*******Basel 2009 Predictions*******

[cody p]

the exp II is due for something (possibly a new case/triplock), so is the exp I, for that matter.

[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by Rolexitis

WHOA!! I'm all for that but without PCL's...

What he said.........twice! : lol:

[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by joe100

This:



Or i quit!

Friend of mine found this pic somewhere and sent it to me and I've been drooling ever since. Total fantasy but I do like the black date wheel with white numbers.

Best regards,

J.

Im flipping my GMT IIc, back to a proper GMT II, as i just cant stick the 'clown like' 'mickey mouse' bezel numbers..........all that said, with the colour of this and the other 'mock coke GMt IIc' they look great.

I want one......I NEED ONE.......NURSE!!! Medication please!!!

[rodal]

Originally Posted by abolomey

Hi guys,
Looking at the process how this ceramic bezel insert is made, the only way to have a two tone will be making two halves separately... I doubt they will be able to make it in one piece. It will be like trying to make a black and white chocolate cake, and expect to have two perfect halves.
I work in a company which has a foundry, so I have some expertise in iron based alloys... I know this is different, but you can expect what to get from materials that fusion at high temperatures like this one.
This is just my opinion, but Rolex is Rolex, and maybe they have the technology to accomplish the task...

Regards,
Alfredo

The ceramic bezel is NOT made by Rolex but a company belonging to the Swatch Group - the same company produces the Rado ceramic components....

[mattyo]

Originally Posted by joe100

This:



Or i quit!

Friend of mine found this pic somewhere and sent it to me and I've been drooling ever since. Total fantasy but I do like the black date wheel with white numbers.

Best regards,

J.

i'd take 2.. nice!

[escudoturbo]

New explorer II with GMT style bezel in stainless and new crown guards. Explorer I to get a big change, new dial colours for DJ.

[Jimbits76]

TT sub ceramic.

DJ's with classic more traditional dials instead of 08's travestys.

Lot of rumours last years about an updated Explorer II but it didn't show. I'm gonna call it that we wont see it this year.

No Ceramic GMT Pepsi or Coke. Which is a good thing as I have time to save up for one.

Perhaps they might surprise us with something a little left field....

I wouldn't bet against a return of the Newman style dials for the SS Cos.

J

[Quicksilver]

I would love to see that GMT IIc Pepsi. Despite the PCL's that would seriously tempt me to part with some cash. I think we will see it at Basel.

Agree with Jimbits about some of the 08 travesty DJ dials. Keep DJ's classic

[yannis]

I don't see why Rolex shouldn't come up with a Pepsi and Coke ceramic unless it involves breaking the laws of physics i.e it is not possible to make one. Still let us hope that some alchemy or magic on their part will do the trick; only negative aspect of this is that this may lead us having even bigger holes in our pockets or our kids and wives starving to death. I am a bit concerned about the kids to be honest!! (runs for cover!!!)

[Jimbits76]

Supposedly it does involve breaking the laws of physics.

The bezel before firing is extremely plastic and the colours bleed into each other.

Apart from fixing two seperate colours together I cannot see how they will acheieve this....well apart from opening a couple of tins of humbrol paint and some clear lacquer!!!!!!

J

[Jimbits76]

By coincidence just had an email from a good friend and vintage Rolex parts dealer.

He says he saw his grey dealer this weekend and they informed him that the rumours are that Rolex have a Pepsi and Coke prototype yet will nit put it into production yet.

Think about it. How much would sales of the GMTIIc (black) drop off if they released a Pepsi or Coke version too soon????????

Ooooh a bit of intrigue and rumour mongering!

J

[yannis]

Making two separate pieces is the only way then...i think this could be possible like some others said. It surely is not simple but it should be possible this way.

[yannis]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

By coincidence just had an email from a good friend and vintage Rolex parts dealer.

He says he saw his grey dealer this weekend and they informed him that the rumours are that Rolex have a Pepsi and Coke prototype yet will nit put it into production yet.

Think about it. How much would sales of the GMTIIc (black) drop off if they released a Pepsi or Coke version too soon????????

Ooooh a bit of intrigue and rumour mongering!

J

It makes some sense. On the other hand more choices could equally benefit Rolex.

[Darren Retour]

Does this mean that the 16613 will be taken out of production like the 16710 ??

Cant wait to see a TT Ceramic Sub

Darren

[mic6]

1. TT ceramic sub
2. Bicolor ceramic bezel for SS GMT II
3. Supercased solid gold daytona

[JohnEaton]

Originally Posted by joe100

...and for those of you who like black/red...



Oh please Rolex, please...

J.

OOOHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!

That's what I want (need)

Like I need another watch, I though I had all I need...

Rolex you will drive me to the poor house

[mfer]

There are going to be a lot of watches there.

[The Mole]

Originally Posted by rodal

The ceramic bezel is NOT made by Rolex but a company belonging to the Swatch Group - the same company produces the Rado ceramic components....

Source?

[rescue7]

Originally Posted by The Mole

Source?

I was under the impression that only the 904L S/S is NOT manufactured by Rolex, it's the only material that they outsource., they want to control all aspects of production. Maybe they do own the Steel maker as well.

BTW gotta love some of the input from fellow posters, keep it coming folkes!

Maybe Rolex should consult the Swatch company on how to perfect the bi-color bezel manufacturing process.

[joe100]

A very good friend of mine is a ceramics development engineer. Last night I picked his brain about the two-tone bezel. From what he said, the main reason they're having problems (or had problems) is that the two ceramic colors will need to be fired at two different temperatures. So if you fire it as a single piece, one side is overheated or under-heated respectively. He said it's not out of the realm of possibility but that it would be exceedingly difficult to fire it as one. (Although he did go on to say that Rolex may be up to something that he doesn't yet know about)

He said the best way to create a bezel like this would be to make the red and blue halves separately, join them with a steel ring behind them to hold the shape, then glaze them and re-fire. From what I gather, this would make the seam almost, if not completely invisible. But he also stressed this would be pretty expensive.

Best regards,

Joe

[rodal]

Originally Posted by The Mole

Source?

Internet of course - if you search long enough you will find that the company making the ceramic parts for Rolex is G. Ruedin SA from Bassecourt and belongs to the Swatch Group

[Rob_b]

Originally Posted by rodal

Internet of course - if you search long enough you will find that the company making the ceramic parts for Rolex is G. Ruedin SA from Bassecourt and belongs to the Swatch Group

Thanks rodal, you just saved me a lot of googling

Rob

[steve j]

Pardon me for just dropping in, but after being here a while and reading the posts i want to say hello and perhaps add a thought.

While i think that Rolex would prefer a solid one piece bezel, there is another option. In this day and age, there are incredibly strong bonding agents such as epoxies that, when cured, will become almost as strong as the materials it is joining. And in some instances, possibly stronger. Perhaps the bi-color bezel can be made as a two piece unit that is notched then epoxied, fitted and cured. Just a thought. But if Rolex wants, it will find a solution.