Rolex Nickel Allergy

[T.Mas]

Hello ladies and gentlemen. Have any of you not been able to wear Rolex because of nickel allergies? I have had a reaction to my 2 week old BLNR and don’t know if it is an allergy to the nickel or some sort of solution used to clean the steel. Please share...

Awesome watch by the way. So amazing.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by T.Mas

Hello ladies and gentlemen. Have any of you not been able to wear Rolex because of nickel allergies? I have had a reaction to my 2 week old BLNR and don’t know if it is an allergy to the nickel or some sort of solution used to clean the steel. Please share...

Awesome watch by the way. So amazing.

Sorry about your maybe problem like all metals some could cause problems some people cannot wear gold.The main and only difference between 316L over 904L it has slightly more Molybdenum(Mo)approx 2% more, approx 1-2% more Crome(Cr), 1% copper(Cu), and approx 10% more nickel and thats it.And in 95% of cases where customers have complained about rashes they disappear after a thorough cleaning of the bracelet in good old soap and water.It's not that important how much nickel is inside of the alloy,all what counts is what amount of nickel thats released from the alloy under the influence of sweat for example when wearing. And the way the alloy is made a Rolex releases very very little nickel content on tests less than many that use 316L SS.You could wear the watch on a strap or even use tape on inside bracelet and case back but myself believe you should seek help from a dermatologist if problem continues.

[rgwarden]

Funnily enough (or not) my BLNR (sold now) gave me a rash, but I put it down to the weight and size of the crown/crown guards because where that contacted my skin was where the rash developed. I haven’t had the same problem with my 16570 which I (wrongly?) put down to it being much lighter/smaller crown and guards/less pressure on contact with the base of my hand.


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[VicLeChic]

Sorry to hear, it might be temporary. My sister had the same problem with cheap stainless steel from certain brands (like Fossil if I remember well). I'd go to a dermatologist.

That's got to be the number one reason for leaving the stickers on!
I'll try that excuse with my AD next time,

[abozz]

I have some reaction the first month and then gone! Be patient that the allergy will go.

[Jonesy2099]

Have you only just bought the BLNR and discovered this?

[DoctorA]

“Contact dermatitis” where a skin reaction occurs in co tact with certain metals or even the way it rubs your skin
Try cleaning the bracelet, keep your wrist moisturized as dry skin is more likely to get irritated
Finally wear it semi tight, to avoid friction as you move your wrist
If all fails, put it on a strap or band!

[T.Mas]

Originally Posted by Jonesy2099

Have you only just bought the BLNR and discovered this?

I knew I had a nickel allergy and have had problems with very cheap watches. Victorinox, Tag Heuer and OMEGA have given me no problems the last many years. I figured it would be the case with Rolex also. I am guessing it will go away. I gave it a thorough cleaning in an ultrasound cleaner, and then the soap and water treatment. I am guessing I am reacting to some sort of solution that was on the watch from the manufacturing process.

No chance I am giving up on the watch. It’s too nice. I really am in love with it.

[Pius XIII]

I hope you didn’t put the watch case in the ultrasonic cleaner.

[T.Mas]

Originally Posted by Pius XIII

I hope you didn’t put the watch case in the ultrasonic cleaner.

Haha, nope I didn’t. It’s ok, I’m a trained professional.

[Switch]

You can google "rolex rash", unfortunately from a medical point of view once you have the allergy then you have it forever. You could always put the bracelet away for safe keeping and switch to a nato strap.

[supra8903]

been there done that. sold my sub c.
went to panerai, now to a few other brands.

My rolex will have to stay vintage or prior to 1988 in year.

[214270Explorer]

If you wash your watch, make SURE you have rinsed away all the soap. It can hide in link areas and migrate from sweat to cause aggravation.

Another member who experienced rash issues thought that was his issue because the rash ceased after another better cleaning. (Some other member had recommended he check for this).

[T3F]

I had a minor reaction to my SD43 -- the first modern Rolex I bought -- for a few weeks after I started wearing it, but it went away and I have no problems now. I'd try waiting it out before deciding anything. If you're still having issues, I think other brands' SS compositions usually contain less nickel, so maybe you could give those a go, or you could go for something titanium.

[thesharkfactor]

My wife cannot wear an SS oyster bracelet, she gets a rash.. we had to put a leather strap on her watch instead!

[SirPolarBear]

I am allergic to nickel but luckily, never any issues with the 116234 and 116610LV.

[breitlings]

Unfortunately I have the same issue. I found that it is primarily due to the bracelet and not the case back. Using a RubberB strapped alleviated the issue. 5 digit non-diver models did not have 904L bracelets afaik.

I would also suggest talking to a dermatologist though as later I began to have rashes show up anyway and found a cream that clears the issue.

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

My wife cannot wear an SS oyster bracelet, she gets a rash.

After wearing my Sub as my daily for 4 years, this suddenly happened to me as well.
Its now why the Sub sits in the safe, and I wear my Black Bay Noir with fabric strap as my daily.
I can wear the Datejust on jubilee for an evenings wear, or my Tutima 41 Fliegerchrono on leather strap for an eve as well, maybe just manage a day, but have to go back to the fabric strap BBN for a few days to rest the skin.

If I can find a nice full set 2011/2 onwards 118238 pres bracelet DD in YG with white baton dial and fluted bezel, I will chop both the Sub and DJ in for it.

[NIHO]

you are allergic to oysters

[utc66]

I became allergic to Nickel after getting poison ivy on my wrist. I switched my watch to the other wrist and ended up with poison ivy on both wrists. I have a 1999 Sea Dweller.

What has worked temporarily for me.
1. clear matte nail polish on the back of the bracelet. Many coats - this worked well until I went to the beach, then the rash came back badly due to sand, sweat, sun lotion and the nail polish must have worn off in the ocean.
2. last winter I didn't have a problem at all, then the rash came back in the summer because of sweat, etc.
3. I finally took an aftermarket bracelet, and used my original clasp - franken bracelet. This is working for me, although the fit is not perfect at the lugs with the aftermarket fit. But it's working.

But this has limited my choice for my next and possibly last Rolex. I will either stick with vintage or save up for a used platinum Prez, or gold sub/gmt, if I can ever get there :).

and finally conferring with above poster, the watch head is not an issue.

[lenfried29]

Originally Posted by padi56

believe you should seek help from a dermatologist if problem continues.

Excellent advise

[rph08]

I develop a slight rash on my wrist if I wear my 14060m for a few consecutive days. It's the only watch in my collection that causes this problem. I rotate watches pretty frequently, but when I do wear my Sub, then I'll pretreat with a very small amount of a topical steroid cream. The cream (triamcinolone 0.1%) stops the rash from forming.

[utc66]

Originally Posted by rph08

I develop a slight rash on my wrist if I wear my 14060m for a few consecutive days. It's the only watch in my collection that causes this problem. I rotate watches pretty frequently, but when I do wear my Sub, then I'll pretreat with a very small amount of a topical steroid cream. The cream (triamcinolone 0.1%) stops the rash from forming.

So is a 14060M series made out of 904L steel?

[Deepsea Florida]

I had a two tone sub back in 1986. Bought the watch new.
I’m left handed so I put the watch on my right wrist.
After some time RASH !

After that I just switched the watch to my other wrist. Now a watch on my right wrist would feel too weird.

Switch wrists !

[rph08]

Originally Posted by utc66

So is a 14060M series made out of 904L steel?

I honestly don't know for sure if the bracelet is 316L or 904L. I think I remember reading on here somewhere that the bracelets on the 14060(m) were made from 316L, but I might be wrong.

[crowncollection]

sorry to hear about your issue, precious metal may suit you better

[Dr.Smellody]

Just buy a gold one!

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by rph08

I honestly don't know for sure if the bracelet is 316L or 904L. I think I remember reading on here somewhere that the bracelets on the 14060(m) were made from 316L, but I might be wrong.

I believe the 5 digits divers were all 904L. I'd like to know if they weren't. The SS YM 5-digit I can confirm is 904L.

[shabaang]

please provide more info... As somebody who is self diagnosed with a nickel allergy I need to buy special belts because the buckles in most belts have nickel. I would develop a rash like patch right where the belt buckle was rubbing against my stomach.

What does your reaction look like? Is it a rash? where is it? under the rolex? near it? Details please.

[greanie]

I also have a nickel allergy, none of my Rolex’s have caused me any rash.

Belt buckles give me issues (solved with an undershirt always), cheaper watches, dog tags (from my military days, which caused a massive rash and the diagnosis of the Nickel allergy) . . . But never my Rolex . . Or even my Citizen or Seiko (Tudor, Cartier, Longines, Tag Heuer either)


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