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Old 10 June 2015, 04:10 AM   #1
lapince
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Ceramic

Hi all,

I will soon have a ceramic diver, very excited, one of the reasons why I always wanted one is that they are almost unscratchable, but of course in case of a serious shock or ding they can dent or break. I heard of some breaking the case, wanted to know if anyone already dented or broke a ceramic part, bezel, case, crown or pushers, and if yes how did it happen?

As I understand the ceramic used by AP is top notch, just on looks they explode the competition, and I'm sure they are very hard, but did hear some stories or watches being dropped on tile floors and breaking, has this happened to you or anyone you know?

I am not a die hard AP fan, I like many models but some less, but the AP ceramic is second to none, I saw a ceramic Pam last week, it's nice but it's only brushed ceramic, AP mixes brushed and polished with these vertical lines, it's clearly awesome, I'm glad I could secure a BNIB one from AP and would like to say that the AP customer service was top notch, Panerai is awful, at least in their Paris boutique, and can't say that Patek is great also, I was very surprised that they offered me a nice discount on a hot piece seeing I never bought an AP before, so for now only good impressions, can't way to be the 24th to get my diver

Thanks guys

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Old 10 June 2015, 05:17 AM   #2
singe89
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I've heard one or two reports about chipped/cracked ceramic. I can tell you that the ceramic bezels on my APs still look like the day I bought them. I've wacked my AP's ceramic bezels on a few door jams and also once pretty hard on a brick wall and there are no marks.
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Old 10 June 2015, 05:26 AM   #3
AK797
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Yes, very few reports here of cracked bezels. I am actually not such a fan of the look of brushed bezels actually, I prefer polished and on APs brushed SS/PM.
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Old 10 June 2015, 07:16 AM   #4
beer
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Would probably have to hit it so hard that if it was not there something just as costly would have been damaged
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Old 10 June 2015, 08:50 AM   #5
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Ceramic is resistant against scratching, but the material is more brittle than steel.
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Old 10 June 2015, 09:05 AM   #6
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I've struck my bezel (lightly) against a few objects (metal door knobs, granite counter edges, etc), and it looks fine.
But the bezel has inflicted 3 small chips on the edge of my desk, and with only light strikes.

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Old 10 June 2015, 09:39 AM   #7
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I was worried about this as well. So far I have not damaged my AP in any way (ceramic) however the titanium tang has some scratches but I am not concerned.

I have several friends with ceramics and all of theirs are still perfect after years of enjoyment.
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Old 10 June 2015, 10:21 AM   #8
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I have a scratch on my bezel. ill try and get a pic for you. very disappointed and I thought ceramic was indelible only to diamond.
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Old 10 June 2015, 11:45 AM   #9
codecow
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I touched my bezel on my desk today, still dead mint!
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Old 10 June 2015, 01:40 PM   #10
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To be honest, it is possible to scratch ceramic, esp by something just as hard or harder, such as diamond and another ceramic. Other than this, it is much more resilient than SS to scratches.
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Old 10 June 2015, 03:35 PM   #11
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To be honest, it is possible to scratch ceramic, esp by something just as hard or harder, such as diamond and another ceramic. Other than this, it is much more resilient than SS to scratches.
I have a very light scratch on my bezel, it was done by my coworker's steel Seiko.....
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Old 10 June 2015, 04:33 PM   #12
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Congrats in advance Arnold!
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Old 10 June 2015, 05:44 PM   #13
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By the look of that I'd stay away from ceramic.
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Old 10 June 2015, 05:48 PM   #14
lapince
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Quote:
Originally Posted by singe89 View Post
I've heard one or two reports about chipped/cracked ceramic. I can tell you that the ceramic bezels on my APs still look like the day I bought them. I've wacked my AP's ceramic bezels on a few door jams and also once pretty hard on a brick wall and there are no marks.
Well I am quite careful with my watches, so I think I should be fine, at least I hope

Quote:
Originally Posted by AK797 View Post
Yes, very few reports here of cracked bezels. I am actually not such a fan of the look of brushed bezels actually, I prefer polished and on APs brushed SS/PM.
I love ceramic bezels, it's what made me buy a Daytona, didn't and don't like them with metal bezel

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I have a scratch on my bezel. ill try and get a pic for you. very disappointed and I thought ceramic was indelible only to diamond.
No as I understand to anything as hard or harder, like the watch's crystal...

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To be honest, it is possible to scratch ceramic, esp by something just as hard or harder, such as diamond and another ceramic. Other than this, it is much more resilient than SS to scratches.
Thats what I heard too, that the real risk is chipping it or breaking but hard to scratch it...

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I have a very light scratch on my bezel, it was done by my coworker's steel Seiko.....
Man that sucks, how the hell is that even possible, must have been quite a shock to make a scratch, sorry that happened to you

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Congrats in advance Arnold!
Thanks Scott
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Old 10 June 2015, 05:50 PM   #15
lapince
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By the look of that I'd stay away from ceramic.
On the contrary, I've always wanted a ceramic watch, I don't have many activities in which I risk having a big shock so think it should be ok
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Old 10 June 2015, 06:00 PM   #16
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for me, the ceramic is a definite bonus, but the looks of the watch itself is what wins me over.
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Old 10 June 2015, 06:45 PM   #17
lapince
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I've struck my bezel (lightly) against a few objects (metal door knobs, granite counter edges, etc), and it looks fine.
But the bezel has inflicted 3 small chips on the edge of my desk, and with only light strikes.

Your FC doesn't chip off? I heard that FC bezels chip off like crazy, seen a few pics it's awful, for the case I don't know
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Old 10 June 2015, 07:15 PM   #18
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Scratch at 6 oçlock.
Buggered if I know how it got there.
Is anyone game to get a key out and attack there bezel for the sake of science???? When they replace over the next few weeks. hopefully I get this one back and I can do some tests.

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Old 10 June 2015, 09:01 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by grnman View Post
Scratch at 6 oçlock.
Buggered if I know how it got there.
Is anyone game to get a key out and attack there bezel for the sake of science???? When they replace over the next few weeks. hopefully I get this one back and I can do some tests.

Ouch. Have you asked AP what they could do about it?
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Old 11 June 2015, 09:32 AM   #20
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I still will take ceramic bezel over ss, but if you check my post you can see 2 tiny chips and also have scratch. Those sharp edges on the bezel are thin and will eventually chip. That's why the ceramic case scares me. Esp if you go to resell it. Bezel 2000 plus and case I think 6000+ . Things to consider
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Old 11 June 2015, 10:37 AM   #21
lapince
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Originally Posted by grnman View Post
Scratch at 6 oçlock.
Buggered if I know how it got there.
Is anyone game to get a key out and attack there bezel for the sake of science???? When they replace over the next few weeks. hopefully I get this one back and I can do some tests.

notcool, if we/I get c ceramic pieces the unscratchable factor is at least for 40%...
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Old 11 June 2015, 11:46 AM   #22
grnman
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Re my scatch above. I assume AP wont "fix" the damaged bezel but rather bolt on a new one.
Just like mainstream car dealerships these days. if you have a problem with your gearbox, they will put in a new gearbox rather than repairing the old.
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Old 11 June 2015, 12:19 PM   #23
benlee
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Re my scatch above. I assume AP wont "fix" the damaged bezel but rather bolt on a new one.
Just like mainstream car dealerships these days. if you have a problem with your gearbox, they will put in a new gearbox rather than repairing the old.
That's what I was told as well. Ceramic bezel cannot be polished out like RG or SS, only can be replaced. Cost is around 4K.. I have one light scratch on mine as well at 2o'clock but it is not obvious most of the time so I just leave it.
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Old 11 June 2015, 12:48 PM   #24
orangedial
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Congrats in advance!

Some teaser for you ;)

uploadfromtaptalk1433990890278.jpg

Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk
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Old 11 June 2015, 12:50 PM   #25
GB-man
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That's what I was told as well. Ceramic bezel cannot be polished out like RG or SS, only can be replaced. Cost is around 4K.. I have one light scratch on mine as well at 2o'clock but it is not obvious most of the time so I just leave it.
Oh man I guess I better treat the diver like any other AP to be safe. Bummer I was hoping to be able to relax a bit as with a rolex.
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Old 11 June 2015, 01:13 PM   #26
yachty 1
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That's what I was told as well. Ceramic bezel cannot be polished out like RG or SS, only can be replaced. Cost is around 4K.. I have one light scratch on mine as well at 2o'clock but it is not obvious most of the time so I just leave it.
Is the bezel 4k? Thought it was 2.
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Old 11 June 2015, 01:34 PM   #27
benlee
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Is the bezel 4k? Thought it was 2.
Yes, that's the latest quote from APSC in Singapore.
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Old 11 June 2015, 03:13 PM   #28
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Congrats in advance Arnaud. Excellent choice
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Old 11 June 2015, 05:17 PM   #29
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Scratch at 6 oçlock.
Buggered if I know how it got there.
Is anyone game to get a key out and attack there bezel for the sake of science???? When they replace over the next few weeks. hopefully I get this one back and I can do some tests.

this is not good, the color is different.
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Old 11 June 2015, 05:41 PM   #30
lapince
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Re my scatch above. I assume AP wont "fix" the damaged bezel but rather bolt on a new one.
Just like mainstream car dealerships these days. if you have a problem with your gearbox, they will put in a new gearbox rather than repairing the old.
You can't fix ceramic as I understand, it's very hard to scratch pr break but if it does you're in a world of pain…

Quote:
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That's what I was told as well. Ceramic bezel cannot be polished out like RG or SS, only can be replaced. Cost is around 4K.. I have one light scratch on mine as well at 2o'clock but it is not obvious most of the time so I just leave it.
NOOO Ben it's awful, totally wastes the watch, a replacement is urgent

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Congrats in advance!

Some teaser for you ;)

Attachment 629246

Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk
Thanks Wayne, the more I see it the more I love it, plus 42 perfect for me, 44 a tad big

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Congrats in advance Arnaud. Excellent choice
Thanks Mark
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