I'm printing a retraction & posting a new source.

[gioarmani]

The original source I had been using for all Rolex bezel inserts was listed here:

http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=59994&hl=

Too many people have been complaining about the service they've received from this store, so I must formally pull my support for them; for what that's worth.

To their defense, if they happen to read this, it's certainly nothing personal; it's just poor business. I know they're only a mom & pop shop with two employees--and I know, due to their recent popularity, they've been absolutely inundated by a 4000% increase (literally) in orders for inserts. The other half of me understands that, but says at least hire new people to cover the increase, and move on.

So, in light of the recent situation (which, hopefully for their sake improves), to be fair to all parties involved, I would like to recommend a new source.

As of a few days ago, the best "fit" for the Sea Dweller bezel insert that I have found yet, is a seller also in Florida who goes by the screename of "raymondleejeweler" on eBay.

Here is his store's link:

http://stores.ebay.com/WEBUYBIGDIAMONDS

Here is the item # for the exact insert I purchased:

230140806126

Of course, by the "best fit" I mean the insert--as usual--requires a bit of sanding to sit perfectly like the gen, but looks fantastic once it's in.

Another brand of insert that I just ordered two days ago (but haven't received yet) for my Submariner, is from another eBay seller by the name of "watchbandman50". His store can be found here:

http://stores.ebay.com/WATCHBANDMAN50

From the looks of these inserts, they are flat and not wrongly rounded like watchmaterial.com , and the print is crisp & sharp, like it should be. I suspect that you will need a watchmaterial pearl to replace the stock pearl on my second recommendation as well, but with the best of both worlds you've got one hell of the best looking inserts I've ever seen.

Here's a few quick snapshots from today--this is my old pearl with the raymondleejeweler insert from eBay:

So, hopefully these will work out for all those interested. Thank you for your time.

[Greystash]

Thanks gioarmani, your insert looks every bit the real deal.

[its_urabus]

gio,

thanks for the newoutlet for a damn nice insert. I wish that your your last suggestion would get on the ball. oh well thier loss.

also, not to change the topic, but is that the bracelet that came on your ssd, or is it a noob bracelet with polished sides? yours looks totally different that mine, the only reason I ask.

[gioarmani]

It's the stock bracelet--not a replacement.

First I take one of these:

http://www.bostonwatchexchange.com/servlet...-Watches/Detail

Then, I mix it with a bit of water and some of this:

http://www.fridgefilters.com/bar-keepers-friend-powder.html

Scrub it into the bracelet in up & down motions, in the same direction as the brushed "grain".

Wash it off with dish soap & dry it, then polish it in the same direction with one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AMNPUU

That's all.

Looks just like gen; give it a whirl!

[its_urabus]

thanks for the polish and clean steps. I love bar keepers. but i was actually asking about how well the sel fits the curve of the case. looks perfect. mine, not so good. I think I got a shoddy bracelet from my dealer... yours fits just "genuine"

[gioarmani]

I think it might be more of the angle it's shot from--not totally perfect. Here's an older shot from when I did the how-to:

But my gen didn't line up perfectly with the case either. None of them actually do.

[Edwin25]

@ GIo,

How is the insert orderd by `watchbandman50"?

Can you recomend him?

http://stores.ebay.com/WATCHBANDMAN50.

ps: what is the direct link for the `watchmaterial pearl`... i can

Edited April 27, 2008 by Edwin25

[gioarmani]

Bump, for those who keep pm'ing me about sources.

[Toadtorrent]

What timing!! I had ordered my 16660 insert from Watchbandman50 as per your recommendation as well as a Watchmaterial SS pearl. After following your guide...I'm now installed and ready to go. The WM pearl is quite improved over the others. Although the colour does not quite match the lume on the hour markers or the hand in in daylight, it does not look like cheap lume applied in a tiny silver cup like pretty much every other lume dot I've seen.

The "0's" are a bit thin on the WBM50 insert, but the 4 is pretty accurate for a Z series from what I can tell. I needed to sand the thickness and the outside diameter a bit for it to fit. I'll try and post comparitive pics of the pearls later.

Thanks for the info!!

[gioarmani]

UPDATING WITH PICS & NEW LINKS BELOW:

The original source I had been using for all Rolex bezel inserts was listed here:

http://www.repgeek.com/showthread.php?t=10...highlight=bezel

Too many people have been complaining about the service they've received from this store, so I must formally pull my support for them; for what that's worth.

To their defense, if they happen to read this, it's certainly nothing personal; it's just poor business. I know they're only a mom & pop shop with two employees--and I know, due to their recent popularity, they've been absolutely inundated by a 4000% increase (literally) in orders for inserts. The other half of me understands that, but says at least hire new people to cover the increase, and move on.

So, in light of the recent situation (which, hopefully for their sake improves), to be fair to all parties involved, I would like to recommend a new source.

As of a few days ago, the best "fit" for the Sea Dweller bezel insert that I have found yet, is a seller also in Florida who goes by the screename of "raymondleejeweler" on eBay.

Here is his store's link:

http://stores.ebay.com/WEBUYBIGDIAMONDS

Here is the item # for the exact insert I purchased:

230140806126

Of course, by the "best fit" I mean the insert--as usual--requires a bit of sanding to sit perfectly like the gen, but looks fantastic once it's in.

Another brand of insert that I think is fantastic, is from another eBay seller by the name of "watchbandman50". His store can be found here:

http://stores.ebay.com/WATCHBANDMAN50

From the looks of these inserts, they are flat and not wrongly rounded like watchmaterial.com , and the print is crisp & sharp, like it should be. I suspect that you will need a watchmaterial pearl to replace the stock pearl on my second recommendation as well, but with the best of both worlds you've got one hell of the best looking inserts I've ever seen.

EDIT: Quick summary/update:

Pearls for all modern Rolex inserts (except DSSD)--

Steel--

http://watchmaterial.com/viewitem.asp?idProduct=1800

Gold--

http://watchmaterial.com/viewitem.asp?idProduct=1801

Bezel inserts--

Black SS Subamriner:

http://watchmaterial.com/viewitem.asp?idProduct=1800

Green LV SS Submariner:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ME:B:EF:US:1123

Black, gold/two-tone Submariner:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ME:B:EF:US:1123

Blue, gold/two-tone Submariner:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ME:B:EF:US:1123

SeaDweller (non-ceramic):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ME:B:EF:US:1123

GMT II black SS (non-ceramic):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ME:B:EF:US:1123

GMT II black/red SS:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ME:B:EF:US:1123

GMT II blue/red (Pepsi) SS:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ME:B:EF:US:1123

Here's a few quick snapshots from the ones installed, listed above--these are the inserts with watchmaterial pearls:

Lume is practically gen-strength too:

So, hopefully these will work out for all those interested. Thank you for your time.

Edited April 5, 2009 by gioarmani

[Star69]

just for reference - i use an insert from

cousins uk - even the pearl is nice.

cheers,

Frank

[UT Horn]

It's the stock bracelet--not a replacement.

First I take one of these:

http://www.bostonwatchexchange.com/servlet...-Watches/Detail

Then, I mix it with a bit of water and some of this:

http://www.fridgefilters.com/bar-keepers-friend-powder.html

Scrub it into the bracelet in up & down motions, in the same direction as the brushed "grain".

Wash it off with dish soap & dry it, then polish it in the same direction with one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AMNPUU

That's all.

Looks just like gen; give it a whirl!

gioarmani,

What is the item that you use to polish the bracelet with? The link doesn't work anymore.

Btw, who is the woman in your avatar?! She's smokin'!

Thanks,

UT Horn

[redwatch]

UT Horn - check out Gio's write up on how to restore and maintain a brushed/satin finish here

[gioarmani]

Follow redwatch's link--that should show you the right stuff.

The other stuff is my current girlfriend.

[P4GTR]

A pretty funny guy gave you that member title!

Speaking of, that thread is about due for a resurrection.

[UT Horn]

Follow redwatch's link--that should show you the right stuff.

The other stuff is my current girlfriend.

You are one lucky man! Btw, I'll need a copy of that photo in 4'x6' and that is feet!

Edited August 18, 2010 by UT Horn

[gioarmani]

Not luck; just a good catch.

[Member X]

Awesome thread with great info, thank you very much

[Martyd3]

For what's it worth, I've had good luck with watchbandman50

[valerian]

Hi everyone. I'm in search for the best sub... LV bezel.

I went back to Gio's mother of all bezel threads but unfortunately his source and the link for the LV are no longer valid.

So: Who has the best LV insert today (apart from Jojo's gen)?

Thanks everybody for your help.

Valerian

[valerian]

Anyone?

Val.

[alligoat]

Val, given your location, have you tried CousinsUK? You could always order the pearl from Watchmaterial.

Watchbandman50 is also still around, but Freddy and I think he's the same as wholesaleoutlet990 and jewelryoutlet550, i.e. Mr. Slimeball! But for inserts, he might not be too bad.