Rolex moving to ceramic bezel inserts and polished center links...

[mretzloff]

What are your opinions on Rolex's slow move to ceramic bezel inserts and polished center links?

I prefer the current style bezel inserts and center links. I really dislike the ceramic and polished features and wish they'd let us choose.

[karmatp]

I seriously dislike polished center links, for me they take the watch from "tool" to "dress". I want a watch that is not flashy and can withstand whatever I throw at it, that is what made me a fan of Rolex in the first place. As far as Ceramic bezels, I am not sure yet, I have no complaints with the aluminium inserts and it is convenient to just go to your local AD and throw a new one in if you scratch yours. I don't particularly like to shine the ceramic bezels give off, but I really can't pass judgment yet because I have never owned a watch with a ceramic bezel.
I do agree with you though, polished likes have no business on sport watches.

[Drumr]

i like the ceramics but i don't like the polished centers...
they can move to ceramics but the current combos of models/polished links are appropriate... stick to that.

[Mwing]

I like ceramic bezel, thats y i thought about gmt2c instead of sd.

I hate polished center links, thats y i bought sd instead of gmt2c.

[mretzloff]

What happens if you brush the polished center links with a Scotchbrite?

[DSJ]

Originally Posted by mretzloff

What happens if you brush the polished center links with a Scotchbrite?

Then they'd be brushed, which I like!

A well-done example: http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...racelet+116710

[Ivy League]

wouldn't this void the warranty?

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by Ivy League

wouldn't this void the warranty?

Maybe on the bracelet, but the case and movement wouldnt be touched so you should be fine

[viper]

i agree, polished bracelets

[GBJIV]

I agree also - polished center links are not my favorite. They are growing on me - I think the brushed bracelet is why I love my SD and Sub so much. A choice would be pretty cool. Although - some of the models may not look too good without the polished. A choice would be good.

[astcell]

I wonder how long the center links will stay shiny. My TT is not shiny at all any more but Millie is very shiny.

[swatty]

I love the polished centre links and ceramic bezel. The GMT IIc is the nicest watch I own

[toph]

Originally Posted by swatty

I love the polished centre links and ceramic bezel. The GMT IIc is the nicest watch I own

Once again Peter I have to 100% agree with what you say

[mathew r]

I think the polished center links look good on Daytona, because it is a dress watch. The sub & sea-dweller are meant to be a work horse, hence should always be brushed in my opinion...

[stevemulholland3]

I love the ceramic bezel-and the polished links arent bad either

[ROLEX MAN]

I think go with the times, change is good!

[walds11]

I am with you Matthew. I prefer the current style bezel inserts and brushed bracelets. That being said, I actually don't mind the polished center links with my SS Daytona.

[BiG JeEzY]

I prefer brushed links on models like the Sub, SD, and Explorer II. Polished links do look pretty good on the YM and Daytona though, which are the more expensive models of the professional line in terms of MSRP.

On the GMT, I'm pretty torn in the middle between brushed and polished. They both look pretty good to me, its not like having polished links on it bothers me in any way. Also, brushed is a classic look on the GMT, so I'm still divided.

With ceramic, its almost perfect except for the lack of a pepsi and coke bezel.

[bardm]

I like the polished center links and the ceramic bessel!

Yes, it makes it more of a dress-watch, but come on! Rolex haven't bin a "Tool-watch" for years. They are way too expensive for that and cheaper quartz-models are doing the "tool-job" better.

So if you have a "Tool-watch" Rolex you may have a watch with the image of beeing a tool watch, but it's relly a "dress-watch".

[BigHat]

I didn't love polished center links at first, but they really matter little after you wear them for a few days. It certainly doesn't transform in into a Cellini or anything. You'd think them tantamount to diamond encrusting the way some think of them.
With respect to those that think otherwise, the prices of these babies has made the concept of a rough and tumble "tool" watch seem pretty silly. While I personally don't think of a SS Sub as a suit / tux watch, past history here on TRF proves many disagree. I guess that Rolex assessed the need to "dress" it up a tad bit to better fit in that role -- thus the polished the center links and maybe the new bezel.

If what we've seen recently released and in the pipeline (GMT-IIC, Millie, new Subs, etc) is any indicator, you had better get used to it or buy some ScotchBrites.