Fuchsia colored GMT inserts on the 1675

[springer]

How many members have a fuchsia-colored bezel insert on their vintage GMT? (Fuchsia (/ˈfjuːʃə/, FEW-shə) is a vivid purplish shade of red, named after the flower of the fuchsia plant.) Most of the ones I have seen are the fat fonts variety. I'm interested to know more about these fuchsia-colored inserts which seem to appear more on the 1960's GMT's.

What I would like, if you have one, is to see a photo of the insert/watch, the serial number or case back info of the watch and any history you have about the watch to determine if the insert is original to the watch. Below is one of one mine with a case back stamping of 1968.

[skprd13]

Nice one John!

[Hooguru]

John - here's my 1675 ... 1.7 ... II.67 ... with a faded insert that may have once been more fuschia than red. Don't know the history (I purchased it this year) but the road rash at certain spots on the outer bezel seems to line up with some of the scratches on the insert, which I infer to mean that they've been mated for a while if not from the start. I once tried to research the period-correctness of the insert based on the specific spot of the blue/red divide on the 8 (18) and 6 but I didn't come to a conclusion (and anyway had fallen in love with it, as-is).

[springer]

[QUOTE=Hooguru;4366344]John - here's my 1675 ... 1.7 ... II.67 ... with a faded insert that may have once been more fuschia than red. Don't know the history (I purchased it this year) but the road rash at certain spots on the outer bezel seems to line up with some of the scratches on the insert, which I infer to mean that they've been mated for a while if not from the start. I once tried to research the period-correctness of the insert based on the specific spot of the blue/red divide on the 8 (18) and 6 but I didn't come to a conclusion (and anyway had fallen in love with it, as-is).

Very nice. Hopefully we will see more of them on here soon.

[Michael M.]

I have noticed this too. It seems particularly prominent in the 1.7-1.8mil serial range IMO.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Michael M.

I have noticed this too. It seems particularly prominent in the 1.7-1.8mil serial range IMO.

I agree Mike. I forgot to mention this in my original post, but most of the ones that I have seen are circa late 1960's.

[Vincent65]

It's a nice look, I like the various colours these inserts can 'degrade' to!

[samsmart]

Is it age, or UV exposure that causes this type of fading over time?

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[springer]

Originally Posted by samsmart

Is it age, or UV exposure that causes this type of fading over time?

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It could be caused by UV exposure or just plain old natural fade based on the pigments or color mix during a particular time frame when the dials were manufactured. If it was caused just by UV exposure or natural fading, wouldn't most of the inserts from that time period be this color? Personally, I'm leaning toward a color mix that faded different when exposed to UV lighting or mother time. it will probably remain one of the mysteries of Rolex!

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by springer

How many members have a fuchsia-colored bezel insert on their vintage GMT? (Fuchsia (/ˈfjuːʃə/, FEW-shə) is a vivid purplish shade of red, named after the flower of the fuchsia plant.) Most of the ones I have seen are the fat fonts variety. I'm interested to know more about these fuchsia-colored inserts which seem to appear more on the 1960's GMT's.

What I would like, if you have one, is to see a photo of the insert/watch, the serial number or case back info of the watch and any history you have about the watch to determine if the insert is original to the watch. Below is one of one mine with a case back stamping of 1968.

LOVE THAT INSERT!!!!!

I (&*##@ had one and foolishly sold it

[Jacek]

It's mostly due to the bonds coming lose in the molecules. Different bezel manufacturers made the inserts for Rolex and each company and/or batch had a different chemical formula. And particular batches age pretty constantly over time.
The violet one you love is one of my favorites too.
My first GMT I owned had the same color makeup.

The process is called photodegradation.

Some colors are inherintly less stable then others.
For example if you look at the color red on automobiles.
Older red cars body panels fade at different rates even though the same paint was used.
Some chemicals that reflect a certain wavelength ( color) are just more unstable.

Here is an explanation from the good old internet:


Because of photodegradation.

It is all about the chemical makeup of an object. The technical term for color fading is photodegradation. There are light absorbing color bodies called chromophores that are present in dyes. The color(s) we see are based upon these chemical bonds and the amount of light that is absorbed in a particular wavelength.

Ultraviolet rays can break down the chemical bonds and thus fade the color(s) in an object - it is a bleaching effect. Some objects may be more prone to fading, such as dyed textiles and watercolors. Other objects may reflect the light more, which makes them less prone to fade.

http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/colors.html

-Jacek

[andypandy]

My old banger , born 1968 , still going strong ! . Where have I read that before ? .

[thomasclark]

beautiful.

[Frosty]

Nice inserts!

[Karbo]

My 1675 from 1965
Old mama with all her teeth !

[Karbo]

Originally Posted by Jacek

It's mostly due to the bonds coming lose in the molecules. Different bezel manufacturers made the inserts for Rolex and each company and/or batch had a different chemical formula. And particular batches age pretty constantly over time.
The violet one you love is one of my favorites too.
My first GMT I owned had the same color makeup.

The process is called photodegradation.

Some colors are inherintly less stable then others.
For example if you look at the color red on automobiles.
Older red cars body panels fade at different rates even though the same paint was used.
Some chemicals that reflect a certain wavelength ( color) are just more unstable.

Here is an explanation from the good old internet:


Because of photodegradation.

It is all about the chemical makeup of an object. The technical term for color fading is photodegradation. There are light absorbing color bodies called chromophores that are present in dyes. The color(s) we see are based upon these chemical bonds and the amount of light that is absorbed in a particular wavelength.

Ultraviolet rays can break down the chemical bonds and thus fade the color(s) in an object - it is a bleaching effect. Some objects may be more prone to fading, such as dyed textiles and watercolors. Other objects may reflect the light more, which makes them less prone to fade.

http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/colors.html

-Jacek

Thx jacek !

[JerimiahLee]

Two different flavors. 1675 and 16750 respectively.

[TimeToGo]

As good as it gets!

[springer]

One more for the road!

[jdmi32]

Originally Posted by springer

One more for the road!

That's a beauty, John. Love the insert, and the brushed silver date wheel.

[esspee1200]

Great thread. Was always curious as well on these inserts.


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[Vincent65]

Chew on this one

[Matt748]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Chew on this one

Now that's vintage or is it just battered?

[jhe888]

Were these anodized, or painted?

Either way, pigments can degrade in different ways depending on what exposure to light, and other factors over the years. Two pieces that started exactly the same could end up different colors. And when some are colored with different pigments to start with, they will be highly variable.

[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Chew on this one

It looks like someone already has Karl 😃


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[RC2]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Chew on this one

Any idea what causes that

[MickCollins1916]

Not a 1675...but the insert on U serial 16700 has already faded to a light shade. I really like it. Previously owned a 5.8m serial 1675 and an 8.4m serial 16750 - both bezel inserts had nice patina, but neither faded to fuchsia. It's funny how differently they fade.


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[springer]

Fuchsia is just not for men!

[Tim Wells]

Gotta clean the sawdust and sweat off of it, thinking of selling or trading for a 16710 maybe. I'll miss this bezel insert though, it's my favorite part of the watch.

[Tim Wells]

Here it is all cleaned up. Looks more red in this indoor light but it's definitely fuchsia.