How to tell if an insert is bleached?

[opzxkl]

Is there a way to tell a difference between an actual faded insert and a bleached one?

Thanks.

[SubKing]

Originally Posted by opzxkl

Is there a way to tell a difference between an actual faded insert and a bleached one?

Thanks.

Normally if dipped into a bleaching solution, the back of the insert would be faded as well.

In reality, the back of the insert has no sun exposure, so it should be solid black.

Also, bleaching can be inconsistent in fade, leaving a patchy or spotty looking surface

[roh123]

Color can fade without sun exposure. There’s lots of examples of safequeens where just the color have aged and lost color.

Normally I would say that bleeched inserts lose the clear coated surface. Secondly colors often look artifical and lastly it is common that the white print becomes kind of dirty and look somewhat more grey patchy than white/silver.

[Hub6152]

Be aware that the back can be masked so that bleaching doesn’t affect the colour. The face can also be polished which restores the slight gloss to make it appear as if the clear coat is intact. Prolonged bleaching will eat through the silver printed numbers (as they are the minimally coated parts) revealing the bare dull aluminium underneath and an outline which cannot be polished back.

[E46seca]

Originally Posted by Hub6152

Be aware that the back can be masked so that bleaching doesn’t affect the colour. The face can also be polished which restores the slight gloss to make it appear as if the clear coat is intact. Prolonged bleaching will eat through the silver printed numbers (as they are the minimally coated parts) revealing the bare dull aluminium underneath and an outline which cannot be polished back.

Sounds like a cooked insert ! Yikes

[billydgates]

Can someone pls post bleached inserts so we know how this looks like? I think this the best way to educate people by seeing some examples.
thanks

[zapokee]

I bleached this Seiko insert (a $20 part) myself precisely because I wanted to know first-hand what a bleached insert looks like so that I can avoid them. I literally just dropped it in a cup of bleach and left it for a couple of minutes.

See how it's lighter at the edges than in the middle? If it were a natural fade, the edges would probably be darker because the raised crystal/metal bezel ring would protect those parts more. It also has a slightly uneven fade and a generally bleachy look, especially around the 30 mark. With hindsight I left it in the bleach for too long, but I think the characteristics would be the same regardless.

Hopefully this provides some insight. I would never do this with a Rolex insert. Educational purposes only.

[assetmanx]

Originally Posted by zapokee

I bleached this Seiko insert (a $20 part) myself precisely because I wanted to know first-hand what a bleached insert looks like so that I can avoid them. I literally just dropped it in a cup of bleach and left it for a couple of minutes.

See how it's lighter at the edges than in the middle? If it were a natural fade, the edges would probably be darker because the raised crystal/metal bezel ring would protect those parts more. It also has a slightly uneven fade and a generally bleachy look, especially around the 30 mark. With hindsight I left it in the bleach for too long, but I think the characteristics would be the same regardless.

Hopefully this provides some insight. I would never do this with a Rolex insert. Educational purposes only.

Thank you for showing. I have seen a lot of faded bezels these past weeks while looking for the perfect GMT for me. I like the forom for posts like this.

[springer]

Here is a bleached insert with before and after photos. There are many variations of how bleached inserts appear - this is just one example.

[1665fan]

Great info!!