sand in blnr ceramic bezel

[nintendo]

Brought my blnr to the beach today, swam with it. And when I tried to rotate the bezel after the swim. Seems like there were sand particles which got under the bezel, giving a grinding sound. Anyone has similar experience?

[Curt941]

Run it under water and slowly rotate the bezel, it's possible very small pieces could get in there, but they'll come out quickly. I've had it happen to watches with rotating bezels before.

[jrbar-on]

Originally Posted by Curt941

Run it under water and slowly rotate the bezel, it's possible very small pieces could get in there, but they'll come out quickly. I've had it happen to watches with rotating bezels before.

I live in LA and wear my watch to the beach all the time; I've had the same problem and Curt941's solution is the key to getting the sand out.

Cheers,

Jonathan.

[jujin]

Will this cause wear on the delrin ring?

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by Curt941

Run it under water and slowly rotate the bezel, it's possible very small pieces could get in there, but they'll come out quickly. I've had it happen to watches with rotating bezels before.

x2, always works for me

[Rolex addict]

I guy I used to work with had this happen to his Yachtmaster. It was still under warranty and Rolex agreed to clean it for free, so he shipped it to them. I'm not sure if this is typical or Rolex was just in a good mood that day.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by nintendo

Brought my blnr to the beach today, swam with it. And when I tried to rotate the bezel after the swim. Seems like there were sand particles which got under the bezel, giving a grinding sound. Anyone has similar experience?

Yes that's another of the downfalls of the ceramic bezels

Originally Posted by jujin

Will this cause wear on the delrin ring?

I would hope not they use the same system on the Subs, SD,and DSSD and dive watches when used for diving are liable to get sand under bezel.

[nintendo]

Thanks guys. Rotating the bezel under clean water seems to have helped. Quite an unexpected situation from a rolex, or is this a common/ expected issue?

Probably will send in rsc for them to take a look since it is still covered under warranty.

[liu_watch]

Happened to me when I took a non-rolex with bezel to the beach. But as others had suggested, I rinsed under water and slowly rotating the bezel. Eventually I was able to get all the sand out. It shouldn't damage the mechanism because steel is harder than sand. Personally I wouldn't send it in unless I couldn't get all the sand out.

[mikhaelj]

I would soak it in some fuzz water (club soda, perrier, etc...) for a little

[Jason71]

Gotta love the new Rolex designs

That is why I don't dive with a 6-digit Rolex, and I ONLY dive with a 5-digit Sub or SD. The bezel is end-user removable, and in the instances where I have gotten grit under the bezel while diving in a foreign country without RSC??......Easy Peazy....just pop off the bezel and clean underneath. It is a 5 minute job and I CAN DO IT without any special tools.

Best advice?? Don't take your jewelry to the beach.

[Choo Yao Chuen]

moral of the story:
Don't play in the sand with your Rolex on!-:)

[Curt941]

Good to 12000 meters deep....





....just don't let it touch the sea floor.

[Colin W]

This is the reason why I prefer wearing the EXII at the beech - no grit in your bez!


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[Jason71]

Originally Posted by Choo Yao Chuen

moral of the story:
Don't play in the sand with your Rolex on!-:)

Not true......I play with my 16600 in the sand all the time. All it takes is a credit card to wedge under the bezel and it pops right off. The last of the great tool watches......

[Chris Globe]

What's the meaning of the 'just say no to polishing'..?? can someone explain.?
I've been polishing bracelets with Solvol Autosol & a soft cloth for years.. brings them back to new..
Thanks

[sco]

So, you rinsed it and it was fine? That's good news and I'm glad it's back to normal. There are plenty of dive watches that the bezel is not user removable, some here just can't wait to bash the ceramics.

[Daytona4130]

I've had that issue with a DSSD before. I rinse it, and then I literally "floss" underneath the bezel with dental floss. I don't have the heart to rip the bezel off

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by sco

So, you rinsed it and it was fine? That's good news and I'm glad it's back to normal. There are plenty of dive watches that the bezel is not user removable, some here just can't wait to bash the ceramics.

I own several of the ceramics, thank you. You can't say that the new design is an 'improvement' over the old design in this regard. Let's face it......Many of these new models have been developed to be more shiny and blingy and more like jewelry. They have lost their 'toolness' and are MUCH MORE expensive. Unfortunately, Rolex has lost their way.

I do also realize that there are plenty of dive watches that the bezel is not user removable. I had one that I used for diving for a long time. When sifting through the sand while diving once, the bezel got totally jammed. Believe you me.....a simple "rinse and it was fine" was not the answer.

I am one of the few that doesn't dive with a computer, so I totally depend on my mechanical bottom timer to keep me safe. I for one am just sad to see the Rolex of old go away and become what it has become today.

[GeoGio Greece]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Gotta love the new Rolex designs

+ 1 for Jason

[GeoGio Greece]

Originally Posted by liu_watch

............. It shouldn't damage the mechanism because steel is harder than sand. .............

Ever heard of sandpaper, sandblasting, etc ??????????????????????

[sleddog]

I don't believe this is a ceramic versus aluminum bezel insert problem for one second, and certainly not a Rolex only problem!

Both will get gummed up if placed in the correct condition to catch small particles. It's just that one is easier to remove and clean, and the other is a little tougher! However, with running water and a little finesse with a piece of floss, done!!

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by sleddog

I don't believe this is a ceramic versus aluminum bezel insert problem for one second!

Both will get gummed up if placed in the correct condition to catch small particles. It's just that one is easier to remove and clean, and the other is a little tougher! But with running water and a little finesse with a piece of floss, done!!

I agree that both will equally get gummed up with small particles in similar conditions. What is key though is being able to remove the bezel on a 16600. I've said my piece......I'll get off my podium and quit preaching now. Sorry to be so passionate about something so mundane

[Andad]

Originally Posted by liu_watch

Happened to me when I took a non-rolex with bezel to the beach. But as others had suggested, I rinsed under water and slowly rotating the bezel. Eventually I was able to get all the sand out. It shouldn't damage the mechanism because steel is harder than sand. Personally I wouldn't send it in unless I couldn't get all the sand out.

I agree with your cleaning method but some ingredients of sand will contain particles that are harder than steel.

If you don't believe me just find a sand pit and rub your PCL's it - get back to me with the results.

I take no responsibility.

[jujin]

Originally Posted by Jason71

I own several of the ceramics, thank you. You can't say that the new design is an 'improvement' over the old design in this regard. Let's face it......Many of these new models have been developed to be more shiny and blingy and more like jewelry. They have lost their 'toolness' and are MUCH MORE expensive. Unfortunately, Rolex has lost their way.

I do also realize that there are plenty of dive watches that the bezel is not user removable. I had one that I used for diving for a long time. When sifting through the sand while diving once, the bezel got totally jammed. Believe you me.....a simple "rinse and it was fine" was not the answer.

I am one of the few that doesn't dive with a computer, so I totally depend on my mechanical bottom timer to keep me safe. I for one am just sad to see the Rolex of old go away and become what it has become today.

Coming from an 116710 to an 16710 I can agree with most of this. I do however miss some of the 'modern' features like how smooth and precise the newer movements are to set and I kind of miss the new style bracelet.

[cht]

Originally Posted by sleddog

I don't believe this is a ceramic versus aluminum bezel insert problem for one second, and certainly not a Rolex only problem!

!

I would tend to disagree, it seems as it IS a ceramic problem as the bezel is no longer flush with the case. I have both a aluminum 16610 and a ceramic 114060. No sand has ever gotten in the 16610 after 7 years, and if it did, as Jason said, the user can easily remove it if there is a problem. Glad I haven't take the 114060 around sand yet.

And this is certainly not a problem on my $200 seiko diver at the beach....
The tolerance of the rotating bezel and case leaves NO ROOM for sand.

I agree with jason, the new ceramic bezel design is POOR for a tool watch, good for bling/shiny.

[77T]

The new ceramic bezel is fitted much differently than the old type. As such, there is more chance for small particles of sand, sea shell and exoskeletal debris that churns about in the sea to get into it and grind about.

More about the ceramic bezel and its tolerances as filed by Rolex in its patent can be reviewed here: http://www.minus4plus6.com/pdf/GMTII-SUBBezel.pdf



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[waterman1]

I can see both sides of this debate, however from experience, I've surfed with the older 16600 for many years and now the new SDc, and both have same issue with regard to sand/grit from fine silt in ocean water. I resolve easily by washing with warm water and little bit of dishwashing detergent and turn bezel, or just shower with it afterwards and turn the bezel. Flushes out clean every time.

[regnant]

I don't go to swim with my expensive watches for many reason but I had no idea ceramic bezel was vulnerable to sand vs non ceramic bezel.
A friend of mine who is professional diver said it was a good idea to rinse the watches every after diving task regardless of brand,material type.
Salt water is not a friendly stuff

[engin33r]

I swam in the beach, played with sand while at it (with my wife) wearing my omega PO it has rotating ceramic bezel too, had no trouble whatsoever. But I did rinse the watch with clean water afterward.