Is this a geniune 16610LV Fat 4 (Flat 4) bezel insert??

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by 037

I'm referring to the 1675/16750 inserts that everyone refers to as "fat font".

Besides, you said "pad" above in reference to the 16610LV insert, which is the point I was clarifying.

Are you saying the aluminum inserts (from the 50’s up to today for Sub and GMT) are not printed with a pad?


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[Andad]

Originally Posted by springer

I've never seen so many fake experts here on TRF. And, with fake opinions too.

Don't forget the other masters of misinformation John.

[037]

Originally Posted by southtexas

Are you saying the aluminum inserts (from the 50’s up to today for Sub and GMT) are not printed with a pad?

What leads you to think aluminum inserts were pad printed? The dials are pad printed but the inserts are anodized.

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by 037

What leads you to think aluminum inserts were pad printed? The dials are pad printed but the inserts are anodized.

Ive not been to the Rolex factory to watch the process but every expert I’ve read on the subject agree pads are used on inserts. Yes the insert is anodized. How are the numbers/font applied to them? And when did Rolex start using lasers to etch the numbers into their aluminum inserts?


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[southtexas]

Double





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[037]

Originally Posted by southtexas

Ive not been to the Rolex factory to watch the process but every expert I’ve read on the subject agree pads are used on inserts. Yes the insert is anodized. How are the numbers/font applied to them? And when did Rolex start using lasers to etch the numbers into their aluminum inserts?

On the earliest inserts, pigmented or clear die would have likely been silkscreened onto inserts before being color anodized. This locks the pores in the aluminum so the rest of the bezel can take the main color and not affect the numerals and markers.

Pad printing is only for surface ink. Dials are the best example here. It wouldn't survive the anodizing process even as a masking agent. Die used to color specific areas of aluminum is small enough to be measured in angstroms and wouldn't adhere to a pad for transfer. Silkscreen, sure.

If Rolex isn't using a laser process on their modern bezel inserts then I could be mistaken. Perhaps they're still silkscreening dies before color anodizing. But, I know they aren't using pad printing. I've seen enough anodizing in my industry to say that with confidence.