Submariner Ceramic Bezel - replacement

[Mocking Jay]

Hello guys,

Few days ago there was sunoil spilled on my watch, few drops with the wind.

The same day I cleaned my watch as I do everyday in the summer. Now I see on the ceramic bezel the drops/stains are still there, tried to clean it 3x on a row, I use wristclean.

But it doesn’t help. When I dry my watch, it’s still there. I’m always very carefull to my watch, I didn’t see this coming.

I should have cleaned the watch straight away when the few drops hit my watch, I think it burned in with the sun now. Which I don’t understand this is even possible. The stains/drops are like, (you make your watch wet, and you don’t dry it)

Now my questions is, what are my options?
My watch is now like dirty, (the ceramic bezel)

Thanks in advance!

[rolexandrolex]

any photos?

[Mocking Jay]

Originally Posted by rolexandrolex

any photos?

I only have an iPhone I don’t think I can get that on picture as a ‘macro shot’ ..

[SearChart]

Stop using wrist clean, soft brush, warm water and dish washing liquid if how you remove stains.

An occasional ultrasonic cleaning for the bracelet will keep it nice and clean in between the links.

[Mocking Jay]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Stop using wrist clean, soft brush, warm water and dish washing liquid if how you remove stains.

An occasional ultrasonic cleaning for the bracelet will keep it nice and clean in between the links.

I tried dish soap to remove it, it didn’t help. I think the drops are burned in the ceramic bezel, I don’t know how that’s even possible but I don’t see another theory...

[Toivonen]

If you insist in trying to clean it you’ll end to scratch and do some lines on the index. Leave it, RSC Williams clean it perfectly during service (or, if it bothers so much you can’t live with it, let them clean it for you)

[Tomas Eriksson]

Im pretty confident the cream hasn't somehow magically bonded with the ceramic. Acetone/nail polish remover and a q-tip should do the trick.

[REFZ]

Maybe a little brakecleaner will help.

[V25V]

Originally Posted by REFZ

Maybe a little brakecleaner will help.

LOL, definitely do not do this.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Mocking Jay

Hello guys,

Few days ago there was sunoil spilled on my watch, few drops with the wind.

The same day I cleaned my watch as I do everyday in the summer. Now I see on the ceramic bezel the drops/stains are still there, tried to clean it 3x on a row, I use wristclean.

But it doesn’t help. When I dry my watch, it’s still there. I’m always very carefull to my watch, I didn’t see this coming.

I should have cleaned the watch straight away when the few drops hit my watch, I think it burned in with the sun now. Which I don’t understand this is even possible. The stains/drops are like, (you make your watch wet, and you don’t dry it)

Now my questions is, what are my options?
My watch is now like dirty, (the ceramic bezel)

Thanks in advance!

Post a picture of these mark stains,but if it cannot be removed by washing with simple soap and water.Then would expect the ceramic has had some sort of reaction to whatever chemical you put on it.One of the many downsides of ceramic inserts, mark or crack them very expensive to replace and back to Rolex for replacement.

[joli160]

As a last resort if anything else fails and you're willing to replace it .... Rub the complete bezel with the same sun oil for a uniform look

[rolexandrolex]

Originally Posted by joli160

As a last resort if anything else fails and you're willing to replace it .... Rub the complete bezel with the same sun oil for a uniform look

it may end up with a unique matte black ceramic bezel of your own.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by rolexandrolex

it may end up with a unique matte black ceramic bezel of your own.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[ryankelly]

FWIW sunscreen can absolutely wreck a car's paint job: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/959...-car-paintwork

I have no idea if the physical process with what happened to you is similar (i.e., no idea what was in your sunoil, no idea if the finishing/top layer on a ceramic bezel is similar to those of a car's coat of paint), but it wouldn't shock me.

[nektar]

This is interesting, and probably Rolex is not aware of that. Why do not you call them?

[DocHolliday]

Please try and post some pics OP. I would be very surprised and interested to see this happen. I work with zirconia almost every day and it is extremely durable and very chemically stable. Also if you could post a picture of the ingredients of the sun oil you used so we can see if there is any ingredient that may be possibly reactive to the ceramic.

FWIW mine gets coated with everything from sunscreen to acid etching materials and chemical cleansers and I have never seen any permanent staining or changes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[envuks]

I have a permanent sunscreen hand print on the passenger door to my BMW from a beach trip a few years ago. Many detailing sessions later and it’s still a little bit present. Sunscreen can be rough, but I’ve never heard of it impacting a Rolex at all. I’ve never had issues and certainly covered my watch in sunscreen many times by accident when applying it.

I’d call Rolex and see what they say

[kauffee]

I’ve had quite a bit of sunscreen on my Sub with no ill effects. Post the type of “sunoil” you were using.

[Mocking Jay]

Hey guys,

Many thanks for all the replies.
i will try and take pics tomorrow.

Here’s the sunoil I used.

johnbeerens . COM/australian-gold-bronzing-dry-oil-spray-intensifier

(I’m from Belgium)
But I’m sure u can find the ingredients somewhere in english.

Thanks in advance

[Byrdguy]

Buy some Simichrome metal polish and use it to polish the bezel. It should remove the stains, and make the bezel look like new. Just a tiny dab on an old soft cloth like a Tshirt or use a QTip and you should be good. I have a Hulk and use Simichrome on all the shiny parts of the watch. It will shine up the brushed surfaces so mask them off. It is a very mild polish and you will find many things to use it on. I've worn a Sub of some sort since the mid 80s and used that polish on all of them. My Hulk is a 2011 and it stays new looking. It won't remove deep scratches or gouges but I think it'll do what you want it to do in this case.

[DARK_KNIGHT]

Sunoil is Sunscreen or Sun tanning lotion?

[SeaAndSky]

Originally Posted by DARK_KNIGHT

Sunoil is Sunscreen or Sun tanning lotion?

People still use sun tanning lotion?

[Muxi]

Will toothpaste work as a mild abrasive?

[Tomas Eriksson]

No picture? Is the issue resolved?

[Mocking Jay]

Originally Posted by Tomas Eriksson

No picture? Is the issue resolved?

Not resolved, don’t know how to..
Tried taking pics with my iPhone.

[melrob1]

To start I would mix two parts white vinegar to one part water. Then dap on a microfiber and then try to clean the bezel a few times.
If that doesn’t work go buy some simple green cleaner. Works on tons of stuff and is not toxic or abrasive.
If that doesn’t work try the magic eraser.
Also was thinking a clay bar that is used for vehicle detailing. Just not sure. It doesn’t take off the clear coat and does take out all types of deposits on paint without causing damage.

[Pureform]

guess now we can say to all the vintage naysayers that ceramic bezels do patina

[melrob1]

Also as an easy thing try a pencil eraser.

[rolexandrolex]

looks like a long duration sun burn induced some kind of chemical reaction between the sunoil and the cerramic!

[Tomas Eriksson]

Originally Posted by rolexandrolex

looks like a long duration sun burn induced some kind of chemical reaction between the sunoil and the cerramic!

pretty confident that is not the case