Broken bezel has me thinking.....

[Neil.tf001]

Hi all, I was planning to make my only big watch purchase to be the new TT black sub. However I See again issues with broken bezels on the new models which is making me nervous. The main reason for the new sub is the new clasp but weighing that against a broken bezel and weeks of repair, warrantee or not has me second guessing.
I know I can insure the watch but still weeks or repair?
Thoughts please.
Neil

[sleddog]

Millions of ceramic bezels now out in the wild...
A handfull of broken ones.....Percentage,less than 1% I'm sure...
Try not to worry and just enjoy it!!

[The GMT Master]

I still think the whole ceramic bezel problem is a storm in a teacup. There have maybe been 3 or 4 confirmed cases worldwide, which, considering that Rolex has used ceramic bezels for 5 years now, shows it's not a major problem. The simple answer is that nothing is indestructible - the odds, however, are overwhelmingly in favour of it not breaking.

Get that TT Sub, and wear it with pride

[rfknauss]

It would not stop me from buying a Rolex with a ceramic bezel.

[tgoose1]

Those reporting to this forum on ceramic bezel issues represent an infinitesimally small sampling of all new watches sold.

[DS_Obsessed]

I have yet to see one picture. I've seen threads where people claim they hit it just right, but still no pics. I have dropped and smacked my DS against door nobs and the like, no problems yet.

[austinnh]

It seems to me the number of broken ceramic bezel instances is very small still. But this is probably because most Rolex owners take great care not to bash (or gently tap...) their watches on anything.

With my lifestyle, I need a watch that can hold up against some use, and I would worry too much about a ceramic bezel.

That's just me though.

[austinnh]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

The simple answer is that nothing is indestructible

True, nothing is indestructible, but that doesn't mean we should throw away our standards of durability.

My watch may not be indestructible, but it's a lot closer to it thanks to the aluminum bezel.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by austinnh

True, nothing is indestructible, but that doesn't mean we should throw away our standards of durability.

My watch may not be indestructible, but it's a lot closer to it thanks to the aluminum bezel.

I disagree. Enough force to break a ceramic bezel will be more than enough to destroy or heavily damage an aluminium one - I can guarantee that far more aluminium bezels will have been replaced in the past year, for example, than ceramic ones. The only difference is that to replace an aluminium bezel is expected, whilst people seem to think that ceramic is infallible.

I do think that ceramic is a good step forwards, it gives the watch a truly premium look and feel, plus you won't have any loss of colour. If not unnecessarily poorly treated, then the ceramic bezeled watch you buy today will still look as new in 50 years time.

Cheers,

Chris

[Zirotti]

Thanks Chris. Ceramic should be a much more robust material than aluminum and it's a trend a lot of manufacturers have been following the last few years.

I think the real issue that people have and that they don't want to say is that instead of being able to pay $150 for a aluminum bezel insert today, people are concerned that the ceramic will cost multiples more (which is probably true as it's a premium material).

[Hooper]

Originally Posted by rfknauss

It would not stop me from buying a Rolex with a ceramic bezel.

Nor me !

[Dr.Brian]

There have been photos of a chipped DSSD. If not here, on one of the other big forums. I saw it myself. It broke/chipped off at the pip. Presumably from a diving impact to the raised pip.
I can't understand why people don't believe it. And BTW, if there are multiple reports of it happening here, it's happening 1000x as much to the non forum members throughout the world. Rolex probably has a few hundred thousand of them out, and there are only 40000 of us, and the majority don't have a ceramic bezeled rolex.
The lateral impact theory of breakage also makes a lot of sense to me.
Also, Rolex markets it as a super material, the reality is that it's just ceramic, and ceramic cracks and shatters. Of course the sapphire crystal has the same problems. I'd rather not have it, and I don't.

[Zirotti]

I have yet to personally see a broken ceramic insert. And for every 1 story of hear of them, I see/hear 10x as many damaged, bent, scratched aluminum inserts.

If you don't like the ceramic insert, don't buy the watch. End of story.

[austinnh]

I partially agree with and partially disagree.

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

I disagree. Enough force to break a ceramic bezel will be more than enough to destroy or heavily damage an aluminium one

On this point, I disagree. A recent cracked bezel story involved a mild (based on the owners story) impact with a vertical pole. A couple others have been a fall to a tile floor. That would never cause much damage to an aluminum bezel. Maybe a cosmetic scratch, but not "destroy or heavily damage". Compare with the ceramic bezel insert falling out of the watch - now that's destroyed.

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

- I can guarantee that far more aluminium bezels will have been replaced in the past year, for example, than ceramic ones.

I agree, but these are cases of cosmetic wear and tear - which is to be expected. The repair is optional and cheap. It's like polishing.

The ceramic bezel cases, however, are cases of complete breakage to the point that the bezel is no longer functional (when the insert falls out). It's not a cosmetic touch up - it's a broken watch. And it's expensive to repair.

The two cases are apples to oranges - routine cosmetic touch up to non functional bezel.

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

I do think that ceramic is a good step forwards, it gives the watch a truly premium look and feel, plus you won't have any loss of colour. If not unnecessarily poorly treated, then the ceramic bezeled watch you buy today will still look as new in 50 years time.

I agree, but only to the extent that the cosmetic condition of the bezel is the primary concern. If you're more concerned about the function - measuring elapsed time, or the expense of repair/insurance, or the inconvenience of watch being away for repair unexpectedly, then the aluminum bezel is more desirable.


-Austin

[Rani Drama]

My one cousin who had a GMT IIc sold it and went with a 16610 because he heard to replace the ceramic bezel is expensive. he now just has a 16610 and two tone yacht master. It didn't stop me from getting mine. The 16610 felt cheap in comparison to the 116610. Not that it is cheap it just didn't feel as much of a luxury item.

[austinnh]

Originally Posted by DS_Obsessed

I have yet to see one picture. I've seen threads where people claim they hit it just right, but still no pics.

Easily fixed (unlike a broken ceramic bezel - )







Thanks to sheldonsmith for pointing these out in this thread

OK, your turn, now show me some aluminum bezels that broke when the rest of the watch survived.

[Speed]

Lots of kvetching.

I will get a ceramic bezeled watch at some pt...For those who don't like them or fear paying for a replacement, There are lots of alternatives to choose from :-)

[Zirotti]

Originally Posted by Speed

Lots of kvetching.

I will get a ceramic bezeled watch at some pt...For those who don't like them or fear paying for a replacement, There are lots of alternatives to choose from :-)

Amen brother.

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by austinnh

Easily fixed (unlike a broken ceramic bezel - )







Thanks to sheldonsmith for pointing these out in this thread

OK, your turn, now show me some aluminum bezels that broke when the rest of the watch survived.

Thanks Austin, I knew they were out there somewhere!

[Luxe Time]

Slightly off-topic but…

what is the cost for AD / Rolex service to replace a bezel on the 16610? Also, I was wondering if they keep the old bezel that is swapped out? Thanks for the help guys!

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by rfknauss

It would not stop me from buying a Rolex with a ceramic bezel.

Agreed! I prefer the classic aluminum bezels but this is a non issue for the overwhelming majority of ceramics.
dP

[Zirotti]

Originally Posted by connecticutrolex

Slightly off-topic but…

what is the cost for AD / Rolex service to replace a bezel on the 16610? Also, I was wondering if they keep the old bezel that is swapped out? Thanks for the help guys!

You can buy a replacement from someone like Steve Mulholland for around $150 and do it yourself. It's an easy swap.

[FLB03TT]

Originally Posted by connecticutrolex

Slightly off-topic but…

what is the cost for AD / Rolex service to replace a bezel on the 16610? Also, I was wondering if they keep the old bezel that is swapped out? Thanks for the help guys!

My AD quoted me $80 for a GMT II bezel- Coke, Pepsi or Black- installed. I would think the 16610 bezel would be no more, if not less.

[ingoodtime]

My GMTIIC bezel has taken some pretty tough hits and no problem whatsoever.
I am not saying none break but that the percentage of damaged bezels VS quanity being worn daily worldwide must be pretyy darn small. Lets talk about everday life and set up an example. Would you not buy a car you love because somebody might door ding it, or back into it? There are always things in life that are beyond our control. Heck, you could buy the watch, walk out of the AD and be killed in a tragic accident. Maybe your bezel will survive, maybe it won't.

If a large number of people were posting that they had bezel damage and it was frequent, well, that would add credence to a thread such as this. But until that happens, I am not wasting energy worrying. If my bezel cracks, I'll pay my repair costs and go on enjoying my watch.

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by austinnh

Easily fixed (unlike a broken ceramic bezel - )







Thanks to sheldonsmith for pointing these out in this thread

OK, your turn, now show me some aluminum bezels that broke when the rest of the watch survived.

So as with everything,we all have a difference of opinion and that's cool.....
Here we have 3 broken ceramic bezels......Lets add 17 more for prosperity...
Now we have 20 bezels that need to be replaced..I would say thats exceptionaly good considering the amount of ceramic bezels in the wild today!!(Millions) Less than 1% infact.
If your worried about braking it,you should stay clear of one and maybe wrap all your watches in bubble wrap so as to avoid any damage at all.....
These things happen,nothing is indestructable!! Take a car window.Sometimes you'll get a tiny chip from a big rock and sometimes you'll get a complete crack from one side to the other from a small rock....It all depends how it's hit!
The OP's concern was breaking one....My advice is,your chances are slim,so don't hold back on a watch you love because of "Chance" you may break it! We all run that risk on almost everything we buy!!

[Zirotti]

There is a price to pay when you look this good ;)

[sakuraba]

Originally Posted by connecticutrolex

Slightly off-topic but…

what is the cost for AD / Rolex service to replace a bezel on the 16610? Also, I was wondering if they keep the old bezel that is swapped out? Thanks for the help guys!

SFO RSC recently changed the insert on my 16600 for $75. They let me walk out with the old one as well.

[scl6118]

Don't be scared, the ceramic is very strong!

[ersnyder]

Originally Posted by Zirotti

There is a price to pay when you look this good ;)

Couldn't agree more Jason!!

[FLB03TT]

Originally Posted by Zirotti

There is a price to pay when you look this good ;)

That is an incredibly good photo