904l

[tomfang]

When does Rolex start to use 904L stainless steel? Does 16610 and 114270 also made by 904L steel?

[Boothroyd]

I know the new 214270 Explorer 1 39MM uses it today. My sense is that the 114270, with the model being discontinued, will not migrate to that material while in production. Can't speak to the 16610.

[Ray T]

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=126819

early 1980s according to this thread

[HKtoter]

1986-1988

[travisb]

The newer models are being made entirely of 904L - SS Sub, Exp1 & 2, DS (titanium caseback), GMT etc.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by travisb

The newer models are being made entirely of 904L - SS Sub, Exp1 & 2, DS (titanium caseback), GMT etc.

Quite true but there is nothing magical about 904L over the industry norm of 316 L.And as far as I know only two watch companies use all or part 904 L for watch production.Sure 904L is very slightly more resistant to corrosive substances over 316L but to the average wearer would doubt if any real advantage today.The main and only difference between 316L over 904L it has slightly more Molybdenum(Mo)approx 2% more,and approx 1-2% more Crome(Cr), 1% more copper(Cu), and approximately 10% more nickel and thats it.

[tomfang]

Originally Posted by padi56

Quite true but there is nothing magical about 904L over the industry norm of 316 L.And as far as I know only two watch companies use all or part 904 L for watch production.Sure 904L is very slightly more resistant to corrosive substances over 316L but to the average wearer would doubt if any real advantage today.The main and only difference between 316L over 904L it has slightly more Molybdenum(Mo)approx 2% more,and approx 1-2% more Crome(Cr), 1% more copper(Cu), and approximately 10% more nickel and thats it.

2 watch compaies, Rolex and?

[brettpaul]

Originally Posted by padi56

Quite true but there is nothing magical about 904L over the industry norm of 316 L.And as far as I know only two watch companies use all or part 904 L for watch production.Sure 904L is very slightly more resistant to corrosive substances over 316L but to the average wearer would doubt if any real advantage today.The main and only difference between 316L over 904L it has slightly more Molybdenum(Mo)approx 2% more,and approx 1-2% more Crome(Cr), 1% more copper(Cu), and approximately 10% more nickel and thats it.

Thanks for the detailed knowledge Padi....now for the 16600 range of Sea Dwellers....weren't those also 100% 904L (case/back/bracelet)?

Thanks again!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by tomfang

2 watch compaies, Rolex and?

A company called XOSkeleton watches

[padi56]

Originally Posted by brettpaul

Thanks for the detailed knowledge Padi....now for the 16600 range of Sea Dwellers....weren't those also 100% 904L (case/back/bracelet)?
Thanks again!

IMHO it was the case that was made from 904L the rest of the parts 904L and 316L but now Rolex state all 904L on there latest watches


Below is a quote from a Rolex employee way back in 2002 but might have altered now but would doubt if Rolex would say so.

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 backs and bracelets are all mainly made from (X2CrNiMo17-12-2 S. steel)=( now that is the formula for 316L) 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 for perfect polishing. I think, the same procedure as in every good gold manufacturing company.

[rad87gn]

Originally Posted by padi56

The watch case backs and bracelets are all mainly made from (X2CrNiMo17-12-2 S. steel)=( now that is the formula for 316L).

That's interesting. When they stamp out the cases that should be 904L don't they use the center section that came out as the case back? Wouldn't that then also be 904L?

[tkc324]

Originally Posted by padi56

IMHO it was the case that was made from 904L the rest of the parts 904L and 316L but now Rolex state all 904L on there latest watches


Below is a quote from a Rolex employee way back in 2002 but might have altered now but would doubt if Rolex would say so.

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 backs and bracelets are all mainly made from (X2CrNiMo17-12-2 S. steel)=( now that is the formula for 316L) 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 for perfect polishing. I think, the same procedure as in every good gold manufacturing company.

Padi, thanks for the detail. I am just curious if there are any difference in the polishing for 904 vs 316? How about hardness?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by tkc324

Padi, thanks for the detail. I am just curious if there are any difference in the polishing for 904 vs 316? How about hardness?

Not sure about the polishing side but 904L has a little bit more nickel so IMHO would look a bit more dull grey looking.As for hardness 904L is no harder than 316L, fact 316L can be harder than 904L its down to how the metal is tempered.The 904L grade of SS was brought out for industries that use high acid products like sulphuric acids.And even factories for the pickling trade using vinegar etc and desalination plants and not for the jewellery trade.Although 904L is more expensive than 316L one of the main reasons for this is simply demand, 316L sells in a much bigger proportion to 904L steels.

[Onikage]

Doesn't the extra nickel account for the "brightness" of Rolexes? My other, I won't say lesser watches don't seem to have the same aura about them...

[Etur]

Originally Posted by padi56

Quite true but there is nothing magical about 904L over the industry norm of 316 L.And as far as I know only two watch companies use all or part 904 L for watch production.Sure 904L is very slightly more resistant to corrosive substances over 316L but to the average wearer would doubt if any real advantage today.The main and only difference between 316L over 904L it has slightly more Molybdenum(Mo)approx 2% more,and approx 1-2% more Crome(Cr), 1% more copper(Cu), and approximately 10% more nickel and thats it.

As padi correctly mentioned, the average user probably will never see any difference between 904L and 316L because if the average user, decide to take sulphuric acids shower, he will be dissolved much quicker then 316L start to show any pitting corrosion …