Iceland Blue Lagoon adventure

[boost2perfection]

Haven't posted in awhile, what's up everyone? So I just got back from Iceland, I was there for 5 days for a bachelor party. The trip was amazing but little did I know I went into the blue lagoon with my sub C, did not want to leave the watch unattended in the hotel. The water in the natural hot spring stained my ceramic bezel. No matter how much I cleaned the watch there was still stains. I went to RSC NYC they quoted me $375 for a new bezel. And that they would need to ship it out in order to have the bezel relaced. Good news is the gentleman Luke called me just now and told me they were able to polish the bezel and get everything out. I'm so happy! :) I'll post after pics when I pick up the watch but here's the damage.

[boost2perfection]

They fixed it for free! :) now that's service

[DeeTee]

Wow is there any other type of elements that can damage ceramic?

[SWISSAHOLICS]

Wow, this is news to me....didn't know that ceramic bezel could get stained.

[masyv6]

Originally Posted by SWISSAHOLICS

Wow, this is news to me....didn't know that ceramic bezel could get stained.

News to me as well. Amazing customer service by Rolex to take care of the bezel replacement for free. They aren't known for their great customer service for no reason!

[mmalek1]

It makes me wonder if after enough time, original ceramic bezels will have spotting once they achieve vintage status. Only time will tell.

[silverbullet818]

Stained? Wow... can you show us a picture of the 'damage'?

Curious to see. Thanks for the heads up. I will most certainly make sure I don't dip my ceramic watch into hot spring mineral waters!

[red1108nyc]

Super shot - Thanks for sharing

[SeattlePNWguy]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm headed to Reykjavik this winter and looking forward to the Blue Lagoon. Would've taken my D-Blue in there if I hadn't seen your post. Thanks! Glad your bezel got cleaned up.

[boost2perfection]

Originally Posted by SeattlePNWguy

Thanks for the heads up. I'm headed to Reykjavik this winter and looking forward to the Blue Lagoon. Would've taken my D-Blue in there if I hadn't seen your post. Thanks! Glad your bezel got cleaned up.

Iceland was a blast! But yea apparently the springs not only damage Rolex's, jewelry but also your hair. So they make you condition and bathe yourself before heading into the spring and after. I was in shock when I came out after having 3 drinks in the blue lagoon. RSC NYC told me they have never seen this. He also said they didn't want to polish it at first Bc if they had damaged the bezel than they would be in trouble but I did tell them it's ok to just replace. I will snap pics when I receive the watch back.

[watchwatcher]

Interesting...thanks for the heads up.

[whirlwynds]

wow. i knew there were a lot of minerals there but never would have thought. I suppose the ceramic bezel is sufficiently porous that it absorbed some of the blue lagoon minerals. when I went I wore my explorer!

[Matrim604]

Wow, I'm im Iceland right now, and was at the Blue Lagoon this afternoon. I wasn't wearing a watch with a ceramic bezel (had my pp 5980) and had no issues. My brother was wearing his tt blue ceramic sub though I'll have to check with him in the morning to see if he had any staining, though I'm sure I would have heard by now if he did. Maybe the black shows the staining easier?

[boost2perfection]

Originally Posted by Matrim604

Wow, I'm im Iceland right now, and was at the Blue Lagoon this afternoon. I wasn't wearing a watch with a ceramic bezel (had my pp 5980) and had no issues. My brother was wearing his tt blue ceramic sub though I'll have to check with him in the morning to see if he had any staining, though I'm sure I would have heard by now if he did. Maybe the black shows the staining easier?

Oh wow enjoy your stay! We hired a amazing tour guide when we were there. Lmk if you need his info. RSC said there maybe micro scratches on my bezel hence the sulfur got in and caused a chemical reaction. I also thought ceramic would not stain.... Lmk how your brothers watch goes.

[whirlwynds]

let us know! scary thought! I thought subc was invincible! check out kaldi bar!

[Spartacus]

People probably would pay extra for a blue lagoon patina bezel

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

People probably would pay extra for a blue lagoon patina bezel

Ha ha ha, it would be funny if it weren't true.

Not saying it's better, but my 16610 and it's aluminum bezel had no problem at the Blue Lagoon last year. Must be a ceramic thing.

[amh]

Note to self: never wear a watch in a natural hot spring

[boost2perfection]

Originally Posted by speedolex

Ha ha ha, it would be funny if it weren't true.

Not saying it's better, but my 16610 and it's aluminum bezel had no problem at the Blue Lagoon last year. Must be a ceramic thing.

I guess I should've wore my 14060 on a NATO

[cpark]

Wow, I agree with the others' sentiment. I didn't think you could stain the ceramic bezel.

[1William]

Interesting.

[sun_devil]

Sounds like a great trip and thanks for sharing the photo! I am going to Iceland with my friends this fall and was planning on wearing my Seiko 007 for hiking and the Blue Lagoon, and perhaps a GMT watch (Exp II, BLNR, or Nomos Weltzeit) for going out.

BTW, did you get a chance to check out J.S. Watch in Reykjavik?

[ptxl]

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=479061

[boost2perfection]

Got my watch back today, feels like forever came wih pouch, card, polishing card etc

[boost2perfection]

Originally Posted by ptxl

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=479061

Interesting to see not only I have this problem

[boost2perfection]

Another one, glad RSC NYC could polish it out, steam clean it told me the mechanics was not affected.

[boost2perfection]

Originally Posted by sun_devil

Sounds like a great trip and thanks for sharing the photo! I am going to Iceland with my friends this fall and was planning on wearing my Seiko 007 for hiking and the Blue Lagoon, and perhaps a GMT watch (Exp II, BLNR, or Nomos Weltzeit) for going out.

BTW, did you get a chance to check out J.S. Watch in Reykjavik?

No I didn't get to check out J.S. I did check out this very small watch shop that carried a few new Rolex DJ. Didn't see any sport watches in the store. Forgot the name of the A.D. But it was next to 66 North clothing. I stayed at the hotel across from 66 North. I was surprised that the prices were not any cheaper than the A.D. Here in NY. I guess everything is expensive in Iceland due to having everything needing to be imported in.

[silverbullet818]

I used my BLRO in a natural mineral hot springs and didn't see any issues on my ceramic bezel.

Can you post pics of the original damage??

[whirlwynds]

Originally Posted by silverbullet818

I used my BLRO in a natural mineral hot springs and didn't see any issues on my ceramic bezel.

where did you go? fairmont?

at any rate, the mineral/sulphur damage to the ceramic is disappointing! i know rolexes are not invincible, but one would hope that it safer to wear into a hot spring than leave it in the locker/hotel. what a bummer!

I guess this makes an "is it safe?" a resounding NO

[ptxl]

I missed Loevhagen with saying: "Probably insurance fraud."