GMT Pepsi- Preventing Further Fading?

[NYC2023]

Hello Everyone,

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I just acquired a 16710 GMT Pepsi (P Serial) with a faded bezel insert. I love the fade on the red part of the bezel, but want to prevent it from fading significantly further where the numbers would be less visible, as I've seen in pictures of some older watches.

Any suggestions? I plan to wear this watch at least a couple of times a week, so wondering if there's a way to do this without just keeping it in a safe.

Thanks,

NYC2023

[DJ2020]

Option 1) replace the bezel insert.

Option 2) keep it in the dark.


Personally I would choose option 1.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by DJ2020

Option 1) replace the bezel insert.

Option 2) keep it in the dark.


Personally I would choose option 1.

Pretty much this.

[tifosi]

Wear it until you can't read the numbers then replace the bezel.

[strafer_kid]

In my experience the process is fairly slow, so might not be one to get too worried about it.

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by DJ2020

Option 1) replace the bezel insert.

Option 2) keep it in the dark.

Personally I would choose option 1.

Wearing long sleeves everywhere is another albeit impractical option.

Ceramic insert colors don't fade.

[NYC2023]

Thanks guys!

[MrMercedes]

There's nothing you can do except keep the watch in the dark. But who wants that? Wear it and let it keep fading. If it gets to be too much for you, swap the inlay, it's $50 and it's like new again. I did it the same way

[Gebbeth]

Hmmm...I'm in the camp of letting it fade. But if that is not what you want, I thought you could get after-market protection film (like below). I've never used it myself, but I guess it's an option.

https://invisishieldlab.com/

[koronet-kid]

Sun screen

[JSolution]

Buy a new one and wear that one on special occasions if you like it that way.

[Newt]

Oh man. I've a 1971 GMT Pepsi, and the ONLY non-original part is the service insert replaced. It was a wedding gift from my mom to my dad. She had it replaced in the late 70's. I wish mine was faded! :)

[faimag]

You have a lovely bezel. Given it's serif font, it will be impossible to replace via RSC. But i wouldn't worry that much as fading is a decade-long process.

[NYC2023]

If I send it to Rolex to get a new bezel insert I’m assuming I can keep the old one? How does that work?

[tifosi]

You can buy an insert and swap it yourself. Super easy on those era watches. Keep your original insert safe and sound.

If you send it Rolex, they will keep the old insert. Don't do it!

[swish77]

Originally Posted by NYC2023

If I send it to Rolex to get a new bezel insert I’m assuming I can keep the old one? How does that work?

Rolex will keep it. The best thing to do is remove it yourself and then take the watch to Rolex and say the insert fell out somehow and was lost (white lie). They'll install a new insert (cheap compared to secondary market prices), and you'll still have your old one.

If you want to slow the fade of your original insert, don't swim with it, especially in pools. Chlorine over time is said to speed up the fading process, along with the sun.

[NYC2023]

Originally Posted by swish77

Rolex will keep it. The best thing to do is remove it yourself and then take the watch to Rolex and say the insert fell out somehow and was lost (white lie). They'll install a new insert (cheap compared to secondary market prices), and you'll still have your old one.

If you want to slow the fade of your original insert, don't swim with it, especially in pools. Chlorine over time is said to speed up the fading process, along with the sun.

Wow, that’s great info! Wouldn’t have guessed that they keep the old one. Do I have to send the watch in for a full service or can I only get the bezel replaced?

[NYC2023]

Originally Posted by tifosi

You can buy an insert and swap it yourself. Super easy on those era watches. Keep your original insert safe and sound.

If you send it Rolex, they will keep the old insert. Don't do it!

Thanks Russ, great info!

[NYC2023]

Originally Posted by faimag

You have a lovely bezel. Given it's serif font, it will be impossible to replace via RSC. But i wouldn't worry that much as fading is a decade-long process.

Thanks!

[Rori]

Originally Posted by NYC2023

Hello Everyone,

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I just acquired a 16710 GMT Pepsi (P Serial) with a faded bezel insert. I love the fade on the red part of the bezel, but want to prevent it from fading significantly further where the numbers would be less visible, as I've seen in pictures of some older watches.

Any suggestions? I plan to wear this watch at least a couple of times a week, so wondering if there's a way to do this without just keeping it in a safe.

Thanks,

NYC2023

Some would pay to have that fade or to find a way to accelerate it :-)

The more it fades the more collectible it becomes. I would not do anything but enjoying the uniqueness of it which is no more a thing with middle ceramic models.
The bezel and dial fades are what collectors look and pay premium for.
Also as someone mentioned above, the fading takes too long you won’t notice it.

[fishingbear]

Natural fading overtime is part of owning a Rolex with an aluminum bezel.
One bit of advice it to keep the watch bezel away from some industrial or harsh cleaners(also to prevent premature ring seal deterioration). Gentle dish and hand soaps are fine.
Years ago I faded one of my gmt bezels when I wore it washing down my boat at the coast, apparently there was a very mild amount of bleach in the soap bucket. My watch itself checked out fine and I thought the bezel looked pretty cool.

[garyk]

Let it do it’s thing…

[jcatt]

You could use an automotive ceramic coating, like GTechniq Crystal Serum Light, that would protect it from UV and fading. Would last about 4-5 years.

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by jcatt

You could use an automotive ceramic coating, like GTechniq Crystal Serum Light, that would protect it from UV and fading. Would last about 4-5 years.

That's a pretty good idea!

I bet you CSL would last even longer on a watch considering it would get washed way less frequently than a car and be exposed to much less contamination.

[GMT Aviator]

I had all my 5 series inserts replaced at service. I kept the originals but faded inserts just aren’t my thing.

[NYC2023]

Originally Posted by jcatt

You could use an automotive ceramic coating, like GTechniq Crystal Serum Light, that would protect it from UV and fading. Would last about 4-5 years.

Interesting idea, thanks!

[NYC2023]

Originally Posted by fishingbear

Natural fading overtime is part of owning a Rolex with an aluminum bezel.
One bit of advice it to keep the watch bezel away from some industrial or harsh cleaners(also to prevent premature ring seal deterioration). Gentle dish and hand soaps are fine.
Years ago I faded one of my gmt bezels when I wore it washing down my boat at the coast, apparently there was a very mild amount of bleach in the soap bucket. My watch itself checked out fine and I thought the bezel looked pretty cool.

Thanks! Good advice!

[texan_guy]

Originally Posted by GMT Aviator

I had all my 5 series inserts replaced at service. I kept the originals but faded inserts just aren’t my thing.

Same. A faded looking watch wouldn't look good with a nice suit.

[928ktgold]

Originally Posted by faimag

You have a lovely bezel. Given it's serif font, it will be impossible to replace via RSC. But i wouldn't worry that much as fading is a decade-long process.

This. it took someone wearing this watch as a daily for it to fade like that for decades. Occasional wear will preserve it. Don’t worry

[Jake Sully]

40 years ago my soon to be wife back then worked in a Jewelry store in a mall. The owners used a 50/50 mixture of Mr. Clean and water for there cleaning tank. It works extremely well for diamonds and gold. I back then bought a cheap ultrasonic cleaner and used that for all my personal jewelry at home with the same mixture. I didnt submerge my Coke GMT in it ever but used a old tooth brush and the same solution and kept my watch spotless. Well after a year or two my bezel was half faded out and it then occurred to me that the Mr. Clean was too strong for the aluminum bezel. So I bought a new insert and swapped it out. So my suggestion is dont ever use too strong of cleaners for cleaning the bezel insert.