Rolex Ceramic Bezel VS Aluminum – Pros and Cons!
Rolex Ceramic bezel VS aluminum bezel. Which is best?
2005 saw the release of the first ceramic (Cerachrom) bezel insert from Rolex, introduced in the GMT-Master II ref 116718. Today, it is a standard feature in almost all Rolex watches featuring a rotating bezel.
The ceramic bezel replaced the aluminum insert which was previously used by Rolex and had been for many decades. Rolex’s pursuit of perfection leads the company to use new and long-lasting materials. Ceramic bezels are one such innovation, but is it really better than aluminum bezels?
Rolex ceramic bezel vs aluminum
Aluminum bezel cons
The reason why Rolex replaced the aluminum inserts with the ceramic was that Rolex saw the new inserts as superior. And while the aluminum inserts served Rolex long and well, they have a few flaws.
First and foremost, aluminum inserts fade. You can see vintage Rolex watches that feature an aluminum insert, and notice that in many cases, the color has started to fade, and in some cases changed color completely. Aluminum inserts are affected by external factors such as sunlight, friction, acids such as saltwater, and soon.
Whilst vintage watch collectors and enthusiasts love a faded bezel, it doesn’t align well with Rolex’s goal of making everlasting and longevity watches.
Another issue is that aluminum inserts scratch. It’s relatively easy to scratch an aluminum insert, and it’s more common to see a starched insert on a vintage Rolex watch than not.
Photo: https://www.lucamusumeci.com/content/article_detail.lasso?article=7581
Pros of the Aluminum bezel
Aluminum inserts have many pros. After all, Rolex used them for decades and decades.
Firstly, aluminum inserts are cheap to manufacture and easy to replace. If an insert gets damaged or worn out, you can easily have it replaced without breaking the bank.
Also, let’s not forget that vintage watch collectors and enthusiasts love the faded bezels as they bring character to a Rolex watch. The ceramic insert will not allow this, thus preventing any form of signs of aging on the watch.
A benefit of aluminum bezels that many watch enthusiasts and collectors love is the fact that they do age and fade. This is rather ironic considering this is the exact reason why Rolex moved to ceramic. Many enthusiasts enjoy the fact that the watch ages and shows natural signs of wear – that it gives it character. But most people, including Rolex, will see it as a flaw.
Rolex ceramic bezels cons
A big con for ceramic bezels is the fact that they are expensive to replace. Shall your ceramic bezel break, it will be an expensive lesson.
Furthermore, since they are more expensive than aluminum to manufacture, it also means that the actual cost of making a Rolex watch is higher, which the customers have to bear in the end.
Rolex ceramic bezels are also rather shiny, and if you want a more toned-down look, then you may view this as a con.
Rolex ceramic bezels pros
Rolex states that the primary reason for the introduction of ceramic bezels is that they help with the longevity of their watches. And this is absolutely true.
Ceramic does not fade like aluminum does, which means it keeps its luster and color for… well, forever. In Rolex’s own words ”Fashioned from extremely hard ceramic material, it is virtually impervious to scratches, and its color is unaffected by ultraviolet rays of the sun.”
Ceramic doesn’t scratch very easily, in fact, it is very difficult to scratch it. On the other hand, it’s not very difficult to shatter a piece of ceramic. For example, if you drop your watch or accidentally knock it against a hard surface, there’s a risk it will shatter. And as mentioned, replacing a ceramic bezel is not going to be cheap.
At the same time, the benefits of ceramic inserts far outweigh the downsides of the material, because otherwise, Rolex wouldn’t be using it. The good news is that most people will never shatter their ceramic bezels.
Therefore, as long as you don’t knock your bezel against a hard material, the non-scratching nature is a great feature of the ceramic bezel.
Lastly, we have the visual look of aluminum VS ceramic respectively. It comes down to preference, but ceramic is a shiny material. Aluminum inserts, on the other hand, are matte and more toned down. Some people prefer the toned-down and more sporty and rugged look of aluminum inserts. At the same time, others prefer the more refined and elegant look of ceramic bezels.
