solid gold case not really all solid?

[timelord]

I was researching some information on the presidential and came across a site which mentioned -"How much gold is really in your Rolex?" and was shocked to learn that they mill out every bit of gold around the case wall and even through the lugs!!! The movement even sits on two small stands as opposed to the Stainless steel models that are in some tongue and groove. Therefore, they are not really solid gold but hollow gold. It is probably why some RSC would prefer not to polish them in some cases as there is a limit as to how many times they can polish them as you can actually get a hole through them. I have been contemplating on buying a preowned one but am now turned off!!!! There was an earlier post here about someone that was asking about why they don't polish them

[BOA]

You make it sound like the thing is like foil that you could squeeze flat between your thumb and finger.

What do you want it to be worth? Mine's pretty heavy, heavier than any of my other Rolex watches, and that's the gold giving it its weight.

Ebay guide on gold in a Rolex says there's $963.27 worth of gold in a president, based on gold's being worth $400 an ounce.

So, if accurate then, and I'm not sure it is, that would be more than $4,000 now, wouldn't it?

They don't polish them because they don't like removing gold, but not out of fear of actually breaking through to the other side. That's ridiculous.

[J. Alan]

Well, the cases are not really "solid" gold, but 18K that is mixed with other metals to make it harder. Solid gold is 24K and is really soft and not suitable as a wearing surface.

To be honest, I really don't know how much is machined out of the case these days, but when I bought my wife's 18K Datejust President in 1992, gold prices were away lower than today. The case shows no wear (although the band is loose) and still looks brand new. Because gold is a very heavy metal, the weight of the watches reflects this - they are heavy!!

I would not be afraid of purchasing a pre-owned !8K President from a trusted TRF seller who would dare not sell a piece of junk because of their valued reputation. Most have guarantee return policies if you are not happy. I noticed a couple of 18K White and Yellow Gold on the TRF for sale forum, even a very rare 18K White Gold Bark.

Good hunting!!

J. Alan

[Robert Henley]

Originally Posted by timelord

"How much gold is really in your Rolex?"

This pertains to a recent post of mine entitled, "Grams of Gold in a Two Tone Datejust." It would be interesting to know the grams of gold in Rolexes because of course once you know how many grams there are it's easy to determine how much the gold is worth (market value of gold x grams).

[padi56]

Originally Posted by timelord

I was researching some information on the presidential and came across a site which mentioned -"How much gold is really in your Rolex?" and was shocked to learn that they mill out every bit of gold around the case wall and even through the lugs!!! The movement even sits on two small stands as opposed to the Stainless steel models that are in some tongue and groove. Therefore, they are not really solid gold but hollow gold. It is probably why some RSC would prefer not to polish them in some cases as there is a limit as to how many times they can polish them as you can actually get a hole through them. I have been contemplating on buying a preowned one but am now turned off!!!! There was an earlier post here about someone that was asking about why they don't polish them

The Gold case ring bezel lugs back etc are as solid as any of the SS models you have been misinformed

[rr-nyc]

I don't get your post at all. Of course they're going to have to mill areas that need to be milled. If they didn't, how on earth would they have lug holes or a cavity to hold the case?

[Dan Pierce]

The only "hollowing out" is to make room for the movement just like the stainless steel models.
dP

[bayerische]

You have been missinformed. Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

[VetteBandit]

Originally Posted by rr-nyc

I don't get your post at all. Of course they're going to have to mill areas that need to be milled. If they didn't, how on earth would they have lug holes or a cavity to hold the case?

Agree, it would require some really fancy CNC or EDM work to actually shell out or tunnel out areas as you suggest. Additionally for the actual areas that could be shelled, such as the lugs, the work required would not balance the save on gold.

[ExpII]

I've only tried on gold watches at the AD (a DD, GMT & Sub) and they were heavy. I don't know if they mill them out or not but any heavier and it would be tough to wear.

[TSW]

Some truth in it, They do mill out the gold cases inside, A Daytona in gold doesn't look the same inside as SS do for example.

[laphroaig007]

Weird post...
I don't see the point.
Sold gold is never 24K gold in watch making. It is 18K (or sometimes 14K, specially in old vintage watches).
It means it is gold mixed up with other alloys such as silver, copper, zinc...

See here for more details :

http://chemistry.about.com/od/jewelr...goldalloys.htm

[TSW]

Originally Posted by laphroaig007

Weird post...
I don't see the point.
Sold gold is never 24K gold in watch making. It is 18K (or sometimes 14K, specially in old vintage watches).
It means it is gold mixed up with other alloys such as silver, copper, zinc...

See here for more details :

http://chemistry.about.com/od/jewelr...goldalloys.htm

OP is meaning the milled out case, not the gold blend.

[Dr.Brian]

I think that you and/or the person who gave you this information misunderstood a few things. The lugs are not hollowed out, though they are drilled out to make the lug hole. I'm sure the movement is held in place with a support ring, like nearly every watch made today, though I've never taken one apart.
The reason to avoid excessive polishing is that every time you polish out gouges you remove the gold surrounding it. You're not going to buff through the "hollow"'case, but you will remove gold and distort the dimensions of the case, lugs, etc.

[LightOnAHill]

I heart gold!

[kkwn98]

Originally Posted by J. Alan

Well, the cases are not really "solid" gold, but 18K that is mixed with other metals to make it harder. Solid gold is 24K and is really soft and not suitable as a wearing surface.

You are confusing pure with solid. Pure is 24k, solid can be anything, e.g. from 9k up. Not pure, but certainly can be solid.

[Deyn Man]

WARNING: Stupid question about to be asked...

for SS rollies, i figured, the case is carved out of a single block of metal right? hence the "oyster" case... so for gold rollies, isn't it carved from gold blocks (mixed gold + metals)?

[cajunron]

Ebay guide on gold in a Rolex says there's $963.27 worth of gold in a president, based on gold's being worth $400 an ounce.

The current price of 24 carat gold is 1889.70 USD! Although 18 karat is approx. 75% pure gold, that's still roughly $1416 USD. Don't believe all the hype. These guys here all have good points.

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by padi56

The Gold case ring bezel lugs back etc are as solid as any of the SS models you have been misinformed

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

The only "hollowing out" is to make room for the movement just like the stainless steel models.
dP

Originally Posted by bayerische

You have been missinformed. Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

Originally Posted by VetteBandit

Agree, it would require some really fancy CNC or EDM work to actually shell out or tunnel out areas as you suggest. Additionally for the actual areas that could be shelled, such as the lugs, the work required would not balance the save on gold.

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

I think that you and/or the person who gave you this information misunderstood a few things. The lugs are not hollowed out, though they are drilled out to make the lug hole. I'm sure the movement is held in place with a support ring, like nearly every watch made today, though I've never taken one apart.
The reason to avoid excessive polishing is that every time you polish out gouges you remove the gold surrounding it. You're not going to buff through the "hollow"'case, but you will remove gold and distort the dimensions of the case, lugs, etc.

Guys,

Perhaps I am misunderstanding the OP as well as you, but earlier the DDs and gold DJs did not have the same internal shape. The gold model were more hollow. This could be seen on pictures in the earlier manuals, and was discussed just recently on this forum:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=193794

The issue have been discussed several times before on this and other forums.

I do not know about the current all gold models, but the pictures in this thread are correct. And I will see if I can find pictures from older manuals where this is obvious.

I believe the important question is: Are there any negative consequences from this?

Best,

A

[Deyn Man]

thanks anders! that answered my stupid question

[dysondiver]

thats an interesting pic , thanks for the link , prob weight saving to save wear one the bracelet , and for wearing comfort. but not what i was expecting to see.

[Beelzy]

Originally Posted by acce1999

Guys,

Perhaps I am misunderstanding the OP as well as you, but earlier the DDs and gold DJs did not have the same internal shape. The gold model were more hollow. This could be seen on pictures in the earlier manuals, and was discussed just recently on this forum:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=193794

The issue have been discussed several times before on this and other forums.

I do not know about the current all gold models, but the pictures in this thread are correct. And I will see if I can find pictures from older manuals where this is obvious.

I believe the important question is: Are there any negative consequences from this?

Best,

A

Yep, that pic shows some pretty hollow lug areas......The Lost Wax method of
casting is working well for Rolex. (My guess how they do it)

[Ebruner]

Originally Posted by rgdejong

The current price of 24 carat gold is 1889.70 USD! Although 18 karat is approx. 75% pure gold, that's still roughly $1416 USD. Don't believe all the hype. These guys here all have good points.

The current price from 24K gold is 1754.00 US dollars.

-Eddie

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by acce1999

Guys,

Perhaps I am misunderstanding the OP as well as you, but earlier the DDs and gold DJs did not have the same internal shape. The gold model were more hollow. This could be seen on pictures in the earlier manuals, and was discussed just recently on this forum:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=193794

The issue have been discussed several times before on this and other forums.

I do not know about the current all gold models, but the pictures in this thread are correct. And I will see if I can find pictures from older manuals where this is obvious.

I believe the important question is: Are there any negative consequences from this?

Best,

A

Thank you for providing the FACTS.....highly appreciated.

[susan]

Thanks for the info. That was interesting. I have never taken it apart. I pictured it different. It does have a nice amount of weight. I weighed my ladies all 18k date just with a jubilee band Y serial. It weighs 100.3 grams. My plat/ss 29mm YM z serial weighs 73.1 grams. Both sized with 2 links out.

[BarkMaster]

My beauty has "hollow" center links, so I guess I got ripped off since they make them solid now.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by acce1999

Guys,

Perhaps I am misunderstanding the OP as well as you, but earlier the DDs and gold DJs did not have the same internal shape. The gold model were more hollow. This could be seen on pictures in the earlier manuals, and was discussed just recently on this forum:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=193794

The issue have been discussed several times before on this and other forums.

I do not know about the current all gold models, but the pictures in this thread are correct. And I will see if I can find pictures from older manuals where this is obvious.

I believe the important question is: Are there any negative consequences from this?

Best,

A

D'HO!
Thanks for the clarification, Anders. Having never owned a precious metal Rolex I never knew there was debate on the subject, much less known fact and pics to back it up.
Never to old to learn, I'm proof.
dP

[Yoda]

The links are hollow also, not fully. I'm sure somebody will chime in with a link to the thread.

[Keeperoftime]

Perhaps you should buy a battery Piaget Polo, it's heavier than Rolex with an awesome quartz movement J/K. I don't feel ripped off. My Day-dates have plenty of gold weight.

[susan]

BarkMaster - you have a very nice watch!!!!!