Author Topic: Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed  (Read 4937 times)

Offline King Fisher

  • Freshie
  • *
  • Posts: 28
Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed
« on: August 29, 2016, 05:06:36 PM »
Friends,
I have been offered a new stainless steel Rolex GMT Master II near the retail price, however this is custom-fitted with the Pepsi Cerachrom bezel, like the one found in the white gold version. I really like the Cerachrom bezel as opposed to the aluminum insert, but am a little concerned about the resale value if I decide to flip this later. Would you buy this?

Thanks in advance.

Offline meoramri

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3899
    • My Eastern Watch Collection
Re: Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2016, 07:46:31 PM »
A franken watch....emmm. I'll pass


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Main watch blog visit: http://easternwatch.blogspot.com

Offline leewae91

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 76
Re: Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed
« Reply #2 on: August 29, 2016, 11:13:46 PM »
nonexistent resale value. but hey some ppl just want to stand out "differently"

Offline CKL1213

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 776
Re: Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2016, 08:14:32 AM »
is like a 5 series with M5 badge, side skirts, bumper and quad pipes

car registration card is still a normal 5 series

Offline D'Andy

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1245
  • Success. It's a mind game.
Re: Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2016, 08:15:52 AM »
If it was just a bezel mod, which you could always change back to the original bezel prior to the sale with no touching of the innards, I don't see how that would affect the resale value much. However, for every warranty or servicing needs, you would also have to perform the above or risk losing your warranty claims.
Watch hobbyist @ andywristwatches.blogspot.com. Current faves in my collection :

Rolex | Omega | Bell & Ross | Panerai | Seiko | G-Shock |

Offline King Fisher

  • Freshie
  • *
  • Posts: 28
Re: Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2016, 09:06:06 AM »
Thanks D'Andy, that was my initial line of thinking. Not messing with the innards, just the bezel swap. So easy on the eyes.

Offline Frendrick

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2016, 11:22:09 PM »
I would play safe and pass it. I just don't anybody to look at me like I'm wearing some cheap fake rolex IMHO

Offline D'Andy

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1245
  • Success. It's a mind game.
Re: Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed
« Reply #7 on: September 03, 2016, 04:50:37 PM »



For goodness' sake, we're talking about a simple flip of the penknife (albeit carefully) to get the original Rolex GMT bezel off and replaced with the Rolex Cerachrom bezel. It ain't rocket science and it doesn't touch the innards. As long as it rocks the TS' boat, I'd say, "Go for it!". Heck, this could be the motivation for the TS to go from the 116710LN to 116719BLRO. Last I checked, there was a RM80k price difference between them, so I think that it was a great way for the TS to move towards his dream with a first step forward (bezel mod). And a real WIS would be able to tell the difference straightaway given the GMT hand, so he ain't cheating anyone.

To equate that such a mod would then cheapen the watch to a "cheap fake Rolex" was simply hilarious. It all depends on your social standing and crowd that you mix with. If the TS would show his watch to me, I would have given him a pat on the back. If a chap has yet to attain a certain level of maturity and financial independence (and discounting the fact that he had rich parents to support his horology hobby), I would opine that his immediate known circle would simply assume that he was wearing a "cheap fake Rolex" even if he was actually wearing a genuine one.

If we were talking about Seiko SKX, and the TS was asking about bezel, dial, hands' mods from Seikoboy, Dagaz, etc I was pretty sure that most would have given him the encouragement to go ahead, and then praised him for the creativity. So why the double standards here?
Watch hobbyist @ andywristwatches.blogspot.com. Current faves in my collection :

Rolex | Omega | Bell & Ross | Panerai | Seiko | G-Shock |

Offline leewae91

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 76
Re: Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed
« Reply #8 on: September 03, 2016, 04:57:38 PM »

U ain't cheatin til u get caught. What gives?

Offline D'Andy

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1245
  • Success. It's a mind game.
Re: Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed
« Reply #9 on: September 03, 2016, 05:04:09 PM »
The TS was not even trying to cheat. He was talking about buying a genuine Rolex GMT Master ii with (not an aftermarket but) a Pepsi bezel from another GMT Master ii. He's not touching the innards, meaning that he'd retain the green GMT hand. His dilemma was not about if he would like the watch in that mod form (which he would), but about what others would think of his Rolex? Given his dilemma and all the Rolex purists here, perhaps he'd be best to just stick to the 116710LN. I still fail to see how some of you could see him as cheating though.

(NB : Perhaps the TS could recommend the sale to me, so that I could take a look at the end result. If I do like it, I won't be asking questions if I should buy it though. I would be putting the picture of the piece in the WIOYWT thread.)
« Last Edit: September 03, 2016, 05:07:42 PM by D'Andy »
Watch hobbyist @ andywristwatches.blogspot.com. Current faves in my collection :

Rolex | Omega | Bell & Ross | Panerai | Seiko | G-Shock |

Offline Cocas

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2924
Re: Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed
« Reply #10 on: September 03, 2016, 05:46:50 PM »



For goodness' sake, we're talking about a simple flip of the penknife (albeit carefully) to get the original Rolex GMT bezel off and replaced with the Rolex Cerachrom bezel. It ain't rocket science and it doesn't touch the innards. As long as it rocks the TS' boat, I'd say, "Go for it!". Heck, this could be the motivation for the TS to go from the 116710LN to 116719BLRO. Last I checked, there was a RM80k price difference between them, so I think that it was a great way for the TS to move towards his dream with a first step forward (bezel mod). And a real WIS would be able to tell the difference straightaway given the GMT hand, so he ain't cheating anyone.

To equate that such a mod would then cheapen the watch to a "cheap fake Rolex" was simply hilarious. It all depends on your social standing and crowd that you mix with. If the TS would show his watch to me, I would have given him a pat on the back. If a chap has yet to attain a certain level of maturity and financial independence (and discounting the fact that he had rich parents to support his horology hobby), I would opine that his immediate known circle would simply assume that he was wearing a "cheap fake Rolex" even if he was actually wearing a genuine one.

If we were talking about Seiko SKX, and the TS was asking about bezel, dial, hands' mods from Seikoboy, Dagaz, etc I was pretty sure that most would have given him the encouragement to go ahead, and then praised him for the creativity. So why the double standards here?

Wow...very nice blue bezel.

Well...I am kinda a guy that treat all watches with equality.

If Seiko skx 007 can get modified according to a person liking, so the same does Rolex :thumbsup:  !

By the way, it is such a simple exchange of bezel only. :D

« Last Edit: September 03, 2016, 06:06:02 PM by Cocas »

Offline King Fisher

  • Freshie
  • *
  • Posts: 28
Re: Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed
« Reply #11 on: September 03, 2016, 08:26:54 PM »
Thanks to all who have so far weighed in on in this.

The intent is surely not to hoodwink anyone, but merely to seek consensus/viewpoints towards helping me to decide if I should consider the acquisition.

Most of us buy/wear watches for own joy and pleasure, and not necessarily to impress others. If you view my previous postings of my collection on the watch gallery, you will note my passion for timepieces.

But there will always be some cynics!

At any rate, attached is a picture of the watch. I have yet to personally view/inspect it, but I have no reason to doubt this is the picture of the actual item for sale, for he is a reputable dealer. He was upfront about the modded bezel.

I wanted to gather some feedback from the sifus before I paid the dealer a visit to physically check it out, hence the reason for starting the thread.

Thanks again.

Offline TheHobbit

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3328
Re: Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2016, 02:22:22 PM »
The important question is are you or will you be happy with the modifications. If you are, then go ahead. But if one day you intend to sell the watch, please ensure that the watch does come with the original parts. If not, you might find it a bit difficult to sell the watch.

Offline chrisyen

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5959
Re: Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed
« Reply #13 on: September 10, 2016, 10:29:39 AM »
Gmt Come with green GMT hand

So u need to change the gmt hand as well

Offline TheHobbit

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3328
Re: Custom Rolex - Opinion Needed
« Reply #14 on: September 14, 2016, 03:17:48 PM »
Another reason to have the original parts is when it comes to servicing the watch. Check with your local RSC if they will service the watch with the modifications. If no, then you may need to return it to original configuration before sending it in.

Of course if you send it outside to independent service center, this will not be a problem.