Bill
29357
Key to understanding the blue insert
Feb 25, 2015,19:51 PM
We are basing our assumption on the fact that we assume that the example that circulated at Christies auction, not to long ago, with blue inset and UAE crest dial was in fact produced by Rolex. I don't have supporting docs but there have been a few exmple around. The one I am referring to appears to be mid to mid high 2 million serial (2.7mil) which without seeing the case back is +/- 1970 - 1971 just a guess. This example has an MK2 dial which started mid to high mid 2 million where the MK1 one dial finished in the mid 2 mil range.
So you could say the birth was around that time for the Blueberry insert. But only watches in the special orders seem to have been born with the blue insert as I can't find any Rolex brochure showing a civilian version. This means basically that all blue inserts not associated with a special order "UAE" type Rolex production had the insert added by the Rolex Service centers using the surplus inventory unused in the special order. So I think you will find both MK1 and MK2 watches with the blueberry insert added at a Rolex service center and If was to hazard a guess the all Red hand probably followed the same pattern with off the books surplus of unused hands. But in both cases (Blue insert all red hand) it does not appear that there are any civilian models produced for sale by Rolex showing up in catalogs/brochures or sales material with standard MK1 or MK2 dials. Now could a dealer have access to these and customized the watch for civilian clients - I guess so. The swapped bracelets out to meet client preference why not a little more
This is not an exact science so we go based on assumptions form examples and try to draw not conclusions but plausible opinions. Not interent expertise being claimed here just hazarding a guess.
Bill
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Rolex - watch of the week!
By: Baron - Mr Red : February 13th, 2015-05:37
A lot of watches get posted on this forum in the course of a week. Each Friday, I will aim to post my favourite from the previous week. Forgive me my biases and value-judgments, but here's what I think from the past week. I loved Blomman's review of the C...
Could not agree more
By: Le Monde Edmond : February 13th, 2015-05:45
Bill - congratulations. Your watch is a dream. Well deserved! Joe does not mean you are warming up to GMTs more and more?
Think of it like this, Edmond....
By: Baron - Mr Red : February 13th, 2015-05:49
....I love my wife, but that does not mean i am unable to appreciate the beauty of another woman. My first Rolex was a GMT. I own 2 or 3. But my central focus on Rolex will not be GMT as it doesn't give me that frisson that i get from the divers.
Of course....
By: Baron - Mr Red : February 13th, 2015-05:50
....if i had started the theme a week ago, I would have given it to the 6350..... ....again, not indicative of a move into Explorers!!
Yep! [nt]
By: amanico : February 13th, 2015-06:17
Absolument
By: sub369 : February 21st, 2015-20:57
Passion or sins?
That's a really beautiful...
By: shou.biao.kuang : February 21st, 2015-10:15
GMT, Bill... Well deserve place in being watch of the week ! Bill, please let me (us) have the benefit of your knowledge of this piece please :)
I am here to share all
By: Bill : February 21st, 2015-23:19
ask any questions or send me a PM. The only silly question is the one you don't ask. Best Bill
We want the Full Monthy, Bill! :)))
By: amanico : February 21st, 2015-23:24
More seriously, I think many here would like to read more about the Blue insert... Best, Amigo. Nicolas
Thanks Bill..
By: shou.biao.kuang : February 24th, 2015-09:11
Kind of you to offer... That would have saved me loads of time doing homework LOL First salvo... What period was the blue colored insert spotted on the GMT Master? Second shot... was it spotted only on specific MK? (like MK 1, 2 ?) Thirdly, is it very rar...
From the facts i have learned.
By: Bill : February 25th, 2015-08:47
First this is vintage Rolex facts mmmm opinions mmmm. Anyhow, it seems that the all blue inserts ate associated with special orders made by Rolex for "military" more as gifts than battle hardened use. They made special batches for what appears to related ...
Key to understanding the blue insert
By: Bill : February 25th, 2015-19:51
We are basing our assumption on the fact that we assume that the example that circulated at Christies auction, not to long ago, with blue inset and UAE crest dial was in fact produced by Rolex. I don't have supporting docs but there have been a few exmple...
Many thanks for that Bill..
By: shou.biao.kuang : February 26th, 2015-06:40
Really appreciate the short but very informative write up on the Blueberry insert :) Hope I didn't put you on a spot since you are treading on thin lines with this rare piece of Rolex's history. Yes, with vintage Rolex, there is always "the-other-view" th...
Only thing comes to mind
By: Bill : February 26th, 2015-07:13
The blueberry insert watches are very nice looking, highly sought after by collectors and as such very expensive. But please be careful as always where there is money to be made non authentic pieces rear their ugly head. Best
Yes Sir...
By: shou.biao.kuang : February 28th, 2015-00:57
No doubt about the fakes flooding the market, especially when it is this rare and highly sought after, thereby commanding a high premium. Wear them in good health pal :) thanks again for the short write up. SBK