What is a ceramic Rolex?
James Craig
Updated on March 13, 2026
Over a decade ago, Rolex patented a type of ceramic alloy and named it “Cerachrom” where “cera” is from the word “ceramic” and “chrom” is from the Latin word for “color.” The new material made its debut on an 18k yellow gold GMT-Master II model in 2005 in the form of a black bezel.
Similarly, it is asked, does Rolex make a ceramic watch?
Cerachrom – In 2005, Rolex patented their own ceramic, dubbed Cerachrom, for use on the bezels of their Professional watches. Made from extremely hard ceramic material, it is virtually scratch-proof, and fade-proof.Apr 12, 2019
Similarly, when did Rolex change to ceramic? In 2013, Rolex created the first two-tone ceramic bezel, in blue and black, for the steel GMT-Master II nicknamed “Batmanâ€. 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.
Keeping this in consideration, what does ceramic mean in watches?
Ceramic watches are durable and very versatile in shiny metallic colours with smooth or ornate surfaces. Manufacturers of the latest Ceramic Watches make use of this advanced type of Ceramic to provide lightweight watches that are extremely strong and look and feel wonderful.May 1, 2015
Is a ceramic bezel worth it?
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.Mar 24, 2019
Related Question Answers
Does Rolex ceramic bezel scratch?
Rolex is another brand utilizing ceramics in their designs. The ceramic retains the color and is scratch-resistant; this means the bezel will always keep its “brand new†look. Making the two toned bezel requires a patented process that starts the bezel off as one color and then adding a second before it hardens.Which Rolex is best to buy?
Table of Contents:- Rolex Submariner.
- Rolex Oyster Perpetual.
- Rolex Explorer & Rolex Explorer II.
- Rolex GMT-Master & Rolex GMT-Master II.
- Rolex Datejust.
- Rolex Day-Date President Watches.
- Rolex Date.
- Rolex Sea-Dweller.
Why are there no Rolex Submariners?
There is a shortage on Rolex watches for many reasons but the main two simply are due to supply and demand. Rolex is by far the most popular watch brand so naturally demand will be high. The result of this inaction has lead to acquiring Rolex a competition between buyers across the world.Feb 19, 2021How do you check if a Rolex is real?
Rolex watches include a serial number stamped between the watch lugs at the 6 o'clock position. You will need to remove the bracelet in order to find this. An authentic watch will have a deeply engraved serial number. You should be able to hold it to the light and see a slight glow around the edges.Apr 25, 2019Which Rolex will be discontinued 2021?
In 2021, we believe that the Rolex Cellini line will be completely discontinued, with the exception of the most expensive iteration and most Rolex touted, the Cellini Moonphase.Mar 11, 2021When did Rolex Submariner get ceramic bezel?
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.Apr 2, 2021Are ceramic watches worth it?
Ceramic watches can withstand chemical erosion, and are anti magnetic. Their colours won't fade with the rays of the sun, the watch band won't tarnish with wear, and they are naturally water resistant, simply because of the material itself. This makes ceramic an ideal choice in water resistant and diver watch designs.Why are ceramic watches expensive?
However, ceramic is pretty much scratchproof, so in theory, a ceramic watch will retain its fresh looks longer. 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.Jun 7, 2018Can ceramic watches crack?
They just break when you hit them hard. If only they had been tougher, they could have been the best materials in the world for almost all applications. This low toughness means you should protect your ceramic watch from impacts, or it can shatter.Apr 18, 2012What is stronger titanium or ceramic?
Titanium is a lighter material, stronger than stainless steel and, in many situations, a better choice for durability than the ceramic. Ceramic is more scratch-resistant, but it's an overall more brittle material. And to a certain extent, that's also true with the titanium watch.Nov 24, 2019Is a ceramic watch easy to break?
As has been said (and will be said many times in this thread) - ceramic watches will crack and shatter easier than a stainless steel case. That much is true and there's no getting away from it. However, many people seem to think they shatter all the time.Aug 17, 2016What is ceramic watches made of?
It is more durable than the conventional materials and is made through scientific techniques of firing and glazing synthetic materials like aluminium, silicium, carbide, yttrium and zirconium. Swiss brand Rado was the first to use this exceptional material for designing timekeepers.Aug 1, 2014Is Titanium harder than ceramic?
Ceramic rings are slightly lighter in weight compared to Titanium and they are just as scratch resistant as Tungsten. According to the Mohs scale, which rates the hardness of materials on a scale of one to 10 with 10 as the hardest material, ceramic material rates a nine.Is ceramic harder than stainless steel?
The hardness of alumina ceramics is nearly three times that of stainless steel; silicon carbide is more than four times harder than stainless steel. This extreme hardness is one of many unique properties that makes Fine Ceramics "super materials" for modern technology.Is ceramic durable?
Ceramic is best known for its durability, but size and color variation among lots can make it difficult to use. Ceramic tile is rated from zero to five based on hardness; zero through two is suitable for wall tile, three is good for most residential uses, and four and five are hard enough for commercial applications.Is Rolex Hulk ceramic?
The Rolex Hulk had a ceramic bezel with a 40mm “Super Caseâ€. Both watches had the calibre 3135.Oct 24, 2020Does Rolex Submariner have a ceramic bezel?
The Rolex Submariner TodayRolex equipped them with a ceramic bezel, fat case lugs, and a new bracelet. Initially, Rolex only introduced these features to the Rolesor version (ref. 116613LB).
Sep 13, 2018Which watches have ceramic bezels?
In recent years Rolex has made a big switch on its sports watches from traditional stainless steel bezels to those made of ceramic. The GMT-Master II was the first watch to receive the ceramic bezel followed by the Submariner type watches and the DeepSea Sea-Dweller.Sep 24, 2018Who invented the Submariner?
And so, when Swiss physicist, inventor and explorer, Auguste Piccard took his Bathyscape deep-diving submarine down to a mind-bending depth of 3,131.8 meters, a specially designed Rolex went with it. The watch later emerged from the successful dive unscathed and keeping perfect time.Aug 18, 2020What is Rolex Cerachrom?
The name Cerachrom is a combination of words ceramic and chrom, the latter meaning color in Greek. The patented ceramic production technology of the brand stands out from its competitors in terms of both durability and aesthetics. The material, which Rolex uses in its sports category timepieces, was debuted in 2005.Oct 4, 2018What year did Rolex Submariner change?
Introduced in 2010, the 116610 replaced the 16610 as the date-equipped Sub in Rolex's lineup. It was replaced by the 126610 in 2020. Diameter: 40mm (thicker lugs and crown guards than previous gen.)Sep 2, 2020When was the first Submariner Rolex made?
Launched in 1953, the Submariner was the first divers' watch waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). Its rotatable bezel allows divers to read their immersion time.Do Aluminum watch bezels fade?
First and foremost, aluminum bezels fade, scratch and discolor, particularly when exposed to external factors such as sunlight, friction, saltwater, and sweat. This is actually a trait that is cherished by many vintage watch collectors, but it goes against Rolex's ethos of creating everlasting timepieces.May 14, 2021Can you polish ceramic bezel?
Ceramic surfaces are essentially a glaze. A very tough, slightly flexible, surprisingly thick glaze all things considered, but a glaze nonetheless. You can't polish it. Try to do so and you'll end up dulling or marking more of the bezel.Jan 8, 2012What causes a bezel to fade?
The paint on metal bezel watches will certainly fade over time; how much, depends on things like exposure to sunlight, humidity and temperature — the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight being the primary cause. Bezel finish is not “renewed†by the way, the bezel insert is simply replaced.Jan 2, 2020What are Rolex bezels made of?
Fun fact: on a Rolex watch, white metal fluted bezels are always in white gold, engine-turned bezels are always in steel, and white metal domed bezels are made from steel or platinum.May 30, 2018Are all Rolex fluted bezel gold?
Fluted BezelA fluted Rolex bezel is exclusively made in gold. Fluted bezels can be found on Datejust watches, Day-Date watches, Oyster Perpetual watches, and Air-King watches.
Jan 15, 2019Do aluminum bezels scratch easily?
Aluminum bezel consFirst and foremost, aluminum inserts fade. 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.
