Are ceramic bezels all they're cracked up to be?

[dennisthai]

I didn't notice it until I posted a pic of it here. What I thought was a hair is actually a tiny crack at the 5 marker on the bezel. I don't recall hitting the watch against anything, but are they that easy to crack? If so, what's the point? Better off sticking with the metal bezels.

 

[karesz501]

This happens all the time I guess.... My BK sub has the same issue, I'm just starting to change it, though.... But usually the inserts break at the pearl, I've never seen one such as yours.

 

[dennisthai]

This happens all the time I guess.... My BK sub has the same issue, I'm just starting to change it, though.... But usually the inserts break at the pearl, I've never seen one such as yours.

It wouldn't want to happen "all the time" on a gen, not at $1100 a pop! It's hardly worth replacing mine with a $99 aftermarket insert as the watch only cost me that. If I could find the right size stainless steel insert I'd replace the ceramic with that.

 

[Duke1973]

I was wondering about the durability of these "ceramic" inserts.....Not too reassuring! I don't expect Rolex quality Cerchrom (or whatever they call it) but I wouldn't expect it crack at the first sign of stress or a small tap against something either!

I have the DSSD, Sub-C, and GMT II Ceramic. This causes me to worry!

 

[dennisthai]

I was wondering about the durability of these "ceramic" inserts.....Not too reassuring! I don't expect Rolex quality Cerchrom (or whatever they call it) but I wouldn't expect it crack at the first sign of stress or a small tap against something either!

I have the DSSD, Sub-C, and GMT II Ceramic. This causes me to worry!

I don't know how thick these inserts are, if they are very thin, like 1 mm, I doubt if they are going to handle much of a knock.

 

[shirazi_r]

Ceramic by nature is a brittle material so I'm not surprised this happened at some point or another. You're right though, if this were to happen on a gen I'd be fuming!

 

[elmataplata]

Im surprised someone hasnt added some reinforcement by way of epoxy to the back of the inserts.

 

[dennisthai]

Im surprised someone hasnt added some reinforcement by way of epoxy to the back of the inserts.

Then the insert isn't going to sit flush, also it might make it very hard to remove if you ever have to.

 

[rol_man]

Reading on other forums, this appears to be a somewhat standard issue on the gens. At $1100 for an insert, OUCH!

 

[trailboss99]

Yup, quite a few unhappy gen owners out there. FFS it's a tool watch and a little tap breaks things?

 

[cigarben]

I believe Rolex has gone down the "It looks great" road and left out what made Rolex great. The durability of the watches. The ceramic bezel inserts and the new clasps are fairly easy to break. At least with the aluminum bezel insert and old style flip lock clasp was a hell of a lot more sturdy and reliable.

 

[sub4me]

I agree the older clasp is much better couln't give two shits about that glideclasp but I didn't know the ceramic was a problem. I thought it was indestructible and that was the premise of going ceramic, I can see a rep ceramic cracking but a gen Rolex ceramic breaking is horrible.

 

[ispytonyv]

I agree the older clasp is much better couln't give two shits about that glideclasp but I didn't know the ceramic was a problem. I thought it was indestructible and that was the premise of going ceramic, I can see a rep ceramic cracking but a gen Rolex ceramic breaking is horrible.

This had always been my impression too; that the rep ceramic was crap but the gen was essentially unbreakable. If I had a gen sub and broke my insert from anything less than a crushing blow... and Rolex wanted $1100 to replace it... I'd be irate.

 

[sub4me]

I believe one of the selling points of the Liquid Metal PO bezel was that its indestructible so I would assume the same goes for Rolex, can't say I ever saw a gen one broken though.

 

[mydnytrydr]

While ceramic won't SCRATCH very easy, it will crack with a good whack ...... so ya still have to be careful with what you are doing !

 

[sub4me]

Well don't whack off, to much.:sub4me:

 

[mydnytrydr]

.......not that kind of "whack" ......

 

[cigarben]

I have an old Silix sub with the aluminum bezel insert and old style flip lock clasp. I have taken it fishing, hiking, camping and doing work around the house. It has been beaten, scratched, stretched, shaken but not stirred . I am afraid to take my newer subc and DSSD out unless it is to dinner or something like that. I have already broke the bracelet off my DSSD twice just doing minor yard work with it on.