Can a black ceramic watch case become faded?

Ceramic doesn't fade. It's not a pigment coating, it's the material itself. What you're seeing is probably surface micro-scratches or residue buildup. Try a magic eraser.

Magic eraser? On a watch? That sounds like a terrible idea. It's abrasive.

Melamine foam is fine on ceramic. It's softer than the material. Don't use it on polished steel though.

I've seen this before on a friend's ceramic bezel. Turned out to be a vrey fine layer of something—maybe sunscreen or lotion residue that had baked on. A gentle wash with dish soap and a soft brush fixed it. But if it's actually grayish, could be microfractures? Ceramic is scratch-resistant but can chip or crack under impact.

Mine is 5 years old and still looks brand new. Maybe you're just bored of it? 😄

Ceramic can absolutely fade if it's not high-quality. Some cheaper ceramics have a dye or coating that wears off. What brand is it?

Sunlight can degrade some resins or coatings, but pure ceramic is UV stable. If there's a coating, maybe. Otherwise, it's likely just oils from your skin filling in micropores and making it look dull. Clean with isopropyl alohol.

IPA won't hurt ceramic. But don't soak it. Just wipe wipe.

I'd be careful with alcohol around crystal gaskets. Might dry them out.

Honestly, if it's not scratched and just looks slightly off, it's probably cleaning. Ceramic is inert. It doesn't fade like plastic. But some black ceramics are actually dark gray, and lighting can trick you.

Post a pic? Hard to diagnose without seeing it.

I had a black ceramic ring that faded after years of wear. Turned out it was just covered in tiny scratches from everyday abrasion with harder materials like diamond dust or sand. Ceramic is hard but not invincible. You might need to polish it—but that's tricky with matte finishes.