Delicious Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Hi Guys I was wondering if some our rwg members knows about this : is there any difference between 904L steel that rolex uses compared to the rep 316L steel? I mean is there a big difference between the look/weight of the two types of steels? will you be able to get the same "shine" with the rep steel compared to the 904l ? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slickdick Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 (edited) Many topics have been wasted on this subject, please search. But i will tell you this. There is no conclusion about why the shine is the way it is. Could be the supreme finish, could be the 904. No one knows for sure, search the rolexforums too. The rolex site will tell you Polex uses 904 for bracelets quite recently. Edited June 11, 2009 by slickdick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ammandel Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Yay! People are starting to spread the word! As above, bracelets on Rolex are made of 316L bar the deepsea and another couple of the new models. Any differences in 'shine' are to do with finishing and polishing methods. Further reading: Read my previous finds on 904L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delicious Posted June 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 thanks for your ansewrs ill try the "search" button too :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 The color difference is pretty much meaningless. At least to me. Here's my rep vs. gen wristshot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 I'm going to get my teeth capped in 904L. 904L: The new gold for grills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DemonSlayer Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 I'm going to get my teeth capped in 904L. 904L: The new gold for grills. Lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slickdick Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 I'm going to get my teeth capped in 904L. 904L: The new gold for grills. In what kind of finish? cotes or perlage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synaptic02 Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 i could be wrong, but my basic understanding is that rolex started using 904L in an effort to reduce corrosion due to an increased chromium content in 904L v. 316L. this would certainly attribute to the greater heft and luster of gen pieces. again, could be wrong and would have no problem accepting correction, but after reading as many discussions on this as i could possibly handle before passing out, this is the information i retained. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 In what kind of finish? cotes or perlage? I thinking perlage! That way, when the light hits it just right... Odets will have something significant and amazingly wonderful to write about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chronus Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 904 has more nickel which is not good for those with nickel allergies... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shundi Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 The corrosion resistance factor is only helpful if you were dipping your bracelet in some sort of super low ph acid... From WUS: 904L Stainless Steel: <0.02% C, 19-23% Cr, 23-28% Ni, 4-5% Mo, <2.0% Mn, <1.0% Si, <0.045% P, <0.035% S, 1.0-2.0% Cu 904L is a non-stabilised low carbon high alloy austenitic stainless steel. The addition of copper to this grade gives it greatly improved resistance to strong reducing acids, particularly sulphuric acid. It is also highly resistant to chloride attack - both pitting / crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. This grade is non-magnetic in all conditions and has excellent weldability and formability. The austenitic structure also gives this grade excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures. 904L does have very substantial contents of the high cost ingredients nickel and molybdenum. Many of the applications in which this grade has previously performed well can now be fulfilled at lower cost by duplex stainless steel 2205 (S31803 or S32205), so it is used less commonly than in the past. 316L Stainless Steel <0.03% C, 16-18.5% Cr, 10-14% Ni, 2-3% Mo, <2% Mn, <1% Si, <0.045% P, <0.03% S Grade 316 is the standard molybdenum-bearing grade, second in importance to 304 amongst the austenitic stainless steels. The molybdenum gives 316 better overall corrosion resistant properties than Grade 304, particularly higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments. Grade 316L, the low carbon version of 316 and is immune from sensitisation (grain boundary carbide precipitation). Thus it is extensively used in heavy gauge welded components (over about 6mm). There is commonly no appreciable price difference between 316 and 316L stainless steel. The austenitic structure also gives these grades excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures. Compared to chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steels, 316L stainless steel offers higher creep, stress to rupture and tensile strength at elevated temperatures. The corrosion resistance factor is only helpful if you were dipping your bracelet in some sort of super low ph acid... From WUS: 904L Stainless Steel: <0.02% C, 19-23% Cr, 23-28% Ni, 4-5% Mo, <2.0% Mn, <1.0% Si, <0.045% P, <0.035% S, 1.0-2.0% Cu 904L is a non-stabilised low carbon high alloy austenitic stainless steel. The addition of copper to this grade gives it greatly improved resistance to strong reducing acids, particularly sulphuric acid. It is also highly resistant to chloride attack - both pitting / crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. This grade is non-magnetic in all conditions and has excellent weldability and formability. The austenitic structure also gives this grade excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures. 904L does have very substantial contents of the high cost ingredients nickel and molybdenum. Many of the applications in which this grade has previously performed well can now be fulfilled at lower cost by duplex stainless steel 2205 (S31803 or S32205), so it is used less commonly than in the past. 316L Stainless Steel <0.03% C, 16-18.5% Cr, 10-14% Ni, 2-3% Mo, <2% Mn, <1% Si, <0.045% P, <0.03% S Grade 316 is the standard molybdenum-bearing grade, second in importance to 304 amongst the austenitic stainless steels. The molybdenum gives 316 better overall corrosion resistant properties than Grade 304, particularly higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments. Grade 316L, the low carbon version of 316 and is immune from sensitisation (grain boundary carbide precipitation). Thus it is extensively used in heavy gauge welded components (over about 6mm). There is commonly no appreciable price difference between 316 and 316L stainless steel. The austenitic structure also gives these grades excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures. Compared to chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steels, 316L stainless steel offers higher creep, stress to rupture and tensile strength at elevated temperatures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hank7502 Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 I've had gen Rolex and reps, I can't tell the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fakemaster Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 Shundi you're going to make his head explode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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