I Hate Ceramic Bezels

[JohnDoe9011]

I personally just don’t like the look at all. To me it just looks very “toyish”

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by Psmith

Vincent, your original post was understood (ironically, your points 1-6 are all inaccurate). You've taken some offence to a couple of us daring to respond to it and have deemed this to be sarcastic or patronizing - nobody is being either, nor challenging your right to an opinion or debate. I would point out that the use of more irritated and unpleasant language (bolstered by your choice of emoticons) is all yours. It's a shame you reacted this way as it has rather soured this thread. I'll leave it there and wish you a good weekend. It really is just a watch forum after all

So, you say my opinion is "ridiculous", and incorrectly accuse me of engaging in a "pointless exercise" (by merely giving my opinion? - what 'exercise' was that, exactly?), then seemingly feign surprise that that is offensive, which it clearly is, then add further insult by trying to lay the blame on me for souring the thread; for "daring" to respond to your absurd, passive-aggressive diatribe towards me, which was completely uncalled for? Actually, I have used no unpleasant language, but it's sorely tempting. It's a shame you reacted this way, and tried to have the last word and "leave it there". I'll leave it there, as it's just a watch forum after all.

[subprimero]

Ceramic is fine. It is size of the Maxi case that I don't like.

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Absolutely love, love, love that Tudor
I bought one whilst on holiday with my girlfriend in Italy many, many years ago which ended up being appropriated by her because she liked it a lot more than I did
On reflection i think it looked better on her than it ever did on me anyway

The blue 79090 is a beauty. I sometimes find myself cruising the FS thread looking for one. And I try to stop myself! I do miss it. It is such a fun blue.

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

I had my SD4000 bezel sand blasted by LA Watchworks. The shininess is all gone. Rolex should have done this in the first place. Btw, it wasn’t all that expensive.

I’m sure that looks perfect with the matte dial on the SD4000. Should have been born that way.

[Jpccarguy]

I like the look, but I’m not sure if I’m that brave.

[Nav01L]

Well it’s not like the bezel on a sub is particularly exposed, you’d probably shatter the crystal first, which is just as brittle as the bezel. So by that metric, that’s what you should direct your hate onto.

[Roddypeepa]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If you take a tumble and shatter the ceramic your wrist/elbow etc will likely be shattered as well and so your watch is least of your concerns. Yes,it can shatter but Al will scratch, sapphire Crystal will shatter anyway before it’s a problem and it looks so good. So no, not for me. Ceramic. All day long please.


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

I had my SD4000 bezel sand blasted by LA Watchworks. The shininess is all gone. Rolex should have done this in the first place. Btw, it wasn’t all that expensive.

That’s really interesting.

Can you post some more pictures, maybe a straight on shot please?

[txaggie9307]

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

I had my SD4000 bezel sand blasted by LA Watchworks. The shininess is all gone. Rolex should have done this in the first place. Btw, it wasn’t all that expensive.

That looks awesome and I may want to do it to the 114060 sub.


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[Amochosto]

Originally Posted by brandrea

That’s really interesting.

Can you post some more pictures, maybe a straight on shot please?

I would be interested too.

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

I had my SD4000 bezel sand blasted by LA Watchworks. The shininess is all gone. Rolex should have done this in the first place. Btw, it wasn’t all that expensive.

Is that the one with the red date wheel? Would like to see some more pics if possible please

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by Nav01L

Well it’s not like the bezel on a sub is particularly exposed, you’d probably shatter the crystal first, which is just as brittle as the bezel. So by that metric, that’s what you should direct your hate onto.

Pretty good point, I have seen way more cracked crystals than cracked inserts.

[sheldonsmith]

Originally Posted by Psmith

Is that the one with the red date wheel? Would like to see some more pics if possible please

It is...

The only other Picts I have are here: https://www.minus4plus6.com/SD4000.php

[Junior_]

I don’t care what collectors prize. I love ceramic bezels.

[chazadams]

Originally Posted by Junior_

I don’t care what collectors prize. I love ceramic bezels.

I do think some of those older vintage subs with worn aluminum bezels look amazing and like that someone out there cares enough to preserve that amazing part of Rolex history .

But totally agree with quote above too and OP, here is why I think Rolex uses ceramic bezels on their tool watches......

100+ days a year on Florida inshore fishing boat. Boats and saltwater fishing are very hard on watches and just about everything else. I have worn a Submariner on board since 2004. First the 5 digit aluminum and then the 6 digit ceramic.

Replaced 3 chipped crystals and 1 aluminum bezel (chipped also and lots of scratches) over 15 year span, no cracked ceramic bezel as of yet.......promise to post if it happens

I have a few case and bracelet dings that are cringy on my SubC. In fact, I just got the watch back a few months ago from RSC from one of those cracked crystals mentioned and this time the movement also had to be adjusted from the impact . (It was a good service experience, I should post about it). Hands down I would take the ceramic between the two after experiencing both for years. First of all it doesn't scratch or fade! This alone is a Rolex improvement I truly enjoy about the tool watch. It washes like a dream with soap and water and truly looks stunning with a nice button down shirt just an hour after it was just covered in salt spray and fish slime.

As far as the shiny look?! Is so easy just to smear or pat the ceramic bezel with your thumb or finger. This negates the shiny look immediately and if you want it back just use a cotton shirt or micro cloth.

[bezler]

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

I had my SD4000 bezel sand blasted by LA Watchworks. The shininess is all gone. Rolex should have done this in the first place. Btw, it wasn’t all that expensive.

I really like that! Great idea, and congrats on following through with it!

[bezler]

Originally Posted by Roddypeepa

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If you take a tumble and shatter the ceramic your wrist/elbow etc will likely be shattered as well and so your watch is least of your concerns. Yes,it can shatter but Al will scratch, sapphire Crystal will shatter anyway before it’s a problem and it looks so good. So no, not for me. Ceramic. All day long please.


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That's not at all true. Your bones are surrounded but a lot of padding; the ceramic is much more likely to shatter. All it takes is a direct hit at the wrong angle.

[coleburns]

Originally Posted by ZeGerman11

I’m not home with it at the moment, nor have I cracked the secret to posting hi-res pics on this forum, but here is one pic where you can see some minor dings on the bezel around the 6:00 area as well as some of the road rash up near 12/1:00.

Since we’re discussing hardness, another interesting thing you may want to research, OP, is Damasko’s ice hardening process. It’s technically less hard than Sinn’s tegimenting (I think ~900 vickers vs. ~1,200 vickers, but this is from memory so may be a bit off). However, while Sinn’s is a surface treatment, Damasko’s is somehow done to all the metal. So the end result is allegedly a watch that is less susceptible to scratches and dings than Sinn’s because it’s hardened all the way through.

I have one, so I’ll see if that holds true, but it’s what I’ve read.

Apologies for taking this thread a bit off topic.

I just in the process of getting a Damasko DS30. I have read enough to get me excited about the case.

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[R_Rated]

Another reason the 126622 is so amazing!

[Brny11]

I love them.


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[Greglaw]

I love mine on my sub date

[Johnpierpontmorgan]

Ceramic bezels are great, Rolex does very nice black ceramic bezels and the shiny bezels goes well with polished centre links ;) This is why the discontinued gmt ceramic will be a future hit and collectible

I do have both ceramic (on polished centre bracelet) and aluminium (on brushed bracelet) and enjoy them equally

[pigman08]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Now if someone doesn't like the shiny look, I get that.

That’s my issue with the ceramic bezels... IMO, shine and sparkle do not properly pay homage to what were once advertised as the watches for the consummate adventurer.


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[ZeGerman11]

Originally Posted by coleburns

I just in the process of getting a Damasko DS30. I have read enough to get me excited about the case.

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I think you will be very pleased. It is so much watch for the money. Along with my Sinn, it is another watch I will never sell. I can’t say enough good things about it.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

I had my SD4000 bezel sand blasted by LA Watchworks. The shininess is all gone. Rolex should have done this in the first place. Btw, it wasn’t all that expensive.

Can you share how much did LAWW charged you for the bezel sandblasting? Looks great!!!!!

[sheldonsmith]

It was only $200, but when I inquired whether they could do the same process to another watch, they indicated that they stopped performing the service as it’s tough to a get parts. I read into their reason that the nylon retaining ring Is hard to source

[Dancingpriest]

I think they are cool.

[hambone1983]

I think the ceramics are crispier, but its super easy to keep an aluminum looking tip top due to its puny cost. Bottom line I can't see how the cost differential is worth the small improvement in aesthetics.

[coleburns]

Originally Posted by ZeGerman11

I think you will be very pleased. It is so much watch for the money. Along with my Sinn, it is another watch I will never sell. I can’t say enough good things about it.

Out of interest, do you own a G shock?

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