Aluminum, ceramic, or sapphire bezel inserts?

I’d certainly try a sapphire, since I have managed to definitively scratch the other two.

Prefer ceramic over aluminium, not tried a sapphire yet.

I agree and that's why I voted sapphire. I love the look of aluminum, but prefer the scratch resistance.

During the late 80s EBEL launched some very interesting looking timepieces including a quartz diver that I really liked despite the movement. The bezel was clad in a thin sapphire ring that cracked when I touched a concrete wall during a work project. There was no agent here in Canada so the watch was shipped to New York. Expensive repair, I sold the watch to a friend after it was returned to Canada. It was not the material, rather the design that was flawed.

That's good to know. I can see where sapphire would crack if the execution wasn't done right.

I would not say not done right but the ring was very thin fitted over an aluminum ring with gold accents, crazy expensive. Ebels were very neat.

I'm not a fan of shine.

Matte ceramic is really cool, but ceramic can also be polished to Producer Michael level standards of bedazzlement. It wasn't clear which version I was voting on, so I chose Aluminium as they're always lovely warm colours, usually matte and patina nicely over time.

Yes

Hardened submarine steel

Ceramic for durability but as we have seen all ceramic bezels are not created equal, some have problems. The colorful aluminum bezels also appeal to me as well as sapphire.

I used to prefer ceramic bezels, but since I bought a Sea-Dweller 16600 from 2000, I really really like the looks of Aluminium.

Really love ceramic inserts. I love wearing my watches, but i also love having my watches in nice condition, so a ceramic bezel really helps to keep scratches at bay and keeps my watch looking fresh 🔥

My latest purchase is a Momentum Sea Quartz 30 with a sapphire bezel insert. So for it's been fine but I'm known for hitting door knobs with my watches as I walk by so we'll see. Momentum has recessed the bezel insert a bit; the outer metal edge of the bezel stands proud of the sapphire by a fraction of a millimetre so I think that will protect it.

i like aluminum. i like it to age and get beat up a little.

I don't have one but I love the way the bezel looks on the Longines Ultra Chron.

voted ceramic but it's got to be matte.

TBH steel bezels are my fav

I love ceramic, I'm pretty rough on my watch and would scratch aluminum. That would drive me crazy and piss me off. I do like the look of sapphire and may honestly consider it in the future.

I'm a sucker for a faded aluminum bezel. They just pick up so much character over time. Hope to one day achieve it on my 856.

Sapphire.

I a sapphire bezel on my CW Aquitaine. Great look…

Could always go with the classic Vostok diver bezel insert made from 100% genuine plastic 🤣

I prefer sapphire, personally. Months and years later, they're still in perfect condition. Ceramic and aluminum can, and likely will, scratch - especially the latter. Aluminum is good, too, especially if you're going for a vintage vibe; my OSD300 has an anodized coating on its aluminum bezel and, years later, it's still scratch free.

If I were you, I wouldn't worry in the least - especially considering it's recessed relative to the bezel edge; this essentially ensures it will likely never endure any direct impact. By the same token, double domed sapphire crystals are even more durable than their flat counterparts - any impact is dispersed outward from the crystal's high center point.

You won't be disappointed when you do.