Weird Film on Bezel

[Perpetual85]

Hello!

I have a 1 year new, Rolex SD (red 4000) with a weird film on the ceramic bezel. I have washed it, scrubbed it etc. and will not get it off. Any ideas?

[Crazy Lugs]

It’s hard to pick up in the photos, but have you washed under running water with a few dabs of blue Dawn dish soap? There’s nothing better, in my experience, in terms of effectiveness without being too harsh.

If that doesn’t do it, I’d leave it to RSC. You don’t want to force it and cause further damage to the bezel.

[Arcticsub]

OP's post is one of those rare ones where a picture isn't worth a thousand words but actually the opposite.

[Perpetual85]

Look at the 12 o’clock location on bezel on bottom picture. See the film on the bezel near the crystal?

[timemaestro]

Try washing under a running water first, wouldn't recommend soap though.

[sager]

I see some sort if discoloration. Strange. Never heard of this before.

As everyone else mentioned, try rinsing it.

Please keep us posted.

[Perpetual85]

I’ve done everything. Dawn, Meyers hand, ivory, alcohol. (Collectively over a year to try and rid it) nothing works. I thought it was glue but the RSC told me that bezel isn’t glued in there...IDK?

[socalwatchcollector]

Originally Posted by Perpetual85

I’ve done everything. Dawn, Meyers hand, ivory, alcohol. (Collectively over a year to try and rid it) nothing works. I thought it was glue but the RSC told me that bezel isn’t glued in there...IDK?

Send to RSC. Should be covered under warranty if a defect.

[garyk]

Send it to RSC or the AD, they will probably replace it with new. Trust me, that's what you need to have happen..

[77T]

Originally Posted by Perpetual85

I’ve done everything. Dawn, Meyers hand, ivory, alcohol. (Collectively over a year to try and rid it) nothing works. I thought it was glue but the RSC told me that bezel isn’t glued in there...IDK?

It’s perhaps some lubricant underneath the bezel migrating along the edge to the insert.

Getting the gasket onto the crystal and case to make a tight fit may have tempted the watchmaker to use a bit of oil to aid installation.


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[abozz]

Moment of use your warranty.

Enviado desde mi SM-G975F mediante Tapatalk

[GMT Aviator]

You haven’t used Acetone? (Nail Polish Remover).
Dip a Q tip in some and then wipe away. I’m being serious. It won’t hurt the ceramic bezel at all, or the numerals on the bezel because they are PVD filled.
Acetone is a solvent, unlike Isopropyl Alcohol. If that stain can be removed then Acetone will do it without damaging anything else. If it doesn’t remove it, then it’s a chemical reaction of some kind that’s caused the problem. Worth a try.
I use it frequently if I get stubborn marks that nothing else will shift, especially on the platinum Yachtmaster bezel as it’s the only thing that removes greasy finger marks etc and makes the bezel pristine again.

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by Perpetual85

I’ve done everything. Dawn, Meyers hand, ivory, alcohol. (Collectively over a year to try and rid it) nothing works. I thought it was glue but the RSC told me that bezel isn’t glued in there...IDK?

So have the RSC already looked at it?
It's not possible to tell what the issue is from the photos, but sounds like you tried several things already.
Might be time to send it to the RSC if not already and let them deal with it, especially if the watch is under warranty (without getting into what is/is not covered by this). They might just swap out the insert and be done with it.

[lamnyc]

Don’t used any harsh chemical cleaning fluids. I wound send it in under warranty and have Rolex clean it or replace it. Last thing you want to do is void the warranty by cleaning it yourself.

[HONDABBQ]

Its called glare.

[taylor]

Have you recently used any sunscreen?

[samson66]

Good bath with soapy warm water should do the trick

[Rori]

Pictures are not helping at all but from what I could “barely see” it looks like oxidation which not possible with a new Rolex watch.


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[polaris72]

I guess you have already tried ultrasound jewelry cleaner? How does the stain feel when you touch it with your finger? Is there a texture?

[Sgooter]

Originally Posted by taylor

have you recently used any sunscreen?

+1

[Perpetual85]

No takes to any of the above. It’s definitely not glare (as mentioned above lol). Once the RSC is on a better turn around time-line, I’ll send it in. Thanks for the comments. Take care and stay safe out there.

[1William]

Interesting. I look forward to the solution.

[Yess]

Very odd... Hope you find the solution and post up the findings

[77T]

Originally Posted by polaris72

I guess you have already tried ultrasound jewelry cleaner?

I sure hope not - watch heads don’t belong in an ultrasonic cleaner...


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[mk2jag]

Sounds to me like a fault in the glaze layer of the bezel. The bezel will have to be replaced.


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[Crazy Lugs]

Originally Posted by mk2jag

Sounds to me like a fault in the glaze layer of the bezel. The bezel will have to be replaced.


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This! It sounds like common artifact of the ceramic glazing process, at least outside of a Rolex factory...

[Yoda_Eating_Pizza]

I've never seen this on a ceramic bezel. Interesting thread, please post an update after RSC has a look at it.

It sort of looks like heat damage, or something that got baked onto or into the ceramic surface at some point.