Some interesting facts about the YM bezels!!

[JJ Irani]

Hi guys,

First off, all YM bezels (irrespective of the model) are made from either PLATINUM or YELLOW GOLD - no other metal!!

The YM-II in YELLOW GOLD has a CERAMIC bezel.



The YM-II in WHITE GOLD has a PLATINUM bezel.



The standard YM has either a PLATINUM bezel as in my Platty or a YG bezel as in the TT and full gold versions.

The ENTIRE bezel is made of the precious metal. The insert is an integrated part of the bezel and cannot be separated from the outer serrated bezel.

If a bezel replacement is required, the WHOLE bezel has to be replaced - NOT just the insert like you do with the anodized Aluminium inserts of the Subs and GMTs.

JJ

All Platinum....outer bezel as well as insert!!



All 18 K gold....outer bezel as well as insert!!

[Attila]

Thats very interesting, JJ. Thanks for sharing!

Question about the GMT IIc is the ceramic bezel just an insert or the whole thing? (that is if you know, haha).

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Attila

Thats very interesting, JJ. Thanks for sharing!

Question about the GMT IIc is the ceramic bezel just an insert or the whole thing? (that is if you know, haha).

It's a combo of gold and ceramics. I know for a fact that the numbers on the dials are 18 K gold bombarded by a special process. The bezel is heated to 1500ºC to give it tremendous hardness.

JJ

[Attila]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

It's a combo of gold and ceramics. I know for a fact that the numbers on the dials are 18 K gold bombarded by a special process. The bezel is heated to 1500ºC to give it tremendous hardness.

JJ

Thank for that - you have obviously spent too much time on the Rolex website, and have learnt word for word the bezel construction process, haha.

[colemanitis]

Good info, JJ!

[jasonbellevue]

Good info to know, JJ!!

[GMTII Owner]

Thanks for sharing JJ.

[WES]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

The insert is an integrated part of the bezel and cannot be separated from the outer serrated bezel.

If a bezel replacement is required, the WHOLE bezel has to be replaced - NOT just the insert like you do with the anodized Aluminum inserts of the Subs and GMTs.

JJ, I don't think you are correct on this. I vaguely remember seeing a yachtmaster review that had the watch disassembled and the bezel insert came apart just like the others. Where are you getting this info from?
I do believe you are right as far as the bezel insert being solid gold or platinum.

[OYSTERMANN]

Very interesting thread, JJ.

I know the YM IIs are enormous, but the White Gold version looks quite good.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by WES

JJ, I don't think you are correct on this. I vaguely remember seeing a yachtmaster review that had the watch disassembled and the bezel insert came apart just like the others. Where are you getting this info from?
I do believe you are right as far as the bezel insert being solid gold or platinum.

I´ve been told it´s possible to separate the Plat bezel. But it can only been
done in the Geneva factory when it should be refinish. They have a special
machine there for the work. Rolex only sell it as one part, so you can´t buy
just the insert.

Jocke

[Tony-GB]

Originally Posted by WES

JJ, I don't think you are correct on this. I vaguely remember seeing a yachtmaster review that had the watch disassembled and the bezel insert came apart just like the others. Where are you getting this info from?
I do believe you are right as far as the bezel insert being solid gold or platinum.

Great post JJ but according to my recent dealings with RSC (St James's Square, London & Bexley, UK) not quite accurate. I have just received my YM back from service & the sandblasted finish had been removed where they tried to polish out some light markings on the inverted triangle at 12. After speaking to RSC on the phone BEFORE they started work, I was specifically told that the bezel CANNOT be polished, so I told them to leave it alone & I would live with the slight marks. However, when I received the watch it had been polished so amaterishly I returned it.

The service centre told me the bezel is in two parts & the platinum sits on a "ratchet". The bezel can only be refurbished in Geneva where the watch is made. I have told them that if it needs to be returned to Geneva then so be it, but I ain't paying!!! They have tried to sell me a new bezel for £1200 (UK pounds) or a refurbed one for £800 & I would have to submit mine in P/X.

Once I get it back, I'll post the outcome on the forum.

[abigsecret]

Originally Posted by Tony-GB

Great post JJ but according to my recent dealings with RSC (St James's Square, London & Bexley, UK) not quite accurate. I have just received my YM back from service & the sandblasted finish had been removed where they tried to polish out some light markings on the inverted triangle at 12. After speaking to RSC on the phone BEFORE they started work, I was specifically told that the bezel CANNOT be polished, so I told them to leave it alone & I would live with the slight marks. However, when I received the watch it had been polished so amaterishly I returned it.

The service centre told me the bezel is in two parts & the platinum sits on a "ratchet". The bezel can only be refurbished in Geneva where the watch is made. I have told them that if it needs to be returned to Geneva then so be it, but I ain't paying!!! They have tried to sell me a new bezel for £1200 (UK pounds) or a refurbed one for £800 & I would have to submit mine in P/X.

Once I get it back, I'll post the outcome on the forum.

That sucks! I'm sorry to hear about that!
But I do know for a fact that all the RSC's in the USA have the proper equipement to refinish the bezel of a YM!
Are you 100% sure the jeweler sent you watch to RSC, and not to a service center that deals with Rolex? Did you get the original "1-year service warranty", a polishing cloth and a pouch after your watch was worked on?
That's something you should try and find out...
Good luck!

[Tony-GB]

Originally Posted by abigsecret

That sucks! I'm sorry to hear about that!
But I do know for a fact that all the RSC's in the USA have the proper equipement to refinish the bezel of a YM!
Are you 100% sure the jeweler sent you watch to RSC, and not to a service center that deals with Rolex? Did you get the original "1-year service warranty", a polishing cloth and a pouch after your watch was worked on?
That's something you should try and find out...
Good luck!

I took the watch in personally to RSC in St James's Square London & collected it from them in person 10 - 12 weeks later. When I wasn't happy with the result they told me it would be sent to their service centre in Bexley, Kent, UK as they don't do the servicing in London. So the very next morning I drove to Bexley & handed it in personally. It took me 40 - 45 minutes of arguing my point before they took the watch. They just seemed more interested in selling me a new bezel!!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by WES

JJ, I don't think you are correct on this. I vaguely remember seeing a yachtmaster review that had the watch disassembled and the bezel insert came apart just like the others. Where are you getting this info from?
I do believe you are right as far as the bezel insert being solid gold or platinum.

What I meant was, unlike the anadized Aluminium inserts of the Subs and GMTs which can easily be rapleced, an AD is not able to take off the Pt. insert.

The bezel is sold as a whole -insert + bezel (both are made of Pt.)

Rolex, Geneva, however can do it as they have the technology.

The insert if scratched, needs sand-blasting to remove the scratch - NOT the normal buffing.

JJ

[topcat30093]

Nice info JJ

[unclesallie]

i don't know about bezels, but those YMII's are UGLY!
(sorry JJ):
best, dan

[OYSTERMANN]

Originally Posted by unclesallie

i don't know about bezels, but those YMII's are UGLY!
(sorry JJ):
best, dan

Oh dear, Dan - I don't think JJ's going to like that!!

Already I can hear the sound of startled sheep on his island

[Andad]

Hi JJ,

The Yachtmaster is very nice, I must have a closer look at them when I am in the AD. Janet has a small YG Yachtmaster but she doesn't wear it often.
I saw this pix of one in YG and IMO it is the best YM I have seen.

[OYSTERMANN]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Hi JJ,

The Yachtmaster is very nice, I must have a closer look at them when I am in the AD. Janet has a small YG Yachtmaster but she doesn't wear it often.
I saw this pix of one in YG and IMO it is the best YM I have seen.

Eddie, that YM is absolutely GORGEOUS - I want one right NOW

[unclesallie]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Hi JJ,

The Yachtmaster is very nice, I must have a closer look at them when I am in the AD. Janet has a small YG Yachtmaster but she doesn't wear it often.
I saw this pix of one in YG and IMO it is the best YM I have seen.

agree +2
best, dan

[marshallr47]

Good info. Thanks JJ.

[1MAC]

I love the platinum YM. Why oh why won't they make it with a white dial?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Very informative post, JJ!

Thanks for sharing!

[Tony-GB]

Originally Posted by 1MAC

I love the platinum YM. Why oh why won't they make it with a white dial?

I'm told that there was a limited edition just after the millenium made with a white dial. I have yet to see any though.

[exchange83]

thanks for the info jj.

[Jimbits76]

Hijack alert!!!!!!!!!!!

Anybody else notice old JJ is really pimping the platty and it's metals (and mettle).

This can mean only one thing....theres a Sub date or Seadweller coming to a bald guy in Auckland soon!!!!!!!

J

PS beautiful watches doods

[vukotab]

Nice info`s,thanks for sharing.

[Clubhouse Champ]

I too had my YM Platinum bezel serviced at an RSC and it was poorly (not to original standards) refinished when I initially received it back. I was disappointed and somewhat upset that I had to ask them to redo the work they performed. They initially told me they had a machine that polishes the bezel, but then subsequently admitted that it had been refinished by hand. Their second attempt to refinish the bezel insert was better, but still not to the high standard one should expect from Rolex. They also told me the bezel insert can probably only be polished once or twice before you have to replace the whole bezel (not what I wanted to hear). For a wathc like this and for this to be a recurring theme they should of send these bezel's to Rolex HQ for refinishing. Good Luck.