I'm sad - My GMTIIc and a broken bezel

[vince211]

I'm in a bit of a pickle and I know my experience is by no means the norm for this watch. I loved my GMTIIc for 10 months until the bezel cracked and broke off while I was wearing it at work two weeks ago. I was so embarrassed as it happened in front of a few folks. Most importantly, my poor watch was hurting!


I am holding my breath as my AD finds out whether I need to actually pay for this repair or if it will be covered under warranty. My long term opinion of this beauty (and of the Rolex brand) rides on the principle of whether I am going to be asked to pay for this repair. I just can't believe that I am in this situation. If I am asked to pay I will likely pay and flip the watch and move on to another brand altogether. I hope Rolex doesn't do this to me because I genuinely love this watch. I am also currently dreaming and saving up for a two tone ceramic sub. I am holding off on this purchase until I hear about the GMTIIc.

As a backup, I've already started looking at AP's. I just can't get around the fact that I thought I could rely on this thing forever - and was mistaken. Nevertheless as I said earlier, this is not the norm and I would be the first to say it is a beautiful watch and I still adore the Rolex brand. I've kept my mouth shut for weeks now and its kind of boiled over. I'm so eager to find out what Rolex says.

On the one hand I feel completely naked without her, love the watch and had no complaints. I caught myself looking at her often throughout the day. Didn't regret the purchase a single time. On the other I can't believe the brittle bezel shattered with such a light tap (I was in a warehouse and hit my wrist on a pole at apparently Just the right angle and pressure). The bullet-proof feeling of wearing that watch will never again be there for me and that is so sad but still I see myself wanting to wear that watch forever - it's that beautiful.

I hope rolex makes the right choice - I don't want to switch. And I also want that two tone ceramic sub like JJ! LOL.

But its about the principle to me!

Am I wrong here - what do you guys think??? I am really saddened by this. Imagine how you'd feel if your favorite watch came apart from what I would equate to as no more pressure than desk diving?! In no way did I bad mouth rolex or was I unappreciative of the AD - and I still feel it was the right thing to do no matter the outcome. I was professional and polished. Even when I got the sense the SA at the AD didn't believe me when I dropped the watch off I didn't get upset. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the most oil, but I felt I needed to have class and dignity and perhaps Rolex or the AD will reciprocate.

I will keep everyone in the loop and look forward to your thoughts.

-Up.

[FremStar]

OMG!!!! This is every GMT II-C's owners worst nightmare! Were you able to take pics? If your 116710 was still under warranty then by all means you should not pay for the repair... I hope it works out for you...

[C. Davidson]

Sorry to hear about the bezel. Total bummer.

Usually all Swiss manufactures don't cover damage similiar to that, its considered wear and tear. Sapphire crystals crack all the time too. I guess you can take comfort in the fact that your not alone in this, but its still a bummer.

Best of luck to you. Hopefully a remedy presents itself that makes all parties happy.

[sleddog]

Bad luck for sure Vince...I feel your pain!!!
I hope things turn out well.....Although I'm doubtful you will be covered!!

[ETT]

I think there is a thread here discussing the potential fragility of the ceramic bezels by other TRF members and on other forums. Do a Google search, you'll see a few links, and do some forum searches here, maybe just use "ceramic" as a key word. Sorry, that's all I've got. But if you can cite other incidents your position will be stronger.
Good luck, I'm with you in spirit.

[Speed]

Pics!!!

[Kanger]

I could swear I read another post a few months ago about a broken ceramic bezel on the GMT, it's weird how the new ceramic bezel, supposedly much more indestructible than the old aluminum insert, just breaks into pieces. At least with aluminum you can replace it relatively cheaply and the aluminum insert never just shatters. I really hope your warranty covers it.

[isap63]

Pictures please

[ETT]

Google ceramic bezels...you'll definitely get some links....EXPENSIVE!!!

[Edward-K]

Warm up your credit card......

[Dr.Brian]

This really should not come as a surprise to anyone. Ceramic is very scratch resistant, but hit it right and it will chip or crack. I've seen broken IWC and Hulbot ceramic watch lugs from being dropped, needing a whole new case. There were photos here a few months ago with a cracked DSSD bezel at the pip. This big advance for Rolex will be great for most folks, but for a select few it's going to be a big expensive headache. Unfortunately these may be the same folks that actually use the watch as it was originally designed. I'm more than happy with my old style Sea-Dweller insert. It might scratch or even gouge, but it's not going to shatter, and it's a cheap fix at service time.

[vince211]

I sincerely appreciate the good thoughts gents! There is probably less than a 10% chance they will repair it under warranty. I did state in the warranty return paperwork that there were numerous cases of this that I was aware of but also didn't want to come off as threatening or demanding. I am just one of millions of rolex customers out there - just hoping they do the right thing; it would be a nice change of pace to other manufacturer's experiences.

Not sure what good the pics will do - its a broken ceramic bezel at the "10" mark and a naked looking watch. Watch is in transit to Rolex, no pics available.

I did a lot of research here on TRF and found all related ceramic bezel threads already, unfortunately I am not alone.

We'll see what happens, but yes if asked to pay for the repair its terribly expensive which just adds salt to the wound. Even in that case though, it is what it is.

Just sad though! And she was such a beauty!

Up.

[Dr. Robert]

Why did Rolex switch to ceramic bezels?
Rolex tool watches are portrayed in Rolex ads as tough, etc.
This is not the first I've heard of these ceramic bezels cracking...& w/ a "hit" that wouldn't damage the original aluminum ones.

[Joey_V]

3 things:

1. It sucks that your watch broke... my Sub is hurting too but I just found out that it's covered by my AD's extended warranty.

2. As much as we all want to believe that our Rolexes are invincible, they are not. They are made by man, mechanical, and full of moving parts.

3. Don't ditch the brand. Chalk it up to life. Get your dream two-tone along the way!

Either way, good luck!

[stockae92]

any pic?

there has been pic of a chipped ceramic insert, but not one that's broken into pieces

[TSts]

I'd be sad too!

Can you recall if you accidentally hit the watch face, or side, against something hard or is this a case of a 'suddenly shattering ceramic' event?

[DS_Obsessed]

Do car manufacturers warranty vehicles when you get into an everyday accidents. Under normal circumstances, no. Bumpers crack when hit just right, with just the perfect amount of pressure.

Sorry to hear about the gmt. Bad luck. Maybe rolex will come through. Keep us updated.

Just a question, if you know you can recoup decent money selling a gmtc with a cracked bezel, why so quick to give up on it. Consider getting it fixed and call it bad luck. S&$t happens.

[ayres]

how long before you know?

[EZZELDIN]

So sad to hear that , that’s bad luck, I hope same is fixed on Rolex expenses.

[cvo]

I know exactly how you feel. From my experience, Rolex is very generous when it come down to taking care of their customers. Also, if your AD has a good relationship with the RSC - that will work toward your advantage. Good Luck!

BTW - I noticed myself increasingly holding my left arm up beside my stomach area instead of swinging it at times when I'm walking; especially when I walk around corners or close to something that I may hit my GMTiiC against.

[roger0770]

ceramic is hard, but brittle. do you have to replace the entire bezel or just the insert? keep us updated!

[JJ Irani]

Very sorry to hear about your mishap, Vince. I'm actually quite surprised that the bezel should shatter so easily.

I wish you had a picture for us to have an idea of the extent of the damage.

Anyway, good luck with having it replaced asap.

Cheers - JJ

[presario]

Sorry to hear about your watch man. It hurts like crazy, I know. I've found that I'm way more conscious about how I move and swing my left arm after I started collecting watches. It's all about defense. Hope you get your watch back soon bud.

[Tek]

Sorry to hear buddy. But hopefully they'll fix under warranty.

[padi56]

Another case of newer is not always better than the simple older and much cheaper inserts,I hope Rolex sorts it out for you.

[mhmfao]

ALCON,
Why is it that these broken ceramic bezel insert reports never come with photographic evidence?
V/R,
Mike

[swatty]

Curious, the ceramic shattered and you didn't strike it against anything ?

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by mhmfao

ALCON,
Why is it that these broken ceramic bezel insert reports never come with photographic evidence?
V/R,
Mike

I don't think that he joined 2 years ago so he could fabricate a perfectly reasonable story about a cracked piece of ceramic. My car has had 2 accidents in the last 6 months (neither my fault nor involving other vehicles). I don't have photos of the damage. Also, we have seen photos, here and elsewhere, of cracked bezels. A better question would be why don't people believe an exposed piece of ceramic will break when knocked into something?
As noted above, newer is not always better.

[Nicko]

Well said. Why would he make this up?

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

I don't think that he joined 2 years ago so he could fabricate a perfectly reasonable story about a cracked piece of ceramic. My car has had 2 accidents in the last 6 months (neither my fault nor involving other vehicles). I don't have photos of the damage. Also, we have seen photos, here and elsewhere, of cracked bezels. A better question would be why don't people believe an exposed piece of ceramic will break when knocked into something?
As noted above, newer is not always better.

[Brushpup]

Originally Posted by padi56

Another case of newer is not always better than the simple older and much cheaper inserts,I hope Rolex sorts it out for you.

My thoughts too. Aluminum wont crack. If it gets a scratch, well...cheap and eay to replace.