Submariner 5512 Bezel Insert Swap

[swish77]

Awhile back I bought a beautiful 1972-73 Submariner 5512 from another collector on VRF. It came with a stunning faded bezel insert that completely changed the classic Sub look. I loved the insert for the most part _ and I know many folks search high and low for the faded inserts _ but after several months I missed the "real" Sub look, with a black insert, the way it was intended. After an exhaustive search for another super fat-font insert, I finally found a replacement. The before and after is below. Who knows, I might go back to the faded insert at some point, but it will be hard. I'm very happy with the "new" look. BTW, I always thought switching bezel inserts on vintage Subs was supposed to be easy, but trust me, it ain't! On my GMT 1675 it was a piece of cake. The Sub insert swap was much trickier. The tolerances are so tiny, that any slight bend, or even a bit of dirt, makes it very difficult. Also, we're dealing with bezels, friction rings and inserts that could all be made at different times through the years, so it doesn't surprise me that it's tough, even though the parts are all Rolex and intended for the 5513/5512/1680s. If you're planning on doing it, know that it can be challenging.

[Beaumont Miller II]

Aaron that's a stunner for sure and I like the new look. I've been waiting while to see that beauty again.

[Submarino]

Really nice!

[conrail]

Oh I like that chunky font one a lot!

[Frogman4me]

Very nice!

[s4dan]

Originally Posted by swish77

BTW, I always thought switching bezel inserts on vintage Subs was supposed to be easy, but trust me, it ain't! On my GMT 1675 it was a piece of cake. The Sub insert swap was much trickier. The tolerances are so tiny, that any slight bend, or even a bit of dirt, makes it very difficult. Also, we're dealing with bezels, friction rings and inserts that could all be made at different times through the years, so it doesn't surprise me that it's tough, even though the parts are all Rolex and intended for the 5513/5512/1680s. If you're planning on doing it, know that it can be challenging.

Which is one of the reasons I haven't got my bezel assembley back on my 1680 yet. When I was having my bezel issues, I thought I know I'll pop out the insert - the guys on Youtube just click em in and out....on the modern Rolex's that is. Just can't do it. When it seems like it's clicked into place, it'll be bowing out on the other side. Talk about frustrating. Like I said in my original post, gonna leave it as it is for now, don't want to damage the insert and just not happy with how the bezel assembly is sitting - would this be addressed as part of the normal service, or would it attract a premium?

[Robbyvm]

just go to the nearest Rolex dealer of SC, they can do it in 1 minute...
i've had 2 bezel insert changes done (and they did it for free)

[s4dan]

Do they have a specialised tool to do it - that applys pressure all the way round?

[swish77]

Thanks for all the kind responses on my bezel insert swap! Now .... The best way to get the insert back in is to apply pressure all the way around until there's just a little part sticking up from the bezel. Then turn the assembly over on a flat surface, like a table, and try to jam that last section in by pushing the assembly down hard at that spot. You need quite a lot of force. The frustrating part is that sometimes the rest of the insert pops back out when you're applying pressure to that last section. Again, this is not easy, especially on old, sometimes bent, pieces of metal. If you can get a watchmaker to do it instead, I'd recommend that. Good luck!

[Tcaviglioli]

Beautiful watch and I definitely like the look with the new insert!

Congrats and enjoy wearing it!

Cheers