Is watch with ceramic case prone to crack?

[stussyclie]

hello all , recently been doing some research on IWC's topgun chron models, and found some cases with a crack on the ceramic case due to a drop or bang on the watch, (http://www.iwc.com/forum/en/discussion/22295/)

what do you guys think abou the durability of a ceramic watch? is it a kind of materials suitable for watch?

[kilyung]

As long as you don't drop it, ceramic is fine.

[KBM]

Ouch! The sheer fact that you will never see a picture like that with a stainless steel watch tells you something.

[TSW]

Seen a few with lugs that came off.
But all of them have been dropped on tiles in bathrooms etc.

[mfer]

Dropping is the cause.

Why I'm staying away is b/c the watch companies charge HUGE amounts to replace the case. I think it is pretty rediculous what they charge for a case replacement. They bascially have you by the "case". I mean, who else can make it.....

Unfortunate.

[salem65]

I would prefer to have a bent lug or dented case. This ceramic stuff is too brittle with zero give to it.

[capote]

A ceramic case will break before it bends. Not a fan.

[stockae92]

For me, the bad (cost of replacement in case of damage) out weight the benefit (unique material and scratch resistance) of ceramic case

And I have seen cheaper ceramic chipping off before.

[samsmart]

Originally Posted by kilyung

As long as you don't drop it, ceramic is fine.

Bravo

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

[B. Doggy]

IMO, if you drop any watch on a hard surface you are likely SOL. Unless you're cool with a dented case. Don't know what ceramic costs vs. SS though. As was mentioned above, they'll all be spendy. I was told $3K+ on a 190, but that was like 5 years ago.

[stockae92]

You PAM 292? That's Black Seal with ceramic case.

190 has SS case with 8 day JLC movement ;-)

Anyway, its gonna hurt if there is a drop. But for a SS case, even with a big dent, there's a possibility that the lugs and case don't deform enough to compromise the WR and strap/bracelet attachment. But of course, the survivability of the sapphire crystal is another story ... So there is a chance the watch is still "wearable" with a big dent.

For ceramic case, if it cracked, it toasted. I won't consider it "wearable" until money gone from the bank and the case has been replaced.

Either way, a drop is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad ...