I'm sad - My GMTIIc and a broken bezel

[Porsche]

So sorry to hear that, (puts a little fear into me, as I also have a GMTIIc)

I'll cross my fingers that your AD is going in to bat for you. Suppose that's one of the reasons we pay a little extra to buy from an AD.

We all know ceramic is more brittle than metal, so how come Rado make all ceramic watches and bracelts? Do they have a high incdence of breakages? Maybe JJ can enlighten us? I know that he has more mosts on TRF (The Rado Forums) than any of their other members.

[DRAWTOOL]

Rolex should develop a 'replacement' bezel option that is SS or Aluminum for those who actually 'wear' their Subs or GMTs.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by mhmfao

ALCON,
Why is it that these broken ceramic bezel insert reports never come with photographic evidence?
V/R,
Mike

It would be good to see what happened; especially since I've been considering buying the GMT IIC again.

[dean mack]

original is always the best...

[bodybump]

wow this is not good...that means it can happen also to the new Ceramic Subs...eeeekkkk

[toolr]

Sorry to hear it, keep us posted.

[sheldonsmith]

I too am sorry to hear about the cracked bezel. I too worry about mine, and the reason why I insure it...

Let us know what the AD/Rolex says.... We all look forward to a full report. If possible, scan the documentation from Rolex for all of us to see...

-Sheldon

[gregmoeck]

how did you crack it? Did you hit it just right or something?

[Casey VP-26]

Sorry For your problems. This is not GOOD. Here we are and several of the forum members are writing about how they are babying there ceramic bezels.These ceramic bezels are about to hit the market a hundred-fold. We must remember every time there is an incident like this the owners of these watches are going to be inconvenienced. Good Luck.

[RFXMM]

Let's hope ceramic follows the way of aluminum. Remember when an aluminum bike was three times the price of steel and carbon fiber was six times the price of aluminum? Now you can buy a carbon fiber mountain bike for half the price of a steel bike. I know there exceptions but as the manufacturing processes become more efficient and R&D gets paid out the price should come down. Cost of materials should follow as well since it is not a precious metal. As they produce more there will be modifications to the processes and a lower cost hopefully reducing the number of failures as well as the price of the component. This just leaves the question of weather they will continue to charge a high price for replacement bezels.

[Mystro]

If you have to pay, It would be a unforgivable act from Rolex,.. IMO.

[Flyjet601]

Originally Posted by padi56

Another case of newer is not always better than the simple older and much cheaper inserts,I hope Rolex sorts it out for you.

Sorry to hear about your mishap. I hope Rolex does the right thing for you. I agree with Padi......newer is more flashy, but not sure if it will stand the test of time.
I will take a 16710 any day over the newer versions.

[rolexdeepsea]

You might can claim with your insurance company if you have it insured.

[Puffy]

Ouch. sorry to hear mate. If the Rolex aftersales services is anything to go by they should replace it free of charge.

good luck

[dgr8dude]

I always thought that the ceramic bezels are indestructible?

[hng]

Very sad to hear that mate...and good luck!
I'd say you'd still better off sticking with Rolex...perhaps you'll get over it after some times...

[tgoose1]

The one thing holding me back from new purchase of Sub-c, is the c-insert. It is guaranteed that I would break several of these over the long haul, appears very expensive to replace, and hope that Rolex addresses this weakness in the next few years. It is certainly no upgrade in durability over the tried and tested aluminum insert, maybe a little flashier but thats it.

[2th Dr]

Originally Posted by Porsche

So sorry to hear that, (puts a little fear into me, as I also have a GMTIIc)

I'll cross my fingers that your AD is going in to bat for you. Suppose that's one of the reasons we pay a little extra to buy from an AD.

We all know ceramic is more brittle than metal, so how come Rado make all ceramic watches and bracelts? Do they have a high incdence of breakages? Maybe JJ can enlighten us? I know that he has more mosts on TRF (The Rado Forums) than any of their other members.

Back in the day, I had a few Rados. I actually took one of the extra links I wasn't using and put it to the test. I hit it with a hammer. I torched it with a high temp torch we use in dentistry to melt gold. I took a diamond dental handpiece bur to it. Nothing happened to it. Consider though, the Rado link is much thicker than the Rolex ceramic insert, and with bulk comes strength.

[chris russell]

ON the watch when you are wearing it.

[RFXMM]

EVERYTHING BREAKS! It will happen with anything. My GMTII pepsi bezel faded beyond belief twice in 10 years. I was bent at first then realized it is the nature of the beast. I now have a philosophy with everything I use on a daily basis (trucks, boots, watch, flashlight, pocket cutting tool, glasses etc) and it is that you buy once and cry once not buy twice and cry forever. If I buy quality and it does not show wear or require repair I have not used it to its potential. Maintenance is required of everything, the laws of physics dictate not humans.

As a side note, my GMTIIc has seen identical work to my brothers GShock which broke last week after 2 months. My Gshock lasted 20 years then fried when the battery was replaced.

My point is use it and deal with the maintenance costs. Enjoy it knowing that you worked hard and have something worth having. As for coworkers opinions, they probably wish the had a GMT to break.

Sorry to ramble, in a hurry.

[chris russell]

Originally Posted by RFXMM

Remember when an aluminum bike was three times the price of steel and carbon fiber was six times the price of aluminum? Now you can buy a carbon fiber mountain bike for half the price of a steel bike.

A carbon-fiber bezel!

[chris russell]

I'm sure there are others. What has been their experience? Do they replace them free when cracked or broken? Just wondering.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by 2th DR

Back in the day, I had a few Rados. I actually took one of the extra links I wasn't using and put it to the test. I hit it with a hammer. I torched it with a high temp torch we use in dentistry to melt gold. I took a diamond dental handpiece bur to it. Nothing happened to it. Consider though, the Rado link is much thicker than the Rolex ceramic insert, and with bulk comes strength.

Perhaps that was simply because Rado are masters of producing ceramic watches they have been doing a long time since the 1960s.Perhaps now that many other manufactures including Rolex are jumping on the ceramic bandwagon with perhaps more manufacturing hype than product reliability.

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by padi56

Perhaps that was simply because Rado are masters of producing ceramic watches they have been doing a long time since the 1960s.Perhaps now that many other manufactures including Rolex are jumping on the ceramic bandwagon with perhaps more manufacturing hype than product reliability.

God, don't tell JJ! He'll have a stroke!
Rado > Rolex?

[SSD]

Ceramic is extremely hard and scratch resistant, but it is brittle after all. I am very sorry to hear of your bezel's damage, you must be gutted. I certainly hope Rolex makes it right. It sounds expensive! I wouldn't enjoy seeing photos of the damage, but it might be informative.

This brings me concern for the durability of the DSSD and Submariner bezels. Those references are designed for use in much more hostile environments. Impact with objects whilst diving is a distinct possibility. Aluminum bezels are more easily replaced, cheaper and of course do not shatter.

P.S.: I believe mentioning "Rado" and "JJ" in the same post triggers an alarm somewhere LOL!

[RRGHOST1]

Ths is one of the reasons why i bought a Pepsi over the GMT IIc. Why did Rolex change to ceramic as there was nothing wrong with the old aluminium bezel. Cheaper to repair and also came in Pepsi,Coke and Black varients.

[Art161]

Sorry about the bezel.

That's the nature of ceramic vs. aluminum, sapphire vs. plastic, or diamonds vs. just about anything. Hit them the wrong way and they shatter.

Hope Rolex comes through for you.

[htc8p]

wow...and the ceramic is the most expensive part

i dont think warranties cover damage cause by user fault.

i wish you the best.

[andrew79]

Sorry to hear that... i have gmt iic too and i hope it's not cracked at all.... Next move from rolex - diamond bezel on standard SS sub and gmt .....

[Yazo]

Damn that sucks.. hope it all works out for you.