GMT Master IIc

[watchmaker]

I have seen the following information or opinion being batted about various forums, and various threads, so I thought I would clear up a misunderstanding.

Many people seem to think that the addition of a triplock crown to the gmt iic will improve its water resistance rating from its 100m, to, and many have said this, submariner type depths.

WRONG

If you try it, you will have a very expensive pile of crushed Rolex parts.

By adding a triplock, it makes rating it to 100m far easier, and helps prevent water entering the case through the crown better than a twinlock. In my opinion, the triplock should be on all oyster cases. It is possible to make them small enough for a ladies DJ.

But for a sub to get its 300m rating, it has both a thicker crystal, and a thicker case back.

Now I am not saying that the addition of the triplock was pointless, but I am saying that that fact alone wont make a diver out of your GMT.

[Vanessa CW21]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

I have seen the following information or opinion being batted about various forums, and various threads, so I thought I would clear up a misunderstanding.

Many people seem to think that the addition of a triplock crown to the gmt iic will improve its water resistance rating from its 100m, to, and many have said this, submariner type depths.

WRONG

If you try it, you will have a very expensive pile of crushed Rolex parts.

By adding a triplock, it makes rating it to 100m far easier, and helps prevent water entering the case through the crown better than a twinlock. In my opinion, the triplock should be on all oyster cases. It is possible to make them small enough for a ladies DJ.

But for a sub to get its 300m rating, it has both a thicker crystal, and a thicker case back.

Now I am not saying that the addition of the triplock was pointless, but I am saying that that fact alone wont make a diver out of your GMT.

I'm not here to argue with you, but the crystal and gasket are the same thickness on both, only difference is the case back.

[JPersat]

Hey Scott, Vanessa, I have a question about the ceramic bezel. I have seen threads about the ceramic bezel cracking and breaking when dropped from a very short distance, as little as three feet. I have also talked to a couple of people that have had or have the GMT IIC and they have said the ceramic bezel is very strong and durable. Has there been any confirmation about these reports of broken ceramic bezels?

[Ironstark]

Originally Posted by JPersat

Hey Scott, Vanessa, I have a question about the ceramic bezel. I have seen threads about the ceramic bezel cracking and breaking when dropped from a very short distance, as little as three feet. I have also talked to a couple of people that have had or have the GMT IIC and they have said the ceramic bezel is very strong and durable. Has there been any confirmation about these reports of broken ceramic bezels?

The insert is very durable and extremely resistant to scratches etc... but like all ceramics it can and will shatter if it sustains a blow of suficent strenght.
I can`t quantify what "sufficent strength" would be. I have seen some of these inserts cracked/broken due to an impact. How much force it required to do the damage depends on a number of factors. Obviously from what height it was dropped? What it fell on? A tiled floor will require less force to break it than a wood floor for example. The inserts I have removed and refitted to watches do not seem any weaker than the previous generation, but whereas the anodised aluminium would dent/deform the ceramic may shatter/crack. Having said that you would want to replace the dented/deformed insert anyway.
In the past I have seen Rado Diastar`s cases broken (Tungsden Carbide case) when dropped on a tiled floor. So while ceramic does offer some great advantages, it can be, in one respect, a little more delicate.

[gregdolley]

Originally Posted by JPersat

Hey Scott, Vanessa, I have a question about the ceramic bezel. I have seen threads about the ceramic bezel cracking and breaking when dropped from a very short distance, as little as three feet. I have also talked to a couple of people that have had or have the GMT IIC and they have said the ceramic bezel is very strong and durable. Has there been any confirmation about these reports of broken ceramic bezels?

That's the catch-22 about most scratch resistant materials - they're extremely hard, but also very brittle. Sapphire crystals are also very brittle; so they crack/shatter easily. Ceramic bezels are durable as far as abrasion is concerned (i.e. they're extremely hard to scratch), but not so durable as far as impact is concerned.

[C. Davidson]

Hello Scott and Venessa,

Isnt there also an additional gasket that the Sub has that the GMT doesnt have?

An additional crystal or bezel gasket???

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by C. Davidson

Hello Scott and Venessa,

Isnt there also an additional gasket that the Sub has that the GMT doesnt have?

An additional crystal or bezel gasket???

This was true on the 16710, as it had a twinlock crown.
The 116710, with its triplock crown has the same gaskets in the same places. The additional one is at the base of the thread on the pendant tube, where the crown screws down.

[C. Davidson]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

This was true on the 16710, as it had a twinlock crown.
The 116710, with its triplock crown has the same gaskets in the same places. The additional one is at the base of the thread on the pendant tube, where the crown screws down.

Thanks!

[sexner]

I have a couple comments to make re: gregdolley's comments earlier in this thread. We all agree that the ceramic bezel insert on the new GMT LN's is brittle, however, the scratch and fade resistence more than make up for it. Don't drop your watch. In the ten years that I had a GMT with the red and blue aluminum painted insert I had it replaced twice due to the red fading. If anyone thinks the crystal is brittle they should think again. On a scale of 10 a diamond has a hardness of 9 - the synthetic sapphire on these timepieces is 7. I am sorry to say but that is NOT brittle.

[bahamadoug]

Does anyone know if the ceramic insert used in the DSSD is made of exactly the same material as the ceramic insert used in the GMT? I keep reading about the Cerachrome bezel insert which I am interpreting as the Rolex name/version for ceramic. Can anyone give me some clarification? Thanks.......