No I was not afraid to swim with my all gold rolex in salt water but...

[Onikage]

If you weekly clean your watches I would think the salt wouldn't be present long enough to cause any wear. I've yet to take mine into the sea so I've admittedly no experience. Alarming to read that it's stubborn to shift.

[Arrows58]

My SD goes everywhere 'it shouldn't'
SEA
POOL
HOT SHOWER

And it is still fine, a little scratched here and there, but it's my watch and I love it.

Your watch will out last you so I wouldn't worry too much, the salt won't be there long enough if it you daily watch.

Just my two pence worth.

[dysondiver]

white vinegar ,,, 50 50 with water ,,, quick wash or spray , then just wear it in the shower ,,, or take it off before swimming ,,,
white vinegar is great for dive gear.

[Mick P]

Chaps

I feel the OPs problem is more cosmetic than anything else.

Gold coins have laid on the bottom of the sea for centuries and when retrieved are in pristine condition, so the only issue must be the visual sight of the salt residue and sea water does leave a slighty sticky surface.

A good wash with a tooth brush and a soak afterwards must surely clear it up.

Mick

[Reu]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Chaps

I feel the OPs problem is more cosmetic than anything else.

Gold coins have laid on the bottom of the sea for centuries and when retrieved are in pristine condition, so the only issue must be the visual sight of the salt residue and sea water does leave a slighty sticky surface.

A good wash with a tooth brush and a soak afterwards must surely clear it up.

Mick

Voice of reason...

[dysondiver]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Chaps

I feel the OPs problem is more cosmetic than anything else.

Gold coins have laid on the bottom of the sea for centuries and when retrieved are in pristine condition, so the only issue must be the visual sight of the salt residue and sea water does leave a slighty sticky surface.

A good wash with a tooth brush and a soak afterwards must surely clear it up.

Mick

hi ,
things on the sea bed stay wet , so the salt wont crystallize to cause wear , also say coins , wont be rubbing against each other , [so even if there were crystals forming , or crustations etc there wouldnt be wear ], so you wont see it untill its drying out , salt crystals are quite sharp and do wear things away , paint and rubber gaskets ,, i find that anything not rinsed properly never actually dries , and that causes lots of diffrerent hassles ,,, a lot of folk who tell you they get rashes after wearing a dry/wet suit as they are allergict to the rubber , are just not rinsing kit properly , and its the salt crystals that are irritating the skin and causing the rash etc.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Chaps

I feel the OPs problem is more cosmetic than anything else.

Gold coins have laid on the bottom of the sea for centuries and when retrieved are in pristine condition, so the only issue must be the visual sight of the salt residue and sea water does leave a slighty sticky surface.

A good wash with a tooth brush and a soak afterwards must surely clear it up.

Mick

You are 75% correct Mick.

[bayerische]

I enjoy sun & fun with my watches. I've never thought about the salt. Never will I think of the salt, unless it's on the brim of a Margarita glass.

The salt washes off the watch when you hit the shower.

[SeaDweller50]

Salt V 904L Steel? There's only one winner here.

Grade 904L stainless steel is a non-stabilized austenitic stainless steel with low carbon content. This high alloy stainless steel is added with copper to improve its resistance to strong reducing acids, such as sulphuric acid. The steel is also resistant to stress corrosion cracking and crevice corrosion. Grade 904L is non-magnetic, and offers excellent formability, toughness and weldability.

Grade 904L contains high amounts of expensive ingredients, such as molybdenum and nickel. Today, most of the applications that employ grade 904L are replaced by low-cost duplex stainless steel 2205.

[mikhaelj]

I usually soak mine up in sparkling mineral water for an hour after I swim in salt water. Hoping bubbles will push off the metal any remaining particles. This is followed by soft tooth brush with dawn and then a spray of Veraet.

Cheers!

[Flstfirider]

Try spraying a little Scrubbing Bubbles on the bracelet, let sit and rinse. Your watch will sparkle like new.

[Annan]

I don't have an all gold watch and I don't swim in salt water but if I did.......I'd use Veraet , a soft brush and LOTS of rinse water.

[diver2012]

Originally Posted by RolexplorerII

Salt V 904L Steel? There's only one winner here.

Grade 904L stainless steel is a non-stabilized austenitic stainless steel with low carbon content. This high alloy stainless steel is added with copper to improve its resistance to strong reducing acids, such as sulphuric acid. The steel is also resistant to stress corrosion cracking and crevice corrosion. Grade 904L is non-magnetic, and offers excellent formability, toughness and weldability.

Grade 904L contains high amounts of expensive ingredients, such as molybdenum and nickel. Today, most of the applications that employ grade 904L are replaced by low-cost duplex stainless steel 2205.

I didn't know the Rolex PR department had an account on here!?

[davenotize]

leave it seating in a cup with soap and warm water for about 10 mins and brush it with a soft toothbrush. that will do the trick. or at least it works for me.

[up2nogood]

I just rinse mine in fresh water after getting out. Soap and old toothbrush in the shower later.

[capote]

I try to clean my weekly with a toothbrush and twice a year with ultra sonic cleaner, it work wonders really.

[ash20]

I'd recommend soaking your rolex in lukewarm fresh water to dissolve any salt (5-10 min), then use soap/clean, then soak AGAIN in fresh water, dry and enjoy. A "rinse" may not get into all the nooks and crannies...

[ec51]

Ultrasonic for bracelet is only way to really clean that gunk out.

[mjclark32]

After a trip to the beach I usually run my sub under the faucet and try to get every nook and cranny.

[tkerrmd]

For me the key to my wash is two things, warm to hot water, still able to hold hand in water and a mild soap

Dawn was mentioned but is what we use to degrease our car and bike parts and so for me unless really diluted May be a little harsh

The one other caveat that I think was bought out is the salt water has to dry to crystallize

I do try if possible to rinse the watch with some fresh water and not let the salt dry on it, that would prevent the initial problem you had

If a rinsing shower not close I will even dowse my watch with a little bottled water before letting it bake in the sun (nothing to good for my babies!)

[Jay Mac]

I use Vereat to clean my watch...comes with a soft brush and some high quality cleaning cloths. Does the trick for me, my watch glows after I clean it.

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by Arrows58

My SD goes everywhere 'it shouldn't'
SEA
POOL
HOT SHOWER

And it is still fine, a little scratched here and there, but it's my watch and I love it.

Your watch will out last you so I wouldn't worry too much, the salt won't be there long enough if it you daily watch.

Just my two pence worth.

Thanks and I agree, as mentioned I never take my watches off but to switch, so they've been everywhere I've been. Never pampered them, and did a pretty intensive home renovation while wearing one of my rolexes and beat the crap out of it. Not really my fear. I paid for it, I enjoy it. Agreed.

What was surprising, and I am not someone who dives or really a beach person, was how difficult it was to get rid of the pesky salt residue that built up after wearing it in salt water.

I've followed the consensus on letting it soak for an hour in Luke warm water.

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

white vinegar ,,, 50 50 with water ,,, quick wash or spray , then just wear it in the shower ,,, or take it off before swimming ,,,
white vinegar is great for dive gear.

Never knew this! Awesome to get these tips... I've been a Rolex owner for many years, but never took s dive so this is all new to me.

[red98a4ss]

This post makes me think twice about getting in salt water with my Rolex.

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Chaps

I feel the OPs problem is more cosmetic than anything else.

Gold coins have laid on the bottom of the sea for centuries and when retrieved are in pristine condition, so the only issue must be the visual sight of the salt residue and sea water does leave a slighty sticky surface.

A good wash with a tooth brush and a soak afterwards must surely clear it up.

Mick

There is force exerted on the inside of your links each time you are active while wearing your watch. The piece that screws in and holds the link in place moves within the stationary link and visa versa. This creates grinding that isn't really a problem if you keep your watch clean and wear your watch tight enough.

Introducing salt into those crevices, however, lended itself to the second part of my post.

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by bayerische

I enjoy sun & fun with my watches. I've never thought about the salt. Never will I think of the salt, unless it's on the brim of a Margarita glass.

The salt washes off the watch when you hit the shower.

As mentioned. That it did not.

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by RolexplorerII

Salt V 904L Steel? There's only one winner here.

Grade 904L stainless steel is a non-stabilized austenitic stainless steel with low carbon content. This high alloy stainless steel is added with copper to improve its resistance to strong reducing acids, such as sulphuric acid. The steel is also resistant to stress corrosion cracking and crevice corrosion. Grade 904L is non-magnetic, and offers excellent formability, toughness and weldability.

Grade 904L contains high amounts of expensive ingredients, such as molybdenum and nickel. Today, most of the applications that employ grade 904L are replaced by low-cost duplex stainless steel 2205.

What steel? I'm not wearing any steel.

[red98a4ss]

Originally Posted by A.Sharp

There is force exerted on the inside of your links each time you are active while wearing your watch. The piece that screws in and holds the link in place moves within the stationary link and visa versa. This creates grinding that isn't really a problem if you keep your watch clean and wear your watch tight enough.

Introducing salt into those crevices, however, landed itself to the second part of my post.

I agree 100%

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

For me the key to my wash is two things, warm to hot water, still able to hold hand in water and a mild soap

Dawn was mentioned but is what we use to degrease our car and bike parts and so for me unless really diluted May be a little harsh

The one other caveat that I think was bought out is the salt water has to dry to crystallize

I do try if possible to rinse the watch with some fresh water and not let the salt dry on it, that would prevent the initial problem you had

If a rinsing shower not close I will even dowse my watch with a little bottled water before letting it bake in the sun (nothing to good for my babies!)

Haha good advice! Thanks!

[melons]

Life is way too short to worry about such things...