More Rolex questions. Sub & GMT...

[DJMC]

Been out and about today with my son looking at Sub and GMT.

Some questions raised...

1/ Pepsi GMT with faded red bezel insert. Late 90's. Excellent condition. Why does the red fade and does it make it more or less desirable on re-sale?

2/ A Rolex retailer (not official) told me a new non-ceramic sub bezel is £15-20 new. I asked what a genuine Rolex one would cost and he said "that IS a genuine one." Is he correct, or quoting his cost price? (We were talking about a Sub he'd just got in which he needed to re-furb, which has a slight insert scratch). Are non-ceramic GMT 1 & 2 inserts a similar price? Where's best to buy genuine inserts?

3/ Am I correct in saying a GMT 1 only uses the bezel for one extra time zone, whereas a GMT II has two extra zones, the bezel and GMT hand, the latter of which is settable?

4/ Two GMT 1's we tried had bezels which rotated both ways. The GMT II we tried only went anti-clockwise. Are these the correct motions for each type?

5/ One Sub had a short Oyster bracelet. Where's best to buy extra links and how do I know if they are genuine Rolex?

6/ If I trade my OP DJ bi-metal Jubilee with tapestry dial for a GMT II, will I regret it when fashions change again...???



Many thanks for any help!!

Edited by DJMC on Saturday 22 April 18:34

[DJMC]

Thanks for the info.

My Q.3 was in relation to a GMT vs. GMTII, not Sub.

The Pepsi GMT late 90's is £5,300 but I think I could get it for £5,000. Under a 40x loupe it looks almost new.

I liked the black bezel GMTII I saw as it would be a good contrast to the DJ. Struggling to come to terms with both being around £8k new but my DJ is worth perhaps £3,250 against the GMTII's £5-6k for a similar year. Supply & demand no doubt!

Neither of us liked the bigger ceramic Sub or GMTIIc side by side with the older models.

[DJMC]

audidoody said:

Before and after

Did you realise they put the wrong bezel insert on!!??

Yours was the lovely Serif font, the replacement is different. Later font I believe. No "hooks" to the ends of the numbers.

I'd be DEMANDING my original bezel back. What was wrong with it anyway? Looks fine.

Being practical, because they haven't replaced like for like (unless you asked them for a different font) they definitely have not satisfied the criteria for "replacement". It's like taking your BMW 5 series in for a new door mirror and finding a 3 series one attached when you pick it up.

If they have already disposed of your original bezel (or put it on eBay - see above post) they must either find you a correct replacement with the Serif font, or compensate you for the loss in value. This latter argument is tricky as they will perhaps say there is no difference in the cost of a new Serif bezel or the one they fitted.
Therefore the best bet is to claim breach of contract (unless you asked them for a different font) and base the lost value on your old, collectable, faded bezel.
Hopefully they still have it, can replace it FOC, and return your watch to it's original original condition. Far nicer imo, unless you insist on "perfection"?

At an auction house the other day one of the staff told me a selling customer had had his dial replaced at Rolex's insistence during a service. The auctioneer explained this would harm the watch's value. The customer managed to retrieve the original dial from Rolex and have it re-fitted. The re-"vintaged" watch sold at auction for £18,000 more than their top estimate had the new bezel been kept.

What are your thoughts?

Edited by DJMC on Tuesday 25th April 17:45