Surprisingly nice aftermarket Smurf insert

[KJ2020]

KJ2020
any source for these bad boys, as ive lost 3 of them

s-l1600 by nunu 78, on Flickr

If you've lost the click, you are kind of out of luck unless you can make one. The springs and balls are fairly easily found online.

These links might be sold out, but they show the sizes you need. Both parts (springs and balls) are common items.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[nunu78]

KJ2020 thanks for the suggestions, i have found one seller on Aliexpress, though price is 100$ for the whole set .

 

[KJ2020]

KJ2020 thanks for the suggestions, i have found one seller on Aliexpress, though price is 100$ for the whole set .

Unless you need the click spring (and even then) that's pretty steep. You could buy a dead watch or a case and scavenge the parts for that much.

 

[sunrayminor]

So I just received the Smurf bezel in the post. What do you think comparing it to the original VSF one.

I say the new insert looks a flatter blue inside than the vsf, and just about the same outside.

Numbers look whiter and bolder than VSF

So the question is, should I stick with the VSF or change?

 

[Manuel.b]

So I just received the Smurf bezel in the post. What do you think comparing it to the original VSF one.

I say the new insert looks a flatter blue inside than the vsf, and just about the same outside.

Numbers look whiter and bolder than VSF

So the question is, should I stick with the VSF or change?

Good question!
In low light it would appear that the aftermarket insert is brighter (the numbers on the bezel are whiter).
The VSF bezel looks pretty good already.
The sensible thing would be to compare them both with a genuine bezel.

 

[KJ2020]

Personally I don't like the way most rep factory inserts look after a few months.

Especially in this pic of yours, indoors in low light the VSF markers look quite dull.

This lighting condition is where I spend most of my time so I would definitely want to correct this. However since you already have a similar insert with a better pearl installed I would be inclined to paint mod the VSF insert first and see how that goes.

A Molotow marker flood fill paint mod will make markers look brighter than gen, so if gen-like is your goal the mod is not for you. The markers can look white in pics after a paint mod but they are not and don't look white IRL. However they do stand out more distinctly in all lighting conditions than a gen, which I greatly prefer to a rep insert that looks more gen-like in bright light but looks dull in low light. Either way you have one that looks wrong in some light. You might as well like it if it's going to look wrong.

Here are a couple shots of a different Smurf insert I painted next to an new unmodded ZZF. And some of my paint modded RXF.

My own VSF Kermit is starting to look like yours in low light. I will most likely be paint modding it soon.

Read about paint modding inserts in the link below if interested.

KJ2020 Paint Mod

The markers on the aftermarket Smurf insert look very much like what a paint mod can achieve so unless you think the blue color is better than the VSF, I would try a marker flood fill on the VSF insert first. As you have probably read right here in this thread, sometimes an insert replacement does not go as smoothly as we'd like.

There is absolutely no question in my mind which of these looks I prefer, and would attempt to achieve one way or another.

 

[sunrayminor]

Personally I don't like the way most rep factory inserts look after a few months.

Especially in this pic of yours, indoors in low light the VSF markers look quite dull.

This lighting condition is where I spend most of my time so I would definitely want to correct this. However since you already have a similar insert with a better pearl installed I would be inclined to paint mod the VSF insert first and see how that goes.

A Molotow marker flood fill paint mod will make markers look brighter than gen, so if gen-like is your goal the mod is not for you. The markers can look white in pics after a paint mod but they are not and don't look white IRL. However they do stand out more distinctly in all lighting conditions than a gen, which I greatly prefer to a rep insert that looks more gen-like in bright light but looks dull in low light. Either way you have one that looks wrong in some light. You might as well like it if it's going to look wrong.

Here are a couple shots of a different Smurf insert I painted next to an new unmodded ZZF. And some of my paint modded RXF.

My own VSF Kermit is starting to look like yours in low light. I will most likely be paint modding it soon.

Read about paint modding inserts in the link below if interested.

KJ2020 Paint Mod

The markers on the aftermarket Smurf insert look very much like what a paint mod can achieve so unless you think the blue color is better than the VSF, I would try a marker flood fill on the VSF insert first. As you have probably read right here in this thread, sometimes an insert replacement does not go as smoothly as we'd like.

There is absolutely no question in my mind which of these looks I prefer, and would attempt to achieve one way or another.

Thanks so much for the in depth KJ, will look to do the solution paint first and see how I go. Could live with both color wise, but my gut tells me the aftermarket bezel numbers are a little large. So will check it out and revert back. Thanks very much!


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[Max Dad]

KJ this is SUCH A GOOD find.........brilliant......perhaps the days of paint modding are numbered lol???

 

[Max Dad]

KJ this is SUCH A GOOD find.........brilliant......perhaps the days of paint modding are numbered lol???

 

[Hinclimincli]

Well I can confirm this is a really great insert! I have just installed it on my ZZF v2s and it’s miles away from the stock one as well as the CF v4 I had installed before:

It kind of pisses me off that factories are using such crappy inserts, honestly. This is a €14 insert and TDs charge more than $100 for a Cf insert!

 

[sunrayminor]

Well I can confirm this is a really great insert! I have just installed it on my ZZF v2s and it’s miles away from the stock one as well as the CF v4 I had installed before:

It kind of pisses me off that factories are using such crappy inserts, honestly. This is a €14 insert and TDs charge more than $100 for a Cf insert!

Any tips for removing the insert? I was going to use a blade to flick the bezel off, then push the new one on?

 

[sunrayminor]

Hey where does the sticky ring go? Haha Does it stick to the ceramic bit or the steel ring to bezel ring? Thanks haha

 

[Hinclimincli]

I am using the double sided tape it came with, but I removed the metal ring that goes inside the bezel as it made the insert sit too high. If you use the sticky tape on the outmost part of the insert and leave the metal ring out it will sit sligtly below the bezel rim, as the genuine does.

 

[Hinclimincli]

I’m actually thinking that I should buy a couple more as a replacement. These sellers have the bad habit of disappearing and you never know when the insert will have a scratch or the platinum start to flake.

Really great find!

 

[sunrayminor]

Looks great, I am just trying to get the bezel back on the watch now haha

 

[sunrayminor]

Any trick to get this back on?

 

[Hinclimincli]

Any trick to get this back on?

I think you are missing the white nylon ring that goes inside the bezel. I guess that it goes in easy and falls easy as well, right? You will need to either find that ring or buy a new one.

 

[sunrayminor]

Hi have it mate, will slide it in and then press down and see if I can attached it

 

[sunrayminor]

Ok so I got it back on, but I did something wrong because now it is nearly impossible to turn hahahaha. Anyhow it is on and wearable again until I send it to a modder to fix one day haha

 

[ben_a34]

Just ordered a couple of black inserts. Thanks for the heads up!