Blemish in ceramic bezel #?

[A.Sharp]

I've noticed, what appears to be a dark discoloration - that won't wash off - within the 22 on my gmtiic... Anyone experience this?

[Wesley Crusher]

Pics?

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Pics?

The flash kind of shines thru it- it's more noticeable in the flesh. See the left 2, middle.

[Rolexbiker]

How did you even notice that?

Note to self :Take microscope to check watch out before making deal....

Being a Vette owner I understand OCD. With other owners. I understand it enough to know OCD takes the enjoyment away from anything it's attached to. I would not fret over that. Especially since you need that level of magnification to see it. I would imagine a watch maker (or a Dremel) could sand that out.

I would hate to be you when the first scratch appears...... Enjoy that beauty with its little human flaws. Life is too short to worry about the small stuff.

[Seaswirl]

Hummm. I noticed something similar on one of the hash marks on my SubC. Figured it was dirt, but will double check. Mine was hardly noticeable and not very pronounced.

[sturgeon123456]

Look at old examples of the ceramic bezel numbers. They are prone to wear as it is just a deposited material. In 20 years I doubt many that will still have any left

[BlackBay1]

I think I can see where you mean, but then as I look at the photo there seems to be a few such instances. I'm not sure how old your watch is, but if you think there is a fault then take it back to where you bought it and show them. Stick to your guns if you are not happy.

[77T]

maybe use ambient light without a flash?

[Brushpup]

I know who is going to answer this and it won't be pretty.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by A.Sharp

The flash kind of shines thru it- it's more noticeable in the flesh. See the left 2, middle.

I see what you're talking about. The numerals in the bezel have a thin layer of platinum. If you scratch it, it can wear off, unfortunately. Do you clean your watch often? If you clean the bezel with a brush, it could be taking off some of the platinum (causing the discoloration). I would suggest being careful when cleaning the bezel.

This is one of my few gripes with the ceramic models. I really wish Rolex had something similar to Omega liquidmetal.

[kilyung]

I'm assuming you tried washing it with a toothbrush?

[lamnyc]

It looks like a permanent rub mark. It could've happened from slight hit on the bezel or constant rubbing the same spot.

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I see what you're talking about. The numerals in the bezel have a thin layer of platinum. If you scratch it, it can wear off, unfortunately. Do you clean your watch often? If you clean the bezel with a brush, it could be taking off some of the platinum (causing the discoloration). I would suggest being careful when cleaning the bezel.

This is one of my few gripes with the ceramic models. I really wish Rolex had something similar to Omega liquidmetal.

Highly doubt cleaning the bezel with a soft bristle toothbrush would remove the platinum coating inside the numbers. He may have banged the bezel on something or it could be some sort of dirt deposit.

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by Rolexbiker

How did you even notice that?

Note to self :Take microscope to check watch out before making deal....

Being a Vette owner I understand OCD. With other owners. I understand it enough to know OCD takes the enjoyment away from anything it's attached to. I would not fret over that. Especially since you need that level of magnification to see it. I would imagine a watch maker (or a Dremel) could sand that out.

I would hate to be you when the first scratch appears...... Enjoy that beauty with its little human flaws. Life is too short to worry about the small stuff.

I beat the f out of my watches... Rarely think twice. Like I said in person it's more noticeable... Just wondering if anyone else has had that form before.

[skprd13]

Bring it in to an AD and get their opinion. If it is a defect then I am sure it will be taken care of.

[A.Sharp]

You'd hate to be me when the first scratch appears.... I own multiple rolexes all scratched to death. I just open a conversation with like minded people to see if anyone else had the platinum begin to fade or corrode and why.

I thinks that's reasonable. What I think is unreasonable is that people, not just you, many people, waste there time writing inflammatory responses, and question peoples mental state on a watch forum. It's absurd.


Whoever said I used flash in the first pic, I didn't. And if you look at it normally in person it seems much more affected, than magnified and in the photo. I challenge you to think about it for a moment. I only took that photo, in that way because I wanted to be clear about what I was talking about. Who cares, I really don't.

Was interested to hear someone say over washing or rubbing it can cause it to fade..


Oh here's a pic... My first scratch.... Lmao

Originally Posted by Rolexbiker

How did you even notice that?

Note to self :Take microscope to check watch out before making deal....

Being a Vette owner I understand OCD. With other owners. I understand it enough to know OCD takes the enjoyment away from anything it's attached to. I would not fret over that. Especially since you need that level of magnification to see it. I would imagine a watch maker (or a Dremel) could sand that out.

I would hate to be you when the first scratch appears...... Enjoy that beauty with its little human flaws. Life is too short to worry about the small stuff.

[steve.r]

I think some people are a little hard on the OP. The thing that draws us all to TRF is the fact that we all love our watches and are fascinated by all the intricate differences. So the OP finds a small blemish in the ceramic bezel and is curious and asks if anyone else has seen this before. Nothing wrong with that, this is TRF where all things Rolex, however trivial can be asked and explained.

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by Brushpup

I know who is going to answer this and it won't be pretty.

I really should be stoned to death for asking..

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I'm assuming you tried washing it with a toothbrush?

Yes sir

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by steve.r

I think some people are a little hard on the OP. The thing that draws us all to TRF is the fact that we all love our watches and are fascinated by all the intricate differences. So the OP finds a small blemish in the ceramic bezel and is curious and asks if anyone else has seen this before. Nothing wrong with that, this is TRF where all things Rolex, however trivial can be asked and explained.

[franzy]

My 24 hr bezel marker says 'hi' to your 22 marker I know exactly how I got my battle scar; a metal door jamb.

[wdin]

ive seen some gmtC bezel inserts in the pre-owned shops and the platinum fillings looked discoloured to me. it looked a little yellowish in colour. not sure if anyone else has experienced this. and I doubt it was due to lighting. to be fair, rolex claimed that their ceramic would resist discolouration and uv etc... but they didn't say anything about the platinum fillings?

[sco]

Originally Posted by sturgeon123456

Look at old examples of the ceramic bezel numbers. They are prone to wear as it is just a deposited material. In 20 years I doubt many that will still have any left

I'll see you here in twenty and let you know how my bezel is holding up. These watches are put through some pretty serious QC, if taken care of, they should pretty much last forever.

[Racerdj]

I would NOT worry about it. Just wear and enjoy it!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by A.Sharp

I've noticed, what appears to be a dark discoloration - that won't wash off - within the 22 on my gmtiic... Anyone experience this?

Looks like a slight problem with the Cathade Magnetron Sputtering, that's Rolex speak for something like a PVD of the tiny micron thick coating of precious metal used.

[jnkay]

This happened to me, but it came out when I scrubbed it with a brush.

[Seaswirl]

Looks like my mark was dirt as well. Came out with some water and a little elbow grease.

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by padi56

Looks like a slight problem with the Cathade Magnetron Sputtering, that's Rolex speak for something like a PVD of the tiny micron thick coating of precious metal used.

Hmmm. It wasn't there prior.

[sturgeon123456]

Originally Posted by sco

I'll see you here in twenty and let you know how my bezel is holding up. These watches are put through some pretty serious QC, if taken care of, they should pretty much last forever.

Nope, nothing thats plated, PVD, DLC, deposited etc lasts forever.

Daily wear and tear, exposure to elements, chemicals, cleaners, pollutants, cleaning etc over time will remove some of that gold/platinum and eventually there will be nothing left or very little.

And if Rolex does such an amazing job with all this testing.....explain the enamel in the Daytonas and the Explorer 2s. How many of those do you see that have bare metal remaining in the bezels.

[njexpress]

Gold or platinum, depending on steel vs two tone gets blasted on to the ceramic bezel, or so I read...
it is also supposed to be a log more resilient than the prior bezels...not sure what's going on here...