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Coroner · 12 February 2010, 11:13 AM

What if Rolex used tungsten to make their PCLs? Tungsten is almost scratch proof, so I think it would result in the watch looking like new for much longer.

Mosco · 12 February 2010, 11:43 AM

Actually, not a bad idea.

Bisquitlips · 12 February 2010, 11:44 AM

Too expensive!

ASH · 12 February 2010, 12:58 PM

I have a tungsten wedding band and I love the weight and the fact it wont scratch. Good idea.

Coroner · 12 February 2010, 01:06 PM

I bought a tungsten ring for $50, but if I would have went with gold, the price would have been approximately $300. Maybe this could create a rolex line that is priced in between gold and SS.

Balboa · 13 February 2010, 12:17 AM

You would have to use tungsten carbide rather than pure elemental tungsten. Tungsten is no more scratch resistant than other metals used in watches and it oxidizes in air and tends to turn black.

Tungsten carbide is virtually scratch proof, does not oxidize and will hold a beautiful polish permanently.

However, there are major manufacturing issues. For example each watch band link would have to be individually forged at very high temperature. Then finish machining and polishing require high speed diamond tools. Very expensive to produce.

Also, the color of of the finished tungsten carbide link will be slightly different than the adjacent steel. This might be an issue for the overly fussy.

Mark

Deyn Man · 13 February 2010, 02:42 AM

cool! As they say, you really do learn something new everyday!

jacksprat · 13 February 2010, 03:07 AM

Yea, tungsten carbide polishes to more of a "black chrome" finish. If you put a peice of polished TC next to a peice of polished SS the TC is noticebly darker. Unless the make the case out of TC (odds of that are next to none), you will get 3 different shades on the watch from the polished SS case, polished TC centerlinks, and brushed SS outerlinks.

Davvan · 13 February 2010, 03:24 AM

Here´s a pic of my Hublot Ice Bang. The bezel is Tungsten and it´s almost impossible to scratch. My AD told me that the bezel alone costs about $ 3000 to replace if damaged

Rscmaine · 13 February 2010, 05:13 AM

As I understand it, tungston, while very hard and scratch resistant, is also somewhat brittle and has no flex. So a massive "ker pow" which would merely dent a steel oyster might actually break a tungston link?

We must have a minerologist on this board who can answer...

ersnyder · 13 February 2010, 05:16 AM

[/QUOTE]

Sweet lookin' Hublot David! From the other posts, it doesn't seem likely you'll ever damage the bezel so I don't think there's much to worry about. Great photo!

Balboa · 13 February 2010, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rscmaine

As I understand it, tungston, while very hard and scratch resistant, is also somewhat brittle and has no flex. So a massive "ker pow" which would merely dent a steel oyster might actually break a tungston link?

We must have a minerologist on this board who can answer...

Tungsten carbide will not bend, stretch or deform. However, a hard enough impact can break it. It will crack or even shatter.

For example, if you buy a tungsten ring, it cannot be resized as any other jewelry metal. It must be replaced.

Mark

mattmartin · 13 February 2010, 11:57 AM

its three times heavier than steel. So, rather than the watch weighing 150 grams, it would weigh like 400 grams. also, tungsten doesnt absorb heat like steel. Because of this it doesnt get warm or hot (especially when used when as a cutting tool edge). at the same time, this means that your bracelet would always feel cold. I prefer steel. But if Rolex really wanted to make me happy, they would make an entire watch out of 6al4v titanium...

Speed · 13 February 2010, 12:49 PM

Hmm... the only thing I ever had made of Tungsten was Darts...A very dense metal. You could have heavy Darts which were quite thin...

12 February 2010, 11:13 AM	#1
Coroner "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Real Name: G Location: SF Bay Area, CA Watch: Sub N/D Posts: 35	Tungsten PCLs What if Rolex used tungsten to make their PCLs? Tungsten is almost scratch proof, so I think it would result in the watch looking like new for much longer.

12 February 2010, 11:43 AM	#2
Mosco "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Greg Location: Cincinnati Watch: I like to... Posts: 18,567	Actually, not a bad idea. __________________ Instagram - @CaliberSwiss *“A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” - Hunter S. Thompson*

12 February 2010, 11:44 AM	#3
Bisquitlips 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Richard Location: USA Watch: YM Deep Space Posts: 12,521	Too expensive! __________________ Rolex Yacht-Master 40mm (SS-YG / Deep Space MOP) 16623 Breitling Aerospace Titanium / 18K with UTC. Omega Speedmaster 3510.50 Oris TT1 Pro Diver Regulator 43MM

12 February 2010, 12:58 PM	#4
ASH "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Scott Location: El Paso Watch: PAM 233 Posts: 559	I have a tungsten wedding band and I love the weight and the fact it wont scratch. Good idea. __________________ SS White dial Rolex Daytona, Rolex DSSD, Rolex Milgauss GV, Panerai 233, Panerai 111, Tudor Pelagos, Casio G shock.

13 February 2010, 03:24 AM	#9
Davvan "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: David Location: Location Location Watch: out..make way!! Posts: 726	Here´s a pic of my Hublot Ice Bang. The bezel is Tungsten and it´s almost impossible to scratch. My AD told me that the bezel alone costs about $ 3000 to replace if damaged __________________ Mare Nostrum

12 February 2010, 01:06 PM	#5
Coroner "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Real Name: G Location: SF Bay Area, CA Watch: Sub N/D Posts: 35	I bought a tungsten ring for $50, but if I would have went with gold, the price would have been approximately $300. Maybe this could create a rolex line that is priced in between gold and SS.

13 February 2010, 12:17 AM	#6
Balboa Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SoCal OC U.S.A. Posts: 342	You would have to use tungsten carbide rather than pure elemental tungsten. Tungsten is no more scratch resistant than other metals used in watches and it oxidizes in air and tends to turn black. Tungsten carbide is virtually scratch proof, does not oxidize and will hold a beautiful polish permanently. However, there are major manufacturing issues. For example each watch band link would have to be individually forged at very high temperature. Then finish machining and polishing require high speed diamond tools. Very expensive to produce. Also, the color of of the finished tungsten carbide link will be slightly different than the adjacent steel. This might be an issue for the overly fussy. Mark

13 February 2010, 02:42 AM	#7
Deyn Man "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Dean Location: Philippines Posts: 1,037	cool! As they say, you really do learn something new everyday!

13 February 2010, 03:07 AM	#8
jacksprat "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: seattle, WA Posts: 163	Yea, tungsten carbide polishes to more of a "black chrome" finish. If you put a peice of polished TC next to a peice of polished SS the TC is noticebly darker. Unless the make the case out of TC (odds of that are next to none), you will get 3 different shades on the watch from the polished SS case, polished TC centerlinks, and brushed SS outerlinks.

13 February 2010, 05:13 AM	#10
Rscmaine "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Nat Parkinson Location: Maine, USA Watch: me pull a rabbit.. Posts: 1,196	As I understand it, tungston, while very hard and scratch resistant, is also somewhat brittle and has no flex. So a massive "ker pow" which would merely dent a steel oyster might actually break a tungston link? We must have a minerologist on this board who can answer... __________________ When the alien spaceships actually landed, to everyone's surprise, it turned out that the world's governments had not been hiding anything. They were just as clueless as the rest of us!

13 February 2010, 05:16 AM	#11
ersnyder 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Eric Location: Long Beach CA USA Watch: Rolex Explorer II Posts: 4,102	[/QUOTE] Sweet lookin' Hublot David! From the other posts, it doesn't seem likely you'll ever damage the bezel so I don't think there's much to worry about. Great photo!

13 February 2010, 11:57 AM	#13
mattmartin "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: City Limits Posts: 82	tungsten carbide is cold and heavy... its three times heavier than steel. So, rather than the watch weighing 150 grams, it would weigh like 400 grams. also, tungsten doesnt absorb heat like steel. Because of this it doesnt get warm or hot (especially when used when as a cutting tool edge). at the same time, this means that your bracelet would always feel cold. I prefer steel. But if Rolex really wanted to make me happy, they would make an entire watch out of 6al4v titanium...

13 February 2010, 12:49 PM	#14
Speed "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 19,706	Hmm... the only thing I ever had made of Tungsten was Darts...A very dense metal. You could have heavy Darts which were quite thin...

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