Has Rolex boxed itself into a corner with Ceramic Bezels?

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I would prefer if I were 20lbs skinnier but generally pretty comfortable

Hahaha!...........brilliant.



Er..........just the 20 pounds?

[lecorsaire]

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

Sorry but have to strongly disagree.

1. Every Rolex does not have bling: SS sub; explorer I and II; Air King; OP to name a few.

2. The charm of a vintage watch - when it was sold new - was that it looked like a new watch made of then state of the art materials and design. Bezel and tritium aging was unintentional. And I doubt if anyone would have bought a 1968 Sub in 1968 if the bezel was faded and the lume yellowed.

3. Assuming anyone is making mechanical wristwatches, a 2018 rolex will not look the same as a new Rolex 50 years from now. Rolex will continue to evolve cases, dials, bezels and bands, just like they always have.

If Rolex is painting themselves into a corner, the other brands who are not retaining value and market share may want to consider the same paint crew.

All very good points. Some people might really hate the aged look that collectors look for. Spider dials, tropical dials, ghost and faded bezels, cream lume. Some of these things can be seen as defects by some and a treasure by others.

I’m a guitarist and it’s been my hobby since I was 12. Some people love a beaten up,”honest” vintage guitar with the wood exposed and a worn fingerboard. Others want their guitars to look as new as possible for as long as possible. I’m the latter. I have a 20yr old custom shop ESP Kirk Hammett that except for a couple of light hairline scratches looks as good as it did when I bought it. The maple neck has aged to a nice reddish hue as any good maple will. Everyone has different preferences and there will always be something for everyone.

[Cibbersicks]

Didn’t you guys know? Black ceramic turns green over about 50yrs....


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[116710er]

Originally Posted by Lt Virgil Hilts

My point being that a metal watch case's plasticity will allow it to deform (under 'normal' drop on the bathroom floor conditions). Ceramic cases whilst being hard and scratch resistant just don't bounce as well.

Oh I don't disagree with you. With the right kind of hit, ceramic will fracture without question. I was just giving you my experience with ceramic cased watches since you mentioned IWC. From my experience, under normal use, ceramic does very well if you like your watches maintain it's newish look.

Speaking of dropping watches, I have dropped two watches onto hard surfaces. Both were SS, one fell on ceramic tile (slipped) and one fell on outdoor concrete (failed clasp) and while the cases/bezels did get damaged, what really took the hit was the movement. Both had to be serviced because one stopped running all together and one ran erratically after the drop. But to add to your point, it was definitely cheaper to service the movement then to replace the case and with the damaged SS case/bezels, I guess they have that "used" look that vintage folks like so much? Maybe I ADDED value by dropping them!

[AK797]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I would prefer if I were 20lbs skinnier but generally pretty comfortable

Still? Thought the 64 was because you achieved divine thinness.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Cibbersicks

Didn’t you guys know? Black ceramic turns green over about 50yrs....


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So no need for black subc guys to flip or queue for the Hulk.

[Cibbersicks]

Originally Posted by AK797

So no need for black subc guys to flip for the Hulk.

Exactly! Haha! All those people paying over the odds now! Suckaaaaas


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[Fabrice M]

I like the ceramic, but I wish it was matte. Frankly, I feel Rolex has really step-up in quality. The new solid link bracelet, higher quality stainless steel, new clasp design, more security features, more advanced complications, etc... I like the direction they are taking. And for the fans of the aluminium bezels and more classic looks, then there is Tudor.

[Snow-Dweller]

Originally Posted by powerfunk

Well, yeah, to some people. But those are errors. Rolex didn't design their tritium hour plots to turn tan...they just did. A lot of blue Subs from the 80's turned purple due to an error with the paint. Beautiful? Yes. But...that doesn't mean Rolex should intentionally make their products change visual appearance over time. That would take the fun out of it.

And ceramic doesn't make a Rolex "blingy" or "less of a tool watch." It is more scratch-resistant, period. Just like how the white gold surrounds (another thing people misguidedly point to as a sign of a "blingy" transition) serve a functional purpose (gold doesn't corrode). If something shiny is the best material for the job, are they supposed to avoid it because it's kinda shiny? That's silly.

Extremely well said.

[mmmmp]

Originally Posted by lecorsaire

All very good points. Some people might really hate the aged look that collectors look for. Spider dials, tropical dials, ghost and faded bezels, cream lume. Some of these things can be seen as defects by some and a treasure by others.

I’m a guitarist and it’s been my hobby since I was 12. Some people love a beaten up,”honest” vintage guitar with the wood exposed and a worn fingerboard. Others want their guitars to look as new as possible for as long as possible. I’m the latter. I have a 20yr old custom shop ESP Kirk Hammett that except for a couple of light hairline scratches looks as good as it did when I bought it. The maple neck has aged to a nice reddish hue as any good maple will. Everyone has different preferences and there will always be something for everyone.

Nice axe bro! I like my instruments looking factory-fresh too. (I'm a keyboard man, but play electric guitar as a hobby.)

I'd love if my 'bluesy' looked as good as new 20 years from now. Ceramic is *shiny* but I wouldn't call it 'blingy'. Vintage watches are very cool, but faded dials, lume and stretched bracelets are not my thing. No offense to those that like them.

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