{"id":3128,"date":"2019-04-12T00:18:31","date_gmt":"2019-04-12T00:18:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/TheWatchClub\/?p=3128"},"modified":"2022-10-26T09:54:57","modified_gmt":"2022-10-26T09:54:57","slug":"pros-and-cons-of-ceramic-in-watches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/thewatchclub\/2019\/04\/12\/pros-and-cons-of-ceramic-in-watches\/","title":{"rendered":"Pros & Cons of Ceramic in Watches"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Ceramic in Watches: What are the pros and cons?<\/em><\/h1>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Gone are the days when watch materials are limited to steel and gold. Over the past half-century, major industry players have experimented with different materials \u2013 such as the lightweight but tough titanium, the mystical meteorite, and the distinctive-looking Carbotech.<\/p>\n

One of the most popular materials to date is ceramic. From patented ceramic bezels (like Rolex\u2019s Cerachrom) to full-ceramic watches, what exactly makes the material desirable \u2013 and what should you look out for?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s explore the pros and cons of ceramic in watches:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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from left: Omega Seamaster Cermet, IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar ref.\u00a03755, Rado Ceramica<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\u00a0A BRIEF HISTORY OF CERAMIC IN WATCHMAKING<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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On a quest to create scratch-proof watches, several companies experimented with the material as early as the 1970s. A few milestones were made before the 21st\u00a0<\/sup>century:<\/p>\n

1973<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 Omega began working on the\u00a0Seamaster<\/a> Cermet<\/strong><\/em>. Its case was made from their proprietary ceramic material\u00a0cermet<\/em>, made from aluminum oxide and tungsten carbide.Launched 8 years after, it was made available only through special order, and priced significantly higher than their flagship watch, the Speedmaster.<\/p>\n

1986<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 IWC Schaffhausen followed with the\u00a0IWC Da Vinci<\/a> ref. 3755.<\/strong><\/em> It was one of the first luxury watches made with a ceramic case; and the first perpetual calendar chronograph that used the material. It also came with a choice of a black or white case.<\/p>\n

1990<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Swiss brand Rado launched the\u00a0Rado Ceramica<\/strong><\/em>, the first watch to have a ceramic case and bracelet.<\/p>\n

While these watches were not commercially successful, they provided proof that working with ceramic presented many possibilities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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BREAKTHROUGHS IN CERAMIC WATCHMAKING<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
In the mid-2000s, watch industry heavyweights Rolex and Omega made several breakthroughs in the use of ceramic.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Rolex Submariner Hulk Green Dial Bezel Watch ref. 116610LV comes with a Cerachrom bezel<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Cerachrom<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 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. The diamond-polished surface gives it an exceptional lustre.<\/p>\n

Rolex GMT-Master<\/a> II \u201cBatman\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 In 2013, Rolex achieved what was thought of as impossible \u2013 to create a ceramic bezel with two colors, but produced as a single piece.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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pictured from left: Rolex GMT-Master II “Batman” ref 116710, and\u00a0Omega Speedmaster “Black Black” Dark Side of the Moon<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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It would have been easier to put two pieces of ceramic together, but Rolex went for the more difficult route. The process begins with creating the bezel as one color, and then adding the other color before the bezel hardens. The result is a bi-color, single ceramic ring, with no bleeding of color and gradual fading. Rolex is the only brand in the world to do this patented process.<\/p>\n

Omega Speedmaster<\/a> Dark Side of the Moon<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 In 2014, Omega launched the Dark Side of the Moon, an all-black Speedmaster. Made of zirconium dioxide ceramic, it was the first watch to have its main components, including the dial, crown, buckle, and pushers, to be made out of ceramic.<\/p>\n

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Other ceramic watches use DLC or PVD material to match the watch\u2019s ceramic body or bezel; the Dark Side of the Moon is crafted entirely from a single block of ceramic. A technical feat and one of Omega\u2019s greatest successes in recent \u00a0memory.<\/p>\n

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\nPROS AND CONS OF CERAMIC IN WATCHES<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
With the popularity of ceramic in watchmaking, you\u2019re probably considering adding a ceramic watch to your collection. Let\u2019s break down their pros and cons:<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Omega Planet Ocean<\/a> Master Chronometer 600M Watch with black ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel with orange rubber<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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PROS<\/strong><\/u><\/span><\/h2>\n

Resistance to wear and aging<\/strong>
\nCeramic 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.<\/p>\n

Lighter than metals<\/strong>
\nDespite its durability, ceramic is actually lighter than most metals and weighs close to aluminum on the scale. This makes ceramic comfortable and light on the wrist.<\/p>\n

Skin-friendly<\/strong>
\nAs most ceramic watches don\u2019t contain metals, they are also hypoallergenic. For people with sensitivity to metals, a ceramic case or bracelet is ideal.<\/p>\n

A good material for all-black watches<\/strong>
\nBlacked-out watches continue to gain popularity; and ceramic is a great material to use for these models. Unlike coated metal watches, the color of ceramic is a property of the material itself, making it more resistant to fading and wear.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Tudor Fastrider Black Shield Mens Watch with black ceramic case and matte black ceramic bezel<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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CONS<\/strong><\/u><\/span><\/h2>\n

Brittle and may shatter<\/strong>
\nThe main disadvantage of ceramic is that it can be brittle and may fracture if it falls from a certain height.<\/p>\n

Lack of unique appeal<\/strong>
\nCeramic watches hardly age, which is good if you want to keep a watch for the long haul. For some collectors however, the downside is the watch can be difficult to identify among other similar watches. They may also not be appealing to those who love vintage watches, whose fading, yellowing and patina give them appeal and character.<\/p>\n

Ceramic has quickly risen as one of the favorite materials of watch brands and it looks like it\u2019s here to stay. Brands have come up with visually interesting and innovative uses for the materials. We\u2019re just as excited as you are to see what\u2019s next.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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SEE MORE OF THE WATCHES IN OUR VIDEO:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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