Touching Up Submariner Bezel

[miket-nyc]

I've gotten a scratch on my bezel, which fortunately is on the black part and not on a number or line. (No idea how it happened). Here is a somewhat blurry photo of the damage https://www.flickr.com/photos/miket_.../in/datetaken/

This happened a couple of months ago, and I've been touching it up occasionally with a Sharpie, but that eventually wears off. Has someone touched up scratches like this with paint, and if so what kind do you recommend?
And in case someone suggests it, no, I am not interested in replacing the bezel.

[envuks]

Out of curiosity why are you against replacing the bezel insert? Seems like a better solution than a sharpie

[Tools]

Aluminum inserts are anodized.

There are a few companies that do sell touch-up pens that may work better than a sharpie.

Look into Birchwood Casey Anodized aluminum touch-up pens.

[dchernikoff]

I wonder if Rolliworks handles this kind of thing (restoring scratched aluminum bezels)? Anyone know?

-Dan

[Marast-66]

That is the reason why I let go my 5 digit , and jump in ceramic


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[jimcameron]

Just wear it as is. It's a watch. If they are worn they get dings. Be happy you didn't fall into the false spell of the "ceramic". They get a ding and shatter.

[nicon]

Aluminium replacement bezels are so cheap a wouldn't bother with any restoration.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by miket-nyc

I've gotten a scratch on my bezel, which fortunately is on the black part and not on a number or line. (No idea how it happened). Here is a somewhat blurry photo of the damage https://www.flickr.com/photos/miket_.../in/datetaken/

This happened a couple of months ago, and I've been touching it up occasionally with a Sharpie, but that eventually wears off. Has someone touched up scratches like this with paint, and if so what kind do you recommend?
And in case someone suggests it, no, I am not interested in replacing the bezel.

Just get a new insert cost around $75 direct from Rolex,now if it was a ceramic insert cost would be around $300 one of the many disadvantages of ceramic.

[Marast-66]

Originally Posted by padi56

Just get a new insert cost around $75 direct from Rolex,now if it was a ceramic insert cost would be around $300 one of the many disadvantages of ceramic.

Many disadvantages?


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[Hibbyx]

Last time I replaced a ally bezel a few years back it was £35, not worth messing about if it bothers you replace it

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Marast-66

Many disadvantages?


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Correct quite a few posts on forum about cracking, shattering, letters fading and very costly to replace would call that a disadvantage.

[Bozack90]

Originally Posted by padi56

Just get a new insert cost around $75 direct from Rolex,now if it was a ceramic insert cost would be around $300 one of the many disadvantages of ceramic.

I am with you, I'd rather deal with a scratched aluminum bezel with a low cost to replace than a cracked ceramic insert....one reason I'd never sell my F series Sub

[1665fan]

Long live the 5 digits!!! I would leave it as is if it was the original insert.

[Chester01]

I have a 5 digit and they wanted to polish and replace the bezel. I told them to jump in a lake. The scratches and dings are from living life my friends.

[Marast-66]

Originally Posted by padi56

Correct quite a few posts on forum about cracking, shattering, letters fading and very costly to replace would call that a disadvantage.

That can I understand , you have right, one of the reason why I choose ceramic over 5 digit sub was also magnificent glidelock clasp - but taste can vary- somebody don‘t like scratches on bezel, someone is afraid of cracking ceramic , alltogether I think that new ( ceramic sub ) is better watch. That is just my opinion


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[REFZ]

Don't do anything about it and wait till it is time for a service and get a replacement insert. Simple as that.

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[904VT]

Originally Posted by dchernikoff

I wonder if Rolliworks handles this kind of thing (restoring scratched aluminum bezels)? Anyone know?

-Dan

Aluminum bezels are extremely cheap replacements. Not sure it would be worth their time unless some vintage job where a client wanted manufactured wear finish aka fake patina.

[dba]

Leave it until it's time for service.

[miket-nyc]

Originally Posted by 904VT

Aluminum bezels are extremely cheap replacements. Not sure it would be worth their time unless some vintage job where a client wanted manufactured wear finish aka fake patina.

$75 is "extremely cheap?!?" Maybe if I only did it once, but if I'm buying a new one every time I get a scratch, I'll stick with my sharpie.

Also, do you folks mean $75 installing it yourself? What's the cost for Rolex or some watchmaker to install one? ( Or is it so simple you could install it yourself?)

[nevergiveup]

Also a dissadvantage a lot of the pips get knocked out on the ceramic bezels they stick out to far !

[padi56]

Originally Posted by miket-nyc

$75 is "extremely cheap?!?" Maybe if I only did it once, but if I'm buying a new one every time I get a scratch, I'll stick with my sharpie.

Also, do you folks mean $75 installing it yourself? What's the cost for Rolex or some watchmaker to install one? ( Or is it so simple you could install it yourself?)

Below a picture of my own working tool SD was used and sometimes abused for many years underwater as a real working tool watch with well over 600 hours underwater.And watch has seen more use and scratches than most of today's Rolex watches will see in ten lifetimes.Yet in all those years of a hard working life just one insert change cost then £25 even then not really badly scratched.Inserts were meant to be changed and a DIY job takes around 15 minutes and plenty to tutorials on the net on how to do it.

Picture taken after last service in Singapore

[Onikage]

If you think you'll scratch it again you should probably just leave it. You really need to be more careful to be honest. These were once meant to be tools to be used and maintained but since you won't buy a new insert..

[Brew]

Doesn't sound like this is a good watch for you.

[joli160]

It's called patina, step over it

[Roddypeepa]

Let’s be real here: ceramic is far tougher, far more chemically resilient, far more scratch resistant. It’s not affected by UV, chlorine, mild fluctuations in ph. If I take a tumble and shatter my wrist, I might need to replace the ceramic bezel which is peanuts. Never mind they crystal and movement. I get people prefer the look of Al bezels which are anodised but let’s not pretend it’s a superior material because in virtually no sensible measure is it superior to ceramic. None apart from it’s altered under uv light and it survives a fall which puts normal human beings in hospital. Get real.


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[dunkin]

the sharpie to touch up life hasn't been made yet my friend.

[Ihatecheese]

Continues with the pen or get a better one I'd say. Then wear a g shock for future messy stuff. It won't be the last time u scratch unfortunately and the cost isn't ideal to swap out every time if it bothers you.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Roddypeepa

Let’s be real here: ceramic is far tougher, far more chemically resilient, far more scratch resistant. It’s not affected by UV, chlorine, mild fluctuations in ph. If I take a tumble and shatter my wrist, I might need to replace the ceramic bezel which is peanuts. Never mind they crystal and movement. I get people prefer the look of Al bezels which are anodised but let’s not pretend it’s a superior material because in virtually no sensible measure is it superior to ceramic. None apart from it’s altered under uv light and it survives a fall which puts normal human beings in hospital. Get real.


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Well I have been using and wearing aluminum inserts for around 30 odd years and most were used as working tools.In salt water, fresh water, ,chlorinated water, very high UV sunlight, high temperatures many different PH in many seas around the world.With one watch with well over 600 hours underwater yes some aluminium insert did fade mainly the blue/red coloured ones.And in all those years of wearing most had a hard life only changed one insert cost £25.With today's mainly pampered Rolex watches which most have never been tested as proper tools in any of the environments quote by yourself. Until they have been tested just cannot see why ceramic is in any way superior except for being very overpriced.And if you think that replacement bezel insert is peanuts starting price from around $300 and upwards plus not a DIY fit thats a lot of peanuts for what it is.

[Roddypeepa]

Point is if ceramic shatters, so does the crystal most likely and the movement possibly damaged so cost of replacement of ceramic on top of having that work done is peanuts. I’ve banged mine on wood doors that would be taking gouged out of al. Only damage has been to the door. It’s plenty tough enough.


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by Roddypeepa

Point is if ceramic shatters, so does the crystal most likely and the movement possibly damaged so cost of replacement of ceramic on top of having that work done is peanuts. I’ve banged mine on wood doors that would be taking gouged out of al. Only damage has been to the door. It’s plenty tough enough.


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A quite recent post by one that actually used his watch as it was intended for and not like most of today's pampered Rolex watches.No chance, I’m a saturation diver and loads of my workmates have had a shock with the deep sea on the first service, new crystal and bezel insert every time with crystal bezel slightly marked, most of the lads have just left them in the box after getting them back, average price has been £1600+ so is ceramic a so superior material plus there are many others on forum.And many reports on forum with shattered ceramic bezel inserts only, and none with crystal broken too at same time.