Hi guys
I've been offered a Rolex bezel from what I believe is an 80s Submariner. While I have dealt with a lot of vintage Omega I'm embarrassingly bad with Rolex. I know the source well so authenticity is not an issue I just need to know which model the insert is from!
Pics attached
It also comes with some booklets also pictured .

Any help is really appreciated!
Thanks
HH

 

Looks like a insert for a sapphire glass Submariner (or Seadweller) Would like too see a close-up of the lume pearl. If it`s luminova it will not be very desirable imo.

 

Okay I'll try and get a closer pic tomorrow and see what you think.
Cheers!

 

It’s for a sapphire sub or sea dweller. The different models measure slightly differently, so you’ll need OD to confirm which it belongs to. The plastic crystal era models all have a smaller, plastic encased pearl that fits inside the triangle (even the modern service variety).

 

Hi again
Thanks for your help
Lume pop still has a strong glow so as you guys said it's off a modern model
It hsa diameter of 37.6mm
Here's some better pics

 

Are people buying these? I'm sitting on a bunch of 80s inserts, but I can't imagine they have much value.

 

Brilliant if, thanks for sharing looks like mine is off a relatively new sub judging from bezel diameter.

 

Sure, I bet you can get 200$ each for tritium ones.

 

Looking for a nice 16710 pepsi and a 16800 tritium inlay if you have + intend to sell...

 

This is what I have. My watchmaker pulled them all out of Subs when he serviced them, so they are not perfect (he and his father before him have been Rolex-qualified watchmakers since the 50s). He saved them, but didn't make a note of what watch they came out of. At one point, when I was looking for an insert for a 5513, he mentioned that he had some inserts, and gave me these to check out. I still have them in my possession, and I suspect he'd be happy to sell them if someone were interested. Obviously, they all have metal surrounds for the lume pearl, so they were not what I needed, and I assume they're for 5-digit Subs. The one on the lower left appears to have gold printing, so it's probably for a two-tone or gold watch. Other than that, I don't really know which is for which Sub, or maybe they're all the same. But I think it's pretty clear that at least some of them have tritium pearls. This is really all I have for photos at the moment. I'm traveling, and this just happened to be in my phone. But we can follow up by pm if you like. I just thought it would be interesting to post this here in case someone is an expert and knows exactly what watches they are for.

They are in sleeves with measurements on them, so @southtexas's data sheet will be helpful when I am back home and can check those numbers. I made a note that the one at the lower right is slightly smaller than the others, so that one's probably for a no-date or Sea Dweller, according to the bottom row of his table, and I think that pearl is luminova. The other four (including the one with gold print) are probably for the other "New Sub" category on the upper right, which I guess would also include 16800.

 

The one on top on the very right would be interesting for. PM me an offer if you like.

 

OK, I will need to figure out how much these sell for, since I hadn't really thought about it. I will get back to you. In any case, I'm out of town for the next week, so it would have to wait a bit.

 

Oh man, I wonder what else he has stored away in the nooks and crannies over the decades. Sounds like you have a nice relationship with him, you should ask his permission to sort and catalog all of his stuff. How much fun would that be.

 

I asked my watchmaker about old inserts...he came out with a fistful.

I left with these...

 

Of course you did! He didn’t have any old watches, maybe 6538 or 5517 NOS complete sets laying around?

 

No, but a 61 full set exclamation point 1675 PCG came in...looking at it tomorrow

 

He does have interesting things. As you may know, back in the day, Rolex provided a "kit" for each caliber, with all the parts in a compartmentalized box. And as they used up the parts from a given compartment, they would get a re-fill. He has a bunch of those for all the old movements, which is cool to see. I've seen stacks of crystals as well; they used to receive them in sleeves of 50. I like the idea of helping him make an inventory, it's quite possible that he has things that are desirable and he just doesn't realize it.

 

Haha awesome. And I think you spelled “...buying it...” wrong.

 

that would be really cool. Sounds like it’s not just possible but very likely. Often those old timers have no idea an old part they paid $5 for (or less) is now hugely valuable/desirable.