Datejust rust?!?! Please help (pics)

[Saints225]

Hey guys,

Was inspecting my watch earlier (great condition) all around to the naked eye. Then I used my iPhone light to look under the sapphire and saw what I think may be RUST.... is this what I am seeing? Currently freaking out. I had a newer white gold bezel/sapphire installed last year. Could something have gone wrong? The watch otherwise runs seamlessly and again, this is not visible to the naked eye..

[blada4life]

Looks like glue possibly. Could be due to poor install. Was this at a RSC? If so you may still have warranty.


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[andrewjoo7]

definitely looks like rust sorry to say

[Tomas Eriksson]

Where did you source that fluted bezel?

[sillo]

How long have you owned this watch for?

[Dr.Brian]

Are you sure the bezel is gold? It definitely looks like rust to me in the photos.

[Saints225]

Sourced it from Ebay... by all accounts it was a legit seller... he has a huge Ebay store where he sells used Rolex parts... link below. Sapphire and install was done at an AD.

https://www.ebay.com/str/ocwatchcollection

[The Libertine]

Could be rust, but more likely adhesive residue.... I’m thinking for rust, there is some intrusion of water, and expect you would have seen signs of condensation? Can’t imagine the rust (or damage?) is exclusively limited to what you reveal in the pictures.

[Saints225]

Been swimming with the watch 2-3 times with zero evidence of condensation. Only area with rust (that I can see) will be whats pictured above, the inside of the bezel.. nothing else.

[Watchnerd8270]

AD should NEVER have installed it. The Bezel and Crystal you purchased probably did not match the correct dimensions of the older case your watch has, this is probably why the rust is ocurring as it the bezel and Crystal are not fitting the watch properly.

[Saints225]

Praying this is just adhesive.

[Onikage]

Looks like possible water damage. Rust from steel movement bridges depositing in there. I'm not sure that brown horse type glue is used when fitting a bezel/crystal.. :)

[Likestheshiny]

*edit* I originally thought that was the rehaut, but looking closer it does seem to be the inside of the bezel. Since the "rust" stops exactly where the rehaut seems to start, it doesn't look like a sign of moisture inside the watch. I'm voting glue.

[Richard Carver]

I think you're seeing the inside of the bezel through the crystal. You can see pristine rehaut below. An original 16XX bezel is 3 mm tall and wouldn't do that. Probably just crappy parts. BTW, if you converted from an acrylic to a sapphire you should never get it wet.

[schoolboy]

Oh man.

Get that checked out!

[Saints225]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

I think you're seeing the inside of the bezel through the crystal. You can see pristine rehaut below. An original 16XX bezel is 3 mm tall and wouldn't do that. Probably just crappy parts. BTW, if you converted from an acrylic to a sapphire you should never get it wet.

What do you mean by "crappy parts?" Watch is beautiful... but if they put a crap crystal on here and if this is considered a crap bezel I am certainty going to have them replace....

[Al1969]

I’d bring/send it to RSC to get it corrected.

[donq]

It definitely looks like it’s on the outside of the case, in the gap between the bezel and the crystal.

Looks like rust, but I don’t see how a gold bezel would rust?

Perhaps water getting trapped and causing the case to rust, and it’s creeping up by capillary action?

It could just be dirt and dead skin stuck in there.

If it is an acrylic crystal model with a retrofitted sapphire that could be the problem.

[Gotgolf52]

If rust could get it way to the movements then you’re in for a big repair bill. Send it to RSC and have them put in correct parts and service the movement before things get a lot worse. Sorry

[gunhose]

most likler galvanic corrosion dissimilar metals. Bezel is plated my guess.

[DP63]

I'll go for the easy solution here and suggest you send it to RSC .... without a doubt they will tell you if the bezel is genuine or not, and, they will certainly tell you if that is indeed rust .... if it is, I'd want some peace of mind that its the only place that there is any rust and a service will certainly let you know for sure.

edit

In the second picture, there is signs of corrosion coming from underneath the bezel where it joins the case.

I'd get this in to RSC as soon as practical if it were my watch.

[Onikage]

Try getting some soap down there on a brush first.. If you're confident it's watertight. The brown stuff might not be inside the case but just on the bezel itself.. From the previous owner. I find it hard to believe that even if not original the bezel would be made from ferrous rusty steel.

[m j b]

If the AD is a reputable place that you trust, I'd start there and ask what they think. If they say "oh, that's just glue" then don't worry. Otherwise, they can pop that sucker off and take a closer look, and you can go from there.

I have learned that not everyone selling on eBay is honorable or sells genuine stuff. Yes, I know, shocking.

[donq]

If its an acrylic crystal model with an aftermarket sapphire and bezel added, RCS will return it to its original specs.

Just warning you..

[Seibei]

Send it to RSC, they will make it like new again.