Ceramic Bezel woe, with pictures

[mjrennie]

OK, sorry mods for starting again with this bezel insert pearl issue. I realise now that I cannot edit the title of yesterday's thread to say 'Pictures added', so I have taken the liberty of starting up again....as I now have pictures for everyone's consideration. Here is the damage, how it should be and a side-by-side comparison shot. We are leaving the cracked pearl until it falls apart. It is in one piece, albeit cracked. Surprisingly excellent clarity pictures from the new iPad3:

[77T]

That bodes ill for the new design with a tiny sapphire lens over the pearl. Sorry she had the mishap.

[jay1988]

I'm surprised Rolex can't just replace the pearl. It's quite annoying actually because unless I'm missing something it doesn't seem that difficult.

[Johny]

perhaps a wee spot of white nail varnish on it.

[ralpie]

If that watch was vintage, the cracked pearl would add character and value, "spider pearl".


I still maintain that you should keep it as is for now or do a cheap home repair as suggested by others. If it really bothers your daughter then maybe go for broke and have them put the new bezel in, small cost in relation to the watch being perfect I guess.

[Tools]

It's unfortunate that accidents like this happen, but they do..

The older pearls also got damaged and over the years we have seen lot's of complaints there too; so it shouldn't be an indictment on the ceramic models.

Unfortunately, accidents are not warranty issues and the expense for a new insert can get pricey.. I wonder if Rolex will negotiate a reasonable replacement price - it may be worth a call or visit to the RSC..

[ralpie]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's unfortunate that accidents like this happen, but they do..

The older pearls also got damaged and over the years we have seen lot's of complaints there too; so it shouldn't be an indictment on the ceramic models.

Unfortunately, accidents are not warranty issues and the expense for a new insert can get pricey.. I wonder if Rolex will negotiate a reasonable replacement price - it may be worth a call or visit to the RSC..

The older pearls did get damaged (or even fall out) but were much cheaper to replace. You wouldn't have to replace the bezel insert. Even if you did, the cost was lower than a ceramic bezel insert, which in my opinion is a ridiculously overpriced part.

I like what you said about negotiating though. Have they been known to be flexible on service pricing?

[Psmith]

As Larry says, it's certainly worth a chat with the RSC to see what they have to say. Don't rely on an AD - go straight to the Big House

I would be a little surprised/disappointed if the RSC could not fix the pearl without replacing the entire insert

I know that the pearl is a part of the Sub's 'iconic' look, but it's a shame that it could not be incorporated into the insert, like the Tudor Pelagos or the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms (which uses a sapphire insert)

[CoachRolexRyan]

This might be silly, but why not have a jeweler put a "real" pearl there or another round gemstone instead. That would STILL be cheaper than having the bezel replaced.

[Onikage]

This is the basis of my argument that the new ceramics are less servicable. Sure, the pearls have always been prominent and cracked, but why on earth does Rolex have to slam people for a whole new bezel? Gold bezel ring included. Cracked pearls are very common. What on earth are RSCs doing with the otherwise flawless bezel rings and ceramic inserts? Personally if it was me I'd rip the whole bezel off and keep it for the gold before I sent the watch in. I'm tight like that.

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by 77T

That bodes ill for the new design with a tiny sapphire lens over the pearl. Sorry she had the mishap.

The older aluminium inserts also had a sapphire pearl..didn't they?

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Johny

perhaps a wee spot of white nail varnish on it.

you could drop it on using the pointed end of a pin/needle. as well as making it look better i think that the nail varnish would also help to hold it all together.

[supertrooper]

Ouch!! What a dilemma. Spend top money for such a minor looking problem or keep it as it is. Personally, I'd keep it as it is for now.

On another note, like what a lot of the guys have been echoing out here, that's one reason why I can't justify getting a ceramic Rolex. Darn too expensive to fix them up when things like this happen.

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by Onikage

The older aluminium inserts also had a sapphire pearl..didn't they?

they did, and can be replaced with a new pearl

[Puffy]

aren't the pearls on the ceramic inserts glued on and can be removed and glued back on at high temperature?

[gwozhog]

Sorry for the bad news but RSC quoted me 2200 bucks in Jan for a new bezel. They have to replace the gold flute too.
On a positive note, your daughter has excellent taste in Subs. That one is my personal favorite.

[gwozhog]

What an incredible pic of the black sub and blue sub next to each other. Wish I had the luxury of choosing what color I feel like today. I always like the black a little more but still would like to own the blue.

[WyoWatch]

Ouch. Sorry to hear that. One way to look at it is that at first glance, it kind of looks like a diamond instead of a traditional pearl.... j/k ;)

[Time2time]

Yep the pearl is fixed solid to the insert. The insert may even have a hairline crack too.
I'd also leave it. Wait for service time then replace insert.

[stevedssd]

I had a similar experience with my Deepsea last year. After an uneventful day in the office I noticed the pearl was completely missing from the bezel, there was no visible sign of damage to the bezel and I hadn't been aware of knocking it during the day.

When examined at the RSC they stated it was due to impact damage on the setting. They were not prepared to repair it under guarantee which is fair enough but they were also not prepared to negotiate on cost. The replacement of the bezel on a DSSD cost £460 a year ago, not my happiest moment in Rolex ownership.

Unfortunately I now have an obsession for checking far too often to make sure the pearl is still there on the new ceramic!

[sig-x]

I Would replace it with a nice diamond. No way I would pay 2k plus for a entire new bezel just for the pearl.

[darkside7]

Originally Posted by sig-x

I Would replace it with a nice diamond. No way I would pay 2k plus for a entire new bezel just for the pearl.

Not a bad idea

[Silvio Mosiello]

Wow It looks like a diamond! Seriously..

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by sig-x

I Would replace it with a nice diamond. No way I would pay 2k plus for a entire new bezel just for the pearl.

A black diamond. Just to be different.

[ROGERWILCO357]

Man that would drive me nuts and I know your eye goes right there every time now sorry to hear of this and hope you get it worked out…good luck

[Mickey®]

Originally Posted by 77T

That bodes ill for the new design with a tiny sapphire lens over the pearl. Sorry she had the mishap.

There is a tiny sapphire lens over the pearl?

[Megalobyte]

I'm not one to nitpick...well maybe I am, but when they redesigned the Sub, they really should have considered making the pearl flush with the bezel. The way it sits, it's really an accident waiting to happen, only on the ceramic subs, it's not an easy, or cheap fix.

[Pup]

Originally Posted by CoachRolexRyan

This might be silly, but why not have a jeweler put a "real" pearl there or another round gemstone instead. That would STILL be cheaper than having the bezel replaced.

I imagine that although fractured, the lume in the pearl still glows in the dark. The "real" pearl will, of course, not glow....come to think of it, although unfortunate as a long-term durability issue, it may look pretty cool at full glow in the dark!

[mjrennie]

Originally Posted by gwozhog

What an incredible pic of the black sub and blue sub next to each other. Wish I had the luxury of choosing what color I feel like today. I always like the black a little more but still would like to own the blue.

It tends not to be an option. She prefers the black and I prefer the blue. We have swapped heads for a few days, but the black just does not do it for me. The blue was always my grail watch (16613 until the new 116613) so I don't really need to change. Also, it's stopping me buying a second watch just for me, so the wallet is sitting easier.

For now......!

[mjrennie]

Originally Posted by ROGERWILCO357

Man that would drive me nuts and I know your eye goes right there every time now sorry to hear of this and hope you get it worked out…good luck

It is not as bad as you might think. It looks OK and I can't say she notices it. I can hardly tell there is a problem either. But there is, obviously.