16710/16700 bezel inserts

[thatswhatshesaid]

Not sure if this is allowed here so if not I apologize but I recall a member on this forum a while back that sold brand new, in the blister, 16710 inserts in all 3 colors. Seemed to have a large supply. Anyone remember this?

[Gearjockey]

Frakis

[thatswhatshesaid]

Originally Posted by Gearjockey

Frakis

Yes. Thank you.

[Gearjockey]

You’re welcome.

[996marty]

He always seemed to have plenty of them for sale

[padi56]

Originally Posted by 996marty

He always seemed to have plenty of them for sale

Well if you can buy them for what Rolex themselves charge for them around $75 or less, then re-sell them to those willing to pay $200 plus .

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well if you can buy them for what Rolex themselves charge for them around $75 or less, then re-sell them to those willing to pay $200 plus .

I think they're a tad more than $75 from Rolex. Maybe 10 years ago. Could be wrong

[padi56]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

I think they're a tad more than $75 from Rolex. Maybe 10 years ago. Could be wrong

Well many reports on forum buying $75 over the past year or so the only aluminium insert that's expensive is the green LV.And I bought a black sub insert from London about 18 months ago cost then £45.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well many reports on forum buying $75 over the past year or so the only aluminium insert that's expensive is the green LV.And I bought a black sub insert from London about 18 months ago cost then £45.

Wow! I stand corrected! Had no idea they were so bloody cheap... wouldn't mind a new 16710/16700 LN insert...

What's the procedure exactly? I assume you have to have watch in-hand (or on-wrist lol) when you pop by RSC to request an insert for purchase?

[watchnwine]

If you buy an insert from Rolex, they will take your old one - they won't just sell you a new one.

Not sure how others feel about my work-around but I bought a $16 aftermarket insert from fleeBay and after inserting it, brought it to the RSC and said that I just bought the GMT and I'm pretty sure it's an aftermarket insert. They offered a new one for $65 as part of a service (which it was time for). Thought it was a nice way to not have to give up my original insert. Not sure if they would have swapped it without a service but might be worth trying.

Not trying to be unethical but I don't really feel that bad about it.

[Gearjockey]

Yeah, the guy is not buying them from Rolex and then reselling them. Lol

Some people like to just pay a few extra bucks get a genuine Rolex part a day later, no six month wait, no questions asked, no hassle.

[thatswhatshesaid]

Originally Posted by Gearjockey

Yeah, the guy is not buying them from Rolex and then reselling them. Lol

Some people like to just pay a few extra bucks get a genuine Rolex part a day later, no six month wait, no questions asked, no hassle.

Right, so if you don't live near an RSC and don't want or need to send your watch on for service and wait, you pay the man. You are buying the live of mind that it's an OEM bezel as they come in the blister.

[fishingbear]

ADs will sell them for $75.

[thatswhatshesaid]

Originally Posted by fishingbear

ADs will sell them for $75.

My AD says they cannot order them. I would have to send the watch to RSC and they switch it out and keep my bezel.

[grizwauld]

They will only allow a switch (retaining the original) for a bezel insert of the same colour. Gone are the days of being able to obtain all three configurations from Rolex themselves.

They do still allow the purchase of a jubilee bracelet allowing retention of the oyster bracelet however.

This is all first hand experience from dealing with multiple colleagues at Rolex HO in London.

[dba]

Originally Posted by grizwauld

They will only allow a switch (retaining the original) for a bezel insert of the same colour. Gone are the days of being able to obtain all three configurations from Rolex themselves.

They do still allow the purchase of a jubilee bracelet allowing retention of the oyster bracelet however.

This is all first hand experience from dealing with multiple colleagues at Rolex HO in London.

I think this is the norm now. I have a 16710 that originally came with the black insert. I bought a pepsi insert and asked my AD if they could install it. They were very polite and said they couldn't, but were kind enough to direct me to an independent watch maker in town that could do it.

The bigger issue is, when I need service, if I send it to Rolex, I have to change the insert back to its original or risk the pepsi being seized as it's not supposed to be on that watch.