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Bahnstormer109 · 10 October 2011, 08:10 PM

This TT DJ is badly corroded/pitted around where the case back seals into the case. Obviously this happens over a long period of time, but what would cause it since obviously it doesnt happen to all of them?

RRGHOST1 · 10 October 2011, 08:27 PM

Can you get a better pic, its a bit difficult to see.

MonBK · 10 October 2011, 08:45 PM

Looks more like dirt?

Bahnstormer109 · 10 October 2011, 09:19 PM

I looked at this watch years ago for sale. Due to the corrosion and stretched bracelet etc it wasnt good enough to put in the window for sale, but was going cheap.
What im talking about is the ragged edge around the hole in case. At the bottom edge in the picture you can see the light shining off the corroded pits in the metal. I dont think dirt is shiny?

Sorry the focus isnt clearer. This watch is probably on Gods wrist now.

Maybe the acids that leech out of your skin? Maybe the previous owner was an alcoholic??

thewatchguy93 · 10 October 2011, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bahnstormer109

I looked at this watch years ago for sale. Due to the corrosion and stretched bracelet etc it wasnt good enough to put in the window for sale, but was going cheap.
What im talking about is the ragged edge around the hole in case. At the bottom edge in the picture you can see the light shining off the corroded pits in the metal. I dont think dirt is shiny?

Sorry the focus isnt clearer. This watch is probably on Gods wrist now.

Maybe the acids that leech out of your skin? Maybe the previous owner was an alcoholic??

Stretch in the bracelet is caused by dirt and greasy oils from your skin which produces a build up between the links and cause it to grind the links apart in a way.

humvee · 10 October 2011, 09:29 PM

I can't see the corrosion but I tell you this much: Those 4 red knobs are not part of the watch!

watch watcher · 10 October 2011, 09:48 PM

Easy, it's the salt from your sweat trapped in the crevice.

Maxseven · 10 October 2011, 09:59 PM

That is a lousy photo - there is no way to ascertain where or how the corrosion looks. No better photos?

humvee · 10 October 2011, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxseven

That is a lousy photo - there is no way to ascertain where or how the corrosion looks. No better photos?

Oh come on now. It is a great photo ---- of the back side of the bracelet!

Bahnstormer109 · 10 October 2011, 11:05 PM

See if this helps those that cant understand what I mean-
Ive pinpointed the pitted ares with pink arrows and pinpointed an unaffected section with a yellow arrow. Compare the two. This is the part of the case that the rubber seal presses against.

This cant be that uncommon as my own Tudor had some minor corrosion in this area as well but since it is a gold plated/ rolled gold case this is more likely than on a solid metal. It was fixed when I had the case re-plated. Surely someone else has seen this and knows how it happens?

Maxseven · 10 October 2011, 11:14 PM

There is another thread about this...

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=110428

slcbbrown · 10 October 2011, 11:27 PM

I don't know how you do it. What's really amazing, to me, is the nice condition that the movement appears to be in. I've seen pictures like this, before, but have never heard a decent explanation. My experience with stainless in acid (hydorchloric or sulphuric industrial uses) is that the steel corrodes slowly and evenly. In the same settings, non-SS will pit significantly in sulphuric.

Bahnstormer109 · 10 October 2011, 11:38 PM

Is it common practice to inspect the inside of a second hand watch before you buy it? Get photos of the inside as well as outside if buying online?
I was lucky that seller is really nice and honest and happy to share information about the watches. He pointed out what was wrong with the watch and opened it up for me to see. And let me take a photo!

Would this corrosion not occur with a solid gold case?

le_baroudeur · 11 October 2011, 12:40 AM

Is this 904l ? I doubt... I think that it is 316l, and 316l rusts more easily (say 20 years) (when was 904l introduced?)

Like To Watch · 11 October 2011, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxseven

There is another thread about this...

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=110428

That does not look good.

Megalobyte · 11 October 2011, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bahnstormer109

Is it common practice to inspect the inside of a second hand watch before you buy it? Get photos of the inside as well as outside if buying online?
I was lucky that seller is really nice and honest and happy to share information about the watches. He pointed out what was wrong with the watch and opened it up for me to see. And let me take a photo!

Would this corrosion not occur with a solid gold case?

Far as I know, gold can't corrode.

TSW · 11 October 2011, 04:24 AM

Why? My guess combination of bad gaskets and older type of steel.

rmfnla · 11 October 2011, 05:02 AM

This kind of corrosion is not uncommon.

SS is only corrosion resistant; in time and with enough exposure to stuff like salt (in sweat) will cause exactly this kind of damage.

Most watchmakers clean it up as best they can, polish the outside and replace the gaskets and everything is fine.

le_baroudeur · 11 October 2011, 07:35 AM

Everything is fine.. But it will never be water proof again!

This is uncommon if it is 904l steel : it is much more rust-resistant than 316l (average mid range watch to high end ss watch), which is much more resistant than 304l (cheap watches)

Onikage · 11 October 2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxseven

There is another thread about this...

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=110428

This appears to be the work of an as yet unidentified small boring animal...with expensive taste.

Rikki · 11 October 2011, 11:17 AM

This corrosion is caused by body skin acids which can be very corrosive. The fix for this is to Lazer weld fill in the cracks and turn the case on a lathe to smooth the gasket surface. It is not uncommon as has been stated in previous posts. About 10 years ago I had an 80 year old customer with a president and every six months he came in for a new tube and crown because they fused together from body acids. Nothing I put on the tube and crown would stop this problem he just lived with it. Rikki

10 October 2011, 09:59 PM	#8
Maxseven "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Real Name: Joe Location: Bloomfield, MI Watch: Submariner Posts: 467	That is a lousy photo - there is no way to ascertain where or how the corrosion looks. No better photos? __________________ Hooper: Watch it! Damn it, Martin! This is compressed air! Martin: Well what the hell kind of a knot was that! Hooper: You pulled the wrong one! You screw around with these tanks and they're going to blow up!

10 October 2011, 11:14 PM	#11
Maxseven "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Real Name: Joe Location: Bloomfield, MI Watch: Submariner Posts: 467	There is another thread about this... http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=110428 __________________ Hooper: Watch it! Damn it, Martin! This is compressed air! Martin: Well what the hell kind of a knot was that! Hooper: You pulled the wrong one! You screw around with these tanks and they're going to blow up!

11 October 2011, 12:40 AM	#14
le_baroudeur "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Rennes, FRANCE Posts: 802	Is this 904l ? I doubt... I think that it is 316l, and 316l rusts more easily (say 20 years) (when was 904l introduced?) __________________ Card Carrying Member of the Global Assoc. of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons.

11 October 2011, 04:24 AM	#17
TSW "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: TSW Location: Le Brassus Watch: Rolex & AP's Posts: 27,449	Why? My guess combination of bad gaskets and older type of steel. __________________ AP Owners Club IG @swiss.watch.connection

11 October 2011, 05:02 AM	#18
rmfnla "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: Richard Location: Los Angeles, CA Watch: TT DJ Posts: 4,456	This kind of corrosion is not uncommon. SS is only corrosion resistant; in time and with enough exposure to stuff like salt (in sweat) will cause exactly this kind of damage. Most watchmakers clean it up as best they can, polish the outside and replace the gaskets and everything is fine. __________________ Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here... Lug Hole Lover®

10 October 2011, 08:27 PM	#2
RRGHOST1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: luke standing Location: england Watch: Rolex TT SubC Blue Posts: 3,992	Can you get a better pic, its a bit difficult to see.

10 October 2011, 08:45 PM	#3
MonBK Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kingstown Posts: 58,279	Looks more like dirt?

10 October 2011, 09:19 PM	#4
Bahnstormer109 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Brisbane Posts: 19	I looked at this watch years ago for sale. Due to the corrosion and stretched bracelet etc it wasnt good enough to put in the window for sale, but was going cheap. What im talking about is the ragged edge around the hole in case. At the bottom edge in the picture you can see the light shining off the corroded pits in the metal. I dont think dirt is shiny? Sorry the focus isnt clearer. This watch is probably on Gods wrist now. Maybe the acids that leech out of your skin? Maybe the previous owner was an alcoholic??

10 October 2011, 09:29 PM	#6
humvee Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 451	I can't see the corrosion but I tell you this much: Those 4 red knobs are not part of the watch!

10 October 2011, 09:48 PM	#7
watch watcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ME Watch: Vintages Posts: 565	Easy, it's the salt from your sweat trapped in the crevice.

10 October 2011, 11:27 PM	#12
slcbbrown "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: steve Location: dallas area Watch: 50's TT t-bird Posts: 3,689	I don't know how you do it. What's really amazing, to me, is the nice condition that the movement appears to be in. I've seen pictures like this, before, but have never heard a decent explanation. My experience with stainless in acid (hydorchloric or sulphuric industrial uses) is that the steel corrodes slowly and evenly. In the same settings, non-SS will pit significantly in sulphuric.

10 October 2011, 11:38 PM	#13
Bahnstormer109 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Brisbane Posts: 19	Is it common practice to inspect the inside of a second hand watch before you buy it? Get photos of the inside as well as outside if buying online? I was lucky that seller is really nice and honest and happy to share information about the watches. He pointed out what was wrong with the watch and opened it up for me to see. And let me take a photo! Would this corrosion not occur with a solid gold case?

11 October 2011, 07:35 AM	#19
le_baroudeur "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Rennes, FRANCE Posts: 802	Everything is fine.. But it will never be water proof again! This is uncommon if it is 904l steel : it is much more rust-resistant than 316l (average mid range watch to high end ss watch), which is much more resistant than 304l (cheap watches) __________________ Card Carrying Member of the Global Assoc. of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons.

11 October 2011, 11:17 AM	#21
Rikki TechXpert Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Rik Dietel Location: Seminole Fla Watch: 5512 s/s Sub Posts: 1,818	This corrosion is caused by body skin acids which can be very corrosive. The fix for this is to Lazer weld fill in the cracks and turn the case on a lathe to smooth the gasket surface. It is not uncommon as has been stated in previous posts. About 10 years ago I had an 80 year old customer with a president and every six months he came in for a new tube and crown because they fused together from body acids. Nothing I put on the tube and crown would stop this problem he just lived with it. Rikki __________________ Century 21 Certified watchmaker Omega Service Provider Trained Omega OWME Certified. Rolex Parts Account Holder.

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