The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex WatchTech

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12 September 2009, 12:16 AM   #1
mcubed
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: US
Posts: 468
"Etching" of gasket surface. Really a problem?

There have been murmurings on the forums that sweat etc can get trapped between the case and the caseback gasket, causing an corrosive "etching" of the caseback, thereby permanently ruining the water resistance of the watch.

My question for the tech experts is "is this really a concern"? I often wear my watch at the gym because I go from work, and I will NOT leave it in the locker or my car, locked or not." I rinse it off afterwards, but can being sweaty really kill a Rolex Sub?

Thanks
mcubed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 September 2009, 12:24 AM   #2
Nods
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: Lionel Wylie
Location: Australia
Watch: Rolex GMT SS
Posts: 277
Not a Techbert but I can see no way that sweat can get past the triple lock of a correctly serviced Sub.
Nods is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 September 2009, 02:55 AM   #3
Tools
TRF Moderator & 2024 Patron
 
Tools's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 42,989
Pitting or corrosion of the mating surfaces is a pretty well known phenomenon..

It is more prevalent in watches that have not been cleaned or serviced. It takes quite a long time for this to occur and wearing it to the gym or other physical activities is not the culprit by itself, but rather allowing the accumulation of salts and oils to stay there and turn to acids.

It does not get trapped between the case-back and the gasket necessarily, but builds up against the gasket seal, then erodes around it, and eventually underneath the gasket, then finally burrowing itself to the other side. The mating surfaces can be cleaned up at service.. they can also be built up and repaired, but Rolex does not do this, you need a specialist.

Again, if you routinely have the watch cleaned and serviced, this is likely to never be an issue..

Here is an extreme case of "etching" and a quality repair of the surfaces by Mr. Bob Ridley, a Rolex restoration professional..

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=39986
__________________
(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....)
NAWCC Member
Tools is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 September 2009, 03:28 AM   #4
mcubed
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: US
Posts: 468
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tools View Post
Pitting or corrosion of the mating surfaces is a pretty well known phenomenon..

It is more prevalent in watches that have not been cleaned or serviced. It takes quite a long time for this to occur and wearing it to the gym or other physical activities is not the culprit by itself, but rather allowing the accumulation of salts and oils to stay there and turn to acids.

It does not get trapped between the case-back and the gasket necessarily, but builds up against the gasket seal, then erodes around it, and eventually underneath the gasket, then finally burrowing itself to the other side. The mating surfaces can be cleaned up at service.. they can also be built up and repaired, but Rolex does not do this, you need a specialist.

Again, if you routinely have the watch cleaned and serviced, this is likely to never be an issue..

Here is an extreme case of "etching" and a quality repair of the surfaces by Mr. Bob Ridley, a Rolex restoration professional..

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=39986
So I am guessing that running the watch under some tap water after a workout is not such a bad idea......
mcubed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 September 2009, 04:58 AM   #5
Tools
TRF Moderator & 2024 Patron
 
Tools's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 42,989
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcubed View Post
So I am guessing that running the watch under some tap water after a workout is not such a bad idea......
Correct... that is a good idea..


Also, it takes years of neglect to destroy the mating surfaces; so common sense prevails here.......
__________________
(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....)
NAWCC Member
Tools is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 September 2009, 05:41 AM   #6
cody p
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Canada
Watch: Air-King 114200
Posts: 2,878
just curious? is 904 more resistant to this particular phenomenon than 316?
cody p is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 September 2009, 06:54 AM   #7
Balboa
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SoCal OC U.S.A.
Posts: 342
Quote:
Originally Posted by cody p View Post
just curious? is 904 more resistant to this particular phenomenon than 316?
Should be. The main advantage of 904L is more resistance to corrosion. Has double the nickel content of 316L and is widely used in industry around corrosive chemicals.

In either case it would take extreme neglect to allow this to happen to your watch.

Mark
Balboa is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.