GMT 116710BLNR - Batman - where to get a gen or gen like bezel ?

[johnlogan]

I ordered a ceramic GMT off aliexpress but it sux big time. Keeping my modded Noob!

Junk:



Noob:

 

[Ruprekt]

What’s wrong with it?

 

[johnlogan]

What’s wrong with it?

Aliexpress has less shine, more matte finish and the number cutouts are super shallow i.e not deep enough. Oozes REP. Number color are better, more GEN than stock.

 

[Ruprekt]

Seems to be a common problem with shallow engraving on rep bezels. I just picked up a gen bezel for my Loco Louie TT, and the engraving isn’t super deep but much deeper than reps for sure.I have an Ali express Batman bezel inbound. Hoping for the best, planning for the worst...

 

[Vvvlllooo]

off subject but recently found this on the TRF forum and thought it would be appropriate to leave here

 

[Tacotuesday]

Just read through this entire forum in hopes of finding a good insert on Ebay to pair with the platinum mod. Doesnt seem like there is any fully agreed upon option with final result pics. Or am I missing something.

 

[Ruprekt]

eBay is a long shot. Chrono24 or maybe the Rolex forum.

 

[northerner_uk]

A little update on my Noob V8.

I was happy with the bezel until I realised the blue colour isn’t accurate, so I bought a £40 eBay bezel & used the silver Sharpie mod.

Removing the Noob bezel was fairly straight forward- just be careful because ceramic doesn’t flex well. Mine came off fine.

I’ve just used ‘Bostik’ to attach the eBay bezel & it looks great. I shall clean up a bit more of the glue overflow tomorrow (rubbing alcohol works a treat).

Noob left, eBay with pen mod right.


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[watchboi]

A little update on my Noob V8.

I was happy with the bezel until I realised the blue colour isn’t accurate, so I bought a £40 eBay bezel & used the silver Sharpie mod.

Removing the Noob bezel was fairly straight forward- just be careful because ceramic doesn’t flex well. Mine came off fine.

Looks really good!

Ebay link of the bezel insert?

Also, what tool did you use to remove the bezel?

 

[northerner_uk]

Looks really good!

Ebay link of the bezel insert?

Also, what tool did you use to remove the bezel?

eBay link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232969002762

I removed the whole metal bezel, probably didn't need to. Then using a technique I found here (use something softer than the metal) I used a plastic shirt-collar stiffener (the free ones that come in work shirts) & worked my way around the inside edge, then the outside edge - it's only glued so carefully separating the ceramic from the metal works if you take your time.

The eBay insert numbers are bright white & not very deep... when I applied the pen, I dabbed it into the middle of the numbers leaving the very edge of the numbers white... more by accident than anything else but it does give a false impression that the numbers are deeper than they really are. Also, the silver looks a little mottled in the photo but it's fine to the eye.

I'm not an expert & usually not good at these things but this was very straightforward.

 

[watchboi]

eBay link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232969002762

I removed the whole metal bezel, probably didn't need to. Then using a technique I found here (use something softer than the metal) I used a plastic shirt-collar stiffener (the free ones that come in work shirts) & worked my way around the inside edge, then the outside edge - it's only glued so carefully separating the ceramic from the metal works if you take your time.

The eBay insert numbers are bright white & not very deep... when I applied the pen, I dabbed it into the middle of the numbers leaving the very edge of the numbers white... more by accident than anything else but it does give a false impression that the numbers are deeper than they really are. Also, the silver looks a little mottled in the photo but it's fine to the eye.

I'm not an expert & usually not good at these things but this was very straightforward.

Great stuff, thanks for the details. I think the result looks really good.

 

[northerner_uk]

Great stuff, thanks for the details. I think the result looks really good.

Thanks. I’ll take a wrist photo tomorrow in daylight.


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[Mark1937]

Blue from ebay insert is perfect, with Platinum Mod you have 1:1 Batman

 

[Tacotuesday]

Blue from ebay insert is perfect, with Platinum Mod you have 1:1 Batman

I'm thinking about going that route and then sending the watch off to be re finished to make it more gen like. Figure the breakdown will be as follows:

Watch = $400 (after shipping / customs)
Bezel = $50
Plat Mod = $120 (after shipping)
Refinishing = $180 (after shipping)
Gen Crystal = $300
Service = $100

Total = $1150

lol figure I'll start saving for the above and in the mean time hope someone releases a model that may do away with the need for some of the above.

 

[northerner_uk]

As promised yesterday, a daylight photo...

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[Ruprekt]

I’d agree with that. I’m torn as to swap (with all the hassle that will bring) or just leave it as it is.

The second photo here is with new eBay insert laying on top of the Noob v8 (not installed, just placed on top of).

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That’s a nice looking insert Send it out to get plated and you’d be set. No insert yet has the color separation right so that’s almost a non issue. If I were doing this I’d get the bezel plated and source a gen crystal, then send the whole thing out to be assembled. Miskieped can do this for you or any number of others here. The result would be well worth the effort.

 

[Ruprekt]

Just in from Germany. I’ll be sending it off to get plated here real soon. Looks good so far but who knows what’s under that white paint?

 

[watchboi]

Just in from Germany. I’ll be sending it off to get plated here real soon. Looks good so far but who knows what’s under that white paint?

Nice! Is that from the AliEx link posted earlier?

 

[Ruprekt]

Yes it is.

 

[Ruprekt]

Figures.... the insert just came from Germany. Guess where USD plating is? Germany. Back in the mail it goes....