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Txr · 11 October 2010, 04:37 AM

Hi Guys,

First post here :)

I have always wondered why Rolex watches are not made from haredened steel or at least surface hardened. It would prevent getting them scratched.

Of course it would add manufacturing cost but with a 10000% profit span that shouldnt be a problem. Especially since they claim perfection.

Any ideas why this is the case?

cheers

Tx

Mosco · 11 October 2010, 05:14 AM

Then why would there be a need for Rolex service's refinishing?

B. Doggy · 11 October 2010, 05:31 AM

Cuz

TSts · 11 October 2010, 07:10 AM

Hardened steel can still scratch. I heat treat the stainless steel to H900 in the products my company produces, and that's after a full anneal process - they still scratch. Heat treating is great for increasing the strength of steel used in load bearing situations -those of which Rolexes are not subjected to in their intended situations.

KirkWilfred · 11 October 2010, 11:02 AM

thanks for the explanation TSts

Txr · 11 October 2010, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSts

Hardened steel can still scratch. I heat treat the stainless steel to H900 in the products my company produces, and that's after a full anneal process - they still scratch. Heat treating is great for increasing the strength of steel used in load bearing situations -those of which Rolexes are not subjected to in their intended situations.

yes but its much harder to scratch. I have worked with molds that were through hardened and nitrited and you could hardly get a mark in them with a file. Now if a watch had that surface hardness you wouldnt have to worry about getting little scuffs in there :)

StarSovereign · 11 October 2010, 01:59 PM

What, you want them to be even more expensive? Plus rolex would lose out on charging people for a polish at service time, or at least lose out on throwing it in the included price - making it seem like a better value in the process...

GradyPhilpott · 11 October 2010, 02:05 PM

Every Rolex product is the pinnacle of perfection at the time it is introduces, with some cosmetic features sometimes being arguable.

904L has a lot of fine qualities for watchmaking, not the least of which is it's ability to take an impressive shine.

But, who knows there may be better alloys to come.

rolexsubdate · 11 October 2010, 02:22 PM

well why stop at scratches .... why not make the watch bomb proof.... or even nuclear blastproof.... also lets make the watch meltproof so it won't melt when thrown into a furnace or taken to the surface of the sun ....

scratches have nothing to do with function .... For Rolex, waterproofness is more important than preventing scratches ..... all they wanna do is make a watch that goes lets say 1000ft and keeps on ticking ... whether it gets scratched easily or whether the buyer eats it ,they do not care....the priority is functionality not looks or cosmetics...

Joey_V · 11 October 2010, 03:01 PM

Maybe scratchproofiness will be next. That'd be cool.

Singslinger · 11 October 2010, 04:12 PM

The German brand Sinn offers a line of watches made from submarine steel which is supposed to be several times harder and more resistant to saltwater corrosion than stainless steel.

I'm sure it adds to Sinn's appeal, especially for its diving watches.

azkri · 11 October 2010, 04:28 PM

RADO - with its 'scratch proof' case.

Maybe JJ could further enlightened us since he's the resident RADO expert.

Bullyterrier · 11 October 2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolexsubdate

well why stop at scratches .... why not make the watch bomb proof.... or even nuclear blastproof.... also lets make the watch meltproof so it won't melt when thrown into a furnace or taken to the surface of the sun ....

scratches have nothing to do with function .... For Rolex, waterproofness is more important than preventing scratches ..... all they wanna do is make a watch that goes lets say 1000ft and keeps on ticking ... whether it gets scratched easily or whether the buyer eats it ,they do not care....the priority is functionality not looks or cosmetics...

If this is the case why have Rolex gone with ceramic bezels?

padi56 · 11 October 2010, 07:49 PM

Well reading the many many posts on TRF quite a lot of Rolex watches today get a very pampered life.Many so pampered just don't know why they bother to make them from S.steel.Yes no matter what the material some time in a watches life they will get scratched.Myself cannot see what all the fuss is over a few normal wearing scratches.Now when service time is due those very nice people at the RSC will polish watch as good as new.If you don't want to acquire normal every day scratches then its simple just keep your Rolex in its box.But then why buy a watch just to look at in its box,a Rolex is for wearing and with very little care from the owner will last a life time and beyond to why worry about a few scratches.

chris russell · 12 October 2010, 06:46 AM

I have a couple of Sinn watches with the hardened surface. One has the Tegimented steel and the other has a hard black coating. Both are advertised to be as hard as sapphire, and in my experience that stands up. The one with the steel surface I wore for about a year, the black one for three years straight. Both of them look completely pristine, BNIB, unmarked. As far as Rolex doing this, they would have to accept a different surface look on the steel. It takes on a duller, grayer look, not really amenable to polishing. I doubt Rolex would think this was acceptable, so I don't see it happening in the foreseeable future.

bmrisko · 12 October 2010, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Txr

yes but its much harder to scratch. I have worked with molds that were through hardened and nitrited and you could hardly get a mark in them with a file. Now if a watch had that surface hardness you wouldnt have to worry about getting little scuffs in there :)

What grade of stainless?

TSts · 12 October 2010, 08:21 AM

Do you really want Rolex to produce a hardened steel case so you can throw a 'Blue Steel' pose?

songxu · 12 October 2010, 08:42 AM

hardened steel would be made of carbon steal, not nickel-blended-904L. Carbon steel is very hard, but will corrode by salt water.

And if scratch and corrosion is the one thing you pursue, then Tungston is much harder and corrision resistant. If you wear a tungston ring, and you hurt your finger, and it swells, you will lose your finger, because there is no tools can cut that ring off.

bmrisko · 12 October 2010, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by songxu

If you wear a tungston ring, and you hurt your finger, and it swells, you will lose your finger, because there is no tools can cut that ring off.

Not true, hospitals now stock small diamond wheels that can cut tungsten rings off...it is best to keep one in your wallet though just in case.

Mockingbird · 12 October 2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by songxu

hardened steel would be made of carbon steal, not nickel-blended-904L. Carbon steel is very hard, but will corrode by salt water.

And if scratch and corrosion is the one thing you pursue, then Tungston is much harder and corrision resistant. If you wear a tungston ring, and you hurt your finger, and it swells, you will lose your finger, because there is no tools can cut that ring off.

I was going to say 'Because there's no such thing as "hardended" steel' but that answers was better!

11 October 2010, 04:37 AM	#1
Txr "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 53	Why arent Rolex watches made from hardended steel? Hi Guys, First post here :) I have always wondered why Rolex watches are not made from haredened steel or at least surface hardened. It would prevent getting them scratched. Of course it would add manufacturing cost but with a 10000% profit span that shouldnt be a problem. Especially since they claim perfection. Any ideas why this is the case? cheers Tx

11 October 2010, 05:14 AM	#2
Mosco "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Greg Location: Cincinnati Watch: I like to... Posts: 18,567	Then why would there be a need for Rolex service's refinishing? __________________ Instagram - @CaliberSwiss *“A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” - Hunter S. Thompson*

11 October 2010, 05:31 AM	#3
B. Doggy "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Real Name: Bryan Location: Oregon Posts: 7,399	Cuz __________________ Rolex / Panerai / Omega

11 October 2010, 07:10 AM	#4
TSts "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: So-Cal USA Posts: 1,067	Hardened steel can still scratch. I heat treat the stainless steel to H900 in the products my company produces, and that's after a full anneal process - they still scratch. Heat treating is great for increasing the strength of steel used in load bearing situations -those of which Rolexes are not subjected to in their intended situations. __________________ 116710LN 116300blro

11 October 2010, 11:02 AM	#5
KirkWilfred "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Brian Location: West Hartford, CT Watch: 116710LN Posts: 1,224	thanks for the explanation TSts __________________ “Time is an illusion.” – Albert Einstein

11 October 2010, 01:59 PM	#7
StarSovereign "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Erik Location: Bay Area, CA Watch: 116234, 116710LN Posts: 936	What, you want them to be even more expensive? Plus rolex would lose out on charging people for a polish at service time, or at least lose out on throwing it in the included price - making it seem like a better value in the process... __________________ Submariner 116610LN - Black Dial & Stainless Steel DateJust 116234 - White Stick Dial & Roulette Wheel GMT-Master II 116710LN - Black Dial & Green "Fouth Hand"

11 October 2010, 02:05 PM	#8
GradyPhilpott 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Mexico Watch: Seiko #SRK047 Posts: 34,460	Every Rolex product is the pinnacle of perfection at the time it is introduces, with some cosmetic features sometimes being arguable. 904L has a lot of fine qualities for watchmaking, not the least of which is it's ability to take an impressive shine. But, who knows there may be better alloys to come. __________________ JJ Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner

11 October 2010, 02:22 PM	#9
rolexsubdate Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Moon Posts: 1,238	well why stop at scratches .... why not make the watch bomb proof.... or even nuclear blastproof.... also lets make the watch meltproof so it won't melt when thrown into a furnace or taken to the surface of the sun .... scratches have nothing to do with function .... For Rolex, waterproofness is more important than preventing scratches ..... all they wanna do is make a watch that goes lets say 1000ft and keeps on ticking ... whether it gets scratched easily or whether the buyer eats it ,they do not care....the priority is functionality not looks or cosmetics...

11 October 2010, 03:01 PM	#10
Joey_V "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Joey Location: Dallas, TX Watch: SS Sub 16610 M Posts: 3,824	Maybe scratchproofiness will be next. That'd be cool. __________________ Current Rotation: Rolex Submariner Date (M) - 1/08, Rolex Milgauss GV (V) - 2/10, Rolex SS Black Daytona (V) - 6/10, Rolex GMTIIC (G) - 5/11, TAG Heuer Silverstone (286/1860) - 1/2015 Former-watches: Omega PO/2535.80/2254, TAG Carrera/F1x2/Monaco, Panerai 312K/292L Wish List: Panerai 270/505, Rolex SMURF, Rolex RG Daytona, Rolex DSSD

11 October 2010, 04:12 PM	#11
Singslinger "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 6,424	The German brand Sinn offers a line of watches made from submarine steel which is supposed to be several times harder and more resistant to saltwater corrosion than stainless steel. I'm sure it adds to Sinn's appeal, especially for its diving watches.

11 October 2010, 04:28 PM	#12
azkri "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Azizan Location: Malaysia Watch: Zenith El Primero Posts: 168	RADO - with its 'scratch proof' case. Maybe JJ could further enlightened us since he's the resident RADO expert.

11 October 2010, 07:49 PM	#14
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 53,063	Well reading the many many posts on TRF quite a lot of Rolex watches today get a very pampered life.Many so pampered just don't know why they bother to make them from S.steel.Yes no matter what the material some time in a watches life they will get scratched.Myself cannot see what all the fuss is over a few normal wearing scratches.Now when service time is due those very nice people at the RSC will polish watch as good as new.If you don't want to acquire normal every day scratches then its simple just keep your Rolex in its box.But then why buy a watch just to look at in its box,a Rolex is for wearing and with very little care from the owner will last a life time and beyond to why worry about a few scratches. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

12 October 2010, 06:46 AM	#15
chris russell Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Peterborough, ON Watch: your mouth. Posts: 1,023	I have a couple of Sinn watches with the hardened surface. One has the Tegimented steel and the other has a hard black coating. Both are advertised to be as hard as sapphire, and in my experience that stands up. The one with the steel surface I wore for about a year, the black one for three years straight. Both of them look completely pristine, BNIB, unmarked. As far as Rolex doing this, they would have to accept a different surface look on the steel. It takes on a duller, grayer look, not really amenable to polishing. I doubt Rolex would think this was acceptable, so I don't see it happening in the foreseeable future.

12 October 2010, 08:21 AM	#17
TSts "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: So-Cal USA Posts: 1,067	Do you really want Rolex to produce a hardened steel case so you can throw a 'Blue Steel' pose?

12 October 2010, 08:42 AM	#18
songxu "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Detroit Posts: 177	hardened steel would be made of carbon steal, not nickel-blended-904L. Carbon steel is very hard, but will corrode by salt water. And if scratch and corrosion is the one thing you pursue, then Tungston is much harder and corrision resistant. If you wear a tungston ring, and you hurt your finger, and it swells, you will lose your finger, because there is no tools can cut that ring off.

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