Crystal appears higher after bezel change?

[jbreyette]

I recently purchased my first Rolex, a pre-owned Datejust 116200 from a third-generation, family-owned jeweler in Jupiter, Florida. I purchased the watch with a domed bezel, but wanted it changed for a fluted one.

The jeweler I bought the watch from ordered me a 14k white gold fluted bezel and had their watchmaker put it on for me. I love how how it looks, but with this bezel I noticed that the actual height of my crystal appears much greater than it did with the domed.

Is this normal? Below are some photos — I don’t have one of the side-view of the watch with the domed bezel.

So, what do you guys think? Does the crystal height look normal or off?

[Badfish6]

Where did they get the bezel from??

[jbreyette]

Originally Posted by Badfish6

Where did they get the bezel from??

When he was ordering it he asked if I wanted it to be an OEM Rolex one or just any, and I speciafically asked for the OEM. Hoping that’s what I got. Here’s a photo of the tag that came with the bezel.

[inadeje]

Looks fine but, I’m wondering if the crystal was changed at some point?

[toxicavenger]

Looks stock to me.

[jbreyette]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Looks fine but, I’m wondering if the crystal was changed at some point?

Good to hear. If it was then it was replaced with an OEM Rolex crystal because it does have th etched crown near the 6:00 point.

[jbreyette]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

Looks stock to me.

Awesome, thank you for helping clear up my paranoia.

[HogwldFLTR]

To me the bezel tag looks like it says 14k; I'm not certain about modern Rolex watches using 14k. I'm also not familiar with anything other than acrylic crystals sticking up like that. Something seems off, is it really a six digit Rolex?

[RJRJRJ]

$375 is way too cheap for an OEM Rolex gold bezel.

[Annan]

1. The crystal appears to sit too high IMO.
2. The bezel should be 18K gold if it's truly OEM.

[Jackumi]

It does not look right to me, I have just compared your picture to the fluted bezel on my 36mm DJ. Your bezel looks thinner and the angle of the bezel is definitely more shallow than mine. You can see what I mean if you look at bezels on other DJ's, from sale or on Rolex website.

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by jbreyette

Awesome, thank you for helping clear up my paranoia.

If you have any doubts get them to pressure test it.

[jbreyette]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

To me the bezel tag looks like it says 14k; I'm not certain about modern Rolex watches using 14k. I'm also not familiar with anything other than acrylic crystals sticking up like that. Something seems off, is it really a six digit Rolex?

According to the paperwork I have it’s a six digit, and the features of the bracelet and “Rolex Rolex Rolex + serial number” engraving on the inner rim are are characteristic of the newer models.

Before the bezel was changed it never appeared to “stick up” like that. With the domed one it looked totally normal to me, but lots of people have also told me it looks normal this way.

As far as the 14k bezel I’m really not sure. I would hope the jeweler orderered me and OEM bezel, but I can’t be sure.

[jbreyette]

Originally Posted by Annan

1. The crystal appears to sit too high IMO.
2. The bezel should be 18K gold if it's truly OEM.

Is the crystal not placed back in the watch correctly do you think or is the bezel not being an OEM Rolex one causing it to look too high?

[jbreyette]

Originally Posted by RJRJRJ

$375 is way too cheap for an OEM Rolex gold bezel.

Originally Posted by Jackumi

It does not look right to me, I have just compared your picture to the fluted bezel on my 36mm DJ. Your bezel looks thinner and the angle of the bezel is definitely more shallow than mine. You can see what I mean if you look at bezels on other DJ's, from sale or on Rolex website.

So definitely seeming like we have a non-OEM bezel on our hands. That’s what’s causing the crystal to look so high?

[Frakis]

An OEM 18ct white gold fluted bezel costs much more than $375. IMO, it’s not OEM. Rolex doesn’t tag their stuff like that. It would come in a sealed plastic blister casing.

[AdamG]

Bad move..... You should have just inserted your money into the drain

[RJRJRJ]

Originally Posted by jbreyette

So definitely seeming like we have a non-OEM bezel on our hands. That’s what’s causing the crystal to look so high?

An OEM fluted bezel should have nice deep ridges with very sharp and crisp peaks. Yours does not have either of those. So to answer your question, yes.

[jbreyette]

Originally Posted by Frakis

An OEM 18k white gold fluted bezel costs much more than $375. IMO, it’s not OEM. Rolex doesn’t tag their stuff like that. It would come in a sealed plastic blister casing.

Originally Posted by RJRJRJ

An OEM fluted bezel should have nice deep ridges with very sharp and crisp peaks. Yours does not have either of those. So to answer your question, yes.

Where can I purchase an OEM bezel myself so I know it’s real?

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by Annan

1. The crystal appears to sit too high IMO.
2. The bezel should be 18K gold if it's truly OEM.

Agreed and the bezel ridges looks flattish .

Is it an AD that you dealt with ?

[jbreyette]

Originally Posted by AdamG

Bad move..... You should have just inserted your money into the drain

I plan on going to the jeweler, getting my OEM domed one put back on, and telling him I know the fluted one is aftermarket and that I’ll take a refund. Easy fix.

[jbreyette]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Agreed and the bezel ridges looks flattish .

Is it an AD that you dealt with ?

No, not an AD — just a jewelry store my mom has gone to for custom
diamond pieces and her pre-owner Rolexes for years.

[Annan]

Originally Posted by jbreyette

Is the crystal not placed back in the watch correctly do you think or is the bezel not being an OEM Rolex one causing it to look too high?

I'm no expert but would guess it's most likely the bezel. At one time Rolex did use 14K gold on some models. However, I can assure you all the 6 digit references, such as yours appears to be, only use 18K.

[Frakis]

Originally Posted by jbreyette

Where can I purchase an OEM bezel myself so I know it’s real?

The only way to get any OEM Rolex parts are from an AD, independent watchmaker with a Rolex part account or Rolex Service Center. I’m not even sure RSC will change it out for you without requiring a full service which will run you about $900 including taxes and shipping.

[jbreyette]

Originally Posted by Annan

I'm no expert but would guess it's most likely the bezel. At one time Rolex did use 14K gold on some models. However, I can assure you all the 6 digit references, such as yours appears to be, only use 18K.

Thanks for the help. I’m gonna go back to my domed one.

[mdx77]

Good Luck! .....and nice Cartier Trinity bracelet BTW

[jbreyette]

Originally Posted by Frakis

The only way to get one is from an AD, independent watchmaker with a Rolex part account or Rolex Service Center. I’m not even sure RSC will change it out for you without requiring a full device which will run you about $900 including taxes and shipping.

Thanks so much. If I miss the fluted terribly when I switch back to my domed I’ll go to Tourneau this time for a new one.

[jbreyette]

Originally Posted by mdx77

Good Luck! .....and nice Cartier Trinity bracelet BTW

Thanks! I thought the black ceramic and black cord complimented the black watch face nicely.

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by jbreyette

No, not an AD — just a jewelry store my mom has gone to for custom
diamond pieces and her pre-owner Rolexes for years.

My opinion ..the watchmaker damaged the original crystal when he installed the fluted third party bezel.He then installed a third party crystal .

You are decreasing the value of your Rolex.

[Frakis]

Originally Posted by jbreyette

Thanks so much. If I miss the fluted terribly when I switch back to my domed I’ll go to Tourneau this time for a new one.

They won’t sell you anything that didn’t come originally on your watch. Rolex used to be more lenient on the datejusts (like changing dials out). They have become more strict with their policy’s over the years.