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Luv rolex · 22 February 2010, 08:05 AM

Guys, i'd like to know when did rolex stopped the 316L in manufacturing? And which parts was made of 316L?
i wanna know if my TT 16013 serial no. 595.... was made by 316L or 904L???

thanks and appretiate.

Tools · 22 February 2010, 08:54 AM

Rolex began using 904L in ~1987..

Luv rolex · 22 February 2010, 09:22 AM

So, what is the difference between them ?

Dr. Robert · 22 February 2010, 09:37 AM

316 is excellent.....904 is more excellent! 904 has a higher chromium content...makes it harder & more resistant to corrosion.

Balboa · 22 February 2010, 10:09 AM

Actually, the significant difference in composition is nickel content. 904L has about twice the nickel content of 316L.

This increases corrosion resistance which is good, but might not be good for jewelry wearers who are allergic to nickel.

Mark

Perdu · 22 February 2010, 10:09 AM

It's not any harder than 316L.

Perdu · 22 February 2010, 10:12 AM

Not to hijack the thread but what exactly is made of 904 - the case, case back, crown, bracelet?

Luv rolex · 23 February 2010, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perdu

Not to hijack the thread but what exactly is made of 904 - the case, case back, crown, bracelet?

Yes, would like to know that also????

BASSETHOUNDS · 23 February 2010, 12:32 AM

Just the case I think .

BASSETHOUNDS · 23 February 2010, 12:32 AM

Just the case I think .

Atomant · 23 February 2010, 12:44 AM

It's written in Rolex's website that 'The case of every Rolex watch is made with 904l'. Nothing is said about the bracelets or clasps.

mike · 23 February 2010, 12:57 AM

It's my understanding the bracelet on the DSSD is also 904.

padi56 · 23 February 2010, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luv rolex

So, what is the difference between them ?

Of course Rolex portrays 904L as "Super Alloy" but whether its made of 316L or 904L does it really matter.Many thousands of vintage Rolex are still in this world today with the industry norm 316L.Same could be said of the millions upon millions of high end and other Swiss watches in this world today that use 316L.The only main difference between the 316L and 904L is its higher nickel content.Plus its slightly higher resistance to strong acids like sulphuric acid what 904L was developed for originally.But 904L its no harder than the 316L,although it has a slightly higher resistance to salt water.So if you don't regularly live 24/7 underwater or expose your watch to strong acids in the real world IMHO no real advantage only the bragging factor by Rolex

Below is a quote from a Rolex employee 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 made of (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 an perfect polishing. I think, the same procedure as in every good gold manufacturing company.

cedras · 23 February 2010, 01:23 AM

both case and bracelet are made of 904L on SS modern watches

jnkay · 23 February 2010, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cedras

both case and bracelet are made of 904L on SS modern watches

What is your source of this information? If Rolex made the bracelets out of 904L, they'd advertise it. A salesman at a local AD insists all SS is 100% 904L, and I've challenged him to prove it since all evidence I've seen is to the contrary.

sparky_magoo · 23 February 2010, 01:35 AM

When I bought my new Sub, the AD told me the entire watch was made of 904. The bracelet on my last Sub wore out. The AD assured me the new 904 would last much longer.

Silly me for believing him. I guess I'll have to buy a DSSD.

TheBluePrince · 23 February 2010, 01:42 AM

In the real world for 99.9999% of people the only thing 904L is going to do is be ever so slightly more likely to cause irritation to them if they have sensative skin.

Macro80 · 24 February 2010, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

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

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

I was under the impression that in the Oyster design the case back was punched out of the same block of steel as the case??????

Fiery · 24 February 2010, 05:31 AM

If the case is 904L, but the bracelet is 316L, then how come they share the same visual appearance? With a higher nickel content I'd expect at least slight difference in tone.

htc8p · 24 February 2010, 01:00 PM

i dont see any difference given actual usage and experience. regular use.

22 February 2010, 08:05 AM	#1
Luv rolex 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Islam Location: Montreal, Canada Watch: DJ,SD 4000,LV Posts: 742	904L and 316L..?? Guys, i'd like to know when did rolex stopped the 316L in manufacturing? And which parts was made of 316L? i wanna know if my TT 16013 serial no. 595.... was made by 316L or 904L??? thanks and appretiate.

22 February 2010, 08:54 AM	#2
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,496	Rolex began using 904L in ~1987.. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

22 February 2010, 10:09 AM	#6
Perdu "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Gary Location: GMT-6 Watch: GMT Posts: 3,350	It's not any harder than 316L. __________________ Omega Seamaster 300M GMT Noire Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 8500 Benson 1937 Sterling Silver Hunter

22 February 2010, 10:12 AM	#7
Perdu "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Gary Location: GMT-6 Watch: GMT Posts: 3,350	Not to hijack the thread but what exactly is made of 904 - the case, case back, crown, bracelet? __________________ Omega Seamaster 300M GMT Noire Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 8500 Benson 1937 Sterling Silver Hunter

23 February 2010, 12:44 AM	#11
Atomant "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fernwood Posts: 3,455	It's written in Rolex's website that 'The case of every Rolex watch is made with 904l'. Nothing is said about the bracelets or clasps. __________________ 116613LN 16600SD 16610LV 116710 16710 16570 Speedy 3570.50 PAM25 Oris TT1 and a bunch of G-Shocks. Flipped: Daytona 116520 Seamaster 2231.80

22 February 2010, 09:22 AM	#3
Luv rolex 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Islam Location: Montreal, Canada Watch: DJ,SD 4000,LV Posts: 742	So, what is the difference between them ?

22 February 2010, 09:37 AM	#4
Dr. Robert 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Bob Location: U.S.A. Watch: 1655 Posts: 64,060	316 is excellent.....904 is more excellent! 904 has a higher chromium content...makes it harder & more resistant to corrosion.

22 February 2010, 10:09 AM	#5
Balboa Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SoCal OC U.S.A. Posts: 342	Actually, the significant difference in composition is nickel content. 904L has about twice the nickel content of 316L. This increases corrosion resistance which is good, but might not be good for jewelry wearers who are allergic to nickel. Mark

23 February 2010, 12:32 AM	#9
BASSETHOUNDS Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Tristan Location: GIRONA , SPAIN Watch: 116520/660/710/334 Posts: 7,147	Just the case I think .

23 February 2010, 12:57 AM	#12
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	It's my understanding the bracelet on the DSSD is also 904.

23 February 2010, 01:23 AM	#14
cedras "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: paris Watch: 16600 Posts: 27	both case and bracelet are made of 904L on SS modern watches

23 February 2010, 01:35 AM	#16
sparky_magoo Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Mark Location: RENO Watch: Deep Sea Posts: 64	When I bought my new Sub, the AD told me the entire watch was made of 904. The bracelet on my last Sub wore out. The AD assured me the new 904 would last much longer. Silly me for believing him. I guess I'll have to buy a DSSD.

23 February 2010, 01:42 AM	#17
TheBluePrince "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: London Posts: 2,081	In the real world for 99.9999% of people the only thing 904L is going to do is be ever so slightly more likely to cause irritation to them if they have sensative skin.

24 February 2010, 05:31 AM	#19
Fiery "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Europe Watch: Sub-C 116610LN Posts: 2,649	If the case is 904L, but the bracelet is 316L, then how come they share the same visual appearance? With a higher nickel content I'd expect at least slight difference in tone.

24 February 2010, 01:00 PM	#20
htc8p "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Bert Location: philippines Watch: 116710 ln Posts: 3,472	i dont see any difference given actual usage and experience. regular use.

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