Explorer II Bezel Replacement Questions

[leem99]

I recently got into a bike accident and scratched up the bezel of my Explorer II 16570. All jokes aside about wearing a Rolex while riding a bike.

I am aware that the bezel on an Explorer II can be replaced; however I had a few questions.

* Will having a replacement bezel put on the watch decrease its value?
* Would it be better to have an expert attempt to restore the bezel, or leave the watch as is?
* I live in the Bay Area, does anyone have experience with the San Francisco Rolex Authorized Service Center?

[Nycturbovr6]

Welcome!

[Im Lauf der Zeit]

Polishing the Explorer 2 bezel is notoriously difficult due to the radial brushed finish and the filled-in numbers. A replacement bezel will be indistinguishable from new. Having said that, your bezel doesn't look too bad--just looks like you bike with your watch, which is totally reasonable. Perhaps get it touched up a bit for now and save replacement for later... you don't want to get in the habit of replacing after every scrape...

[2ar2c1]

if he has a replacement in stock, Giovanni could replace it in 5 minutes.
Excellent service from him in the past.

[b06tmm]

I would leave it and have it replaced at the next service, if you want to.

[ndsleep612]

don't replace the bezel. the scratches give it some character. it's very hard to polish the scratches off an Ex.2 bezel due to the brushed surface finish and engraved numbers.

[sheldonsmith]

It's an easy replacement. The SF guys do good work and are Rolex certified (but not an official RSC). If it's a few hundred bucks do it now, as the cost only goes up as time passes.

[GTC]

I was expecting it to look way worse. But if it bothers you it's pretty easy.

[Im Lauf der Zeit]

Originally Posted by GTC

I was expecting it to look way worse. But if it bothers you it's pretty easy.

Doesn't look too bad at all. But are you saying easy to replace or to restore?

[osamu]

Originally Posted by ndsleep612

don't replace the bezel. the scratches give it some character. it's very hard to polish the scratches off an Ex.2 bezel due to the brushed surface finish and engraved numbers.

I agree with this, maybe because of also the leather strap and being a 16570, it gives it a certain 'vintage' feel.

If that's not what you're going for, or doesn't look good to you, then you can go ahead and replace it. I just don't feel like it's all that necessary, haha.

[sturgeon123456]

Great watch, if the scratches bug you then get it replaced at a watchmaker that has a rolex parts account.

Don't think that it will reduce the value in any way if it is a genuine rolex bezel that is installed as it will be indistinguishable from what you had on (except the love marks)

[nldosz]

Leave it as is! The scratches bring memories ;)


I'm on Instagram! @nldosz

[Chewbacca]

[QUOTE=leem99;5375605]I recently got into a bike accident and scratched up the bezel of my Explorer II 16570. All jokes aside about wearing a Rolex while riding a bike.

I am aware that the bezel on an Explorer II can be replaced; however I had a few questions.

* Will having a replacement bezel put on the watch decrease its value?
* Would it be better to have an expert attempt to restore the bezel, or leave the watch as is?
* I live in the Bay Area, does anyone have experience with the San Francisco Rolex Authorized Service Center?


Attachment 550813

good on you for wearing your rolex on a bike! no issues there.

* Will having a replacement bezel put on the watch decrease its value? NO

* Would it be better to have an expert attempt to restore the bezel, or leave the watch as is? LEAVE IT. The labor to "restore" is likely almost replacement cost.

* I live in the Bay Area, does anyone have experience with the San Francisco Rolex Authorized Service Center? NOT THAT ONE. I replaced mine at RSC Toronto and it made the whole watch look much better. $200 charge. Whatever you do, don't get one of those aftermarket ones.

[roklee]

Around $ 400 to 500 for a new one.

[at7724]

Highly recommend SF RSC. Been there a couple of times for service/repairs. They do excellent work.

[BonitaBeast]

Replace but "try" to keep the old bezel for posterity. I understand RSCs don't give the old parts back any longer. They keep them and you are left with only the memory. In the past this wasn't the case.

[Castor]

What jokes about riding a bike while wearing a Rolex? An Explorer is meant for that.

I have some scratches on my Explorer from canyon crawling, etc. To me it adds character to the watch, & that it's being used for its intended purchase. I suppose the scratches can be polished out to make them less pronounced.

Having said all that, it is your watch & if the scratches bug you get the bezel repaired or replaced. But on an Explorer, scratches are like life... they happen.

[sheldonsmith]

Yes, bezels are trade only. Fwiw, I ride (road) with my Rolexes all the time.

[azguy]

I think the best and cheapest remedy would be to have someone brush out and re-touch up the bezel, an expert could get it near perfect and save you at least $500.

I for one wouldn't leave it the way it is, it looks damaged, just not well worn...IMHO

If money is no object, just have them order a new bezel and move on.

[Daytona4130]

Replacement will be quick n easy.

[leem99]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the excellent feedback. Scratches do build character. However, I will probably get it replaced at some point. Either at routine maintenance or when the scratches drive me crazy.

I move around quite a bit. When I do get it fixed, should I try to stick to an authorized service center? Or should any AD with watchmakers on staff do the trick? From my understanding there are only a handful of authorized service centers; whereas, almost every major city in the US has a Rolex AD.

[REDiesel]

I'd source and buy a replacement now, and wait to put it on. Having a replacement in hand may make you OK living with with the damage, or willing to let a pro refinish the existing bezel. A bezel swap is easy and any watchmaker can perform it.

[judson]

Originally Posted by REDiesel

I'd source and buy a replacement now, and wait to put it on. Having a replacement in hand may make you OK living with with the damage, or willing to let a pro refinish the existing bezel. A bezel swap is easy and any watchmaker can perform it.

+1

Make sure you've got the replacement but leave the old one on for character. Then you know you have the replacement when needed in the future.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by GTC

I was expecting it to look way worse. But if it bothers you it's pretty easy.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by nldosz

Leave it as is! The scratches bring memories ;)


I'm on Instagram! @nldosz

You think a bike accident will be one of the fonder ones..?

[Lime]

Prices are going up. Do now.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by leem99

. . . I move around quite a bit. When I do get it fixed, should I try ** stick ** an authorized service center? Or should any AD with watchmakers on staff do the trick? From my understanding there are only a handful of authorized service centers; whereas, almost every major city in the US has a Rolex AD.

Some parts are not available except at the Service Center. The Bezel may be one of those since they are expected ** last a long time.

If *** do have an AD with a qualified watchmaker on staff, seek an opinion. Many of them can clean it up a bit, although the radial finish is a special operation.

[Radish]

Originally Posted by leem99

I recently got into a bike accident and scratched up the bezel of my Explorer II 16570. All jokes aside about wearing a Rolex while riding a bike.

I am aware that the bezel on an Explorer II can be replaced; however I had a few questions.

* Will having a replacement bezel put on the watch decrease its value?
* Would it be better to have an expert attempt to restore the bezel, or leave the watch as is?
* I live in the Bay Area, does anyone have experience with the San Francisco Rolex Authorized Service Center?


Attachment 550813

Attachment 550814

Hi I also live in the Bay Area and have the same issue. What did you end up doing? Do you know someone on the bay to do it?