Ruminations on Ceramic Bezels, using Delran, and a Titanium Ring

[sheldonsmith]

I noticed in the latest Rolex Magazine number 6 that there is a difference between the Submariner ceramic bezel and the GMT bezels. After examining this schematic of the Submariner bezel, as well as a GMT schematic, I noticed that there is a washer between the ceramic insert and the rotating bezel on the Submariner that is not resident on the GMT bezel assembly.


Notice in the above US patent documents, that part #5 acts as the Delran snap ring that holds the bezel to the crystal securing ring/bezel and there is an absence of a supporting ring between the bezel insert and the rotating bezel.

For fear of being flamed, or spreading some sort of conspiracy theory, but perhaps the absence of a supporting ring is why we see more broken ceramic GMT bezel inserts over any other Rolex model. I’ve noticed (anecdotally) on my Extreme Rolex - Ouch page that I see more GMT bezel issues than with Rolex dive watches. Rolex unveiled the ceramic bezel insert with the GMT back in 2005. My thinking is that the design change we see with the Submariner, DSSD, and Sea Dweller ceramic bezels with the additional insert was because of premature failures.


I asked my Rolex certified watchmaker whether there is any logic to my theory, as well as why there is a nylon/Delran ring that holds ceramic bezels in place. I always thought it was odd for Rolex to use a plastic pressure ring to secure an expensive ceramic bezel assembly akin to a Delran bearing used in ETA 7750 chronograph movements.

My watchmaker indicated that back in the pre-ceramic days that there were issues with pulling off a rotating bezel without pulling off the entire bezel assembly that held the crystal to the watch case. The stainless pressure ring that held the crystal in place would stretch over time and in some instances, would pop off when the bezel was extracted like in the images below.


Rolex addressed this issue on its modern ceramic bezels by utilizing a Delran ring that would snap when the bezel was removed, and replaced by a Rolex certified watchmaker upon reassembly. Additionally, Rolex replaced the stainless ring with a less stretch prone titanium pressure ring that holds the crystal and the rotating bezel in place.

These are just thoughts and observations on design differences and I am not suggesting that ceramic GMT’s are inferior in any way. These are just observations from someone who notices these details.

-Sheldon

[sco]

Great info. Thanks for sharing.

[Sublover2166]

I own a Hulk and love it, but have reservations about that thin fragile Delrin ring that is the only thing holding that expensive bezel ring and insert onto the case. These parts have not stood the test of time yet, and I hope to never see my bezel fall off the case and go crash on the ground or worse get lost. Delrin does lose integrity over time, and that is reason enough to have the watch serviced and retaining ring replaced with new.

[Kosgad]

Too complex for me🤔

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[Muzz]

Well, now it makes sense!!! Quite interesting and I am sure there are a few people here that are curious as to what was going on.

[cdmorenot]

Wow. Thank you for this informative post and observations. This certainly gives some insight or at the very least look at the simple, yet important tweaks to designs.

I remember absolutely destroying a delran ring on my Tudor when popping the bezel assembly off.

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[droptopman]

Very interesting post. Thanks for sharing.
I guess I can't change my Sub insert with a butter knife anymore...

[crowncollection]

Good info thanks


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[regnant]

Thank you for your time going through the trouble posting this useful thread

[phranxinatra]

Is there any chance that you have the first photo (sub bezel scheme) in higher resolution? I can barely read the text.

[johnnyjazz]

Is it not possible that all these facts and slight variations have something to do with the sub rotating one way only?

[sailtheeightseas]

Interesting post - Does anyone know if the Delran is replaced when the watches are serviced at the RSC?

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by Sublover2166

I own a Hulk and love it, but have reservations about that thin fragile Delrin ring that is the only thing holding that expensive bezel ring and insert onto the case. These parts have not stood the test of time yet, and I hope to never see my bezel fall off the case and go crash on the ground or worse get lost. Delrin does lose integrity over time, and that is reason enough to have the watch serviced and retaining ring replaced with new.

Delrin is pretty tough (they use it in mission critical race car bushings) and Rolex knows engineering. I suspect it's OK, though I have zero interest in ceramic references.

[Onceupon]

Thank you for posting this :)

[sheldonsmith]

Originally Posted by phranxinatra

Is there any chance that you have the first photo (sub bezel scheme) in higher resolution? I can barely read the text.

This is the largest I have from the scan. The image came from Rolex Magazine #6.

I'll see if I can rescan at higher res....

-Sheldon

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by sailtheeightseas

Interesting post - Does anyone know if the Delran is replaced when the watches are serviced at the RSC?

Yes! It is supposed to be a throw away part and replaced with brand new.

[phranxinatra]

Thank you, Sheldon!

[sheldonsmith]

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

This is the largest I have from the scan. The image came from Rolex Magazine #6.

I'll see if I can rescan at higher res....

-Sheldon

I did another scan and the much larger image is posted at https://www.minus4plus6.com/images/c...c_bezel_LG.jpg or here

[Meme-Dweller]

Well there was a patent application on what seems to be a GMT bezel recently with an oyster case so maybe Rolex has come up with a way to make the GMT on par with the Sub's bezel design. I don't have any engineering blood in me so I have no idea if these images have any relevance.

[sheldonsmith]

Great stuff. Can you post the link where you found this. At first glance, it appears to be something related to Ring Command found on SkyDwellers and YachtMaster II's by the looks of the post coming up through the case into the Bezel.

[RW16610]

Great thread The 116710LN will be my next Rolex, so it's always nice to know more about it.

[phranxinatra]

Thank you so much. Happy new year! :)

[natosub]

Wow, great info and comparison. Thanks for sharing!