Swapping out inserts on your Sub. Is it a risky process?

[theflywrist]

Hey all,

Hope everyone is well!
So naturally as I continue to venture into the world of vintage, I am trying out different things and learning from likeminded guys on this forum and outside.

I have now purchased a very nice more faded inlay to swap on my 1680.
My 1680 is on its original insert(or so I am told and believe). The pearl seems to be a perfect match, and I do like the watch as is.
Just that it is hard to refuse a more faded insert!
Ofcourse it is nice knowing that I still have one with a matching pearl, and the one that is claimed to be original.

I dont intend to change out the insert every week or even month for that matter.
I am most likely going to swap out and keep it with the more faded inlay permanently (I hope).
Just curious if there is any potential damage involved when changing up inserts that I should be aware of.
It is also a MK 3 insert, so nothing should have changed. I also won't be doing this myself, not willing to take that risk.
I will not be playing with the pearl though.

Love to see your insights, and about your experiences.

Thanks guys!

Will post pictures shortly of current insert, and pics of the new insert sitting on top.

[Jetkopite]

Dude you fly a plane and you are scared about swapping an insert which takes 1 min?? Hahaha..

I swap my inserts sometimes on a weekly basis.. NON event !!

[theflywrist]

And finally some pictures with previous and current insert.
Still can't believe what a difference it makes!!!





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[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by Jetkopite

Dude you fly a plane and you are scared about swapping an insert which takes 1 min?? Hahaha..

I swap my inserts sometimes on a weekly basis.. NON event !!

LOL Andy!!
I'm a First Officer remember?
We don't do anything!

[swish77]

Words of warning from someone who's been changing inserts for more than a decade: Be careful! It ain't that easy or simple. Yes, sometimes it's a piece of cake, especially on vintage GMTs. And then other times it's a thumb-breaking nightmare, especially on vintage Subs. These are old, often bent pieces of metal being jammed into other old sometimes bent pieces of metal. And there is very little tolerance. I once broke a stunning ghost fat-font Sub insert that in today's crazy market would be worth about $1500. Ouch! And my thumbs still hurt. It just didn't want to go back in. I tried every trick in the book, including heating it and freezing it. Good luck.

[traf]

Originally Posted by theflywrist

And finally some pictures with previous and current insert.
Still can't believe what a difference it makes!!!





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Well done! Looks excellent 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻


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[HERITAGE82]

Beautiful watch!... Really looks great with either insert since both really pop for different reasons.

[Zoran]

Looks great buddy!
Now enjoy that beauty as you fly all over the world...and do nothing

[JohnBaker3]

A watchmaker crushed my original 5513 pearl during an overhaul.

The best way to avoid that is by using a mini-press with a "V" notch filed into the nylon cup; it straddles the pearl and only puts pressure on the insert.

Here is a link to another thread with more photos...

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...25#post4936525

[JustinK]

I have seen my watchmaker swap them and he uses a tool that looks like a pair of pliers with a pad on it.

Nice sub and inserts OP!

[brandrea]

Looking goog

[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by swish77

Words of warning from someone who's been changing inserts for more than a decade: Be careful! It ain't that easy or simple. Yes, sometimes it's a piece of cake, especially on vintage GMTs. And then other times it's a thumb-breaking nightmare, especially on vintage Subs. These are old, often bent pieces of metal being jammed into other old sometimes bent pieces of metal. And there is very little tolerance. I once broke a stunning ghost fat-font Sub insert that in today's crazy market would be worth about $1500. Ouch! And my thumbs still hurt. It just didn't want to go back in. I tried every trick in the book, including heating it and freezing it. Good luck.

Thanks for the insight man! Appreciate it.
Will make sure not to force anything and just revert back to the original, should there be too much pressure involved in fitting the new insert in.
As said, won't be doing it myself! :D
Thanks!

Originally Posted by traf

Well done! Looks excellent 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻


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Thanks!

Originally Posted by HERITAGE82

Beautiful watch!... Really looks great with either insert since both really pop for different reasons.

Thanks man.
As much as I do love it with its original form, I can't help but feel that a fade adds much more character to the vintage look.

Originally Posted by Zoran

Looks great buddy!
Now enjoy that beauty as you fly all over the world...and do nothing

Thanks Zoran!!

[G-Web]

A quick note of caution, for what it's worth:

A few years ago I was trying to change inserts on a 16760.
Using a taped butter knife, I began to pry off the bezel. I must have applied too much lateral pressure, because the bezel AND the crystal came off!

I was, as you can imagine, horrified. I immediately sent the whole thing to a qualified watchmaker to get it back to its proper state. Since then I've changed inserts on a handful of Subs and GMT's, but now I'm considerably more careful.

All the best,
-GW

[antbkny]

Originally Posted by G-Web

A quick note of caution, for what it's worth:

A few years ago I was trying to change inserts on a 16760.
Using a taped butter knife, I began to pry off the bezel. I must have applied too much lateral pressure, because the bezel AND the crystal came off!

lol wow

[Robbyvm]

Buy an extra bezel and put your insert in just once.... easy to swap with minimal risk

It look great

[omitohud]

Another little advise if u r doing it on ur own. U must hear the sound "click" as u apply the last pressure to snap the insert tight. With the price of inserts nowadays, it's a very expensive mistake if the insert is loose or doesn't fit properly.


I blame it on the autoconnect.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Robbyvm

Buy an extra bezel and put your insert in just once.... easy to swap with minimal risk

It look great

this is also my suggestion.