Page 1 of 2

Is the red, ceramic bezel going away?

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 12:48 pm
by albionphoto
I listened to the Bristol GTG via YouTube. During this GTG I am sure that Mike France said that the red, ceramic bezel was going to gently fade away. The reason given (I think) was that the bezel manufacturer claimed that it was too difficult to make. Mike said that CW had offered to buy the "chemicals" (presumably ZrO2 and pigments) but even that had been turned down.
There seems to be a lot of love for the red bezel here. Did I hear correctly?

Re: Is the red, ceramic bezel going away?

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 12:51 pm
by Thermexman
Yes you heard correctly. I think he closed the topic by saying “get them while you can!”

Re: Is the red, ceramic bezel going away?

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 12:52 pm
by albionphoto
Thanks Steve. I'm not really into the red bezels but this might be a topic of interest for those who do want one.

Re: Is the red, ceramic bezel going away?

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 1:43 pm
by Mikkei4
Be good if they did a farewell short run of white dial/red bezel Tridents.

Re: Is the red, ceramic bezel going away?

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 6:14 pm
by DEV.Woulf
I think we knew something was up when the red/black didn't come out in 40mm. I actually have loved the red since 2015 when the Mk II Tridents came out. I never bought one but have always wanted it. I have a Moonglow on topic but maybe that will have to wait? Decisions, decisions.... :-k

Re: Is the red, ceramic bezel going away?

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 6:50 pm
by Lavaine
Mikkei4 wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2019 1:43 pm Be good if they did a farewell short run of white dial/red bezel Tridents.
Good call. Definitely the best red bezel style.

Re: Is the red, ceramic bezel going away?

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 6:52 pm
by Mike2795647
I’ve just managed to snag a 38mm red bezel mk3 trident in the nearly new section so glad now if it’s going to potentially fade away

Re: Is the red, ceramic bezel going away?

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 10:05 pm
by Gasman
I had a red bezel Tudor that I sold to make way for another watch. I have had sellers remorse on that one so may try to add a red bezel CW to replace it if I come across one. :thumbup:

Re: Is the red, ceramic bezel going away?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 3:50 am
by Squalus
Did CW mention if they are going to keep some spares?

Re: Is the red, ceramic bezel going away?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 1:37 pm
by albionphoto
^^Squalus
They didn't mention spares. We've been told that CW are much more aware of the need to keep a pile of spares available as their watches age (comment made at London GTG, I think). A ceramic bezel is a tough piece of kit. I suspect that anything that can destroy a ceramic bezel will probably damage a watch catastrophically too. In that case, spares don't apply; merely tears.
The question is, "how long will a pile of spares last?". At this point I doubt that a CW watch is going to be an heirloom piece that can be enjoyed by your grandchildren in fifty years time, but I might be wrong.

Re: Is the red, ceramic bezel going away?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 1:45 pm
by what-time-is-it
Gut feeling is they will simply use up the stock they have for Red bezel Tridents, or create a limited edition 'celebrating' the last few remaining - they've done that before with cases, so I could easily see them doing something like a white dial/red bezel mk3 to clear out.

Re: Is the red, ceramic bezel going away?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 2:10 pm
by Thegreyman
what-time-is-it wrote: Wed Nov 13, 2019 1:45 pm Gut feeling is they will simply use up the stock they have for Red bezel Tridents, or create a limited edition 'celebrating' the last few remaining - they've done that before with cases, so I could easily see them doing something like a white dial/red bezel mk3 to clear out.
If you are right then I will be in there. I do regret selling my 43mm red/white mk2, now if they did a mk3 LE in 40mm 8)

Re: Is the red, ceramic bezel going away?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 2:29 pm
by DEV.Woulf
I imagine any more versions would be released in 38mm or 42mm since that's the actual stock they have left. The 40mm bezel was never produced; sadly. I really wanted one but I guess I could pony up to the 42mm since it wears smaller now.

Re: Is the red, ceramic bezel going away?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 3:16 pm
by Thegreyman
Devarika Woulf wrote: Wed Nov 13, 2019 2:29 pm I imagine any more versions would be released in 38mm or 42mm since that's the actual stock they have left. The 40mm bezel was never produced; sadly. I really wanted one but I guess I could pony up to the 42mm since it wears smaller now.
Good point, I'd probably also go for a 42mm, definitely wears smaller than the 43mm mk2. confirmed by trying one on at the GTG

Re: Is the red, ceramic bezel going away?

Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2019 3:22 pm
by Mikkei4
38mm GMT Red bezel in Clearance