Some Rolex DEEPSEA bezel inserts look bad, others look close, and a few look pretty good with a paint mod where you fill in the bezel engraving with paint to make the engraving look thicker like it should.
The problem with having to do a bezel paint mod is that the engraving isn't very deep to begin with. Add some paint, and you're getting closer to a flat insert than you are once that looks like a gen insert.
There is another solution though, and a much better insert. This one is engraved very deeply, much like the gen shown below...
Notice the nice shadow, even at this range...
Does yours look like that?
Also notice the pearl surround engraving, which is flatter at the top than the rep version which has a more pronounced curve and is further from the edge- not to mention all those with the "incorrect 10" issue.
The best insert that I've been able to find comes from Trevor....
No paint mod needed, nicely centered pearl, decent pearl which look better than the other bulbous versions but still not as good as the gen. It has blue lume but not impressive by any means. Since I look at my DSSD in daylight, it doesn't bother me too much.
Replacing your insert is easy, but takes a little patience. Warm it up with a hair dryer to soften the glue which holds it in place. Use the pearl to help you work the insert back and forth in the bezel, re-heating occasionally. You will eventually loosen the insert to the point where it spins freely in the bezel. At this point, you'll be able to pick it out with a finger nail lifting against the pearl.
Please try to avoid using anything sharp to work the insert out, especially if the pearl comes out. Some suggest that using a small screw driver will help. If you take the pearl out to reveal the hole underneath, only use the small screw driver or paperclip with minimum force. If the insert is loose enough it should come out without any problem. Putting force on the insert at the hold means the weakest part of the insert will most likely break.
Clean out the insert with some alcohol, removing any residue adhesive. Let dry. To install the new insert, I like to use clear silicone adhesive (auto store, home building supply store...). You can apply it to the bezel track or the back of the insert, just try to be even and keep it neat. When you install the insert, do so starting with the pearl at 11:58 or 11:59. This will allow you to adjust the insert so that it lines up at 12. Since the bezel only turns counter-clockwise, this will ensure a good lineup.
So, give LE a hollar and let him know you want the bezel he sent to Andrew/ThinkBachs*
*I get absolutely NO compensation whatsoever for this, just trying to be helpful.
The problem with having to do a bezel paint mod is that the engraving isn't very deep to begin with. Add some paint, and you're getting closer to a flat insert than you are once that looks like a gen insert.
There is another solution though, and a much better insert. This one is engraved very deeply, much like the gen shown below...
Notice the nice shadow, even at this range...
Does yours look like that?
Also notice the pearl surround engraving, which is flatter at the top than the rep version which has a more pronounced curve and is further from the edge- not to mention all those with the "incorrect 10" issue.
The best insert that I've been able to find comes from Trevor....
No paint mod needed, nicely centered pearl, decent pearl which look better than the other bulbous versions but still not as good as the gen. It has blue lume but not impressive by any means. Since I look at my DSSD in daylight, it doesn't bother me too much.
Replacing your insert is easy, but takes a little patience. Warm it up with a hair dryer to soften the glue which holds it in place. Use the pearl to help you work the insert back and forth in the bezel, re-heating occasionally. You will eventually loosen the insert to the point where it spins freely in the bezel. At this point, you'll be able to pick it out with a finger nail lifting against the pearl.
Please try to avoid using anything sharp to work the insert out, especially if the pearl comes out. Some suggest that using a small screw driver will help. If you take the pearl out to reveal the hole underneath, only use the small screw driver or paperclip with minimum force. If the insert is loose enough it should come out without any problem. Putting force on the insert at the hold means the weakest part of the insert will most likely break.
Clean out the insert with some alcohol, removing any residue adhesive. Let dry. To install the new insert, I like to use clear silicone adhesive (auto store, home building supply store...). You can apply it to the bezel track or the back of the insert, just try to be even and keep it neat. When you install the insert, do so starting with the pearl at 11:58 or 11:59. This will allow you to adjust the insert so that it lines up at 12. Since the bezel only turns counter-clockwise, this will ensure a good lineup.
So, give LE a hollar and let him know you want the bezel he sent to Andrew/ThinkBachs*
*I get absolutely NO compensation whatsoever for this, just trying to be helpful.
