Rolex Submariner Ceramic Dial Questions

[davegct]

I'm a Rolex novice and am looking to purchase a Rolex Submariner and have read that the latest ones have ceramic dials. Can someone help me with the following questions:

1) How can you tell if a Sub has the ceramic dial or not?
2) What serial prefix did they start using the dials, M, V, scrambled?
3) What is the advantage of the ceramic dial?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Lol-x]

It's not the dial that is ceramic but the bezel insert.
It doesn't make a huge difference to the watch IMHO.

[JUSTROLEXES]

As Stevo Said it's the Ceramic Bezel and not the dial, It is made in the V serial but you might run into few V no ceramic.
the Ceramic is model # 116613 and the no is model #16613 and also the Ceramic has the blueish color and it's Ceramic and you should be able to see that the insert is ceramic.

[The GMT Master]

The ceramic bezels are available on the 18ct and two tone models at the moment: 116619 for white gold, 116618 for yellow gold and 116613 for steel and gold. The all steel model is just making its way to the general public - the first ones have appeared in Switzerland.

These new ceramic models do have a couple of nice improvements over the older models:

Ceramic bezel insert (obviously) - harder, and more resistant to wear. Completely fadeproof

New case - slightly chunkier, makes concessions to big watch trends without actually increasing the case diameter

Dial - maxi dial (larger indices) and blue Chromalight luminescence as standard

Bracelet - all solid construction, as compared to the hollow centre links of the previous model

Clasp - has the brilliant Glidelock clasp, which I think is the best available on the market right now. Much sturdier than the old style clasps, and microadjustment is available without having to mess about with spring bars

The movement is essentially the same, but the watch's improvements has transformed it from an excellent 20th century watch to an excellent 21st century watch

Cheers

Chris

[padi56]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

The ceramic bezels are available on the 18ct and two tone models at the moment: 116619 for white gold, 116618 for yellow gold and 116613 for steel and gold. The all steel model is just making its way to the general public - the first ones have appeared in Switzerland.

These new ceramic models do have a couple of nice improvements over the older models:

Ceramic bezel insert (obviously) - harder, and more resistant to wear. Completely fadeproof

New case - slightly chunkier, makes concessions to big watch trends without actually increasing the case diameter

Dial - maxi dial (larger indices) and blue Chromalight luminescence as standard

Bracelet - all solid construction, as compared to the hollow centre links of the previous model

Clasp - has the brilliant Glidelock clasp, which I think is the best available on the market right now. Much sturdier than the old style clasps, and microadjustment is available without having to mess about with spring bars

The movement is essentially the same, but the watch's improvements has transformed it from an excellent 20th century watch to an excellent 21st century watch

Cheers

Chris

Well we will have to wait and see if the Ceramic bezel insert is like you say (obviously) - harder, and more resistant to wear. And completely fade-proof only time in the field will tell on that one.Hope you are right because the ceramic insert will be very very expensive to replace compared to the older insert.

[Tombstone]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well we will have to wait and see if the Ceramic bezel insert is like you say (obviously) - harder, and more resistant to wear. And completely fade-proof only time in the field will tell on that one.Hope you are right because the ceramic insert will be very very expensive to replace compared to the older insert.

I agree, for a GMTIIC the ceramic bezel is $400.00 U.S. ouch. I like the $70.00 U.S. (full retail price of the old style). I know of two broken ceramic bezels. One fell out which Rolex replaced no cost. The other met with a tile floor and the crystal and ceramic bezel went bye bye. Tile hates all Rolex watches be careful out there.

[davegct]

Stevo, Tony and Chris,
Thanks for the prompt and complete responses! Just what I needed to know, and I know in the future where to come (TRF forum) with additional Rolex questions!