Broken bezel has me thinking.....

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Zirotti

Thanks Chris. Ceramic should be a much more robust material than aluminum and it's a trend a lot of manufacturers have been following the last few years.

I think the real issue that people have and that they don't want to say is that instead of being able to pay $150 for a aluminum bezel insert today, people are concerned that the ceramic will cost multiples more (which is probably true as it's a premium material).

price last week was £26. for aluminium insert for 16610 black.

[Dr.Brian]

There have been photos of a chipped DSSD. If not here, on one of the other big forums. I saw it myself. It broke/chipped off at the pip. Presumably from a diving impact to the raised pip.
I can't understand why people don't believe it. And BTW, if there are multiple reports of it happening here, it's happening 1000x as much to the non forum members throughout the world. Rolex probably has a few hundred thousand of them out, and there are only 40000 of us, and the majority don't have a ceramic bezeled rolex.
The lateral impact theory of breakage also makes a lot of sense to me.
Also, Rolex markets it as a super material, the reality is that it's just ceramic, and ceramic cracks and shatters. Of course the sapphire crystal has the same problems. I'd rather not have it, and I don't.

[Zirotti]

I have yet to personally see a broken ceramic insert. And for every 1 story of hear of them, I see/hear 10x as many damaged, bent, scratched aluminum inserts.

If you don't like the ceramic insert, don't buy the watch. End of story.

[Rani Drama]

My one cousin who had a GMT IIc sold it and went with a 16610 because he heard to replace the ceramic bezel is expensive. he now just has a 16610 and two tone yacht master. It didn't stop me from getting mine. The 16610 felt cheap in comparison to the 116610. Not that it is cheap it just didn't feel as much of a luxury item.

[Speed]

Lots of kvetching.

I will get a ceramic bezeled watch at some pt...For those who don't like them or fear paying for a replacement, There are lots of alternatives to choose from :-)

[Zirotti]

Originally Posted by Speed

Lots of kvetching.

I will get a ceramic bezeled watch at some pt...For those who don't like them or fear paying for a replacement, There are lots of alternatives to choose from :-)

Amen brother.

[Luxe Time]

Slightly off-topic but…

what is the cost for AD / Rolex service to replace a bezel on the 16610? Also, I was wondering if they keep the old bezel that is swapped out? Thanks for the help guys!

[Zirotti]

Originally Posted by connecticutrolex

Slightly off-topic but…

what is the cost for AD / Rolex service to replace a bezel on the 16610? Also, I was wondering if they keep the old bezel that is swapped out? Thanks for the help guys!

You can buy a replacement from someone like Steve Mulholland for around $150 and do it yourself. It's an easy swap.

[FLB03TT]

Originally Posted by connecticutrolex

Slightly off-topic but…

what is the cost for AD / Rolex service to replace a bezel on the 16610? Also, I was wondering if they keep the old bezel that is swapped out? Thanks for the help guys!

My AD quoted me $80 for a GMT II bezel- Coke, Pepsi or Black- installed. I would think the 16610 bezel would be no more, if not less.

[kzm40]

Originally Posted by FLB03TT

My AD quoted me $80 for a GMT II bezel- Coke, Pepsi or Black- installed. I would think the 16610 bezel would be no more, if not less.

Do u mean bezel or insert??

[sakuraba]

Originally Posted by connecticutrolex

Slightly off-topic but…

what is the cost for AD / Rolex service to replace a bezel on the 16610? Also, I was wondering if they keep the old bezel that is swapped out? Thanks for the help guys!

SFO RSC recently changed the insert on my 16600 for $75. They let me walk out with the old one as well.

[ingoodtime]

My GMTIIC bezel has taken some pretty tough hits and no problem whatsoever.
I am not saying none break but that the percentage of damaged bezels VS quanity being worn daily worldwide must be pretyy darn small. Lets talk about everday life and set up an example. Would you not buy a car you love because somebody might door ding it, or back into it? There are always things in life that are beyond our control. Heck, you could buy the watch, walk out of the AD and be killed in a tragic accident. Maybe your bezel will survive, maybe it won't.

If a large number of people were posting that they had bezel damage and it was frequent, well, that would add credence to a thread such as this. But until that happens, I am not wasting energy worrying. If my bezel cracks, I'll pay my repair costs and go on enjoying my watch.

[mpkRolex]

Originally Posted by ingoodtime

My GMTIIC bezel has taken some pretty tough hits and no problem whatsoever.
I am not saying none break but that the percentage of damaged bezels VS quanity being worn daily worldwide must be pretyy darn small. Lets talk about everday life and set up an example. Would you not buy a car you love because somebody might door ding it, or back into it? There are always things in life that are beyond our control. Heck, you could buy the watch, walk out of the AD and be killed in a tragic accident. Maybe your bezel will survive, maybe it won't.

If a large number of people were posting that they had bezel damage and it was frequent, well, that would add credence to a thread such as this. But until that happens, I am not wasting energy worrying. If my bezel cracks, I'll pay my repair costs and go on enjoying my watch.

Very well said buddy!!!

[Tek]

RE: IOM nothing wrong with the old clasps and nothing wrong with ceramic bezels. What ever you decide, wear the watch and enjoy, if you worry then stay clear

[Zirotti]

There is a price to pay when you look this good ;)

[ersnyder]

Originally Posted by Zirotti

There is a price to pay when you look this good ;)

Couldn't agree more Jason!!

[FLB03TT]

Originally Posted by Zirotti

There is a price to pay when you look this good ;)

That is an incredibly good photo

[Flyjet601]

Only time will tell about ceramics.

Years ago the Rolex engineers didnt think Tritium would turn yellow.......hands would corrode.....dials would crack......bezels would fade.....

the test of time has shown us the results of Rolex R&D.......

so who knows what will happen to a ceramic bezel in 25 years

[mpkRolex]

Originally Posted by Zirotti

There is a price to pay when you look this good ;)

Excellent picture buddy!! Gotta love that ceramic..

This is my blackberry shot..

[mborkow]

Originally Posted by Zirotti

There is a price to pay when you look this good ;)

now that's a money shot. it looks vintage and cutting edge --at the same time...gorgeous.

[scl6118]

Don't be scared, the ceramic is very strong!

[buke45]

I have not even heard of a destroyed aluminum Bezel, let alone seen a picture of one.

[chris russell]

worrying about whether the bezel might end up broken, I just smashed the damn thing with a hammer. Now I can sleep.



A lotta whining namby-pambies out there.

[tgoose1]

Even whining namby pambies know its far safer to smash a 16610/16600 with a hammer than the new subc....Gee Wizz for crying out loud! Please let us know what the repair cost was.

[ess45]

The ceramic bezel will not stop me from buying a Sub C but the wide lugs have stopped me.

[chris russell]

ning?

[mpkRolex]

Originally Posted by Neil.tf001

Hi all, I was planning to make my only big watch purchase to be the new TT black sub. However I See again issues with broken bezels on the new models which is making me nervous. The main reason for the new sub is the new clasp but weighing that against a broken bezel and weeks of repair, warrantee or not has me second guessing.
I know I can insure the watch but still weeks or repair?
Thoughts please.
Neil

I think it would take the same force to shatter the sapphire crystal as to break the ceramic bezel..

I wouldnt worry too much.

[Vlad@GKScott]

Ceramic feels definitely better, just what you would expect from a luxury watch. The old ones were nice, but where getting scratched way too easily.
Just one question though.... why do you think old bezels are made out of aluminum... ?

[jdc]

Originally Posted by Vlad@GKScott

Ceramic feels definitely better, just what you would expect from a luxury watch. The old ones were nice, but where getting scratched way too easily.
Just one question though.... why do you think old bezels are made out of aluminum... ?

because they are cheap and easy to replace, the new ceramic model is the new Rolex - flashy, non tool watch, babied by 99% of owners and expensive, its a watch made to conquer a new market

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Vlad@GKScott

Ceramic feels definitely better, just what you would expect from a luxury watch. The old ones were nice, but where getting scratched way too easily.
Just one question though.... why do you think old bezels are made out of aluminum... ?

The bezels are made from s.steel its the inserts that was made from aluminium.Well don't know about getting scratched easily mine are now 15/20 years old sure there are a few minor marks.But my watches have done quite a bit of work and had quite a hard life compared to the many pampered Rolex watches today.And yes both have been replaced at very little cost,yes some aliminum inserts do fade. But its mainly the reds and blue on GMT watches,just like the colour red on some cars that fades over the years.While the ceramic looks good its taken Rolex quite a time to jump on the ceramic bandwagon,with brands like Rado having ceramic watches since the 1960s.If ceramic was so wonderful why has the many high brands never used it until the last few years or so.While I agree Rolex must move with the times but at quite a price increase and very expensive to replace the insert if broken up to $900 plus, IMHO this ceramic insert functions the same as the aluminium one and perhaps looks good.Now on some diving forums a few comments that the bezel on the ceramic was far too easy to move while underwater not a good thing in a diving watch if you are just using the time lapse bezel.While I applaud Rolex for the very fine marketing hype I got to ask myself is this a real improvement, if it is its at a very high price.