316L and 904L

[Marrk]

So, what watches are made from what steel? Or are all now made from the same steel? If the latter, in what series/year did 904L become the steel used in all SS cases?

[DSJ]

904L is used in all current Rolex Steel cases/bracelets; this change was in the 80's, I think.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by Marrk

So, what watches are made from what steel? Or are all now made from the same steel? If the latter, in what series/year did 904L become the steel used in all SS cases?

The Sumariner ref 168000 was the first one that use the 904L and it was in the middle of 1988.
The next Submariner ref 16610 was released a few months into 1989 so the ref 168000 was
only at the market around 6 months.

Jocke

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Jocke

(...)so the ref 168000 was
only at the market around 6 months.

Jocke

Nice info, Jocke. I thought it was more like 9 months due to the info on vintagesubmariner.com but there are many other faults on this site (for instance this one: "The reference 16800 was introduced in 1977-78. The 16800 introduced caliber 3135" ) , so thanks for the clarification.