Is it just me, or do Rolex diamond bezels look dull compared to other brands?

[DeeTee]

Specifically the DJ2 and DD2 models.
When I look at JLC, VC, etc the way the diamond bezels hit you is just brilliant. Unlike Rolex, where the diamonds kinda blend together and don't really pop.

Am I the only one who feels like this? Or do other manufactures do a better job at picking stones and settings.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by DeeTee

Specifically the DJ2 and DD2 models.
When I look at JLC, VC, etc the way the diamond bezels hit you is just brilliant. Unlike Rolex, where the diamonds kinda blend together and don't really pop.

Am I the only one who feels like this? Or do other manufactures do a better job at picking stones and settings.

They seem brilliant to me. Are you comparing in the same lighting?

[Canook]

maybe its the size they use? i haven't noticed them looking dull, i think its more the light they are under at the time... maybe?
My DJ for reference

[Onikage]

Rolex stones are pretty good but there are better. It wouldn't surprise me if higher end holy trinity type brands use better. The quality of Rolex setting is pretty hard to beat though.

[Abdullah71601]

Poor iPhone picture, but the stones seem to pop on this Daytona.

[henry333]

I thought Rolex only use top grade diamonds. So I'm pretty sure it's not the stone , should be the lighting

[liu_watch]

According to Rolex they only use internal flawless (IF) and colorless (D or close) stones. So in theory they cannot be bettered. But size and cutting of stone have more to do with how light reflects on the stones than their "quality".


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[GradyPhilpott]

I'm always astounded by the beauty and clarity of the stones Rolex uses.

I'm no expert and I'm not even a fan of diamonds on watches, but like I said, I never cease to be amazed.

[Chewbacca]

the setting has more to do with how a stone looks than the stone itself in many cases. a good setting can make a lower grade stone look high grade.

light has to travel through the stone (under, side, over etc...) to get its full potential. a flat setting doesn't do any diamond justice. neither does a busy dial or on the edge where light has to travel through the crystal and reflect of the face.

its a science in many respects.

[Solicitor]

Originally Posted by liu_watch

According to Rolex they only use internal flawless (IF) and colorless (D or close) stones. So in theory they cannot be bettered. But size and cutting of stone have more to do with how light reflects on the stones than their "quality".


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+1

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[faz]

I love the sparkle and shine of the diamonds on my wife's 31mm datejust bezel. High quality and great presence.

[DeeTee]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

the setting has more to do with how a stone looks than the stone itself in many cases. a good setting can make a lower grade stone look high grade.

light has to travel through the stone (under, side, over etc...) to get its full potential. a flat setting doesn't do any diamond justice. neither does a busy dial or on the edge where light has to travel through the crystal and reflect of the face.

its a science in many respects.

Good answer right there. I guess the way Rolex sets up their bezel just doesn't work. It's a shame, if they are IF diamonds that are VS1+ they defenitly arnt used to their full potential.

I've seen aftermarket work from good jewelers that blow factory Rolex out the water.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by DeeTee

Specifically the DJ2 and DD2 models.
When I look at JLC, VC, etc the way the diamond bezels hit you is just brilliant. Unlike Rolex, where the diamonds kinda blend together and don't really pop.

Am I the only one who feels like this? Or do other manufactures do a better job at picking stones and settings.

Well for the diamonds of that size on dials bezels its not going to make a huge difference in the price grade or how they pop like you put it.Rolex normally uses VS1 to VS2 or VVS1 to VVS2 stones colour E, F and G.But in general with diamonds .50ct and over thats when the big difference with clarity and colour jumps high in price. But these small 5-10 point diamonds when bought in quantity like Rolex does we are not talking huge prices per stone, its mainly down to the labour cost to set and try and match them thats the larger price cost.

[crowncollection]

Originally Posted by DeeTee

Specifically the DJ2 and DD2 models.
When I look at JLC, VC, etc the way the diamond bezels hit you is just brilliant. Unlike Rolex, where the diamonds kinda blend together and don't really pop.

Am I the only one who feels like this? Or do other manufactures do a better job at picking stones and settings.

Well you can't get much better diamonds pretty darn good IMHO










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[THC]

Great read David, and even better examples of absolutely gorgeous watches...

[77T]

In bezels, the diamonds won't "fire-up" the way people expect when they hear the word diamond. Interestingly, the artificial ones (that are obviously over bright in solitaire settings) show better in a bezel.
If Swarovski and Rolex ever partnered on a model treatment I think their crystals would fare almost as well in most bezel settings.
Peter is right about the cost being labor to get it right. When closely set, a few microns variance in setting the stones can make the bezel look uneven.


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[Solicitor]

Under the loupe they're flawless and colorless



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[Rocket_Man]

Flawless and Color don't affect light performance. That is 100% cut. Cut is King. An Ideal cut diamond acts like a reflector on a car, it sends light back the way it came. I notice in all the comments Rolex makes on its stones they don't talk about cut. An 'Ideal' cut stone has certain proportions, angles of the facets that may not be best suited to be mounted on a dial or in a bezel. So perhaps they cut them a little shallow and compromise the light performance a little to get the stone to sit lower and fill the setting more fully. High end diamonds, even in small sizes can have Ideal cut proportions and look awesome. My wife's custom engagement and wedding band has all Ideal cut stones, even some as small as ~.1ct and they have great light performance even in G or H color.

Personally I'm not a fan of diamonds on a Men's watch. I think they look great on a Ladies watch. My wife had one for a brief period before she sold it. We don't have it anymore, but looking back I don't really recall the stones being that impressive as a diamond, they were more just part of the ascetic of the dial. Not trying to overpower the dial with light reflections.

Maybe they tone the cut down on purpose to not be too much???

[johnnyjazz]

I think it depends on the canvas the diamonds are set on. Some other brands of watch particularly JLC Reverso have a beautiful shaped case that can highlight a row or rows of diamonds much better than a busy bezel. Only my opinion.

[10XRolex]

Comparison is in the eye of the beholder.