Hmm, this has given some new light on the platinum bezel>>>>

[Jocke]

I've always had the belief that the whole bezeln on the Yachtmaster been of solid platinum. Although I find no 950 stamp
on my which can explains of what is at the Rolex web page concerning the new Yachtmaster with blue dial.

It says:

Bezel: Bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated with raised numerals and graduations coated in 950 platinum.

I guess that is what it is.

[Seaward]

I always thought it was solid platinum as well. Go figure.

[toph]

Interesting. I always presumed it was solid platinum too.

[Shem]

This is very interesting to me since I'm a new owner of a YM and multiple ADs used phrases like "solid platinum bezel" and "the entire top is platinum", touting it as a main selling point for the model. One AD actually warned me not to scratch it up because Rolex can't refinish it and instead replaces it for massive expense because it is solid platinum. (Now, I've read here on the forums that it can in fact be refinished, but nonetheless...)

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by Shem

This is very interesting to me since I'm a new owner of a YM and multiple ADs used phrases like "solid platinum bezel" and "the entire top is platinum", touting it as a main selling point for the model. One AD actually warned me not to scratch it up because Rolex can't refinish it and instead replaces it for massive expense because it is solid platinum. (Now, I've read here on the forums that it can in fact be refinished, but nonetheless...)

Actually, solid platinum would be easier to refinish than a plated (or "coated") part...

[rouxeny]

Interesting that here Rolex very clearly differentiates between a bezel and bezel insert. Of course, nobody would think the entire bezel would be made of cerachrom, but they clearly separate the two.

My suspicion is that only the bezel insert (numbers) are platinum, but that the notched ring is SS. However, the advertising, presumably intentionally, is meant to subtly imply that all is platinum.

[Shem]

After thinking about it and doing a lot more reading online (including first-hand accounts of people's experience with Rolex service refinishing or replacing it), I'm inclined to believe that the wording on the Rolex website is misleading and that it is in fact solid platinum. I will call Rolex USA on Monday to confirm, though, if there isn't a definitive answer before then.

[cajunron]

Originally Posted by Shem

After thinking about it and doing a lot more reading online (including first-hand accounts of people's experience with Rolex service refinishing or replacing it), I'm inclined to believe that the wording on the Rolex website is misleading and that it is in fact solid platinum. I will call Rolex USA on Monday to confirm, though, if there isn't a definitive answer before then.

This.

[kilyung]

Jocke has photo documented the stampings on the underside of the bezel in addition to weighing it. It's 950 platinum.

[rouxeny]

Good to know. Thanks all.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Jocke has photo documented the stampings on the underside of the bezel in addition to weighing it. It's 950 platinum.

I don't understand?

I thought the dial was stamped 950Pt but not the bezel?

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by directioneng

I don't understand?

I thought the dial was stamped 950Pt but not the bezel?

Hmm. Maybe that was it.

[Racerdj]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Jocke has photo documented the stampings on the underside of the bezel in addition to weighing it. It's 950 platinum.

Jocke is the go to man!

[Andad]

But I was also sure the bezel was 950Pt?

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by directioneng

But I was also sure the bezel was 950Pt?

That was my understanding also.

[subtona]

Scoundrels

[Lucky777]

I was under the belief the bezel was solid, hmmm..would like some more insight on this

[rouxeny]

Per the Rolex booklet on the YM. Sounds like solid platinum.

[Jocke]

It's very strange it says different things on the same page.



I don't know what to believe, what I know is my dial is marked 950pt but not the bezel.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by Jocke

It's very strange it says different things on the same page.



I don't know what to believe, what I know is my dial is marked 950pt but not the bezel.

But didn't you weigh them and the difference was quite different by a lot. Plating wouldn't make that much weight would it.

This is a main selling point of that model, if it's plated then to me it's like getting scammed, but only they conceal the truth in marketing jargon.

[dysondiver]

then what is it made from ,,,, hardly brass ,,, maybe thats why they wont polish it. shame to make a gold one and plate it ,,,, need an old one and a grinder , or acid.

[Mr. K]

Hard to believe Rolex would just plate it.

[Mystro]

X2. That would be cheesy. Their marketing is already on the edge of absurdidy, but if they are making up words to disguise common words like plating they are right up their with prestigious and superlative companies like Chrysler and their rich "Corinthian leather"....

.

Originally Posted by Mr. K

Hard to believe Rolex would just plate it.

[77T]

SO inquiring minds want to know...
1. Does the 18 ct YG bezel have any markings on underside?
2. What did old catalog say?
3. Perhaps all we have a slip in the Rolex Marketing Dept. proofreading of the new catalog?

[Baselman]

They now call this other world material ROLESIUM - a combination of 904L steel and platinum - it is probably NOT 100% platinum. I never thought it was 100% platinum bezel maybe the inlay part who knows. The Rolex dudes are being clever the same thing with the "green gold" blah - the bezel could be just the numerals coated it would still be ROLESIUM.

[Shem]

Originally Posted by Baselman

They now call this other world material ROLESIUM - a combination of 904L steel and platinum - it is probably NOT 100% platinum. I never thought it was 100% platinum bezel maybe the inlay part who knows. The Rolex dudes are being clever the same thing with the "green gold" blah - the bezel could be just the numerals coated it would still be ROLESIUM.

My understanding was always that "Rolesium," like its sister-term Rolesor used for two-tone watches, is used to denote that only a part of the piece is made of solid platinum (since in some countries you can't sell a piece of jewelry labeled "platinum" unless the entire piece is made of solid platinum) and the rest is solid 904L stainless steel. This doesn't imply that it's some weird alloy of the two.

There's some support for this definition, in addition to some further support for the bezel being solid platinum, in the following screenshot from Rolex's website. This description appears when you drill-down into the Rolesium description from the detailed specifications:

[dysondiver]

i didnt think there was an inlay that was the whole point.

[Baselman]

Aaaah so bezel is platinum then why would they say raised graduations coated in platinum?

[Ector495]

It sounds like it's a mix of the two. The dial is probably all platinum. Oh well I still love mine and wouldn't get rid of it for anything.

[DCgator]

Originally Posted by Baselman

Aaaah so bezel is platinum then why would they say raised graduations coated in platinum?

To my mind, the key word is "coated", which means it is not/not solid platinum. Also, nowhere does Rolex ever stated "plating" as some have assumed.