Porous Rolex Steel?

[ashgate]

i have a 2002 (Y) steel datejust. 36mm. i noticed what seemed to be a deep mark on the case (9/o'clock side) so recently had it very lightly cleaned/polished by a working jeweller to examine the area, it appears to us now that it may well be a small area that the actual steel is Porous, and if fact not a damage. Does anyone know about this? i can't find anything about this happening to rolex cases. The marks would certainly not have been that localised if it is a damage, as elsewhere on the watch there would have been severe damage judging by these marks, and there is no sign of this at all. Is there any record of how rolex behave in these situations, do they admit its porous and replace the case??
see pics attached.

[Baselman]

How can solid steel be porous this is ridiculous are you sure your case is an original Rolex or you picked it up used somewhere dodgy. If you purchased from AD show him and he'll send to RSC - porous steel funniest thing I've ever heard.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Baselman

How can solid steel be porous this is ridiculous are you sure your case is an original Rolex or you picked it up used somewhere dodgy. If you purchased from AD show him and he'll send to RSC - porous steel funniest thing I've ever heard.

Pitting is just one example of how metal can be porous. Embrittlement, poor melting when formed are other causes. There are many ways that steel could be caused to have pores.

[Johny]

hi OP welcome to the forum. if it is not porosity then it may be an inclusion.

[Baselman]

Pitting is corrosion - solid steel is not porous per se

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by Baselman

How can solid steel be porous this is ridiculous are you sure your case is an original Rolex or you picked it up used somewhere dodgy. If you purchased from AD show him and he'll send to RSC - porous steel funniest thing I've ever heard.

Firstly, thank you for your warm welcome to another member.

You are probably aware that the industry term for casting imperfections such as micro voids/pores, macro voids/pore and inclusions are commonly grouped as porosity, hence the "pores" term used by the OP so it confuses me as to why your brain seems so nonplussed by the notion of casting imperfections.

One would think that Rolex, of all companies would keep casting imperfections (such as hydrogen bubbles that would leave a pore/void) to an absolute minimum but they do make so many watches.

If you are the original owner, you may have redress under your country's laws. Rolex would see this and possible take proactive measures such as supplying a free service case. Otherwise, it's just one of those things.

I am granting that you have checked the case's authenticity.

BTW - The macro pics are awful, can't make out anything.

[Baselman]

As I mentioned solid steel is not and never will be porous that is fact. As I also mentioned if there is a problem with a case purchased from an AD to ask AD to send to RSC. I cannot be any more helpful than that to state the most obvious.

My kitchen sink is solid steel and guess what - it's not porous and leaking water every time I wash up rofl

[Twiten]

Interesting...as Paul said , bring it to the attn of Rolex and see what they say. Please let us know. ( could it be a scorch from original over enthusiastic polishing?)

[Johny]

if any members are interested in finding out more about porosity, inclusions and other defects pertaining to iron and steel they will find a lot of information and pictures on google.

[Dr.Brian]

Some people don't want to learn new things Johny.
Others already know everything.
My father used to test materials for use in building nuclear reactors for the military and later civilian power plants. Ask him about the variability in quality of metal parts that are supposed to already be built to the highest possible standard.

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by Johny

if any members are interested in finding out more about porosity, inclusions and other defects pertaining to iron and steel they will find a lot of information and pictures on google.

Or they could just PM the genius known as Baselman and get a fine kitchen utensil analogy.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

Some people don't want to learn new things Johny.
Others already know everything.
My father used to test materials for use in building nuclear reactors for the military and later civilian power plants. Ask him about the variability in quality of metal parts that are supposed to already be built to the highest possible standard.

very true doc. ive seen porosity that looked like aero chocolate. do you get aero choc over there?

[locutus49]

There is one form of porous steel: a screen. In this case, either an inclusion or corrosive effect.

As everyone says, confirm that the case is genuine, and then take it up with Rolex. Good luck.

[Tools]

Getting back on topic, it is impossible to really make much out of the photos..

The Rolex warranty would have addressed any manufacturing defects, however, it is a warranty of only a year or two and should likely have been taken care of within that time frame.. A dozen years have passed and Rolex may not be obliged to do anything without a price tag.

[geneinnc]

Where can I purchase a Stainless Steel Sink case for my day date? I can wash my car without fear now.

[Txr]

Originally Posted by Baselman

As I mentioned solid steel is not and never will be porous that is fact. As I also mentioned if there is a problem with a case purchased from an AD to ask AD to send to RSC. I cannot be any more helpful than that to state the most obvious.

My kitchen sink is solid steel and guess what - it's not porous and leaking water every time I wash up rofl

"Solid" steel is indeed solid. But pretty much any steel you can actually buy may have voids. Please stop giving advice that is not based on facts

[CDNWatchNut]

Porosity and inclusion defects in "solid" steel castings are not unusual, and can be inspected for using radiography to determine pass/fail based on indication size and shape within a piece. I seem to recall reading that oyster cases are machined from forged steel billet, and if so, the likelihood of porosity is extremely low.
I'm a mechanical engineer by the way....not saying that makes me a metallurgical expert, but I have dealt with many cast and forged materials in my time, and have some knowledge in the area.

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by CDNWatchNut

Porosity and inclusion defects in "solid" steel castings are not unusual, and can be inspected for using radiography to determine pass/fail based on indication size and shape within a piece. I seem to recall reading that oyster cases are machined from forged steel billet, and if so, the likelihood of porosity is extremely low.
I'm a mechanical engineer by the way....not saying that makes me a metallurgical expert, but I have dealt with many cast and forged materials in my time, and have some knowledge in the area.

This is indeed a completely rational response to the OP. It is definitely not unheard of.

[Baselman]

Originally Posted by Txr

"Solid" steel is indeed solid. But pretty much any steel you can actually buy may have voids. Please stop giving advice that is not based on facts

Sorry I disagree completely "solid" steel in respect to Rolex cases is "not" porous like a sponge. This is a ludicrous notion if your saying it is porous like a sponge full of holes that water will get into lol No matter what you say I will never agree with it. I am entitled to my view just as much as you are. You are now also going off on a tangent to justify a porous notion talking about steel structures ,pillars, bridges no doubt having structural gaping air bubbles etc etc. As I originally mentioned he needs to take it to his AD to get checked by RSC for the damage and maybe RSC will just squeeze the watch case to ensure every drop of water leaves the porous holey case rofl.

I'm off this insane thread you guys can duke it out now.

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by Baselman

Sorry I disagree completely "solid" steel in respect to Rolex cases is "not" porous like a sponge. This is a ludicrous notion if your saying it is porous like a sponge full of holes that water will get into lol No matter what you say I will never agree with it. I am entitled to my view just as much as you are. You are now also going off on a tangent to justify a porous notion talking about steel structures ,pillars, bridges no doubt having structural gaping air bubbles etc etc. As I originally mentioned he needs to take it to his AD to get checked by RSC for the damage and maybe RSC will just squeeze the watch case to ensure every drop of water leaves the porous holey case rofl.

I'm off this insane thread you guys can duke it out now.

Actually I think it is you who are misinterpreting what the OP wrote. He meant an inclusion defect not porous like a sponge. Anyone reading what he wrote can see what he was trying to say. Nobody but you is talking about sponges, etc. Your unhelpful and rude response to someone who may not even have English as a first language and perhaps chose an inappropriate, yet still descriptive, word was noted by many.
Feel free to leave the thread, or the forum. Or keep being rude and look for arguments and see how that goes for you.
There has been a significant increase in inelegant behavior over the last year, IMHO. Perhaps it is time for a bit of a course correction. Don't be an example.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

Actually I think it is you who are misinterpreting what the OP wrote. He meant an inclusion defect not porous like a sponge. Anyone reading what he wrote can see what he was trying to say. Nobody but you is talking about sponges, etc. Your unhelpful and rude response to someone who may not even have English as a first language and perhaps chose an inappropriate, yet still descriptive, word was noted by many.
Feel free to leave the thread, or the forum. Or keep being rude and look for arguments and see how that goes for you.
There has been a significant increase in inelegant behavior over the last year, IMHO. Perhaps it is time for a bit of a course correction. Don't be an example.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

Actually I think it is you who are misinterpreting what the OP wrote. He meant an inclusion defect not porous like a sponge. Anyone reading what he wrote can see what he was trying to say. Nobody but you is talking about sponges, etc. Your unhelpful and rude response to someone who may not even have English as a first language and perhaps chose an inappropriate, yet still descriptive, word was noted by many.
Feel free to leave the thread, or the forum. Or keep being rude and look for arguments and see how that goes for you.
There has been a significant increase in inelegant behavior over the last year, IMHO. Perhaps it is time for a bit of a course correction. Don't be an example.

well said sir.

[Jocke]

My DayDate case is both solid and porous at the same time.

[Alfredo.]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

Actually I think it is you who are misinterpreting what the OP wrote. He meant an inclusion defect not porous like a sponge. Anyone reading what he wrote can see what he was trying to say. Nobody but you is talking about sponges, etc. Your unhelpful and rude response to someone who may not even have English as a first language and perhaps chose an inappropriate, yet still descriptive, word was noted by many.
Feel free to leave the thread, or the forum. Or keep being rude and look for arguments and see how that goes for you.
There has been a significant increase in inelegant behavior over the last year, IMHO. Perhaps it is time for a bit of a course correction. Don't be an example.

[Wesley Crusher]

[louis redfoot]

i would say rolex ss is up there with the masamune, catch my drift?

[Jocke]

I hate when people respond rude to guys that not have english as their first language.

At least guys with swenglish as the first language can take it.

[Alfredo.]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

Or they could just PM the genius known as Baselman and get a fine kitchen utensil analogy.

Originally Posted by Jocke

I hate when people respond rude to guys that not have english as their first language.

At least guys with swenglish as the first language can take it.

[heatscore]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

Actually I think it is you who are misinterpreting what the OP wrote. He meant an inclusion defect not porous like a sponge. Anyone reading what he wrote can see what he was trying to say. Nobody but you is talking about sponges, etc. Your unhelpful and rude response to someone who may not even have English as a first language and perhaps chose an inappropriate, yet still descriptive, word was noted by many.
Feel free to leave the thread, or the forum. Or keep being rude and look for arguments and see how that goes for you.
There has been a significant increase in inelegant behavior over the last year, IMHO. Perhaps it is time for a bit of a course correction. Don't be an example.

love this post

[mannyv11]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

Actually I think it is you who are misinterpreting what the OP wrote. He meant an inclusion defect not porous like a sponge. Anyone reading what he wrote can see what he was trying to say. Nobody but you is talking about sponges, etc. Your unhelpful and rude response to someone who may not even have English as a first language and perhaps chose an inappropriate, yet still descriptive, word was noted by many.
Feel free to leave the thread, or the forum. Or keep being rude and look for arguments and see how that goes for you.
There has been a significant increase in inelegant behavior over the last year, IMHO. Perhaps it is time for a bit of a course correction. Don't be an example.

Very well said