Anyone's SS Rolex ever developed rust?

[humvee]

If yes, then under what conditions?

[smallcandle]

I've never had it happen. However, I've heard if blood were to come into contact with SS and was not cleaned off it could develop rust over time. Don't know for sure if that is true, though.

[ersnyder]

Nope, it would take contact with a strong mineral acid like hydrochloric/muriatic acid to truly rust the stainless.

[Megalobyte]

I'd bet standard 10% pool chlorine could if not rinsed off. Sodium Hypochlorite is extremely corrosive, from the base rather than the acid side. I generally take my Sub off when handling chlorine or acid. One drop left unattended on steel could be a problem.

[humvee]

I think saltwater might be a big contributor to rust.

[sea-dweller]

Never...

[Zed Homme]

I take mine in the ocean all the time, never had an issue...

[ersnyder]

You're right Ari, regular pool chlorine would do the trick!

[RolexWatcher]

Originally Posted by humvee

I think saltwater might be a big contributor to rust.

I doubt that very much because if that is the case you better not sweat...just rinse it off afterwards.

[77T]

IIRC from an old post here on TRF, Rolex uses SUS904L grade stainless. Even if they have switched to another grade, the material is not susceptible to what we commonly call "rust", per se, and it is highly unlikely in normal use. Rust is just another word for corrosion...

There are other corrosives that can create oxidation of SS metal based upon composition elements. Rolex cases and bands should be very resistant to a wide range of high chloride environments (including sea water). The material has high levels of Chromium & Nickel and a dose of Molybdenum & Copper.

The Chromium provides a corrosion-resisting chromium oxide film on the steel particles surfaces. If damaged mechanically or chemically, this film is self-healing at a molecular level.

The Copper makes it resistant to sulphuric acid and other reducing acids.

The high nickel content results in a much better resistance to stress corrosion.

Molybdenum is in there for strength, but it does have a reaction with aggressive concentrations of nitric acid.

So outside of working in a fertilizer factory, or making pressure-treated lumber, or making rocket fuel, you ought to be "rust-free".

Hope this helps....

[sandybax]

If it is a genuine Rolex - unlikely :)

[Dweller of the Sea]

It is very common on vintage models to see corrosion around the gaskets.
Rolex is now using 904L steel, but I think they will still get corrosion. It takes 20-40 years, so when our new timepieces have become vintage.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by humvee

I think saltwater might be a big contributor to rust.

Well one of mine has spent around 200 hours plus underwater and no rust or any corrosion whatsoever.

[denzo]

Rust never sleeps ...

[East Bay Rider]

No

[desertcop204]

I've never rusted mine. I've spent copious amounts of time in seawater and pool water, and gotten TONS of blood on mine while hunting. Never so much as a stain remains on the metal. Now with the blood, I generally get it washed of within a couple of hours, but often with pool water I don't even rinse it, and with seawater it's about a 50/50 split with rinsing, but in 17 yrs of owning stainless Rolex models, not one single instance of corrosion on any of them.

[tucsonrick]

I've had a Datejust for 43 years which I wore every day for almost everything including camping. I took marginal care of it, but never got any rust.

[ecsub44]

Originally Posted by humvee

I think saltwater might be a big contributor to rust.

I think there are pots of gold at the end of rainbows.

[le_baroudeur]

On 904l (since 16610), rust is impossible, even with skin acids. (a french wis did test two metal tubes, with rusty salin solutions melted with acids, at high temperatures: 904l was untouched, 316l started to rust)
If you go swimming into seawater, rinse your 904l watch and it will last forever.
Every other brand will rust in a period of 20 - 30 years (crevace pitting under gaskets, where the movement of gaskets with temperature will alter the protective film) except for the use of titanium (seiko brightz) or submarine steel (sinn). (or gold!)

[Dweller of the Sea]

All steel rusts, its as simple as that.

Our watches will not rust on the visible surfaces, but in small places, like under gaskets, where the moist can sit for days.

The problem is not the occaisionally swim in the sea or pool.
Our watches are under "attack" every day, because the main problem is our sweat, which acid. If people also use lotions, especially those with perfume, then that is another factor.
Our sweat is different from person to person, some have mild acid sweat, some have a very acid sweat.
Some types of medications increses the acid sweat. I once met a man, who took some heart medicin. Within 5 years, his sweat had corroded deep holes in the entire caseback (3616L). It looked like the lunar surface.
Some people can´t wear leather straps because of this, the straps only lasts a couple of months because of the acid.

[brkanand]

No. So far!

[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by ersnyder

Nope, it would take contact with a strong mineral acid like hydrochloric/muriatic acid to truly rust the stainless.

I've worked around galvanizing plants for about 30 years. Various grades of stainless are used to carry parts through sulphuric or hydrochloric, and I've never seen the rust color on the stainless. The stainless does start to get smaller, but I've never seen rust on stainless that has spent months in acid.

We used to use 304 stainless but switched to something called 316L, I think, and it almost doesn't react with the acid. I'd be amazed if the stainless in a Rolex case would react much with chlorine. Hydrochloric is a chloride, too.

[Danand]

Originally Posted by denzo

Rust never sleeps ...

Ahh. A Neil Young fan , perhaps?

[nc42acc]

I keep mine soaking in a vat of WD-40 when not wearing. No rust for me and also have never had an issue with a noisy bracelet.

[fmc000]

Originally Posted by Dweller of the Sea

All steel rusts, its as simple as that.

Our watches will not rust on the visible surfaces, but in small places, like under gaskets, where the moist can sit for days.

The problem is not the occaisionally swim in the sea or pool.
Our watches are under "attack" every day, because the main problem is our sweat, which acid. If people also use lotions, especially those with perfume, then that is another factor.
Our sweat is different from person to person, some have mild acid sweat, some have a very acid sweat.
Some types of medications increses the acid sweat. I once met a man, who took some heart medicin. Within 5 years, his sweat had corroded deep holes in the entire caseback (3616L). It looked like the lunar surface.
Some people can´t wear leather straps because of this, the straps only lasts a couple of months because of the acid.

Correct.

[GradyPhilpott]

Stainless steel isn't rustproof.

904lL is more highly corrosion resistant, but under the right circumstances, it will corrode, however unlikely.

Corrosion is one of those arguments for keeping your watch clean and for regular maintenance.

As someone noted, it's not so much what you can see. It's what you cannot see that is the problem

[rolexjc]

MASSIVE on sub 5513

[Rogeroger]

This ties in with the in with the deet discussion. This topic is old but worthy.

[dubaiart]

not yet