Review: 40699 Retro Record Player GwP for LEGO® Insiders Weekend

As well as 40700 Winter Holiday Train which I reviewed earlier this week, the LEGO® Insiders Weekend includes a second Gift with Purchase (GwP) with a higher threshold. 40699 Retro Record Player is available to LEGO Insiders from midnight 23 November 2024 until end Sunday 24 – along with Double Points on all purchases.

Products in this article were gifted by The LEGO Group; the author's opinions are their own.
This article contains affiliate links to LEGO.com; we may get a small commission if you purchase.

40699 Retro Record Player

Threshold: Free gift with purchases above US$250/ £220/ €250/ AU$400/ NZ$420 or more
Pieces: 310
Availability: 23 and 24 November 2024 for LEGO Insiders only, while stocks last

New prints

There are no stickers in this set, instead we are treated to two new printed elements.

1x Tile Round 2 x 2 with Hole with print in White (6503257)
4x Tile 2 x 2 Curved, Macaroni with print in White (6505751)

Rare elements

While there are no new elements in terms of moulds or recolours, there are a few rarer elements to enjoy.

1x Hinge Plate 1 x 4 Hinge Plate in Sand Green (6416689 | 1927) in 2 previous sets.
1x (plus one spare) Plate 1 x 1 in Vibrant Yellow (6465247 | 3024) in 3 others sets.
1x Tile Round 2 x 2 with Light Bluish Gray Line (Volume Knob) in 71374 Nintendo Entertainment System only.

Elements in quantity

For a GwP there are a few elements that appear in good quantities, given the set only has 310 pieces.

5x Panel 3 x 4 x 6 Curved Top in Transparent/ Trans-Clear (6510166 | 2571)
18x Slope Inverted 45° 2 x 2 in Black (6425507 | 76959)
8x Slope Curved 4 x 1 No Studs in Black (4522034 | 61678)

Just as an aside: the 3x4x6 panel with curved top elements all come in a softer plastic bag to protect them from scratches. We have seen this protective step being taken more often over the last year or so.

Record player

The record player base is built first, with all the colour coordination of the late 1970s in full swing. Spot the three Technic half-pins already in position to form the AUX connections at the back.

Adding the tiled top allows the focus to move to the play elements. Both of the dark blue tiled areas are sliding toggles that can be moved along. Its a simple but effective little function.

The lid utilises all the transclear elements to good effect and the simple hinge allows the lid to open and close gently without falling - there is a lid stay as you will see later.

With the lid in position, the details can be added to the base and, most importantly, the vinyl record built.

Vinyl

Making a circular disc requires some SNOT work and this vinyl is a little thicker than the real thing of course.

The new printed elements unite to give a retro swirl vibe when in their final position. Sadly the colour choices are a little insipid and personally, I think something more vibrant would have been more fun.

Finished build

The finished build is actually pretty cool and makes for an eye-catching display on a desk or shelf. It looks the part given that it is a smaller-scale LEGO model made with 300-odd parts.

The functions are fun: there's the moveable volume knob, two sliding knobs for on/off and pitch, opening lid with lid stay, rotating vinyl and movable tone arm with stylus - phew!

The only two negatives are firstly that its a GwP with a high threshold and inevitably some folks who want it will not get it. The other negative for me is the thick vinyl with a disappointing design on the print. Since these are exclusive prints, I think they could have been a bit more fun and vibrant.

LEGO® Insiders Weekend gifts and promotions

40700 Winter Holiday Train for LEGO Insiders who spend US$170/ £150/ €170/ CAD$220/ AU$280 or more on LEGO.com, while stocks last.
40699 Retro Record Player GwP for LEGO Insiders who spend US$250/ £220/ €250/ AU$400/ NZ$420 or more on LEGO.com, while stocks last.
Some countries are offering 5009114 Holiday Crafting Set for LEGO® Insiders who spend £60/€65 or more on LEGO® City, LEGO® Friends or LEGO® DREAMZzz™ themes on LEGO.com, while stocks last.

There are other offers too:

LEGO Insiders Member Offer: Save on selected sets 23 November to 2 December, while supplies last.
LEGO Insiders will also have access to special physical and digital rewards, sweepstakes, and more.

The page to check on Saturday is the LEGO® Insiders Weekend 2024 Sets & Deals page.

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22 November 2024