1968 Pepsi changing color on the bezel?

[ketonjo]

Hi all vintage rolex fans, a newbie here. I got my 1968 pepsi last yr around march, but because of covid had to wait for my sister to come back from the States and got it in hand at august 2020. I just recently realized that the bezel is turning pink. Is it just me or it does seems like its actually fading?

And is it normal to still fade after all these yrs? Thanks!


Bellow pic from the seller (with the red sleeve) and also in different lighting and angle.

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[iclick]

Here's my GMT, also circa 1968, with its original bezel. This month marks 50 years as the first and only owner.

[Andjwhite]

Originally Posted by iclick

Here's my GMT, also circa 1968, with its original bezel. This month marks 50 years as the first and only owner.

Dude that is incredible

[indianmachine]

Originally Posted by Andjwhite

Dude that is incredible

Wow that's amazing! I'm curious how often did you wear it? Condition is pristine.

[1665fan]

The OP insert is a replacement insert, thin font.....I wouldn’t worry about any fading as it’s not the original anyways

[newkidonblock4]

Originally Posted by iclick

Here's my GMT, also circa 1968, with its original bezel. This month marks 50 years as the first and only owner.

That's amazing man!

[swish77]

Originally Posted by ketonjo

And is it normal to still fade after all these yrs? Thanks!

Yes, normal. In theory, it will keep fading through the years, depending on how you wear the watch and the insert's exposure to the elements.

Originally Posted by 1665fan

The OP insert is a replacement insert, thin font.....I wouldn’t worry about any fading as it’s not the original anyways

Hmmmm .... A faded service insert can also look great, no? Nothing wrong with service parts in my book (as long as they're recognized as such).

[Tom1675]

OP- If it didn't have fade at this age (even if a service insert) it would look awkward. Much like your lume plots, this watch will continue to patina. The different fade at different angles, well that's part of why vintage is the only way to go!

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by swish77

Yes, normal. In theory, it will keep fading through the years, depending on how you wear the watch and the insert's exposure to the elements.



Hmmmm .... A faded service insert can also look great, no? Nothing wrong with service parts in my book (as long as they're recognized as such).

My point was don’t worry about it fading, it’s not a 3000$ insert that would lose value if got too faded...

[lee fowler]

Originally Posted by Tom1675

OP- If it didn't have fade at this age (even if a service insert) it would look awkward. Much like your lume plots, this watch will continue to patina. The different fade at different angles, well that's part of why vintage is the only way to go!

Trouble is that the lume plots have patina from being hidden away in darkness and the insert is faded from use!

[ketonjo]

Amazing!!!

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[ketonjo]

Wow thanks for the info! Didnt realize it was an replacement insert, should have known it though lazy of me not to get that basic info. But dont mind it much :)

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[ketonjo]

Originally Posted by iclick

Here's my GMT, also circa 1968, with its original bezel. This month marks 50 years as the first and only owner.

Sorry new to this was suppose to reply! Looks amazing!!!

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[ketonjo]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

The OP insert is a replacement insert, thin font.....I wouldn’t worry about any fading as it’s not the original anyways

Wow thanks for the info, didnt realize that! Should have done my hw better. I knew that it should be fat font but didnt bother to double check

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[ketonjo]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

Trouble is that the lume plots have patina from being hidden away in darkness and the insert is faded from use!

Hmm I guess the previous owner had it replaced with a service insert? Might have to start hunting for a correct fat font insert i guess :/

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[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by ketonjo

Hmm I guess the previous owner had it replaced with a service insert? Might have to start hunting for a correct fat font insert i guess :/

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I think Lee is pointing out that the lume is so dark from being stored away or not exposed to sunlight very often. The insert on the other hand, is faded from exposure to UV light. Then again, maybe I misinterpreted his remark...

[swish77]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

I think Lee is pointing out that the lume is so dark from being stored away or not exposed to sunlight very often. The insert on the other hand, is faded from exposure to UV light. Then again, maybe I misinterpreted his remark...

This situation is not uncommon for a watch that is more than 50 years old.

The insert could have been replaced, say, in the 1980s, worn for a decade or so (fading the insert) and then stored for many years afterward, giving the tritium darker patina. Voila .... faded service insert with aged/dark patina on original dial.

[ketonjo]

Originally Posted by swish77

This situation is not uncommon for a watch that is more than 50 years old.

The insert could have been replaced, say, in the 1980s, worn for a decade or so (fading the insert) and then stored for many years afterward, giving the tritium darker patina. Voila .... faded service insert with aged/dark patina on original dial.

Was thinking exactly about this too. Thanks for the input!

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[iclick]

Originally Posted by indianmachine

Wow that's amazing! I'm curious how often did you wear it? Condition is pristine.

I purchased it new in Jan. 1971 at the China Fleet Club (U.S. Navy Exchange) in Hong Kong while on R&R from Vietnam duty. The cost was $139.

For the first 40 years or so I rarely removed it from my wrist, only when water skiing or car repair where the watch hampered movement in tight spaces. Note the small bezel imperfection near the 4 on the insert. In the mid-1970s I was working on my car and the watch shorted the battery to the radiator, creating a loud pop and spark. The watch was so hot that I had to remove it briefly but there was no apparent damage other than that cosmetic flaw. That was a lesson learned and I thereafter removed it when doing work near the battery.

In about 1980 I was doing yard work and later that day noticed the bezel had popped off. A search revealed nothing and I bought a replacement from a Rolex dealer for $75 (bezel, insert, and spring), but three years later I found it in one of my flower beds, nicely faded which at the time didn't look very appealing. I almost discarded it in the trash but instead threw it in a box of nuts and bolts where it stayed for years thereafter. I'm very glad i decided to keep it!

It has survived two motorcycle accidents and an airplane crash, so we've been through a lot together. My watchmaker has advised me not to service or wear it, too risky he says due to its value, so it mostly sits in my safe these days. I will never sell it, as the nostalgic value is too great. My daily wearers are now two Tudor BB chronos and a Tudor Sub that I rotate at monthly intervals.

[ketonjo]

Originally Posted by iclick

I purchased it in Jan. 1971 at the China Fleet Club (U.S. Navy Exchange) in Hong Kong while on R&R from Vietnam duty. The cost was $139.

For the first 30 years I rarely removed it from my wrist, only when water skiing or car repair where the watch hampered movement in tight spaces. Note the small bezel imperfection near the 4 on the insert. In the mid-1970s I was working on my car and the watch shorted the battery to the radiator, creating a loud pop and spark. The watch was so hot that I had to remove it briefly but there was no apparent damage other than that cosmetic flaw. That was a lesson learned and I thereafter removed it when doing work near the battery.

In about 1980 I was doing yard work and later that day noticed the bezel had popped off. A search revealed nothing and I bought a replacement from a Rolex dealer for $75, but three years later I found it, nicely faded which at the time didn't look very appealing. I almost discarded it in the trash but instead threw it in a box of nuts and bolts where it stayed for years thereafter. I'm very glad i decided to keep it!

It has survived two motorcycle accidents and an airplane crash, so we've been through a lot together. My watchmaker has advised me not to service or wear it, too risky he says due to its value, so it mostly sits in my safe these days. I will never sell it, as the nostalgic value is too great. My daily wearers are now two Tudor BB chronos and a Tudor Sub that I rotate at monthly intervals.

Very very interesting story behind the watch. Thanks for sharing!

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[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

Trouble is that the lume plots have patina from being hidden away in darkness and the insert is faded from use!

She's an old one, seen some use and been tucked in a box!

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by iclick

I purchased it new in Jan. 1971 at the China Fleet Club (U.S. Navy Exchange) in Hong Kong while on R&R from Vietnam duty. The cost was $139.

For the first 40 years or so I rarely removed it from my wrist, only when water skiing or car repair where the watch hampered movement in tight spaces. Note the small bezel imperfection near the 4 on the insert. In the mid-1970s I was working on my car and the watch shorted the battery to the radiator, creating a loud pop and spark. The watch was so hot that I had to remove it briefly but there was no apparent damage other than that cosmetic flaw. That was a lesson learned and I thereafter removed it when doing work near the battery.

In about 1980 I was doing yard work and later that day noticed the bezel had popped off. A search revealed nothing and I bought a replacement from a Rolex dealer for $75 (bezel, insert, and spring), but three years later I found it in one of my flower beds, nicely faded which at the time didn't look very appealing. I almost discarded it in the trash but instead threw it in a box of nuts and bolts where it stayed for years thereafter. I'm very glad i decided to keep it!

It has survived two motorcycle accidents and an airplane crash, so we've been through a lot together. My watchmaker has advised me not to service or wear it, too risky he says due to its value, so it mostly sits in my safe these days. I will never sell it, as the nostalgic value is too great. My daily wearers are now two Tudor BB chronos and a Tudor Sub that I rotate at monthly intervals.

Awesome watch and story.....but too risky or valuable to ever wear again?????? That’s like taking your Ferrari in for oil change and they tell you never drive it again and put in garage....yea right lol

[swaini3]

Originally Posted by iclick

I purchased it new in Jan. 1971 at the China Fleet Club (U.S. Navy Exchange) in Hong Kong while on R&R from Vietnam duty. The cost was $139.

For the first 40 years or so I rarely removed it from my wrist, only when water skiing or car repair where the watch hampered movement in tight spaces. Note the small bezel imperfection near the 4 on the insert. In the mid-1970s I was working on my car and the watch shorted the battery to the radiator, creating a loud pop and spark. The watch was so hot that I had to remove it briefly but there was no apparent damage other than that cosmetic flaw. That was a lesson learned and I thereafter removed it when doing work near the battery.

In about 1980 I was doing yard work and later that day noticed the bezel had popped off. A search revealed nothing and I bought a replacement from a Rolex dealer for $75 (bezel, insert, and spring), but three years later I found it in one of my flower beds, nicely faded which at the time didn't look very appealing. I almost discarded it in the trash but instead threw it in a box of nuts and bolts where it stayed for years thereafter. I'm very glad i decided to keep it!

It has survived two motorcycle accidents and an airplane crash, so we've been through a lot together. My watchmaker has advised me not to service or wear it, too risky he says due to its value, so it mostly sits in my safe these days. I will never sell it, as the nostalgic value is too great. My daily wearers are now two Tudor BB chronos and a Tudor Sub that I rotate at monthly intervals.

Love these stories. You're a lucky man to survive all that, with your watch too ;).... it looks great.

[iclick]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Awesome watch and story.....but too risky or valuable to ever wear again?????? That’s like taking your Ferrari in for oil change and they tell you never drive it again and put in garage....yea right lol

I agree. Realistically, I'll be wearing it occasionally at times that would pose no risk--e.g., not while doing car repair or yard work.