Ceramic did NOT even last a year

[JJ Irani]

WHOA!!

After reading all of the above, I wonder how many of you are still looking forward to Rolex rejuvenating the famous Sub-date 16610 to a Ceramic bezel?

[Playdrv4me]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

WHOA!!

After reading all of the above, I wonder how many of you are still looking forward to Rolex rejuvenating the famous Sub-date 16610 to a Ceramic bezel?

Me.

[jaustindds]

I'd rather deal with scratches on a metal bezel insert than cracking and breaking of the ceramic bezel insert.

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

WHOA!!

After reading all of the above, I wonder how many of you are still looking forward to Rolex rejuvenating the famous Sub-date 16610 to a Ceramic bezel?

I dont, and would never buy one, however if I were to receive one, I would bastardo it and retro an ALL aluminum setup !

[Hubercheck]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

WHOA!!

After reading all of the above, I wonder how many of you are still looking forward to Rolex rejuvenating the famous Sub-date 16610 to a Ceramic bezel?

Exactly, I thought the same thing !! My AD stated the benefits and hardness of the ceramic, but I thought, just like hardened steel, it may be brittle and thus break or chip !! Anyway still a sad story...Good Luck !

[kkwn98]

Originally Posted by petespendthrift

It may not be Rolex's problem but it is their fault. They "improved" the design and charged a lot more for it so they should be honourable enough to stand by their premium priced product.

The reason there are relatively few instances of this is because most owners treat DSSDs and the new GMTs like they would a gold dress watch (ie. very carefully).

Rolex should show good will to those that still use them as a steel sports watch or make it clear they are actually now dress watches in their advertising and in their dealer to customer advice. If they sell the watch for $2000 more than they used to, they have to meet much higher expectations from their customers.

The old cheap aluminium bezel, if given the same treatment, might be scratched but would easily still be useable until the next service and then only cost $50 to replace.

The crystal did not shatter because it is much thicker - the ceramic insert is not much thicker than an egg shell where this one has chipped. The action that cause the damage does not sound like it involved excessive force and its not the result of a defect either.

Not sure how you can gauge this from the OP's post?

Also, if I damage my Rolex because I or someone else whacks it, then Rolex should be "honourable" and fix it? Sure they'll fix it; not so sure if they'll do it gratis. Would be nice if they did, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[Playdrv4me]

Originally Posted by kkwn98

Not sure how you can gauge this from the OP's post?

Also, if I damage my Rolex because I or someone else whacks it, then Rolex should be "honourable" and fix it? Sure they'll fix it; not so sure if they'll do it gratis. Would be nice if they did, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

I agree, a METAL key hitting a CERAMIC surface at just the right angle/force seems to me like it could resonate enough to cause various levels of damage.

Seems similar to how it sometimes doesn't take any force at all to accidentally break a glass decanter.

[petespendthrift]

Originally Posted by Playdrv4me

I agree, a METAL key hitting a CERAMIC surface at just the right angle/force seems to me like it could resonate enough to cause various levels of damage.

Seems similar to how it sometimes doesn't take any force at all to accidentally break a glass decanter.

I said "good will" because Rolex have charged us extra for this amazing Ceramic insert that they say is more durable than the metal ones. When it turns out to be as durable as a glass decanter they want hundreds more dollars to repair it.

Surely if this is a freak and rare occurrence Rolex (who have raised their prices by thousands of dollars over the last 18 months) will not begrudge a free repair.

[Singslinger]

Also, if I damage my Rolex because I or someone else whacks it, then Rolex should be "honourable" and fix it? Sure they'll fix it; not so sure if they'll do it gratis. Would be nice if they did, but I wouldn't hold my breath.[/QUOTE]

Yes I agree. Once, one week after I bought a brand-new Rolex Sub-date, I accidentally cracked the sapphire crystal. This occured because the bezel was stiff and so I used a bit more force than normal to try and turn it - I had taken the watch off my wrist, my turning hand slipped as I was forcing the bezel to turn and the watch flew out of my hands and hit the leg of a steel table. The crack ran right down the middle of the crystal. Rolex refused to change it for free despite the watch still being under warranty and despite my claims that the crystal should've been strong enough.

[sheldonsmith]

I cringe every time I see a cracked GMT bezel insert. I would send to Dallas RSC, and see what they say. Posting the correspondence here would be cool for all of us to see. These inserts should be able to handle the day-to-day bangings that our Rolex endure each day.

-Sheldon

[SDDS]

too bad to hear that.. but i cant understand this.. the ceramic bezel supposed to be scratch resistant and more durable than the old aluminum insert.. but as i see and read more and more posts concerning ceramic inserts being damaged or cracked or falling off.. you tend to think differently towards the ceramic..for me i luv the ceramic bezel on my deepsea.. but i begin to worry about the ceramic bezel being hit by something or get cracked etc.. when i wear my lv sub i dont think of anything towards the aluminum bezel...thats strange

[1000ftSub]

Originally Posted by SDDS

too bad to hear that.. but i cant understand this.. the ceramic bezel supposed to be scratch resistant and more durable than the old aluminum insert.. but as i see and read more and more posts concerning ceramic inserts being damaged or cracked or falling off.. you tend to think differently towards the ceramic..for me i luv the ceramic bezel on my deepsea.. but i begin to worry about the ceramic bezel being hit by something or get cracked etc.. when i wear my lv sub i dont think of anything towards the aluminum bezel...thats strange

Indeed, i also am a fan of the ceramic bezel on the Deepsea

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by 1000ftSub

Indeed, i also am a fan of the ceramic bezel on the Deepsea

I'm pretty sure the DSSD bezel is NOT Ceramic........it's called CERACHROME, a bit different from the GMT-IIC bezel.

JJ

[flyinbrian]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

I'm pretty sure the DSSD bezel is NOT Ceramic........it's called CERACHROME, a bit different from the GMT-IIC bezel.

JJ

They are both the same according to Rolex's website.

[SDDS]

Originally Posted by flyinbrian

They are both the same according to Rolex's website.

thats also what i have read on the Rolex catalog.. its called CERACHROM for both GMT and DSSD.. and to be more specific its called the Cerachrom Disc

[Playdrv4me]

Originally Posted by flyinbrian

They are both the same according to Rolex's website.

That's right. Cerachrom is their generic name for a Ceramic bezel with a Chromed finish. It is the same thing.

[sheldonsmith]

I believe Cerachrome and ceramic are the same thing....

-Sheldon

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

I'm pretty sure the DSSD bezel is NOT Ceramic........it's called CERACHROME, a bit different from the GMT-IIC bezel.

JJ

[vjb.knife]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

I'm pretty sure the DSSD bezel is NOT Ceramic........it's called CERACHROME, a bit different from the GMT-IIC bezel.

JJ

The Rolex website lists the bezel material for both the DSSD and the GMTIIC as ceramic. They are the same ceramic material. I have no problem with it if it breaks I get a new one free. Insurance is a good thing.

[PacNW]

FWIW I'd just buy a new bezel...if I damage one of my watches I blame it on operator error and get it fixed.

[2th Dr]

Originally Posted by PacNW

FWIW I'd just buy a new bezel...if I damage one of my watches I blame it on operator error and get it fixed.

[steveseiko]

Hmm, lets assume Rolex will fix it because you were trying to break up a fight. A goodwill gesture. I just bought a GMT-C and if that exact same scenario happened to me, I'd expect to pay out of pocket. This is definitely not the manufacturer's fault.

[postiff]

Originally Posted by steveseiko

Hmm, lets assume Rolex will fix it because you were trying to break up a fight. A goodwill gesture. I just bought a GMT-C and if that exact same scenario happened to me, I'd expect to pay out of pocket. This is definitely not the manufacturer's fault.

Again I NEVER said it was the manufacturers fault. The last time I checked Rolex's CEO did not come over to my house and break it...

I am just a little disappointed in it breaking period. Would this post have taken another turn if I said I hit it on a door jamb and it broke?

To answer a few questions it looks like a whole set bezel, ceramic disc insert and misc accessories is around 450.00 on FleaBay. I still have not called my AD to find out if they have an idea of what it would cost.

[sheldonsmith]

I would stay away from eBay. These parts are hard to find, and Rolex is super anal about bezels, even to authorized Rolex watchmakers how have Rolex parts accounts. I tried to get an extra GMT traditional 16710 bezel and insert, but I could only obtain the insert as Rolex would not sell the bezel separately unless there was a trade in of the original bezel.

The only remote possibility is to order one from Europe as parts are easier to get there. Nevertheless, this is not a simple DIY job as pressing in the new insert without cracking it would be a tricky affair. The .pdf patent doc showing the schematic is posted here:



I would work through Rolex directly (RSC Dallas or the San Francisco authorized service center 415.982.9830), or your AD only if your AD has an exceedingly good Rolex relationship.

- Sheldon

[Safetrends]

Originally Posted by postiff

Again I NEVER said it was the manufacturers fault. The last time I checked Rolex's CEO did not come over to my house and break it...

I am just a little disappointed in it breaking period. Would this post have taken another turn if I said I hit it on a door jamb and it broke?

To answer a few questions it looks like a whole set bezel, ceramic disc insert and misc accessories is around 450.00 on FleaBay. I still have not called my AD to find out if they have an idea of what it would cost.

Ebay is scary on parts be very careful, you can get taken to the cleaners.

[ingoodtime]

Maybe Rolex should have made the ceramic bezel thicker to better withstand the bangs and bumps a watch takes. After all, these are sport watches. That said, I remember A SHOPNBC show where the host took a hammer to a ceramic watch bracelt to show us how tough it is. Let me tell you, it took several hits with the hammer with the band on the desk to start the ceramic cracking. Ceramic today should be pretty tough. Otherwise, why use it just because it may be more colorfast and more resistant to corrosion? If the ceramic is going to break easily, I think Rolex should replace them all with a metal bezel and let us get on with our watch wearing.

[flyinbrian]

I am curious if the OP is for sure certain that the key caused the damage. As stated he wears his watch doing everything and in some harsh environments and also said he did not notice it right away. Who's to say for sure if the key was the cause.

[scl6118]

Originally Posted by flyinbrian

I am curious if the OP is for sure certain that the key caused the damage. As stated he wears his watch doing everything and in some harsh environments and also said he did not notice it right away. Who's to say for sure if the key was the cause.

That's a good point! When I read the post I found it odd that he stated that he inspected the watch after the key hit and didn't see any damage. Several days later, he then noticed the damage. It seems very plausible that he may have damaged it another way and didn't realize it.

[SDDS]

here is a pic to compare...l

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by SDDS

here is a pic to compare...l

Those all look like fine china !

[Playdrv4me]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

Those all look like fine china !

Ok THAT was pretty funny.