Ceramic bezel watches

[pistonheadforum]

A lot of the sub/GMT style are now using ceramic bezels rathar than metal.

For those who have had them for a while, are there any disadvantages in ceramic over steel or is it a solid upgrade?

They seem a bit more blingy and less understated (less tool-like) but I guess the unscratchability over time is worth this potentially.

Many thanks in advance.

Edited by pistonheadforum on Sunday 8th January 12:36

[chuck_ster]

Depends on if bling is your thing. I have aluminium bezel PO and SMP as well as ceramic ones..they are different but have their place. I think the technical advantage of ceramic is lume..check about a Pelagos shining in the dark.

[sidewinder500]

Main thing from a toolwatch-perspective, as you've stated, is probably scratch and fade resistance and the depth of the colors is better.
Indeed it is more blingy and let the manufacturers ask for more RRP, but when done good, the finish is great.

[gregs656]

Brushed ceramic is a nice compromise. I have a couple of polished ceramic bezels and they are quite reflective. The one brushed one I have is very nice and feels more tool like.

I am generally a fan of brushing over polishing though.

[mikey_b]

They aren’t necessarily expensive. I have a quartz Rotary with a ceramic bezel and it was £130. Obviously the overall watch is well short of the GMT Master II that it looks like (mine is a four-hander too), but there’s nothing wrong with it’s ceramic bezel.

[HTP99]

I love the ceramic bezel on my Christopher Ward, I've had the watch almost a year now, it is worn daily, not one mark on the bezel, I'm assuming this is due to it being ceramic as opposed to either steel or aluminium; much better at taking the knocks!

Edited by HTP99 on Wednesday 11th January 12:33

[Nick_MSM]

The ceramic on my AP is very nice, looks great in the sun and has held up perfectly over 3 years or so. Wouldn't want to crack it though, not cheap!

[pistonheadforum]

Thanks all - very useful.

Just watched some repair videos showing how to remove the bezel on a sub. Very interesting - seems relativly easy to replace them but I was wondering if the ratcheting mechanism is on the watch or the bezel insert?

Thanks in advance.

[andy tims]

We’ve all seen pictures of broken ceramic cased watches after they have been dropped. I don’t know if a bezel insert could break, but that is the only potential downside I can think of.

I’m a fan.