[roll_the_dice]

I have been looking recently at Submariners and I have been drawn to the blue face and bezel, but upon further investigation the only original blues were 18k white gold which is out of my price range. I have seen a few SS ones but the dials and bezels are aftermarket. I like the blue but don't want to hurt the integrity of the watch. What are your thoughts on aftermarket dials and bezels on a Rolex? Or if I found a watch with a genuine Rolex blue dial and bezel should I expect to pay a premium or less for the Rolex blue bezel and dial since it has been altered from original? Pros and cons to either? Thanks for any help you can provide.

[TheNus]

Are you opposed to the stainless and yellow gold Submariner with the blue dial and bezel? Is that still beyond what you are able to spend?

If it were me, I personally wouldn't care about an aftermarket bezel and dial. Simply because it wouldn't be my only Rolex or my only nice timepiece. I have wanted a red bezel and dial submariner for some time and the only options I have found are aftermarket. I also don't care what others think about what's on my wrist and don't view it as an investment.

[csu87]

you can find plenty of rolex dials and bezels throughout the internet. Buy the watch you can afford and then expect to spend $500-600 on a dial and bezel if bought used. If new, $1k +

What's your price range? There are lots of other divers out there that are blue and provide better value imo. Rolex i fell you pay more for the name than anything.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by TheNus

Are you opposed to the stainless and yellow gold Submariner with the blue dial and bezel? Is that still beyond what you are able to spend?

If it were me, I personally wouldn't care about an aftermarket bezel and dial. Simply because it wouldn't be my only Rolex or my only nice timepiece. I have wanted a red bezel and dial submariner for some time and the only options I have found are aftermarket. I also don't care what others think about what's on my wrist and don't view it as an investment.

I have been looking at some of the two tone watches and I am not sure about them...I just started paying attention to them today.

Originally Posted by csu87

you can find plenty of rolex dials and bezels throughout the internet. Buy the watch you can afford and then expect to spend $500-600 on a dial and bezel if bought used. If new, $1k +

What's your price range? There are lots of other divers out there that are blue and provide better value imo. Rolex i fell you pay more for the name than anything.

I was originally looking at a new SS Submariner, so I was expecting to spend about $8500 or so...so I would say budget is about $9k max, but since I started looking PO, the prices are obviously less, but I still look at PO watches up to about $9K.

I am not looking at it as an investment and I have looked at Omega and some other watches, but I have always liked Rolex. I have worn a Cartier Tank watch for the last 20 years and bought a Swiss Army Victorinox Chrono to wear as a casual watch about 6 years ago. I will wear the new watch and still wear the Cartier to some degree, but I am ready for a new watch.

I would like to one day hand this watch down to my son and hopefully one day to his son (if he has a son).

I guess I am asking also, if one already has an aftermarket bezel/dial should I expect to pay less than if it was all original? I am leaning towards the blue since the casual watch I have now has a black face and bezel. Not my watch but the exact Swiss Army I have.

[Msmall143]

i personally do not want any aftermarket parts in a premium watch.

If i had to replace parts on my hamilton id tell the watch maker to do it on the cheap. if it was my IWC ingeneur it would get all oem parts.

you should check out the rolex deep sea james cameron. Has a really nice blue/black dial

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Msmall143

i personally do not want any aftermarket parts in a premium watch.

If i had to replace parts on my hamilton id tell the watch maker to do it on the cheap. if it was my IWC ingeneur it would get all oem parts.

you should check out the rolex deep sea james cameron. Has a really nice blue/black dial

The Deep Sea is a good looking watch! Thanks for the suggestion.

I think I agree with you on the dial and bezel...being aftermarket. If it is a genuine Rolex blue dial and bezel I think I would feel better.

This is one of the watches I am looking at and I assume it is an aftermarket dial and bezel, but a good looking watch. Then of course the Deep Sea James Cameron Edition...

[TheNus]

You could also go through a full customization house like Blaken. You can have a fully customized Sub which would really go with the heirloom sentiment you hone to create.

I'm sure whatever you choose will be great. I believe that watches are a very personal thing. If it makes you feel good when it's on your wrist then go for it.

Regarding blue divers my last purchase was a Ulysse Nardin Diver Chronometer in full blue. Very happy with it and it flies under most people's radar. Best of luck in the hunt.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

The Deep Sea is a good looking watch! Thanks for the suggestion.

I think I agree with you on the dial and bezel...being aftermarket. If it is a genuine Rolex blue dial and bezel I think I would feel better.

This is one of the watches I am looking at and I assume it is an aftermarket dial and bezel, but a good looking watch. Then of course the Deep Sea James Cameron Edition...

That watch is like 18mm thick, have you tried it on ?

[csu87]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

I have been looking at some of the two tone watches and I am not sure about them...I just started paying attention to them today.



I was originally looking at a new SS Submariner, so I was expecting to spend about $8500 or so...so I would say budget is about $9k max, but since I started looking PO, the prices are obviously less, but I still look at PO watches up to about $9K.

I am not looking at it as an investment and I have looked at Omega and some other watches, but I have always liked Rolex. I have worn a Cartier Tank watch for the last 20 years and bought a Swiss Army Victorinox Chrono to wear as a casual watch about 6 years ago. I will wear the new watch and still wear the Cartier to some degree, but I am ready for a new watch.

I would like to one day hand this watch down to my son and hopefully one day to his son (if he has a son).

I guess I am asking also, if one already has an aftermarket bezel/dial should I expect to pay less than if it was all original? I am leaning towards the blue since the casual watch I have now has a black face and bezel. Not my watch but the exact Swiss Army I have.

Depends on if genuine rolex parts were used or not and the quality of the install. If its a bad install or fake/remade parts were used, you should pay significantly less. If brand new Rolex parts were used, you'll probably end up paying the same or more.

Just the Bezel Inserts go for $350+ depending on the condition. And Dials can be upwards of $500 used.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

That watch is like 18mm thick, have you tried it on ?

I just looked at a few reviews on youtube and saw how thick it was...definitely larger than I was expecting, but with 3900m depth, it makes sense. The crystal alone is 5mm thick. I haven't tried one on. My local AD doesn't have a ton in stock...I am going to upstate NY to visit family for Christmas next week through the end of the year, so I will look up there also.

Originally Posted by csu87

Depends on if genuine rolex parts were used or not and the quality of the install. If its a bad install or fake/remade parts were used, you should pay significantly less. If brand new Rolex parts were used, you'll probably end up paying the same or more.

Just the Bezel Inserts go for $350+ depending on the condition. And Dials can be upwards of $500 used.

Thanks, that is the info I was looking for...!

I may look for one with genuine Rolex dial and bezel in blue...this will at least be all oem parts and make me feel better. I definitely don't want a bad install of parts. I was looking at some vintage watches for my wife last week and saw some that the dials were obviously resurfaced and not done well and were not square in the case...definitely walked away from those...same thing here IMO.

[Nivarox]

My take on the aftermarket bezel is like using aftermarket straps . I have seen some Rolex Owners for many reasons to replace their bracelet with the rubber bands . I handled a rubber band too. Quality was top notch made by RubberB
However, it's aftermarket afterall Rolex Service Center will refuse it when one's watch needs service that's a con for using aftermarket parts or mods

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Nivarox

My take on the aftermarket bezel is like using aftermarket straps . I have seen some Rolex Owners for many reasons replace their bracelet with the rubber bands . I handled a rubber band too. Quality was top notch made by RubberB
However, it's aftermarket afterall Rolex Service Center will refuse it when one's watch needs service that's a con for using aftermarket parts or mods

Thanks...I like how you think. I think I am going to look for a mint or never worn PO and then eventually look for a genuine Rolex blue dial and bezel. I saw a few on chrono24.com so I am sure I can find some out there. That way, I will be able to put the blue dial/bezel in and have the original also.

[Msmall143]

Originally Posted by Nivarox

My take on the aftermarket bezel is like using aftermarket straps . I have seen some Rolex Owners for many reasons to replace their bracelet with the rubber bands . I handled a rubber band too. Quality was top notch made by RubberB
However, it's aftermarket afterall Rolex Service Center will refuse it when one's watch needs service that's a con for using aftermarket parts or mods

the differnce though is a strap is a strap which is an easy change. changing a dial means the watch comes apart. Best bet for op would be to buy an original watch and if you want, have the dial changed yourself by someone you can trust. atleast you know who did it and what, and also have the original parts. I would not buy a watch that has already had a dial changed, you simply dont know what else may have been done. for all you know they changed teh dial while doing another repair on the cheap.

Changing strap = changing exhaust tips
dial = changing cams

a lot more complicated changing cams than exhaust tips

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Msmall143

the differnce though is a strap is a strap which is an easy change. changing a dial means the watch comes apart. Best bet for op would be to buy an original watch and if you want, have the dial changed yourself by someone you can trust. atleast you know who did it and what, and also have the original parts. I would not buy a watch that has already had a dial changed, you simply dont know what else may have been done. for all you know they changed teh dial while doing another repair on the cheap.

Changing strap = changing exhaust tips
dial = changing cams

a lot more complicated changing cams than exhaust tips

Excellent point and what I will be doing after the New Year. Thanks!

[OutlawX3M]

I've been avidly following Bamford Watch Department (http://www.bamfordwatchdepartment.com/) for some time on Instagram. They specialize in custom (or bespoke) watches and provide their own warranty. I've yet to purchase so I can't attest to the experience.

I used the "Customizer" to customize a Rolex and it seems the pricing isn't all that bad compared to the price of the watch to start with.

You can try the customizer here:
http://www.bamfordwatchdepartment.com/us/?page_id=10357

[John Tanglewood]

Aftermarket isn't bad so long that quality is good.

If you'll remember the older GMT masters actually had interchangeable bezels - pepsi, coke, and all black....of course they were all made by Rolex.

The smurf you're referring to is like the GMT Master II pepsi of today.....it's "stealth wealth" in that people have no idea you are wearing a white gold watch unless they handle it. For me, that's the appeal. And for people who know Rolex's, they are the few that will know the worth of your timepiece.

For that reason I would advise changing your watch to mimic a more expensive model, but so long as you go through a reputable "customizer" (like Bamford), I think you can make the change with confidence.

[bing240sx]

i have a sub, GMT Coke and RG Daytona... none of them are full OEM...

modify modify modify

[Torque of the Devil]

If you want to destroy the value of a Rolex, start modifying it and see where it gets you

[ny325]

I would never put after market parts, in a highend luxury watch. The diamond district in NYC, has windows filled with those watches. Not for me. Like my E90, less is more. And everything is stock.

[K19BMW]

You could always look at Bamford's Rolexs but most true watch enthusiast tend to look down on them.