Sea-Dweller gets rusty!!!!!

[gone-rolex-mad]

I was just wondering if this has happened to any other members? I've been wearing steel Rolex watches for the past twenty years and this has never happened before.
Anyways, I was wearing my M series SD yesterday, to my horror I noticed two little rust patches sneaking up from under the end links. I took the bracelet off to find rust between the lugs, and on the inside of the end links. I wear the watch in the sea, and in pools, and always wash it off with fresh water after a dip. The rust came off straight away with a little WD40.

I'd never have thought this would happen to a watch such as the SD given its tool watch status! Even the DJs that I have worn in water have never gone rusty.

Is this normal? Has it happened to you?

[htc8p]

how can there be rust? the watch is made from stainless steel

[InVision]

Tomato sauce?

Mike

[InVision]

Dup sry

[slevin kelevra]

It could be surface rust as stainless steel doesnt rust properly AFAIK.

Strange considering you say you take care of the watch!

Pics??

[gone-rolex-mad]

No pics i'm afraid I cleaned the rust off as soon as I saw it. It came off real quick, very odd!

[GregWormald]

Um, guys, it's stainLESS steel, not "No Rust At All".

Greg

[DOUBLE 0 SE7EN]

it is impossible.. It must be something else..

[springbar]

These claims that "stainless" steel cannot rust are incorrect.

Nonetheless, it seems unlikely in your case, if only given other people's experience with the Sea Dweller. Assuming it was actual rust and not dirt or hard water residue or other schmutz, I wonder if it's coming from the spring bars.

[gone-rolex-mad]

Originally Posted by springbar

These claims that "stainless" steel cannot rust are incorrect.

Nonetheless, it seems unlikely in your case, if only given other people's experience with the Sea Dweller. Assuming it was actual rust and not dirt or hard water residue or other schmutz, I wonder if it's coming from the spring bars.

Spring bars were clean as a whistle! It was just between the lugs, at the point where the solid end links meet the case. Fairly sure it wasn't dirt, it cleaned off like rust leaving an orange residue on the cloth.

[The Waddler]

Originally Posted by gone-rolex-mad

Spring bars were clean as a whistle! It was just between the lugs, at the point where the solid end links meet the case. Fairly sure it wasn't dirt, it cleaned off like rust leaving an orange residue on the cloth.

Tikka Massala?

[bayerische]

Stainless steel do rust. Slow, but throw that watch in the ocean for 50 years, and have a look at it. I'm sure it will be pretty darn rusty.

There's no rust-free steel, IMHO.

[gone-rolex-mad]

Wish I'd taken a shot of it, come to think of it my friends TT sub also went rusty. When he unfolded the divers extension link, (which he never used), there was a layer of rust sandwiched between the steel.

Sports owners undo your extension links and have a look!

[Rolex Junky]

Stainless STEEL will rust over time. Having said that, are you absolutely positive the bottom text does not read "Made in China"?

[gone-rolex-mad]

Originally Posted by Rolex Junky

Stainless STEEL will rust over time. Having said that, are you absolutely positive the bottom text does not read "Made in China"?

I knew I shouldn't have bought a Bolex!

[theloxmyth]

Ya could have attracted particles of iron, little teeny bits, that oxidized ON the watch surface. This happens to my vehicles constantly.

[cajunron]

Yes, Stainless Steel can rust, especially when it is scratched, but is only surface rust.

[cajunron]

Originally Posted by rgdejong

Yes, Stainless Steel can rust, especially when it is scratched, but is only surface rust.

Most likely it is chlorine that has penetrated the invisible layer that is formed on the SS by the chromium content in it when exposed to air. Once chlorine penetrates the film, it causes corrosion, not really 'true' rust. Halogine salts, or the "ine" family, like chlorine, fluorine, bromine, and iodine can cause this corrosion.

[kcmo]

Wow, I'm really surprised Pat. Weird.

[ersnyder]

I've gotta think this is contamination of some type instead of rust, especially when the exposure has been to slightly alkaline sea water. If it were exposure to slightly acid, then I could see the "potential" for rust but stainless is pretty darned resistant except for acid exposure.

[chris russell]

The bars themselves are also stainless steel, but the springs inside are just plain steel, and the water enters the springbars and then leaves a deposit on the lugs as it leaves the springar tube. No reason for panic, although it might be time to replace the springbars before one fails and the watch bites the concrete.

[Mystro]

Best explination I have heard.

Originally Posted by chris russell

The bars themselves are also stainless steel, but the springs inside are just plain steel, and the water enters the springbars and then leaves a deposit on the lugs as it leaves the springar tube. No reason for panic, although it might be time to replace the springbars before one fails and the watch bites the concrete.

[cajunron]

Originally Posted by chris russell

The bars themselves are also stainless steel, but the springs inside are just plain steel, and the water enters the springbars and then leaves a deposit on the lugs as it leaves the springar tube. No reason for panic, although it might be time to replace the springbars before one fails and the watch bites the concrete.

A several thousand dollar Rolex dive watch, and the springs inside the springbars are not stainless steel? what purpose would that serve?

[Safetrends]

Working in Seal Team traning I can say the salt weather from the sea destroys some metals. I have seen the aluminum get crusty from sitting next to the ocean. Most of the steel rusts inside out, stainless steel seems to hold up under the conditions.

[chris russell]

Originally Posted by rgdejong

A several thousand dollar Rolex dive watch, and the springs inside the springbars are not stainless steel? what purpose would that serve?

Stainless steel isn't 'springy' like regular steel.

[Sub'erman]

Never happened to me!
Did you use it in salty water like in the Ocean and forgot to rinse it under the tap afterwards?
I always rinse my diving gear after the dive is over. The knives need oil from time to time anyway, though.

[Bisquitlips]

From the web:

Stainless does not "rust" as you think of regular steel rusting with a red oxide on the surface that flakes off. If you see red rust it is probably due to some iron particles that have contaminated the surface of the stainless steel and it is these iron particles that are rusting. Look at the source of the rusting and see if you can remove it from the surface. If the iron is embedded in the surface, you can try a solution of 10% nitric and 2% hydrofluoric acid at room temperature or slightly heated. Wash area well with lots and lots of water after use. Commercially available "pickling paste" can also be used.

Stainless steel can develop rust. It is much less likely to rust but it can still rust. Leaving a wet cast iron skillet in a stainless sink and you'll see a rusted ring in your sink. The stainless didn't rust but the pan stained the surface and it will not be easy to remove

It is also possible for stainless steel to corrode (rust). There are over 150 grades of stainless steel and some are more prone to corrosion than others. Generally, the higher the chromium content, the less likely the steel will rust. However, over time rust can and will develop on stainless steel. To prevent it stainless steel from rusting, you need to passivate stainless steel. Passivating stainless steel is a process that allows stainless steel to retain its corrosion resistance.

I would think it is more likely surface oxidation of some sort.

[gone-rolex-mad]

Great replies guys, i'll sleep easy lol

[rlx4u]

Originally Posted by gone-rolex-mad

Great replies guys, i'll sleep easy lol

[rolexsubdate]

I have left stianless steel knifes and forks outside in the backyard and YES...SS does rust ... takes a hell lot longer ...but it does ...

Try it... bury a SS spoon in your yard where there is lots of water on a regular basis ... in fact you don't even need water ... just moisturein the air will do it...