What causes this on the GMT c bezel?

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Skyrider01

The receptionist explained to me that due to the size of the triangular marker, any dirt, wear or imperfections will show and that it is not an uncommon issue.

Sweet redemption.

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by Skyrider01

Mine came back from RSC with some sort of smudge on the triangle after they had polished the watch (see picture). I tried cleaning it but it wouldn't come off.
I took it back to RSC and they sandblasted it with a new coating of platinum and it took care of the issue. It took about 15 minutes for them to do it while I waited.
The receptionist explained to me that due to the size of the triangular marker, any dirt, wear or imperfections will show and that it is not an uncommon issue.

Before and after Pictures.

This happens when someone touches a polishing tool to the inside of the bezel triangle. RSC screwed up and either a wheel or rag with polishing rouge made it into the triangle. Ask me how I know ;)

Also, they don't sandblast it with a 'new coating'...they just sandblast it (with media)

[Cerachrom12]

Originally Posted by handsfull

This happens when someone touches a polishing tool to the inside of the bezel triangle. RSC screwed up and either a wheel or rag with polishing rouge made it into the triangle. Ask me how I know ;)

There really is no reason a polishing wheel should be anywhere near the ceramic insert. When the case is polished, it is a bare piece of metal. And logically speaking there is no reason to have to Polish the bezel ring itself. This just ruins the bezel teeth. Poor workmanship at RSC when the ceramic insert comes back in worse shape than when sent in, IMO

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by padi56

Its just a coating very similar to a PVD coating and just a few microns thick and it will wear just like all things with like constant rubbing of coat sleeve or shirt cuff.But it could be just the shadow on picture, if it did happen the only way its repairable is to buy a new insert, one of the many disadvantages of ceramic inserts

In 25 years it'll be known as "vintage faded insert" and people will pay double

[SeaAndSky]

I would bet some pretty good money that they either replaced your bezel or somehow cleaned the marker and don't in fact have a machine in the back to apply the platinum to the bezel.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Lemonvr6

Unlike aluminum inserts where the entire thing wears away?

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Skyrider01

Mine came back from RSC with some sort of smudge on the triangle after they had polished the watch (see picture). I tried cleaning it but it wouldn't come off.
I took it back to RSC and they sandblasted it with a new coating of platinum and it took care of the issue. It took about 15 minutes for them to do it while I waited.
The receptionist explained to me that due to the size of the triangular marker, any dirt, wear or imperfections will show and that it is not an uncommon issue.

Before and after Pictures.

So it would seem this is something that can be repaired, and doesn't require a replacement insert. Correct?

[Reinhard in SA]

Following

[DJRikki]

Originally Posted by SeaAndSky

I would bet some pretty good money that they either replaced your bezel or somehow cleaned the marker and don't in fact have a machine in the back to apply the platinum to the bezel.

I kinda wondered about this myself.

[BawlaDK]

Originally Posted by sco

There have been extremely minimal complaints about the inserts breaking and chipping. Don't you think this place would be flooded with complaints from people just siging up to complain if breakage was common? A few here and there over a year or two is hardly an epidemic.

Most people here have had their watches for quite a while and they state their inserts are perfect.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ceramic+insert

It's $375 to replace the insert on an SS Rolex, not $800.00. Yes, the BLRO is more..

Well... I had one replaced not too long ago on a 116610... Price including labour was with todays exchange rate 700 USD + I hade to be without the watch for the two months(!!!) it took to replace it because Rolex required the old bezel be sent back before they would send out a new one. I ended up calling Rolex directly (yes - its possible) to speed up the process because my local AD was a moron.... Never again

[Skyrider01]

Originally Posted by SeaAndSky

I would bet some pretty good money that they either replaced your bezel or somehow cleaned the marker and don't in fact have a machine in the back to apply the platinum to the bezel.

I tried cleaning it myself several times before taking it in. Under a loupe, it looked like the finish was worn and not just dirty.

I asked them if they would replace the bezel if they needed to. They told me they did not have any BLNR bezels in stock and they would have to order them from Switzerland.
This was at the Toronto RSC.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by BawlaDK

Well... I had one replaced not too long ago on a 116610... Price including labour was with todays exchange rate 700 USD + I hade to be without the watch for the two months(!!!) it took to replace it because Rolex required the old bezel be sent back before they would send out a new one. I ended up calling Rolex directly (yes - its possible) to speed up the process because my local AD was a moron.... Never again

Ouch. That's just painful.

[sco]

Originally Posted by BawlaDK

Well... I had one replaced not too long ago on a 116610... Price including labour was with todays exchange rate 700 USD + I hade to be without the watch for the two months(!!!) it took to replace it because Rolex required the old bezel be sent back before they would send out a new one. I ended up calling Rolex directly (yes - its possible) to speed up the process because my local AD was a moron.... Never again

Are you talking to replace the entire bezel? I was referencing the insert.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by Lemonvr6

Unlike aluminum inserts where the entire thing wears away?

And you can get a new one for $70 and sell the old one as faded.

[SeaAndSky]

Originally Posted by tomchicago

Here's the thing-- I was excited when the ceramics came out. Rolex pitched them as a super material, impervious, extremely tough. Then, sure enough, posts about them chipping off, cracking, and now this film issue started to surface. That's my beef! Rolex should answer for it, not have ceramic users pay $800 for a chipped bezel insert that was supposed to be super tough.

Nothing made by man is perfect. I don't think Rolex ever claimed that it was impossible to scratch or break cerachrome inserts. In my opinion they are super tough. All I know is I've banged the face of mine into many things, many times, and that if it were aluminum it would be scratched and dented for certain. Aside from one very very small scratch, my insert looks as good as the day I bought it. I will not have it replaced at service ever unless it's cracked at some point.

[Mike56]

Originally Posted by melrob1

This is standard. I've owned three gmt ii's (2- black 1-blnr) and they both had that from the time I purchased new. There have been some threads about in on here but no one really knows what it is and not sure we've ever received explanation from Rolex but it's a well known issue that most just don't worry about

Just wondering if you have done anything about this...I've had my Pepsi for a week now and similar issue seen with a large "mark" within the triangel

[GMT Aviator]

It’s nothing more than finger grease. It’s easily removed either with soap and a soft brush or it is defo removed using acetone dipped Q-tip. Simples.

[BobDyl]

12 years old. Recently serviced but the bezel / insert is of course original. I’d say Rolex did an amazing job here.

[Crazy Lugs]

Originally Posted by GMT Aviator

It’s nothing more than finger grease. It’s easily removed either with soap and a soft brush or it is defo removed using acetone dipped Q-tip. Simples.

This.

A dab of blue dawn and some water will take care of it. Don’t you guys ever clean the funk off your watches?!?

[kwingy]

Reviving this thread - I just picked up my 2021 Pepsi and noticed the triangle was dirty. Used the technique as described in this thread - cotton bud and nail polish remover - looks a hell of a lot better now. Thanks for the tip guys.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Lemonvr6

Unlike aluminum inserts where the entire thing wears away?

Well never had that happen on any of my aluminium inserts in over 20 years of hard wearing and very cheap to replace, which cannot be said for ceramic.

[Golden Ellipse]

Skin oils cause it. Shower, shampoo, toothbrush, fixed.

[rolexnyc718]

Oils from your fingers, just some foam soap and water and its as good as new, done it with my chnr.

[cbalster]

Originally Posted by rolexnyc718

Oils from your fingers, just some foam soap and water and its as good as new, done it with my chnr.

Is it safe to touch your Rolex?

[Golden Ellipse]

Originally Posted by cbalster

Is it safe to touch your Rolex?

As long as you recently washed your hands, are wearing linen gloves, and say a prayer of sanctification before you touch it.

[3581512]

Originally Posted by DJRikki

Seen this on a few pre owned watch sales pages - in the top 12 oclock position triangle the coating looks worn away or something.

Just wondering what causes this and if its repairable.

My GMT c is showing signs of almost going that way (and I just bought it last week - its a 2012 though).

Thanks

Rikki

I noticed this with my ceramic GMT when I first got it, it's not wear like what Padi wrongly assumed.
It's just grease/ dirt. I used a piece of scotch tape, pressed it on the area and peeled it up, do it a few times it should be gone.

[Robert Bruce]

The likely scenario: The large-ish open area of the triangle on the GMTs allows dirt and oils from the fingers and even clothing to touch the platinum coating. (On Subs, that can't happen due to the lumed 'jewel' at that location). In time, the unwanted contact could theoretically wear through the platinum coating. Annoying, but probably unavoidable.

[Rolex_Fan_]

I couldn't wait to get rid of mine once dirt or whatever it was started to build. Disappointing to be honest. Along with the Pearl on the sub bezel not lining up correctly with the 12 o'clock mark. Couldn't wait to sell them all and lesson learned.

[joli160]

I had this on my 116713LN, Q-tip with aceton and 10 seconds later gone.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Rolex_Fan_

I couldn't wait to get rid of mine once dirt or whatever it was started to build. Disappointing to be honest. Along with the Pearl on the sub bezel not lining up correctly with the 12 o'clock mark. Couldn't wait to sell them all and lesson learned.

Seriously ... you sold your Submariner and GMT?

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