Submariner bezel: Cerachrom with coating doubt...

[paulus474]

Dear all,

Looking around to buy my first Rolex.
I love the look of The Submariner, but have some questions/doubts on the bezel of this remarkable watch.
The bezel itself is made of Cerachrom, but the numerals and graduations (etchings) are for example coated in platinum.
Now, Cerachrom will stand the test of time, no doubt. But what about the platinum coating in the etchings?
Will it fade away or wear away, and what about dirt accumulating in the etching?
Thank you very much for your feedback!

Greetings,
Paul

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by paulus474

Dear all,

Looking around to buy my first Rolex.
I love the look of The Submariner, but have some questions/doubts on the bezel of this remarkable watch.
The bezel itself is made of Cerachrom, but the numerals and graduations (etchings) are for example coated in platinum.
Now, Cerachrom will stand the test of time, no doubt. But what about the platinum coating in the etchings?
Will it fade away or wear away, and what about dirt accumulating in the etching?
Thank you very much for your feedback!

Greetings,
Paul

Yes. It is injected into the cerachrom and sealed.

[Bfd70]

How long exactly do you need the watch to last? There are plenty of examples of aluminum bezels lasting 50 years.

[daveswordfish]

I would not worry too much about this. My gut tells me that these will age better over the next 20 years than we will.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JohnLT]

Originally Posted by daveswordfish

I would not worry too much about this. My gut tells me that these will age better over the next 20 years than we will.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think your right.

[paulus474]

After reconsidering....I think so too :-)

[treblarefils]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZZp-Es_jq4

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by JohnLT

I think your right.

Absolutely, unlike the aluminum bezel inserts that fade from the suns U.V. rays, I really don't think anything will have an adverse effect on these ceramic inserts. The sun will definitely age us more!

[silverbullet818]

The way I see it, if you care of your watch even remotely and don't go around bashing and rubbing the watch face in sand and rocks, the face will last as long and likely even longer than the previous aluminum models.

[SLS]

My only issue is the cost if they crack, which we have seen. To replace a faded or scratched aluminum insert is $50 through an AD. From what I recall, the ceramic insert is around $1000...which is insane IMO.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by SLS

My only issue is the cost if they crack, which we have seen. To replace a faded or scratched aluminum insert is $50 through an AD. From what I recall, the ceramic insert is around $1000...which is insane IMO.

I think it's more like 100 to 200 versus 500.

Chances of cracking the ceramic is small.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Sublover2166

Absolutely, unlike the aluminum bezel inserts that fade from the suns U.V. rays, I really don't think anything will have an adverse effect on these ceramic inserts. The sun will definitely age us more!

The only ones that could fade in the sun is mainly the coloured red/blue myself used and often abused a SD over many years. In very hot countries with very high ultra violet rays and salt water for many hours a day for many years yet no fade or hardly any real scratches.But did replace one insert a few years ago cost then just £27 but that was after many years using as a working tool watch.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by paulus474

Dear all,

Looking around to buy my first Rolex.
I love the look of The Submariner, but have some questions/doubts on the bezel of this remarkable watch.
The bezel itself is made of Cerachrom, but the numerals and graduations (etchings) are for example coated in platinum.
Now, Cerachrom will stand the test of time, no doubt. But what about the platinum coating in the etchings?
Will it fade away or wear away, and what about dirt accumulating in the etching?
Thank you very much for your feedback!

Greetings,
Paul

No, only the insert is Cerachrom, the bezel is stainless steel or gold.

The numbers are sprayed platinum or gold and are PVD depositions, like the black used on the PVD watches you see from customisers.

It is sprayed on then the ceramic is sanded down smooth and the numbers below remain sprayed.

Dirt will accumulate in any of the depressed numbers, just clean it out with warm soapy water and don't scratch at it and it will last for decades.

[Keith1]

Originally Posted by SLS

My only issue is the cost if they crack, which we have seen. To replace a faded or scratched aluminum insert is $50 through an AD. From what I recall, the ceramic insert is around $1000...which is insane IMO.

The ceramic insert from a RSC is $375. I was quoted this price about two years ago, and it may of gone up since.

[paulus474]

Thank you all for your replies. I'm reassured ��

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Keith1

The ceramic insert from a RSC is $375. I was quoted this price about two years ago, and it may of gone up since.

Sub ceramic inserts are now around $450 which IMHO is a crazy price for a thin slice of ceramic.

[sco]

Originally Posted by padi56

Sub ceramic inserts are now around $450 which IMHO is a crazy price for a thin slice of ceramic.

Compared to almost $9,000 for the watch, I don't think its that crazy. Plus there have been almost zero broken ones on this site compared to the hundreds of thousands out there.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by sco

Compared to almost $9,000 for the watch, I don't think its that crazy. Plus there have been almost zero broken ones on this site compared to the hundreds of thousands out there.

Well there have been zero broken aluminium ones in the countless millions out there, but they only cost just $75 and DIY to replace, I know which ones I would choose and its not ceramic.

[nibbl3s]

Originally Posted by padi56

Sub ceramic inserts are now around $450 which IMHO is a crazy price for a thin slice of ceramic.

Is this accurate? i have also seen the $375 number for a sub bezel insert

[johnnyjazz]

I have seen some ceramic inlays where the platinum has "ERODED" through tough wear and tear. As for the advice given that it will last for decades, well that is all guess work.

[Keith1]

Originally Posted by padi56

Sub ceramic inserts are now around $450 which IMHO is a crazy price for a thin slice of ceramic.

I just called a RSC here in the US, and it's still $375 for the insert. This was for either a gold Submariner, or the DSSD.

I do agree Peter it is a crazy price for a thin slice of ceramic!

[RACER_X]

Originally Posted by padi56

Sub ceramic inserts are now around $450 which IMHO is a crazy price for a thin slice of ceramic.

Some would consider a Rolex a bit expensive too, lol

sent from the batcloset in the batcave on the batphone

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by Keith1

I just called a RSC here in the US, and it's still $375 for the insert. This was for either a gold Submariner, or the DSSD.

I do agree Peter it is a crazy price for a thin slice of ceramic!

Some would say 35K is a crazy price for a gold Sub.
If one can afford to shell out 35K for a watch, what big deal is $375 for a bezel insert? I say it's all relative.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by padi56

Sub ceramic inserts are now around $450 which IMHO is a crazy price for a thin slice of ceramic.

if rolex is telling the truth it takes 40 hours to make. a thin piece of aluminum for $200-$250 is more crazy imo. that said neither are cheap but it is a rolex after all.

just my 2 cents.

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by Keith1

I just called a RSC here in the US, and it's still $375 for the insert. This was for either a gold Submariner, or the DSSD.

I do agree Peter it is a crazy price for a thin slice of ceramic!

Singapore RSC $1000 for a BLRO insert. Found out the hard way

[paulus474]

Originally Posted by johnnyjazz

I have seen some ceramic inlays where the platinum has "ERODED" through tough wear and tear. As for the advice given that it will last for decades, well that is all guess work.

Rolex made?
Could it be fixed you think, or would only new ceramic be possible (and not only the inlays)?