The first Rolex Submariner to be furnished with a ceramic bezel was the Submariner ref. 116619LB, which made its debut in 2008. Along with being the first Cerachrom Sub, the ref. 116619LB is also the first Submariner fashioned from 18k white gold.
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When did Rolex switch to ceramic bezels?
2005
In 2005, Rolex finally unveiled their first ceramic bezel watch. First seen on the 50th anniversary Rolex GMT-Master II ref 116710, it became an instant hit due to its scratch- and fade-resistant properties, deep color, and beautiful sheen.
What year did the Rolex Submariner change?
2020
The 11460 replaced the no-date 14060 in 2012, upsizing its case proportions — though keeping the same diameter — and introducing new materials, such as a Cerachrom bezel and Chromalight lume. It was replaced by the 124060 in 2020.
When did Rolex start ceramic bezel GMT?
In 2013, Rolex created the first two-tone ceramic bezel, in blue and black, for the steel GMT-Master II nicknamed “Batman”. The blue and black bezel is made of Cerachrom, Rolex’s patented version of ceramic; it is produced through a patented process of creating two colors out of a mono-block Cerachrom bezel.
What is the Submariner bezel made of?
Cerachrom bezels
ROLEX STEEL BEZELS
While current Rolex GMT-Master, Seadweller, and Submariner models now come exclusively with Cerachrom bezels, some collections are still outfitted with steel bezels — for example, the Rolex Explorer I and II, and the Air-King.
What is Rolex Submariner bezel made of?
In 2008, Rolex introduced the first Submariner models equipped with unidirectional bezels featuring Cerachrom inserts. Cerachrom is Rolex’s proprietary ceramic alloy that is not only highly resistant to scratching but also virtually impervious to fading.
Can you scratch a ceramic bezel?
The ceramic retains the color and is scratch-resistant; this means the bezel will always keep its “brand new” look.
Are ceramic bezels better?
Simply put, a ceramic bezel is widely known to be more reliable than a stainless steel bezel. It would help to keep this in mind when looking for your next timepiece as ceramic bezels do not scratch while their stainless steel counterparts are very prone to such damage.
Will ceramic bezel fade?
The advantages of Cerachrom ceramic include its resistance to scratching and fading — thus, the bezel should essentially remain the same a couple of decades down the line. The material is also prized for its look adding a distinct shine to the Rolex.
What is the most popular Rolex Submariner?
Rolex Submariner 16610
The Rolex Submariner 16610 is the most recognized of the Submariner watch series. This watch is so popular, that is one of the most frequently counterfeited Rolex watches. The Rolex Submariner 16610 began its production in 1989 and production ceased in 2010.
What year is Submariner 16610?
The Rolex Submariner 16610 was released in 1988 and was powered by the brands longest serving movement, the automatic Rolex calibre 3135 with date located at the 3 o’clock position. The watch was originally fitted with black glossy dials with T25 tritium hour markers and hands.
When was Rolex 16610 discontinued?
2010
The Rolex Submariner 16610 was first introduced in 1989 as a Date model with a water resistance of 300 meters (1000 feet). This particular model was produced until 2010 when it was discontinued and replaced with the Submariner Date 116610 model.
What does GMT mean for Rolex?
Greenwich Mean Time
GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time and is point “0” on the 24-hour international timezone scale. To put it simply, a GMT watch is a timepiece that displays both a 24-hour and a 12-hour timescale.
Why is it called the Batman Rolex?
The first Rolex Batman watch, released in 2013 and officially named the Rolex GMT-Master II, ref. 116710BLNR, was quickly given its nickname for the black and blue ceramic bezel around the watch dial, which was reminiscent of Batman’s classic comic book colours.
Which Rolex is called Pepsi?
From 1980 until 1988, the Rolex GMT-Master 16750 would become the third generation of Pepsi-nicknamed watches to hit the market.
How many Rolex Submariners are made each year?
1 million
Rolex makes some of the world’s most iconic watches, like the Daytona, Submariner, and classic Oyster. The Swiss company is believed to make roughly 1 million per year, each one by hand.
Is ceramic watch better than stainless steel?
Resistance to wear and aging
Ceramic is well-known for its exceptional hardness, especially when compared to steel and gold. They are also impervious to ultraviolet rays produced by the sun, which causes fading in other materials. These properties make ceramic virtually scratch-proof and fade-proof.
Why are ceramic watches so expensive?
Engineering ceramic to use in watches is not easy, especially when working with different colored ceramic alloys. This is why ceramic watches are typically more expensive than let’s say, stainless steel watches. Some brands also mix ceramic with other materials, such as gold, to create interesting alloys.
Why does toothpaste remove scratches?
Paste-based toothpaste acts as a mild abrasive that levels out the scratch, removing it or making it less noticeable.
How fragile is ceramic?
As structural ceramics and functional ceramics apply in machinery, electronics, chemical industry, metallurgy, energy, aerospace, and many other fields. But ceramics have an obvious disadvantage-fragility. The main reason is that the toughness of most ceramics is low, which leads to an increase in brittleness.
Do Rolex dials fade?
There will always be more vintage watches, but there will probably never be more tropical watches, because modern dials are unlikely to fade. Which is why a Rolex Submariner with a brown tropical dial can run about twice as much as a regular one. A unique provenance and a bonkers color can send the price even higher.