Calling all Rolex bezel experts

[2013submariner]

Good evening,

My watch was stolen from me and recovered 5 years later! I’m fairly certain that someone replaced the bezel inlay with a fake. What I’m trying to determine now is if the bezel is also fake. I replaced the clicker spring today and can’t remember if the action on the bezel was like this before the robbery. I also have a Sub-c and the bezel feels incredibly smooth in comparison. Honestly it’s been so long I just don’t know how a 16610 should feel. Here are some pictures of my bezel and inlay. I do understand because of forum rules you probably can’t get into specifics, not sure if pm is acceptable. Here are the pics













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[HarryLime]

Wow, I can't help your predicament but I'd love to hear the story!

[roosvelt]

Me to !

[peterpl]

you got it back after 5yrs? Geez please share.

[hnn17]

Take it to the RSC to make sure everything is as it should be. It looks like that insert was held there by 4 dabs of glue so i'm voting for fake.

[danny_acs]

Subscribed!

[SearChart]

Just get a new bezel assembly and insert. They're not expensive. Glad you got your watch back though

[2013submariner]

Here’s some backstory on the watch, back in 2013 my home in MA was broken into. My watch and some other valuables were taken and the case went unsolved. I suspect it was someone that worked for me for a number of reasons. Fast forward 5 years....About 6 months ago I decided to google my watch serial # which came up on the largest online Rolex reseller based out of of GA. After contacting detectives in MA and GA they were able to get the rolex reseller to contact buyer and return the watch 3.5 years after selling it! From what I’ve been told the Rolex reseller purcahsed the watch from a IWJG watch show in Vegas and then resold to a client. The watch has been all over the world and I still can’t believe I got it back. Not sure at what point the bezel was swapped around but I have my own theory.

Update: I replaced the bezel clicker spring last night with oem and bezel turning seems to be a lot better. I saw a bezel with inlay in good condition for around $500 on eBay or I could replace just the inlay new for around $350. Not sure what I’m going to do yet.

[dricig]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Just get a new bezel assembly and insert. They're not expensive. Glad you got your watch back though

How much does a new bezel and insert actually cost?

[danny_acs]

So who ended up picking up the tab - the unsuspecting buyer from years ago or the reseller who should have checked the databases to begin with?

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by peterpl

you got it back after 5yrs? Geez please share.

X2


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[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by schoolboy

X2


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Just saw the story!

Sorry


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[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by schoolboy

Just saw the story!

Huge congrats on getting it back

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[037]

Originally Posted by 2013submariner

Update: I replaced the bezel clicker spring last night with oem and bezel turning seems to be a lot better. I saw a bezel with inlay in good condition for around $500 on eBay or I could replace just the inlay new for around $350. Not sure what I’m going to do yet.

Another option might be RSC. Call for a quote and see what they'll charge. Let them know your watch was stolen and might have been returned with a non-genuine bezel and insert. It's probably about time for a service anyway, plus sending to RSC would allow them to authenticate all internal parts as well and replace anything that might have been changed in your absence.

Send all of it assembled just in case your bezel is authentic. If they replace only the insert, it won't cost much at all.

Glad you got your watch back. Impressive work all-around.

[bp1000]

At a guess is this watch around 4 and 6 years pre ceramic up to ceramic release circa 2009?

The dial has changed (its more like a ceramic dial in alignment vs 20 years of sub) and the bezel marks are aligned to the outer case edge (its normally the inner edge) - this seemed to happen just before ceramic subs came out. If it is that age it all looks fine.

The spring from 2000 to 2007 on the GMT's is mushy to say the least (when compared to a modern ceramic variant).

[Nikrnic]

Congrats on your return. I wouldnt take any chances on buying a used bezel now. After all you and your watch has been through I send it off to RSC for a service so you will get it back perfect. You both deserve that.

[2013submariner]

Originally Posted by danny_acs

So who ended up picking up the tab - the unsuspecting buyer from years ago or the reseller who should have checked the databases to begin with?

That I’m not sure, I would assume that the buyer was either refunded or issued a replacement. The reseller probably took the hit

[2013submariner]

Originally Posted by bp1000

At a guess is this watch around 4 and 6 years pre ceramic up to ceramic release circa 2009?

The dial has changed (its more like a ceramic dial in alignment vs 20 years of sub) and the bezel marks are aligned to the outer case edge (its normally the inner edge) - this seemed to happen just before ceramic subs came out. If it is that age it all looks fine.

The spring from 2000 to 2007 on the GMT's is mushy to say the least (when compared to a modern ceramic variant).

My sub is a 2007, here is an interesting pic from the resellers website of the exact picture of my watch. You can clearly see the the difference in bezel inlay before it was changed out.



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[2013submariner]

Originally Posted by bp1000

At a guess is this watch around 4 and 6 years pre ceramic up to ceramic release circa 2009?

The dial has changed (its more like a ceramic dial in alignment vs 20 years of sub) and the bezel marks are aligned to the outer case edge (its normally the inner edge) - this seemed to happen just before ceramic subs came out. If it is that age it all looks fine.

The spring from 2000 to 2007 on the GMT's is mushy to say the least (when compared to a modern ceramic variant).

I think I’m going to take everyone’s advice and contact a RSC for at least a quote. I’m in no rush to repair. I’m guessing $1500 for both.


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[seabreeze60]

Originally Posted by 2013submariner

I think I’m going to take everyone’s advice and contact a RSC for at least a quote. I’m in no rush to repair. I’m guessing $1500 for both.


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That’s a good estimate and great detective work. One done spend $100 and get the watch insured.


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[bradyb]

RSC is your friend in this situation! Good luck.

[debbs20]

Contact RSC, congrats on your return.