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Old 21 September 2006, 06:38 AM   #1
frank bullit
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Stalin Rolex

Comrades,
Hi, what do we know about the steel our watches are made from?
I seem to remember it being refered to as 'surgical stainless steel'.
What's the latest spec'?
How has it developed from the early Oysters?
Are the bodies and bracelets carved from the same stuff?
Is it the Chromium that gives that shine? (plus some elbow grease!)

There must be a 'man of steel' that can enlighten us.

Regards, FB.
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Old 21 September 2006, 08:02 AM   #2
Welshwatchman
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I think they use 316L Grade Steel (Low Carbon).

This is generally 18% Chromium, 2% Molybdenum, 14% Nickel (though the specification allows for a couple of % variation and smaller amounts of Manganse, Silicon, Phosphorus, Chromium and Nitrogen)

I am sure that Rolex have an exact specification for the 'mix' and manufacture of their particular 316L Grade.
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Old 21 September 2006, 08:13 AM   #3
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Maybe I am misinterpreting this question, but my understanding is that Rolex uses 904L grade steel, while everyone else uses 316L. There has been debate about this point because Rolex has claimed that it uses this steel for a reason, that it's functionally better/tougher, etc., but all other manufacturers seem to disagree on this point. Please excuse my disagreement as being in the spirit of wanting to impart accurate information rather than trying to be argumentative. If I have missed a point, I beg your indulgence. However, I think you'll find Rolex uses 904L.
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Old 21 September 2006, 12:36 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by haakon59 View Post
Maybe I am misinterpreting this question, but my understanding is that Rolex uses 904L grade steel, while everyone else uses 316L. There has been debate about this point because Rolex has claimed that it uses this steel for a reason, that it's functionally better/tougher, etc., but all other manufacturers seem to disagree on this point. Please excuse my disagreement as being in the spirit of wanting to impart accurate information rather than trying to be argumentative. If I have missed a point, I beg your indulgence. However, I think you'll find Rolex uses 904L.
Haakon;
Please don't be so self deprecating and fearful of disagreeing. You'll be surprised what you can get away with here! We're all pretty big boys and enjoy honesty and truth. Go ahead. We can handle it. Besides, we'll get back at you.
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Old 21 September 2006, 12:42 PM   #5
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I beleive that 904 is used,and in steel circles it has a better ability to withstand chemicals and corrosion etc.

The polished effect is just stainless steel polished to get the high lustre.

In regards to the chemical breakdown of the steel used I have no idea,and to be quite honest would mean nothing to me.

Aaron
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Old 21 September 2006, 12:43 PM   #6
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I think they use 316L Grade Steel (Low Carbon).

This is generally 18% Chromium, 2% Molybdenum, 14% Nickel (though the specification allows for a couple of % variation and smaller amounts of Manganse, Silicon, Phosphorus, Chromium and Nitrogen)

I am sure that Rolex have an exact specification for the 'mix' and manufacture of their particular 316L Grade.
wow...impressive at least it was to me...your one informed Dude
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Old 21 September 2006, 06:54 PM   #7
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Well yes there is quite a debate about the different steels in watches.And yes Rolex does use 904L steel but only certain parts.Myself worked in the specials steels industry for almost 30 years and below is part of the quote.



Quote from Rolex employee in 2002.

At the moment, we have several companies all over the world, serving our needs for stainless steel. The watch case back and bracelets are all made of X2CrNiMo17-12-2 which is the best compromise between the attributes of the variant materials. As usual, the steel is melted under vacuum, so we get an very pure base, which is easy to handle and allows an perfect polishing. And the same procedure as in every good (expensive <gold>) company

X2CrNiMo17-12-2 Is the technical specification for 316L S.S
One of those providers is http://www.boehler-thyssen.ch/
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Old 22 September 2006, 01:48 AM   #8
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Haakon;
Please don't be so self deprecating and fearful of disagreeing. You'll be surprised what you can get away with here! We're all pretty big boys and enjoy honesty and truth. Go ahead. We can handle it. Besides, we'll get back at you.
Hi, You use too many smilies!
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Old 22 September 2006, 02:58 AM   #9
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Quote from Rolex employee in 2002.

The watch case back and bracelets are all made of X2CrNiMo17-12-2 which is the best compromise between the attributes of the variant materials.

X2CrNiMo17-12-2 Is the technical specification for 316L S.S
One of those providers is http://www.boehler-thyssen.ch/

It therefore appears that Rolex favour a 17% Chromium, 12% Nickel, 2% Molybdenum mix, within the specification for 316L Stainless Steel.
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Old 22 September 2006, 04:22 AM   #10
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Great info, pal. Do you have the composition details on the 904L grade?

Thanks - JJ
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Old 22 September 2006, 08:01 AM   #11
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Great info, pal. Do you have the composition details on the 904L grade?

Thanks - JJ
Hi JJ,

Just click on this PDF link to give you a pretty useful background on stainless steel grading and history.

Regards
Paul
http://www.unitedaudiocables.com/wel...hman steel.pdf
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Old 22 September 2006, 05:47 PM   #12
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Hi JJ,

Just click on this PDF link to give you a pretty useful background on stainless steel grading and history.

Regards
Paul
http://www.unitedaudiocables.com/wel...hman steel.pdf
Thanks, Paul, but the link won't open for me. Could you kindly send it in some other format?

Cheers - JJ
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Old 22 September 2006, 06:19 PM   #13
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Thanks, Paul, but the link won't open for me. Could you kindly send it in some other format?

Cheers - JJ
JJ What on earth are you going to do with this??
Try and mix up a batch at home
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Old 22 September 2006, 07:13 PM   #14
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Great info, pal. Do you have the composition details on the 904L grade?

Thanks - JJ
Chemical Formula an quote from my special steels book.
Technical formula for 904L X1NiCrMoCuN25-20-5.

Fe,Iron <0.02% C,Carbon 19-23% Chrome, 23-28% Nickel, 4-5% Mo,Molybdenum <2.0% Mn,Manganese. <1.0% Si,Silicon. <0.045% P,Phosphorus <0.035% S,sulphur 1.0-2.0% Cu,Copper

904L is a non-stabilised low carbon high alloy austenitic stainless steel. The addition of copper to this grade gives it greatly improved resistance to strong reducing acids, particularly sulphuric acid. It is also highly resistant to chloride attack - both pitting / crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking.



This type of steel is used mainly in these industries.

Processing plant for sulphuric, phosphoric and acetic acids.

Pulp and paper processing.

Components in gas scrubbing plants.

Seawater cooling equipment.

Oil refinery components.

Wires in electrostatic precipitaters.
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Old 23 September 2006, 05:37 AM   #15
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JJ What on earth are you going to do with this??
Try and mix up a batch at home
Well...I do have a B.S. in Chemistry!!
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Old 23 September 2006, 06:45 AM   #16
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Well...I do have a B.S. in Chemistry!!
OMG!!! Did you really mean to post that, JJ??? OK...

I thought your B.S. was in BS???

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Old 23 September 2006, 12:52 PM   #17
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OMG!!! Did you really mean to post that, JJ??? OK...

I thought your B.S. was in BS???

Prince
Beat me to it.
May be B.S in chemistry with hons in BS
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Old 23 September 2006, 07:05 PM   #18
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OMG!!! Did you really mean to post that, JJ??? OK...

I thought your B.S. was in BS???

Maybe we should send him our BM to go along with his BS
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Old 23 September 2006, 07:12 PM   #19
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Maybe we should send him our BM to go along with his BS
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Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again.

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Old 23 September 2006, 07:15 PM   #20
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Maybe we should send him our BM to go along with his BS
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Old 23 September 2006, 09:20 PM   #21
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Maybe we should send him our BM to go along with his BS
You aren't talking about the watch this time, are you Paulie? I'll be glad to send him the other kind...
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Old 24 September 2006, 05:36 AM   #22
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You aren't talking about the watch this time, are you Paulie? I'll be glad to send him the other kind...
Good one, CEO, good one!! Keep that up and you'll soon become RULER & TOSSER OF THE UNIVERSE!!
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Old 24 September 2006, 05:38 AM   #23
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Good one, CEO, good one!! Keep that up and you'll soon become RULER & TOSSER OF THE UNIVERSE!!
Thank you, JJ.

RULER & TOSSER OF THE UNIVERSE, eh??? Frans, eat your heart out!!!
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Old 24 September 2006, 05:40 AM   #24
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Thank you, JJ.

RULER & TOSSER OF THE UNIVERSE, eh??? Frans, eat your heart out!!!
Give him a break, Allan....he's still going nuts trying to compile that list from these uncooperative tossers!!!
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Old 24 September 2006, 05:46 AM   #25
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Give him a break, Allan....he's still going nuts trying to compile that list from these uncooperative tossers!!!
OK, but he sure did hassle them a lot... "Where's your list???" "Did you send in that list, Tosser?" "I have to put up with people who can't even send in a list!"... And this was all within a 15-minute period!!!
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Old 24 September 2006, 05:48 AM   #26
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OK, but he sure did hassle them a lot... "Where's your list???" "Did you send in that list, Tosser?" "I have to put up with people who can't even send in a list!"... And this was all within a 15-minute period!!!
Yeah....he makes most of those "nags" out there look like Mother Teresa!!
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Old 24 September 2006, 05:53 AM   #27
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Yeah....he makes most of those "nags" out there look like Mother Teresa!!
LOL - I think he was drinking a case of "Polar Beer" or something...
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Old 24 September 2006, 05:54 AM   #28
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LOL - I think he was drinking a case of "Polar Beer" or something...
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