Submariner Problem?

[gordoc]

This is my first post and it will show that I am no Rolex expert!
I recently bought a Sub 16610[1991] from a reputable internet site, based on description and photographs. It seemed to tick all the boxes until I spotted that the top of the winding crown is a gold colour rather than steel - this is only the raised circle with the crown logo and three balls.
Viewing with a loupe it seems as if the whole winding crown has been capped with a white metal and is in fact a gold-coloured metal below and the capping has worn off on the top. From a quick web search I see that all triplock crowns should be solid stainless steel.
Have I been sold a wrong'un? I'd be surprised as the vendor site prides itself on authenticity.
Any advice would be gratefully received.
All the best
Gordon

[bondtoys]

Submariner crowns are not capped with white metals.
Sounds loke you have a fake where the brass base metal comes thru after the chromeplating has been worn off
But we need pics to give a better reply.

[robertneville]

does not sound encouraging. please post some pics.

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by robertneville

does not sound encouraging. Please post some pics.

x2

[kilyung]

[joseluu]

You might be lucky enough to have an aftermarket crown on a genuine sub. Who knows! Please post pics.

[Sherwooddavid]

Sounds like it may be fake but agree need pic.

[kooltzar]

Pics!!! How should we advise you without pics?

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Not sounding good. Pics please.

[imono]

Where is this great reputable internet site?

[crowncollection]

Not good need pics

[mbuckley]

doesn't sound good! Hope it works out----

[689maple]

If that seller is in Miami (NOT Tempoking by the way-Mr. A is great!) and lists on ebay and a website I shared your pain several years ago.

[financeman]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

not good need pics

x10

[77T]

Hope the OP has a good Sub - and that the previous owner had it serviced by a guy who used aftermarket part(s)...

[U5512]

Originally Posted by imono

Where is this great reputable internet site?

eBay

[U5512]

The OP is correct. The Rolex winding crown isn't solid stainless steel, but it is heavily chrome plated over brass(?) . I once had a desirable vintage Rolex big crown for vintage Rolex Submariner 6538, and the chrome was wearing down to the base exposing the brass(?) part of the crown. Still, I got huge money for it and the buyer had to restore by re-chroming it. I have several Rolex crowns in my possession, and let me see if I can find one with the chrome wearing down.

Edit: I located 2 gold Rolex crowns and one of them is for the DateJust. As you can see, it is gold capped rather than solid gold and these have worn down to the base. The same heavily chrome plated or "capping" principal applies to the steel crowns as well. I will look for a worn down steel crown later. Sorry for the poor pictures as I don't have good lighting at night.

[gordoc]

Thank you all for the speedy and helpful replies. Thanks especially to U5512 for taking the time to root through his crowns, it has put my mind at rest somewhat.
I will try to take some decent pics and post them later.
Rest assured it did not come from EBay but from a UK based supplier with a good reputation so I should have no difficulty in returning the watch should that become necessary.
Thanks again
Gordon in London UK

[joseluu]

I do not understand fully. What you are saying is that for gold crowns they use a stainless steel base with gold capping ad for stainless steel, instead of using solid stainless steel they use a brass base with chrome plating? Sounds a little odd, doesn´t it?

[dysondiver]

does no one have the courtesy to say hello and introduce them selves first,,,,,
i thought it was the done thing on any forum to have a first post as a hello , then ask what ever springs to mind.
so
welcome to the forum , i think a pic will be needed of the watch and the crown , hope you get the answers your hoping for , hope you enjoy the forum.

[gordoc]

Dysondiver is quite correct - to introduce myself, I am a retired architect based in London, UK. This is my third Rolex over the years, previously having owned an 80's Oysterquartz and more recently a new Explorer I. My only other notable watch is a Breitling Top Time which I bought new in 1969 for £30.00! Still going strong as well.
Something I did not mention previously is that the lume on the hands and markers no longer 'lumes' and I understand that this would be expected of a 1991 watch using Tritium. The 'pearl' still lumes, however.
I've attached some poor pics which will hopefully give you a better idea of the watch and the crown in particular.
Thanks
Gordon

[U5512]

Originally Posted by joseluu

I do not understand fully. What you are saying is that for gold crowns they use a stainless steel base with gold capping ad for stainless steel, instead of using solid stainless steel they use a brass base with chrome plating? Sounds a little odd, doesn´t it?

Whatever base that Rolex used for the crowns, I don't know. It could be brass, bronze, copper, platinum, whatever. But surely the crowns aren't solid stainless steel or gold; they're capped.

[crowncollection]

While I agree with Mickey it can peel off. But generally the gold cappped crowns not the steel ones

[mrbill2mrbill2]

The modern gold crowns have a steel insert. Otherwise the threads would strip.

Stainless steel crowns are solid stainless steel.

[U5512]

Originally Posted by mrbill2mrbill2

The modern gold crowns have a steel insert. Otherwise the threads would strip.

Stainless steel crowns are solid stainless steel.

That is what you think and believed in, but unfortunately the evidence contradicts your statement.

OK, what we have here is a steel crown for the DateJust and it's worn down to the base. What you see is clearly a chrome layer which has been capped to the base. If i have to guess the thickness of the chrome, it is probably somewhere between 100 - 150 microns.







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You're now looking at the stem side of the crown, and you can clearly see the capped chrome around the crown's perimeter. Next time when you're at your watchmaker's facility for repair of your Rolex, have a look at the stem side of your crown.

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