Well, it's that time again . . . TT DJ back to the RCS . . .

[Denver Dick]

Back in November 2009, I sent the TT DJ that I bought new in 1987 back to the RSC through my AD, Ben Bridge. Here is the thread from back then showing the great job the RSC did . . . for a price, of course. (https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=100601) After I got it back, I wore it every day for about a year until October 2010 when I put it away in my safe. In its place I began wearing an Omega Railmaster I had recently purchased. I began wearing the 1987 TT DJ again in 2016. Earlier this month, because it was not running as accurate as it should and needed a crown and crystal, I took the TT DJ to my AD to be sent to the RSC.

Well, I got the estimate from the RSC. It needs servicing/overhaul ($850), new case ($1,550) and case back ($120). Actually, I'm not surprised about the new case because when it was at the RSC back in 2009, they said the case had some corrosion, but they could probably save it . . . but next time? Anyway, I authorized the work about 10 days ago. The only thing I was surprised at was the price of the new case. Unless there is something more to it, seems much high than I would expect give the case back is only $120. I guess it's going to get a new serial number and paperwork to show that fact. So, it looks like after the 2009 service (new face, hands, and bracelet) and now this servicing (case and case back) the only part that will be visible from my original watch will be the gold bezel. Of course, given the current price of brand new TT DJ, it doesn't really appear so bad.

I'll post photos and such when it gets back home and my wallet's a bit lighter .

[EagleArmsHBAR]

This is very interesting that they are suggesting a new case on a 13 year olds watch. I wonder how the corrosion occurred.

[Denver Dick]

The watch is 35 years old. I originally bought it in 1987. Serviced in 1992 (not at RSC), 1998 (at RSC), 2009 (at RSC, found corrosion, saved case), 2022 (at RSC, found corrosion advised new case). From 1987 to 2010 it was the only watch I owned and I wore it daily.

[EagleArmsHBAR]

After reading all day, I got sloppy with your thread. Not sure how I missed that it’s from 1987. That said, I’ve been thinking about looking into a 16013 or 16233 DJ from the 1980s for my fiancée. Corrosion isn’t something I’ve considered before snd now it makes me wonder how risky it would be to get an older watch for her.

[cszy67]

Too bad no pictures available of the corrosion - I would be interested to see how it looked. Do you spend an above average time around fertilizers?

Here is corrosion info on 904L:

Grade 904L stainless steels have excellent resistance to warm seawater and chloride attack. The high resistance of grade 904L against stress corrosion cracking is due to the presence of high amounts of nickel in its composition. Moreover, the addition of copper to these grades develops resistance to sulphuric acid and other reducing agents in both aggressive and mild conditions.

The corrosion resistance of grade 904L is intermediate between super austenitic grades, with 6% molybdenum content, and standard 316L austenitic grades. Grade 904L is less resistant to nitric acid than grades 304L and 310L, which are free of molybdenum. This steel grade needs to be solution treated following cold working, to achieve maximum stress corrosion cracking resistance under critical environments.

https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1022

[Denver Dick]

Well, every watch has a different history. From 1987 to 2010, I was not easy on this TT DJ. I wore it every day and, in fact, was a bit rough on it especially during the period 1987 to 2002. I wore it while working around the house and in the garage and yard. I was so rough on the acrylic crystal, that in 1989 I had it replaced with an aftermarket mineral crystal. I shattered the first one and chipped the second one. I'm sure living in hot and humid Houston for 3 1/2 years didn't help. When it was overalled in 1992 and 1998, it was heavily polished.

When the RSC got the watch in 2009, they would only replace the chipped mineral crystal with a Rolex acrylic, that's when they advised me that the case had corrosion which they were sure they could clean up and "save the case." However, given the case corrosion and extent of previous polishing it might not make it next time. In 2009 they also replaced the face and hands because they were discolored and scratched (apparently from the shattered mineral crystal many years before). So, I was sort of expecting their advice a few days ago regarding case replacement.

[Tzachi]

Its an old watch , and probably wasn't that water sealed for some time back then.

Seems the "negligence" of the initial corrosion in the 80's led the need for a new case now. however if serviced by a private watchmaker, it may have been saved, depending on the location of the corrosion and the depth.

Case cost seems reasonable, I would've guess more if you asked me before :-)

[StillTrying]

Thanks for posting. I love to hear about how watches-on-the-older-side fair during a service. I Look forward to seeing the after-service photos!

[George58]

Originally Posted by cszy67

Too bad no pictures available of the corrosion - I would be interested to see how it looked. Do you spend an above average time around fertilizers?

Here is corrosion info on 904L:

Grade 904L stainless steels have excellent resistance to warm seawater and chloride attack. The high resistance of grade 904L against stress corrosion cracking is due to the presence of high amounts of nickel in its composition. Moreover, the addition of copper to these grades develops resistance to sulphuric acid and other reducing agents in both aggressive and mild conditions.

The corrosion resistance of grade 904L is intermediate between super austenitic grades, with 6% molybdenum content, and standard 316L austenitic grades. Grade 904L is less resistant to nitric acid than grades 304L and 310L, which are free of molybdenum. This steel grade needs to be solution treated following cold working, to achieve maximum stress corrosion cracking resistance under critical environments.

https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1022

The watch in question was not made out of 904L but 316L