5 digit GMT Question.

[Swiss Mad!]

Hi

Just wondered, did Rolex deliberately make the bezels on 5 digit GMT''s interchangeable.

What I mean is, was it always there intention to allow customers to swap colours around for a bit of variety or did they intend for say a pepsi to always remain a pepsi and not get swapped out for a coke or even a plain black?

Also, when looking to purchase a 5 digit GMT, is there any way to tell what bezel it came from the factory with - do the pepsi, coke & plain black varients have different reference numbers?

Thanks in advance.

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

[Tools]

Rolex has always allowed GMT owners to change the insert on their GMTs. Not that they could stop you if you wanted, but they, or any Dealer, would actually change them for you.

Since the release of the ceramics, which you cannot change, it seems that Dealers have given out this new advice for any GMT.

[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by Tools

Rolex has always allowed GMT owners to change the insert on their GMTs. Not that they could stop you if you wanted, but they, or any Dealer, would actually change them for you.



Since the release of the ceramics, which you cannot change, it seems that Dealers have given out this new advice for any GMT.

Thanks for the update.



Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

[springer]

The watches were coded for inserts around 1999 and up. B is for red/blue, A is for red/black and N is for black. These codes can be found on the style number and/or green hang tag.

Not all watches from outside the USA had the style number on it until several years later - after 1999.

In the style number typed on USA watches, it can be found at the top right side of the warranty paper. It could read something like this - R16710B30B7879. The B after the 16710 would indicate it had a red/blue insert. The second B designates the bracelet type which in this example would be a 78790 Oyster bracelet.

Also, dealers were known to switch inserts around on new purchases with their customers so a red/blue insert watch could have left the dealer with a red/black "Coke" insert.

In the photos below, the P7 serial number example indicates in the style number an A code for a "Coke" insert.

In the second photo with the P2 serial number, the style number indicates an "N" code for a black insert. This is also documented on the bottom left corner of the green hang tag where it reads 16710N.

[Fabrice M]

The serial number will tell you which original bezel color your gmt is supposed to be. And no, Rolex doesn’t like customization. If you service a GMT at an RSC, they will change the bezel if it doesn’t match what it is supposed to be. It happened to me once...

[JustinK]

When I serviced a root beer a while back I tried to have my watchmaker with a parts account install an all gold insert. Rolex would not sell him the insert as the serial indicated the watch was a root beer.

[TheWatchEnthusiast]

What if you don’t have papers or the green tag for it. I have an A serial that I bought used with a Pepsi insert. Would Rolex know from the serial number what bezel the watch was born with?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Fabrice M

The serial number will tell you which original bezel color your gmt is supposed to be. And no, Rolex doesn’t like customization. If you service a GMT at an RSC, they will change the bezel if it doesn’t match what it is supposed to be. It happened to me once...

This is not always the case. Perhaps it's different for each RSC.

The RSC in NYC allowed me to choose which color insert I wanted on my 16700 and 16710. They didn't care if it was the original insert type or not.

[Dr Watches]

Originally Posted by springer

The watches were coded for inserts around 1999 and up. B is for red/blue, A is for red/black and N is for black. These codes can be found on the style number and/or green hang tag.

Not all watches from outside the USA had the style number on it until several years later - after 1999.

In the style number typed on USA watches, it can be found at the top right side of the warranty paper. It could read something like this - R16710B30B7879. The B after the 16710 would indicate it had a red/blue insert. The second B designates the bracelet type which in this example would be a 78790 Oyster bracelet.

Good post. Also the NY RSC refused to sell me a jubilee bracelet for my oyster GMT2 unless I could produce paperwork to show it originally came on a jubilee

[springer]

Originally Posted by Fabrice M

The serial number will tell you which original bezel color your gmt is supposed to be. And no, Rolex doesn’t like customization. If you service a GMT at an RSC, they will change the bezel if it doesn’t match what it is supposed to be. It happened to me once...

Regarding the question in the original post, "... when looking to purchase a 5 digit GMT, is there any way to tell what bezel it came from the factory with - do the pepsi, coke & plain black varients have different reference numbers?"


The serial number has nothing to do with identifying your bezel insert color...not a thing. The only reference number that indicates the original bezel color is the GMT II 16760 "fat lady" which only came with a red/black insert.

Rolex would be your only source to possibly identify an original bezel insert color.

[springer]

Originally Posted by TheWatchEnthusiast

What if you don’t have papers or the green tag for it. I have an A serial that I bought used with a Pepsi insert. Would Rolex know from the serial number what bezel the watch was born with?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Probably.

[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by springer

Regarding the question in the original post, "... when looking to purchase a 5 digit GMT, is there any way to tell what bezel it came from the factory with - do the pepsi, coke & plain black varients have different reference numbers?"


The serial number has nothing to do with identifying your bezel insert color...not a thing. The only reference number that indicates the original bezel color is the GMT II 16760 "fat lady" which only came with a red/black insert.

Rolex would be your only source to possibly identify an original bezel insert color.

Thanks for all your great information on this subject Springer.

I see exactly what you mean now regarding the A, B & N references found within the style code or on the hang tag which shows which colour bezel the watch was originally supplied with.

It’s really useful info especially when looking at purchasing a watch on the secondary market.

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by springer

The only reference number that indicates the original bezel color is the GMT II 16760 "fat lady" which only came with a red/black insert.

Could I just ask what the ‘Fat Lady’ refers to & how does its reference number differ to show that it only came with a red/black insert?

Thanks




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[springer]

Originally Posted by Swiss Mad!

Could I just ask what the ‘Fat Lady’ refers to & how does its reference number differ to show that it only came with a red/black insert?

Thanks




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A fat lady is a "nick name" for the the model GMT 16760 which was the first GMT II model introduced during 1983. Now, knowing what a 16760 GMT II is - it only came with a red/black insert. That is the only GMT reference that you can identity whether it has a correct insert!!!! If you see a GMT II 16760 with a black or the red/blue insert, you now know that it isn't correct!!!

Also, did you realize there are a couple of great reference sections here on TRF that will answer many of your questions or concerns. Check the forum index page for the various forums and look for the Rolex Reference Library and Rolex Watch Tech forum.

Here is a good thread to get you started:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...?t=568151Check them out.

[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by springer

A fat lady is a "nick name" for the the model GMT 16760 which was the first GMT II model introduced during 1983. Now, knowing what a 16760 GMT II is - it only came with a red/black insert. That is the only GMT reference that you can identity whether it has a correct insert!!!! If you see a GMT II 16760 with a black or the red/blue insert, you now know that it isn't correct!!!

Also, did you realize there are a couple of great reference sections here on TRF that will answer many of your questions or concerns. Check the forum index page for the various forums and look for the Rolex Reference Library and Rolex Watch Tech forum.

Here is a good thread to get you started:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...?t=568151Check them out.

That’s all great info, thanks once again

[18●20●22●▼●2●4●6]

Originally Posted by springer

A fat lady is a "nick name" for the the model GMT 16760 which was the first GMT II model introduced during 1983. [cut]

You Sir, are a real GMT Master! Thank you for valuable info on GMT's