What does “Pre-Ceramic” mean?

Pre-ceramic describes sports watches made before a brand switched to ceramic bezels, usually meaning models with aluminium bezel inserts. For Rolex, it covers models such as the Submariner Date 16610 and the GMT-Master II 16710, produced until the move to ceramic in the second half of the 2000s.

Aluminium inserts fade, scratch and dent over time. Some collectors prize an evenly faded insert that has turned a softer colour, sometimes called a 'ghost' or faded insert, while others prefer a crisp, unfaded one. Because inserts are easy to replace, originality is hard to prove, and dealers often note when a period-correct spare is included. Pre-ceramic watches also differ from their successors in other ways, such as slimmer lugs, older movements and lighter bracelets, which some buyers actively prefer. State the insert's condition clearly in any listing.

Example: '16610, pre-ceramic, original insert with an even, light fade.'