904l?

[RolexDaytona91]

Just checking to see if EVERY SS rolex is made from 904L steel, since im in the market for my first rolex it will be relatively cheap (by rolex standards!) but I still want to make sure im getting a high quality steel and not something like 440A.

Thanks,

~Andrew

[dcash0615]

To my knowledge all SS models that Rolex makes currently are made with 904L steel.

[Z-Sub]

only the oyster case.
I thought the case back and the bracelet was of different grade of SS so it's less likely to cause skin reaction to the chromium content of 904L

[jnewell]

"Vintage" watches were not 904L...but I don't think anyone thinks they're "relatively cheap" or not "high quality"

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Z-Sub

only the oyster case.
I thought the case back and the bracelet was of different grade of SS so it's less likely to cause skin reaction to the chromium content of 904L

The entire watch is 904L steel to the best of my knowledge.....the bracelet as well!!

[Armand]

Since when are Rolexes made of 904L?

thx, Hermann

[Incurable]

I thought I read (here) that the bracelets are 316??? Wouldn't hurt to clear up any dis-information on this. To the OP, there are a number (some heated) discussions about the virtues of 904L vs 316... Try a little searching

[wuzzzer]

The newest Rolexes are all 904L. As the SS models have been redesigned over the past few years they are now 904L bracelet and case instead of 904L case only as they previously were made.

[SS Oyster]

904L is far superior because it doesn't react to chemicals in the body or in saltwater. This keeps the case and bracelet looking like new for the next 50 years. Some earlier models were not of 904L and when you look at them opened, you see some corrosion right where the case back meets the case, compromising the waterproof integrity of the watch.

[Z-Sub]

Better than I thought!

[scottschoe]

Originally Posted by RolexDaytona91

Just checking to see if EVERY SS rolex is made from 904L steel, since im in the market for my first rolex it will be relatively cheap (by rolex standards!) but I still want to make sure im getting a high quality steel and not something like 440A.

Thanks,

~Andrew

'High quality steel' is all marketing hype. I've read that a member actually analyzed the steel in his modern Rolex and found that it was a mix of 904 and 316.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

'High quality steel' is all marketing hype. I've read that a member actually analyzed the steel in his modern Rolex and found that it was a mix of 904 and 316.

Would 100% agree with you there is nothing magical about 904L fact in many many ways 316L is better.Fact the majority of the Swiss Japanese watch manufactures and many high end brands brands use the normal 316L if there was any advantage in using 904L don't you think they would all be using it.The only main fact is that it cost more than the 316L a pure marketing ploy And many industries use 904L in Processing plant for sulphuric, phosphoric and acetic acids Pulp and paper processing,Components in gas scrubbing plants,Seawater cooling equipment,Oil refinery components,plus many others.

From article on net
Quote from Rolex employee in 2002.
At the moment, we have several companies all over the world, serving our needs for stainless steel. The watch case backs and bracelets are all made of X2CrNiMo17-12-2 S.Steel which by the way is the code for 316L and is the best compromise between the attributes of the variant materials. As usual, the steel is melted under vacuum, so we get an very pure base, which is easy to handle and allows almost perfect polishing. I think, the same procedure as in every good gold smelting company.Well as we all know 904L has a quite high nickel content, and nickel can be quite irritant to skin.And as far as I am aware only certain parts of Rolex are 904L the rest according to a Rolex employee the more common 316L.But would doubt if Rolex would say that because 904L,is approx 3 times more expensive than the more common 316L.And we all know more expensive or bigger,deeper rated etc is always better don't we.Just like it takes 12 months to make a Rolex.Or Carlsberg is the finest lager in the world properly all just b#llsh#t pure hype and marketing words

[CVerKuilen]

Where do you guys come up with this conspiracy theory stuff? From what I know just about all watches 10 years old and newer are 100% 904L. For you guys that are skeptical, take your newest purchase to a friend with a mass spectrometer, and stop going on hearsay!

[Armand]

Originally Posted by CVerKuilen

Where do you guys come up with this conspiracy theory stuff? From what I know just about all watches 10 years old and newer are 100% 904L. For you guys that are skeptical, take your newest purchase to a friend with a mass spectrometer, and stop going on hearsay!

From where do you know that?

Can you quote a source?

Mine is from 2002 ( bought, may have been made in 2001, a GMT II ) and I would like it to be 904L!

Just so it´s a "special" steel, 316 is tooooo common!

;-)

Hermann

[f16570]

They are supposed to be 904L, so why would Rolex choose otherwise?
Someone somewhere will have tested a watch and if it had not been 904L then the cat would be well and truly out of the bag by know.

[kriesch]

As far as I know the case is manufactured from 904L and bracelets 316L.
Check it out...
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=az_P_N...eature=related

[wuzzzer]

Did anyone not read my comment above? You can take it to the bank.

[Incurable]

Originally Posted by wuzzzer

The newest Rolexes are all 904L. As the SS models have been redesigned over the past few years they are now 904L bracelet and case instead of 904L case only as they previously were made.

Originally Posted by wuzzzer

Did anyone not read my comment above? You can take it to the bank.

I did... I guess I have to ask, define "newest"??

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by kriesch

As far as I know the case is manufactured from 904L and bracelets 316L.
Check it out...
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=az_P_N...eature=related

Nowhere in that video does it say that the bracelets are NOT made of 904L steel. The video only talks about the cases.

To the best of my knowledge, the entire watch is made of 904L steel.

JJ

[Incurable]

Can folks please cite their references?

[RsqVet]

Folks.... much ado about NOTHING; every watch and every part of every watch we are discussing here (except the SD) is also made out 18k gold.

Gold is weaker, it scratches easier, it dents easier, it wears easier. So for the love of god, if 18k will do surely whatever stainless will do as well.

I too agree that 904 over 316 is 90% marketing hype and BS, if we start seeing the same wear / corroshion / pitting at the O-ring interface on cases in 15-20 years that we see on the old subs then I will say 904 is 100% BS, as this is the only advantage that I see.

[Armand]

Originally Posted by Incurable

I did... I guess I have to ask, define "newest"??

Thas EXACTLY what I wanted to know!

Since >> WHEN <<, either case, or total watch?

Hermann

[unclesallie]

panties in a bunch over THIS?
c'mon guys, relax.

[jnewell]

With all these interesting revalations about the superiority of 904L, I will be looking for the price of vintage watches to crash!

[entropydave]

Originally Posted by CVerKuilen

Where do you guys come up with this conspiracy theory stuff? From what I know just about all watches 10 years old and newer are 100% 904L. For you guys that are skeptical, take your newest purchase to a friend with a mass spectrometer, and stop going on hearsay!

[wuzzzer]

All the newest SS models with polished center links have 904L bracelets along with the new Air-King that still has the brushed bracelet.
Source: A Rolex rep.

[Jimbits76]

To me....

Steel is steel is steel.

As long as it keeps the water out and can be regularly polished I don't care what kind of steel it is made from!

J

[Armand]

It´s just the usual interest in all Rolex related issues.

Otherwise we probably wouldn´t be there at this forum.

As an engeneer I find it interesting, that there is a steel, wich contains nearly 50% alloys! Half of that "steel" is Chrome and Nickel!

I always thought the aim was to "better" the steel with as few %s of alloy metals as possible, as these are expensive.

If 904L polishes better and is more corrosion resistant against sweat and seawater or chlorinated water, it´s very - ok with me!

Hermann

[Incurable]

For the record, I don't view this as an obsessive and useless query. I view it more as fact finding. The only problem is, the facts are hard to substantiate w/Rolex being so tight lipped. Hearsay and opinions are plentiful, facts not so much...

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Incurable

For the record, I don't view this as an obsessive and useless query. I view it more as fact finding. The only problem is, the facts are hard to substantiate w/Rolex being so tight lipped. Hearsay and opinions are plentiful, facts not so much...

Very true, Pat.....but haven't Rolex always been claiming that their bracelets are crafted as carefully as the rest of the watch and with the same material?

Just something I've heard very often!!