Are older Rolex models also considered to be constructed with "Oyster Steel?"

[SubMarine]

For instance, is this the correct way to refer to 5-digit SS models, now?

[beshannon]

"Oyster steel"?

[pickettt]

Same stuff, new name.

[SubMarine]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Same stuff, new name.

Right, but is it correct to refer to all older SS models as "Oyster Steel" models?

[c41006]

Originally Posted by SubMarine

Right, but is it correct to refer to all older SS models as "Oyster Steel" models?

I guess you could as long as they are made with 904L. I’m a bit curious as to why it matters though.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by SubMarine

Right, but is it correct to refer to all older SS models as "Oyster Steel" models?

I would say it's no more incorrect than calling them "SS", as opposed to "904L". I guess my point is, it's a name given to the steel, not to the watch. An old man in the grocery store once asked me where to find the "oleo", I would've been an ass if I'd corrected him and told him that it's called "margarine."

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by SubMarine

Right, but is it correct to refer to all older SS models as "Oyster Steel" models?

I just refer to them by their model numbers. The details follow that.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by SubMarine

For instance, is this the correct way to refer to 5-digit SS models, now?

No such thing as oyster steel but 904L SS was introduced with watches like the 168000 Sub in 1987, 904L was generalised between 1988 and 1990 on most all other models.Before these dates they used mainly 316L SS which most all of the other Swiss industry still use today.There is nothing magical about the change to 904L the main 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.

[eyeheartny]

Originally Posted by padi56

No such thing as oyster steel but 904L SS was introduced with watches like the 168000 Sub in 1987, 904L was generalised between 1988 and 1990 on most all other models.Before these dates they used mainly 316L SS which most all of the other Swiss industry still use today.There is nothing magical about the change to 904L the main 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.

904L looks different. Small changes in steel alloys do change the way light reflects off of them. If you don't believe that little differences in alloys make a difference, try a kitchen knife with 316 vs a supersteel like S35VN or ELMAX and tell me that small % differences don't radically change a steel's character/performance.

[Fleetlord]

904L is the ultimate

[mrblue]

Rolex calls it oystersteel so it matters to them.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by mrblue

Rolex calls it oystersteel, as it's a marketing gimmick, which works upon a fair amount of individuals.

ftfy

[Marcus09]

Same 904L Steel. They just thought that "oyster Steel" is cooler.



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[jimcameron]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

904L is the ultimate

905L is coming out next year, then 904L will be referred to as "pot metal"

[77T]

Originally Posted by padi56

No such thing as oyster steel but 904L SS was introduced with watches like the 168000 Sub in 1987, 904L was generalised between 1988 and 1990 on most all other models.Before these dates they used mainly 316L SS which most all of the other Swiss industry still use today.There is nothing magical about the change to 904L the main 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.

Peter
I have an alternative view. Rolex has now sourced a proprietary alloy of 904L. They aren’t revealing (thus far) what makes it different - but in the materials webpage, this explanation appears:




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[Marcus09]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

905L is coming out next year, then 904L will be referred to as "pot metal"

Really? Rolex ? How come and where did you hear that?


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[Likestheshiny]

I have an alternative view. Rolex has now sourced a proprietary alloy of 904L. They aren’t revealing (thus far) what makes it different - but in the materials webpage, this explanation appears

Nothing in the description says that Oystersteel 904L is different from the 904L Rolex was previously using.

If there were an improvement of any sort, Rolex would be telling us about it. That they're not is essentially a confirmation that this is just a simple rebranding.

[SeaAndSky]

Originally Posted by Likestheshiny

Nothing in the description says that Oystersteel 904L is different from the 904L Rolex was previously using.

If there were an improvement of any sort, Rolex would be telling us about it. That they're not is essentially a confirmation that this is just a simple rebranding.

Yep. They make improvements but there's no proof in that advertisement that they've changed anything but the name.

Aren't the five digits referred to as rusty steel?

[meganfox17]

Originally Posted by 77T

Peter
I have an alternative view. Rolex has now sourced a proprietary alloy of 904L. They aren’t revealing (thus far) what makes it different - but in the materials webpage, this explanation appears

I agree with 77T because now Rolex has announced to the whole world that Oystersteel is Rolex and trademark alone after realizing 904L isn't their exclusive material anymore, facing stiff competition from the other watchmaker brands. Anecdotal reports from a certain Chinese brand but perhaps more importantly from the Japanese are threatening to bust the myths behind the 904L SS. Say it isn't so but apparently behind the scenes, Seiko has been quietly (maybe sneakily too) taking jabs at Rolex by producing a few special edition watch casings made of 904L SS believe it or not.


* Seiko Prospex PADI (Not Peter the Moderator 🤦) S.E GMT 065 Kinetic GMT Diver
*Seiko Prospex PADI Diver S.E SRPA21Say...I wonder whether Peter has a couple of PADI watches....

[eyeheartny]

Originally Posted by meganfox17

I agree with 77T because now Rolex has announced to the whole world that Oystersteel is Rolex and trademark alone after realizing 904L isn't their exclusive material anymore, facing stiff competition from the other watchmaker brands.

A full 20 years after Rolex developed 904L...

Pretty sure that demonstrates the leg up they had and still have in engineering and metallurgy. What’s more outrageous is how little innovation other brands have in so many parts of watchmaking, materials science, metallurgy, and production methods.