a crack in Oyster case?

[timelord]

Hi to all,

I was wondering if anyone has ever experienced problems with a hairline crack in their oyster case? I have a 16014 DJ which has a very fine hairline crack on the back lip/rim of the case where the case back joins the seal. I cannot photograph it properly, but I noticed that it has been there ever since the watch was new which I thought was only a minor scratch. I had it serviced by the RSC about 15 months ago and had raised it to their attention at the time of service but they were more concerned about offering me the option of replacing the immaculate yellow dial and hands which are still on there now. What boggles my mind is that they had said that it passed the pressure test for 100 meters, when this model was actually designed for 50 meters according to the manual that came with the watch. Sounds too good to be true but I wont question this. However, this year before going to my swimming centre , I took the precaution of having it pressure tested by a local watchmaker and surprise surprise, he said to me that he saw some very small bubbles come from that very same section I have been worried about. I am annoyed about this because as a peace of mind I was willing to pay the RSC extra to replace the inner case for me but didn't. I was thinking of buying a new inner case as a spare in the event mine gets worse or even becomes unavailable from stock supplies in future when getting it replaced, but from where to find one is the real problem???. I found one second hand one but it is worse than mine with crevice corrision. This might be a long shot but I may never know my luck in asking if anyone knows where I could buy a new inner case from as I know Rolex will not sell anything but a full service?

[Tools]

Cracks are tough.... If you try to weld them up, they can run further..

Are you sure it's a crack ? Sometimes corrosion can start and follow a path that looks very much like a crack...

It's possible that it is a defect in the original stamped case and is just showing up after years of thermal flexing.... although usually where there is a crack, it does mean that something flexed there at some point..

If it is really an issue, then Bob Ridley at Watchmakers can probably handle the task.. we have a very good example of him making an inner sleeve to repair an older Sub..

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=91914

.

[timelord]

Originally Posted by Tools

Cracks are tough.... If you try to weld them up, they can run further..

Are you sure it's a crack ? Sometimes corrosion can start and follow a path that looks very much like a crack...

It's possible that it is a defect in the original stamped case and is just showing up after years of thermal flexing.... although usually where there is a crack, it does mean that something flexed there at some point..

If it is really an issue, then Bob Ridley at Watchmakers can probably handle the task.. we have a very good example of him making an inner sleeve to repair an older Sub..
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=91914
.

Tools, thank you for your caring reply. It is a relief to receive some information. I am fairly sure that it is not corrosion as it has been there ever since I had the watch new and also that it is in a very straight fine silver line perpendicular to the rim of back lid. It looks like a speck of tissue dust which is what I thought it was when I purchased the watch. Never the less to me it is a serious problem as it is where the bubbles show when wet pressure tested. I am inclined to agree with your latter suggestion that it is a defect in the original stamped case. So much for quality control. What angers me more is that the considering that the RSC is so strict, pedantic and to a great degree exagerated about their servicing, they did were more concerned about replacing an immaculate dial and hands which are not the problem, especially on considering that I had requested to pay extra if they would replace the inner case. Thanks also for the link to Bob Ridely as I will email him to ask what he would recommend. Once again many thanks

[MQ416]

The 904L steel case is can be soldered using a laser technique , available at most jewelers who have the technology. This provides a strong bond ensuring water resistance. The bubbles seen during pressure test denotes an opening. I can put you in touch with a jeweler and an authorized Rolex dealer who has certified Rolex technichians on premise.

[timelord]

Originally Posted by MQ416

The 904L steel case is can be soldered using a laser technique , available at most jewelers who have the technology. This provides a strong bond ensuring water resistance. The bubbles seen during pressure test denotes an opening. I can put you in touch with a jeweler and an authorized Rolex dealer who has certified Rolex technichians on premise.

Thanks for your reply. The model is a 16014 dated to 1981 which is the last model prior to the use of 904L steel in Rolex. I am not sure if it is 304L steel or 316L steel used for this model. Perhaps it may be still be soldered as for 904L, but anyway it would be nice to know if I can enquire with this authorised dealer you know. Thanks once again

[MQ416]

Sam Yampell Jewelers , Haddonfield , New Jersey . Authorized sales and service , laser tech avail.

[Tim Wells]

Stainless is stainless as far as a laser welder is concerned. The amount of wire used to repair this is miniscule and won't impart any magnetic properties so it won't matter what series of stainless (300 or 400 series) it is. I was under the impression that Rolex cases were machined and not stamped. Which is it? If it was that way new I'd see if Rolex would replace it due to manufacturing defect. You'd have a hell of a time trying to make a solid steel case crack no matter what you did to it. It had to be there from the start.