jaisonline]

great thread. thanks for creating it and sharing your knowledge

do replacement 16170 and 16170 inserts from a RSC or from ADs w/ a Rolex parts account come with a little scan code on the back? code looks like a smaller version of this package's code i found on google.

[Gmt21]

What’s remarkable is that some of the true fat font blue backs are so close to their red back cousins. Darn hard to tell without flipping them around. I wonder if anyone has done a detailed study comparison of red back to blue back fat font inserts ? I didn’t find one searching the site.

[037]

Originally Posted by jaisonline

great thread. thanks for creating it and sharing your knowledge

do replacement 16170 and 16170 inserts from a RSC or from ADs w/ a Rolex parts account come with a little scan code on the back? code looks like a smaller version of this package's code i found on google.

Yes.

[jaisonline]

Originally Posted by 037

Yes.

many thanks.

[Yaz]

Just want to thank you guys a lot for the post and information shared !!
Very instructive and interesting.
.

[Jon Daniel]

I need a cool pre-used Rolex with blue black inserts

[Danj338]

Thanks for the info Springer.

[oscarabc]

Hi! My first post on this great forum :)

Thanks for a really great and informative post!

I just bought my first rolex, a 16710 from 2004. Really happy about it. Didn't know about these aftermarket insert thought.
Mine has a coke, and my conclusion is that it must be a aftermarket insert, correct? The 2's are hooked.
But I went by my AD and looked at a pepsi insert and it doesn't have the hooked 2's. But still I belive it is regarded as a service insert and not original/genuine anyway...?
Might need to dive deep and look for a original pepsi insert I guess

[bazin]

Picture of my in 1978 personally purchased, serial nr. 5.3XX.XXX 1675 with it's original insert (watch has cpl original parts, never anything changed, I have all doc's and purchase invoice of $ 525,-).

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by oscarabc

Hi! My first post on this great forum :)

Thanks for a really great and informative post!

I just bought my first rolex, a 16710 from 2004. Really happy about it. Didn't know about these aftermarket insert thought.
Mine has a coke, and my conclusion is that it must be a aftermarket insert, correct? The 2's are hooked.
But I went by my AD and looked at a pepsi insert and it doesn't have the hooked 2's. But still I belive it is regarded as a service insert and not original/genuine anyway...?
Might need to dive deep and look for a original pepsi insert I guess

GMT 16710 is a great choice for your first watch - superb in every way. Enjoy!

[konniekat]

Interesting

[jaisonline]

FYI...

Some folks are buying legit 16610 and 16710 inserts on the secondary market (sealed in the Rolex blister, loose, used, new w/o the blister) and the fit seems to be off. The insert just don’t fit into the bezel no matter how much you push with your thumbs (ouch). Sometimes you need extra help like carefully using good plastic pliers. I was able to get many of my inserts to work with ample electrical tape wrapped around my rectangular metal pliers.

Obviously this can make some people to think the insert might be a reproduction despite looking perfect (colors, numbers, rear bezel lips, etc...). Apparently like dial fonts, Rolex does make subtle changes with inserts (not just the front #s).

Take a look at this 2014 topic that helped me. Some really good info in it. In summary, some inserts especially the 16710 Red/ Black seems or be harder to install (mine was new in the blister). I also found new / sealed Root Beers to be difficult.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=350894

Good luck. Special thanks to @Jocke and @Rikki posting in the topic linked above.

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by springer

The info here is not for GMT II models with the sapphire crystal - but for the acrylic crystal model inserts found on the GMT 1675 and 16750. Your insert looks fine based on the pic, which, to me, looks like a later GMT 16710 insert.

The crystal is aftermarket...sorry. . . but, many of the watches have aftermarket crystals.

Clearly, you are the expert in this matter Springer. I am curious what you think of this listing which advertises this insert as 100% original https://www.chrono-shop.net/en/1297-...750-brown.html. I have no interest in purchasing it but it looks like it could be another type of reproduction to add to your set. The fonts look quite small but correct What sticks out to me are the alignment issues with the numbers. Numbers to the left of 12:00 are aligned to the outer edge of the insert, while those on the right are aligned to the inner edge of the insert. I find it hard to believe this is legit and could pass quality control given real examples I have seen—even when compared to the pictures directly below where it says 1000% Guaranteed Genuine!

[prlwatch]

Do any of you know about an all red bezel insert? I first saw one on a Real McCoy's Chuck Yeager GMT Master (so maybe not Rolex OEM), but also here:
https://www.chrono-shop.net/en/4218-...-original.html

Is this just a strangely faded brown and gold bezel insert, or did Rolex actually make all red inserts? I surely do want one.

[BigBlue1]

I sent you a PM John. Please see.

Thank you.

[DSplash]

Thanks a lot for this extremely useful work!



I’m interested in buying this insert that looked legit to my eyes accordingly to everything I’ve read here but I was told by someone more knowledgeable that it was not good...Any opinions?


Thanks!


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[chai2911]

Hi Everyone, can anyone help to check whether this bezel is genuine or not?

Thank you.

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by chai2911

Hi Everyone, can anyone help to check whether this bezel is genuine or not?

Thank you.

This thread is 8 months old from the last comment but much older in reality but after reading this freaking awesome article prepared by Springer I'm going to say, while your insert does look original It does look artificially aged and even sanded to enhance the patina.
Hopefully someone my come along and actually comment on your insert. However, If you really want to get the job done create a new thread. Here is a sample title and be prepared to provide better pictures and include a picture of the backside.

"Is this insert real or fake? I'm about to pull the trigger!"

[springer]

Originally Posted by chai2911

Hi Everyone, can anyone help to check whether this bezel is genuine or not?

Thank you.

The insert is genuine but it's been hit with the buffing wheel way too many times giving it the gradient fade effect. It wouldn't surprise me either than some type of bleaching solution has also been used on it.

[chai2911]

Originally Posted by springer

The insert is genuine but it's been hit with the buffing wheel way too many times giving it the gradient fade effect. It wouldn't surprise me either than some type of bleaching solution has also been used on it.

Thanks for the reply. Can it be fit with Rolex 16750?

Thank you.

[chai2911]

Can it be fit with Rolex 16750?

[shammad10]

Awesome thread, really enjoyed that. Thanks Springer.

TRF really is such a good resource for those of us looking to learn.