Corrosion on the case?

[Delawareguy]

I sent my 1985 Datejust stainless in for service and just heard back via a message from the AD that the case and back are "corroded" and need to be replaced. Total cost for the service including replacing the case and back is 2400.... I'm a bit confused about how the case can be corroded. The watch hasn't been in a corrosive environment that I know of, and I've owned it since it was new. Any thoughts or experience with this situation? Also, I never notice any corrosion.

[mnbookman]

Do you sweat?

[Sublover2166]

I would get a second opinion before I shell out 2400 dollars. Who did you send it to for service? Have you already comitted to the service and parts?

[Tools]

Recommended replacement and required replacement are two different things.. If the AD sent it to the RSC they are making the decision, not you..

Casebacks do corrode, usually by the flexing of the gasket, which removes the Stainless protective oxide just enough for the acids and oils to begin their corrosive process. It is the most common reason for case replacements.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Tools

Recommenced replacement and required replacement are two different things.. If the AD sent it to the RSC they are making the decision, not you..

Casebacks do corrode, usually by the flexing of the gasket, which removes the Stainless protective oxide just enough for the acids and oils to begin their corrosive process. It is the most common reason for case replacements.

Interesting information Larry

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by Tools

Recommenced replacement and required replacement are two different things.. If the AD sent it to the RSC they are making the decision, not you..

Casebacks do corrode, usually by the flexing of the gasket, which removes the Stainless protective oxide just enough for the acids and oils to begin their corrosive process. It is the most common reason for case replacements.

and yet some swear 904l is just marketing

[Delawareguy]

It is at the RSC... I have definitely sweated while wearing it, I wear it hard. I certainly don't see any corrosion. I'm not committed to anything yet, if they will just do the regular service I'll be happy, I'm not sure yet if they are insisting on doing the complete repair or just recommending.

[Fredrik]

The pitting is usually between the caseback "lip" and the case, it is only visible when you remove the caseback. If it is severe the watch will not pass a pressure test.

[jvmartin]

The corrosion is probably inside the case where the gasket sits... this is where most case corrosion takes place...

[Delawareguy]

So how does this happen? The watch was worn hard from 85-96, and only sporadically since...


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[Delawareguy]

Then of course I need to evaluate the cost. $2400 for a thirty year old watch typically wouldn't be justified, but this will essentially be a new watch....


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[Delawareguy]

They will not service the watch unless I replace the back and the case. I'm ranting a bit and waiting to hear from someone at Rolex. As I've pointed out this watch was only worn regularly for 11 years. It has not been in a corrosive environment and it was serviced by the factory shortly before going into semi retirement. I'm pretty frustrated, I've purchased three brand new Rolexs in my life and am considering buying one for my son's college graduation.

[SpaceWanderer]

Thirty years. When was the last time it was serviced? Was it ever serviced?

[Delawareguy]

What is 904l?


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[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by Delawareguy

What is 904l?

It is a type of steel. Rolex used to use a type called 316 like everyone else and then they changed to 904l some years ago. I do not know when they changed, your watch is most likely still made of 316.

The main differences between the two types of steel is the corrosion resistance, 904l is much less prone to pitting and is also more resistant to acids and chlorine environments.

Sweat is quite corrosive and what you typically get in a watch is pitting in the steel between the lugs and under the caseback where the gasket sits. Pitting under the caseback can if it is bad mean that you loose water resistance.

[dera]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

It is a type of steel. Rolex used to use a type called 316 like everyone else and then they changed to 904l some years ago. I do not know when they changed, your watch is most likely still made of 316.

The main differences between the two types of steel is the corrosion resistance, 904l is much less prone to pitting and is also more resistant to acids and chlorine environments.

Sweat is quite corrosive and what you typically get in a watch is pitting in the steel between the lugs and under the caseback where the gasket sits. Pitting under the caseback can if it is bad mean that you loose water resistance.

I thought atleast on Submariners this happened around 1987 (16800/168000/16610 transition)?

[Delawareguy]

It was serviced in the nineties by Rolex shortly before going into semi retirement.


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[Delawareguy]

Even more bad news, I talked to my AD again today and he let me know that my 96 GMT is also 316.... so, same sweat, same steel, I'm guessing that I'll have the same issue with the GMT as well....

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Delawareguy

Even more bad news, I talked to my AD again today and he let me know that my 96 GMT is also 316.... so, same sweat, same steel, I'm guessing that I'll have the same issue with the GMT as well....

They all exhibit some corrosion, only a few get so bad that they need replacement.

If the DJ were mine I might decline the service and have them send it back. Then I would seek the services of one of the excellent independents to clean, oil, and adjust your watch. You likely don't need water resistance to the 100 meters that Rolex requires to warranty the watch after service.

of course, if they show me a picture that shows absolute destruction of the mating surface I may reconsider.

[Fredrik]

How often do you clean or rinse your watch in fresh water?

I rinse my watch in fresh water if I have been swimming or gotten sweaty. I also clean it a little more thorough about once per month. This is what is recommended in the care instructions.

[Delawareguy]

At least weekly


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[2ar2c1]

Clearly in this case, once a week is not enough. more often is probably necessary.

[Delawareguy]

I'm waiting to hear back from a customer service manager.


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[Rikki]

Everyone has different body skin acids some more corrosive than others, I had an 85 year old customer with a gold midsize dj and had to have his tube and crown replaced every six months because they were for lack of a better term welded together from sweat. I'm working on a seadweller at the moment that has deep pits in the gasket groove so laser weld then on the lathe to regroove the gasket trench. All in a days work. Rik

[Tim Wells]

I serviced a 1980 datejust exactly like the one in your picture 3 years ago and the gasket groove was pitted badly to the point that I bet it would not pass a pressure test.

I ended up buying the watch last week as the owner has some sort of built in magnetism in his body that stops the watch. It runs perfectly on my arm where it is now.

I wore it one day and a link fell out. I picked it up and discovered that the pins were corroded in half! Whoever owned it prior to my friend buying it had battery acid for sweat.

Some stainless series have better anti corrosion properties than others. 300 series is a non magnetic composition that can't be heat treated but can be hardened some by cold working, which in turn can impart some slight magnetisim into the metal. It is corrosion resistant, while 400 series is a corrosion resistant but magnetic composition that CAN be heat treated and is what I use for knife bolsters.

Anyway, I'm on the lookout for a few links for this jubilee or a whole other bracelet since there is bound to be more corrosion. Conversely, I had a 47 year old GMT that I wore for 20 years and there is no corrosion whatsoever on it anywhere. I got good sweat...

[perpetual92]

I would start rinsing your watches daily !

I'm sure that case is still very servicable. Doesnt look that bad but I dont see any pics of the back.

[Delawareguy]

Originally Posted by perpetual92

I would start rinsing your watches daily !

I'm sure that case is still very servicable. Doesnt look that bad but I dont see any pics of the back.

The back looked fine.... it was a very odd situation.

[Passionata]

Originally Posted by Delawareguy

The back looked fine.... it was a very odd situation.

I think he talks about the backside of the caseback ,it s only visible if you open the watch.

[RGAmos]

Another reason for buying the gold Daytona I have been considering.

[fisherman79]

Rolex switched from 316 to 904L in 2001, so the watch in this case is made of 316.
The pitting resistance of 904L is much higher than 316 (26 vs 36 PREN).
The real reason Rolex switched from 316 to 904L is not very clear. Maybe its a combination of better anti corrosion and advantages of polishing 904L vs 316.