Durability of the bezel

[lostsub]

I bought an SD after about 2 weeks of owning the SS GMT II ceramic.
What are you guys' take regarding the durability of the ceramic bezel? Yes...I know it should be VERY DURABLE, but I am not about to get a hammer and test it out... I know the old bezel with aluminun insert are very good at taking abuses, but I just found myself being extra careful with this ceramic bezel and that's one of the reason I went back and bought the SD for the aluminun bezel.
Also the new bigger font of the ceramic... in my opinion...look very un-Rolex like. Too close to the look of the Tag F1 watches.
BUT, it's just my own opinion, I know there are lots others don't share it at all...No hard feeling to you all...

[txrob779]

Do you have a pic of the GMT.....I am really liking that watch

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Well, the aluminium bezel INSERT can be changed easily for low $$$ and the bezel itself should last you a lifetime.

The ceramic is said to be virtually unscratchable, but I suspect it it is not shatterproof. And if you by accident destroy the bezel, then it will be a very costly affair to have it exchanged. But in normal everyday use it should last you a lifetime like the standard bezel.

[lostsub]

I had tried to take pictures of my watches for many times, and both of my POS Sony Digital can't take close up never mind macro. So that's why I had not posted any pictures of my watches...
We are going to Disney FL. in 6 weeks time and we are looking into getting a Nikon Dxx soon, sooooo it will come...
The funny things is that I had owned and operated a photo lab from 1987 to 2003 and because everything turned to digital so that I closed/sold the photo lab. I still have a Nikon F4 sitting in my closet with lenses from 24mm to 500mm...

[Tools]

lost,

You got this backward...You are supposed to be telling us about the durability of the ceramic..

I can tell you...My aluminum bezel inserts scratch and can be dented..

Now, wear that GMT for a while, then take a good loupe and tell us, in detail, about the size, depth, and their extent. Only then can we turn around and give you our expert, and unlimited, advice...

[lostsub]

Originally Posted by Tools

lost,

You got this backward...You are supposed to be telling us about the durability of the ceramic..

I can tell you...My aluminum bezel inserts scratch and can be dented..

Now, wear that GMT for a while, then take a good loupe and tell us, in detail, about the size, depth, and their extent. Only then can we turn around and give you our expert, and unlimited, advice...

Maybe I should hammer and chisel out a piece of ceramic to see...

On my old sub, I did changed the insert twice, and they were about $100 each time.

[Letsgodiving]

I'm very curious to see how the ceramic bezel holds up to the bumps and knocks of everyday life. I understand that they are virtually scratchproof but ceramic, in my mind, seems like it would be somewhat brittle and subject to cracking or chipping. Any anecdotal stories out there?

[mike]

The ceramic insert is said to be extremely scratch resistent and will not fade over time as the aluminum insert was prone to do. Will it? I think it's way to soon to tell.
Rolex indeed had problem with early bakelite inserts on the 6542 and changed to metal after a year or so. My feeling is the ceramic will indeed prove to be very durable, but if it should break it will certainly be much more expensive to replace....time will tell.

[Solar]

I think the ceramic bezels will be fine. I'm fairly certain that Rolex would think about this aspect of brittleness in the intended application, considering that its watches are sold for use around the planet.

There will likely be stories about breakage, but I don't think that ceramic would fade nearly as quickly as coloured metal (esp the Pepsi bezel) wold do.

That said, I saw the SS this weekend. I find the font size a tad large for my taste, but the relfective quality of the ceramic bezel is dynamite. Like a remarkable black liquid in suspension.

Beautiful.

C

[DaveN]

I posted about my ceramic bezel's brush with a diamond ring. My watch got wacked big time by a friend's diamond. I believe that their may be a small nick from the impact but without a loupe I'm not certain. I'm sold on ceramic, the old style bezel would haver been toast.

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by lostsub

I know the old bezel with aluminun insert are very good at taking abuses,

Yep, they sure are!

[leopardprey]

I recently banged my TT GMT II 116713 watch pretty hard on a metal object while working. The Gold rim of the Bezel, right at the edge where it is next to the Ceramic Bezel, has some small dings on it. But there is amazingly not any marks or dings at all on the Ceramic Bezel!!

Also, since the ding the watch has still been extremely accurate. First couple of weeks was loosing 1-2.5 seconds a day. Watch I guess is now settled in as for the last week have been spot on!!!!!