Rolex Sub Ceramic bezels - how to spot?

[DJMC]

Am I correct in saying the new ceramic (wider font) GMT II bezel started from 2007, and 2012 on the Submariner?

How do you tell the ceramic and non-ceramic Sub bezel apart at a glance?

GMT II is easy to tell apart, but I struggle with the Subs.


Also, what would your ideal "value for money" Sub OR GMT II year be, assuming the normal market price for that year?

Why? Are there more modern features you prefer (bezel, bracelet), or do the older ones have something desirable the newer ones don't?

Thanks for any help.

[OGR4M]

For me, it's the finish of the colour itself. The ceramic bezel has a very glossy finish similar to that of 'piano black' dashboard trim, whereas the stainless (or aluminium, can't remember) bezels have a... well... stainless (or aluminium, can't remember) type of finish.

Also, AFAIK, the numbering and marking on the ceramic bezel is etched/eroded into the face, rather than the printed finish on the metal bezels.

[VGTICE]

DJMC said:

How do you tell the ceramic and non-ceramic Sub bezel apart at a glance?

6 digit reference ceramic subs have following changes over the 5 digit non ceramic ones
- maxi case
- maxi dial
- maxi hands
- non rattly bracelet
- milled clasp with glidelock adjustment

You can tell both apart really easily.

[don logan]

DJMC said:

Am I correct in saying the new ceramic (wider font) GMT II bezel started from 2007, and 2012 on the Submariner?

How do you tell the ceramic and non-ceramic Sub bezel apart at a glance?

GMT II is easy to tell apart, but I struggle with the Subs.


Also, what would your ideal "value for money" Sub OR GMT II year be, assuming the normal market price for that year?

Why? Are there more modern features you prefer (bezel, bracelet), or do the older ones have something desirable the newer ones don't?

Thanks for any help.

For me the fastest way with a GMT is the colour of the GMT hand

Fastest way for me with a Sub is the length of the crown guards, the vertical flt edge above and below the crown are far longer on the Ceramic model!

Most people will mention the big difference in bracelet quality (Sub and GMT) but it's not like the old ones don't last!

[DJMC]

VGTICE said:

6 digit reference ceramic subs have following changes over the 5 digit non ceramic ones
- maxi case
- maxi dial
- maxi hands
- non rattly bracelet
- milled clasp with glidelock adjustment

You can tell both apart really easily.

I'm thinking about when surfing and just looking at photos more than "hands on".

Perhaps I need a "spot the difference" type side by side comparison?

Ah... found one: https://www.bernardwatch.com/blog/rolex-submariner...

[VGTICE]

DJMC said:

I'm thinking about when surfing and just looking at photos more than "hands on".

Perhaps I need a "spot the difference" type side by side comparison?

Ah... found one: https://www.bernardwatch.com/blog/rolex-submariner...

That's a good comparison. The size of the lugs and crown guards plus dial markers plus hands really stands out. Also the clasp is totally different so that's the best way to tell them apart (unless someone did the swap).

[Wills2]

GMT is easy;



Sub again not hard:

[traffman]

The older pre ceramic sub as someone states has more slender lugs alongside it. The alloy bezel is duller and easier to mark.
My 14060. With tuna bracelet , its not as substantial as the latest bracelet.
Trust me when you go from an earlier bracelet to the newer one its a massive difference.
My 14060.

[traffman]

The ceramic sub has larger lume plots , also called Maxi pots...plots?
The case is larger and not as streamlined as the older Subs. Also the lume is a nice blue .
Theres plenty of other clues.

[Nigel_O]

Surely, one of the easiest ways to spot a ceramic Sub against a non-ceramic (especially for those not in the know) is that the markings on the bezel of the ceramic are recessed (ie you can feel them if you run a finger or fingernail over them), whereas on the non-ceramic, they are perfectly flat

[HaiKarate]

Only the minute hand on the SubC is maxi. On the GMTC both hands are maxi. On the DSSD both hands are maxi.

[don logan]

No more no date Sub pics please!

[OGR4M]

Nigel_O said:

Surely, one of the easiest ways to spot a ceramic Sub against a non-ceramic (especially for those not in the know) is that the markings on the bezel of the ceramic are recessed (ie you can feel them if you run a finger or fingernail over them), whereas on the non-ceramic, they are perfectly flat

Pretty sure someone already wrote that

[DJMC]

Nigel_O said:

Surely, one of the easiest ways to spot a ceramic Sub against a non-ceramic (especially for those not in the know) is that the markings on the bezel of the ceramic are recessed (ie you can feel them if you run a finger or fingernail over them), whereas on the non-ceramic, they are perfectly flat

I tried that, on my screen, but both bezels felt the same?

[bobbybee]

Easy, one looks like it was made by a mid range Swiss watch manufacturer, the other looks like it was made by either lego or fisher-price

Just my opinion of course, but the maxi case ruined the lines of a classic watch design

[OGR4M]

DJMC said:

I tried that, on my screen, but both bezels felt the same?

[Wills2]

DJMC said:

I tried that, on my screen, but both bezels felt the same?

Good job they both look different then and are easily identified.

[traffman]

don logan said:

No more no date Sub pics please!

They were for your benefit Don ! I know you've a soft spot for a nd.

[don logan]

traffman said:

don logan said:

No more no date Sub pics please!

They were for your benefit Don ! I know you've a soft spot for a nd.

You're trying to kill me!