Changing bezel insert 16800 Submariner

[GC Purvess]

I am new to the forum, so hello from Nova Scotia Canada to my fellow Rolex owners across the globe.

I have watched a number of videos online on how to re and re bezel to install an aluminum insert. Some watches have the spring in the 1 o'clock position and others at 5 o'clock. Also some videos show the bezel being pried off by the spring and others opposite the spring location? Also some install the bezel without the insert and others with it in place. Former appears to make install over the spring easier.

My watch is a late (1987) model 16800 Submariner. I would like to know the location of the spring on this particular watch. I plan to leave the spring in place and would like to avoid having to re-install it as it appears to be a bit of a PITA to get it back correctly. Pry by spring or opposite?

This next question is subjective. Leave the old well-faded and patinaed bezel insert or install the new one, an ewatch replica? Does it affect value?

A bit of a lengthy post, but don't want any "surprises" tackling this job. The nearest watch specialist is four hours away and no one locally in my local town wants to touch a Rolex. The look at it as if its unexploded ordnance!
Thanks for your help in advance.

My other watches are a 1972 vintage Seiko Pouge chronograph, a 1907 Waltham full hunter pocket watch plus a 1932 Westclox alarm, all family owned since new and all operational.

[Tools]

Adding any replica or aftermarket parts will affect value.

[swish77]

Let's see a photo of the Sub with its current bezel insert, but even without seeing it, I vote to keep it over an aftermarket insert.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Very easy to replace a bezel insert on a 5 digit sub. A little harder to do so (for your first time) without dislodging the "click-spring".

It's located right at 12 O-clock (that's how it would have left the factory in Geneva).

Don't worry about getting the click-spring dislodged. It's not that tough to get back into place. Certainly doable, and have done it many many many times on my subs and GMTs over the years.

As far as inserts go, I'd just pop by a Rolex dealer near you and inquire about purchasing a new insert. Too bad you're not in Toronto. You'd have more luck walking right into RSC Toronto and walking out with a new insert.

As mentioned, makes absolutely no sense at all to put an AM/fake insert on a lovely gen 16800... Just pony up on the dough for a gen I say!

Good luck, OP!

[996marty]

If it was me I’d be leaving a faded insert on the watch rather than switching it out for an aftermarket one. Photos of your watch would be helpful to see how faded it is

[GC Purvess]

Thanks to all for the input. I will likely install the aluminum replica for ascetic reasons and keep the original bezel insert, as it is very faded and scratched after 37 years of service. A new owner can reinstall it if they wish.

I am the original owner, and have worn the watch in the past when I should have taken it off to work on cars, gardening etc. so the wear and tear is on me. Being a senior on fixed income reluctant to spend $500 US for an original bezel insert. Likely to be close to $700 Canadian currency.

Only5iv3Digits, thanks for the input regarding the changeover. On the videos I watched there appears to be different locations for the spring, including the 6 o clock position. I will try and pry it off at the 12 o clock position. I may do this in a clear plastic bag in case the spring decides to "fly."

[GC Purvess]

Appreciate the input from everyone. I plan to use the replica aluminum (ewatch) insert for ascetic reasons, as the original is very scratched and faded. Some likely prefer the faded insert just as some in the old car hobby prefer original patina on a vehicle.

As a senior on a fixed income reluctant to spend $500US on an original, as I'd be looking at closer to $700 Canadian north of the line.

I'm the original owner of the watch and am responsible for some of the wear and tear over 37 years by keeping the watch on while working on vehicles/gardening etc. when I was younger and more careless.

Thanks to Only5iv3Digits for the advice on the re and re of the bezel. I will try prying it near the 12 position as most videos show it being done adjacent to the location of the spring. I've seen some springs located at the 6 position as well. I intend to keep the watch in a clear plastic bag when doing this in case the spring should take flight:

[Dom9]

Would love to see some pics of the current insert. You'll quite often find genuine 16800/16610 inserts for quite a lot cheaper on ebay and alike though. I missed one in pretty good condition for just £70 in the UK, the other day - definitely genuine! Probably less than RSC would charge you.

Blistered (brand new) service inserts available <US$300, even in the parts section on this forum.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by GC Purvess

Thanks to all for the input. I will likely install the aluminum replica for ascetic reasons and keep the original bezel insert, as it is very faded and scratched after 37 years of service. A new owner can reinstall it if they wish.

I am the original owner, and have worn the watch in the past when I should have taken it off to work on cars, gardening etc. so the wear and tear is on me. Being a senior on fixed income reluctant to spend $500 US for an original bezel insert. Likely to be close to $700 Canadian currency.

Only5iv3Digits, thanks for the input regarding the changeover. On the videos I watched there appears to be different locations for the spring, including the 6 o clock position. I will try and pry it off at the 12 o clock position. I may do this in a clear plastic bag in case the spring decides to "fly."

No stress at all mate! To put your mind at ease, the name "click-spring" is a bit of a misnomer in-so-far as it is not under significant tension to begin with, and none at all once the bezel ring comes off. All that to say it won't be "flying" away. "Falling" out of it's little nook is a more accurate description of what may happen (although still not the likely outcome!).

Good luck!

[GC Purvess]

Thanks for the tip on inserts Dom9. I will have a look at what is out there as well as what is available on the forum. From what I've gathered, there's quite a number of owners who purchase decent quality aftermarket inserts in various colours to change things up once in awhile.

[Dom9]

I certainly won't cast aspersions on aftermarket inserts as my 16610LN is currently all blue and my 9411 blue regularly wears an aftermarket insert as I don't like the look with the much later (maybe 79190) genuine insert I picked up.

I'm weird though as I'd never consider aftermarket inserts for my black 9411 or 76100 as service inserts are so relatively cheap, there is no real need to, as much as there is the allure of a Long-5 or kissing-40, etc.

This is a pointed-4 16610 insert by my eyes. If you made an offer at the starting price, might get it: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176322649066

I'd ask him to measure it to be sure it's not a 14060 or 16600 though and is 16800/16610 fitment.