Main differences between 904L and 316 steel

[tommytoro]

Hi guys, which are REAL differences between these two kinds of steel?
i know the 904L is the rolex original and obviously bettere... but what does change in practice?

thank u

 

[stockwatch]

Hi guys, which are REAL differences between these two kinds of steel?
i know the 904L is the rolex original and obviously bettere... but what does change in practice?

thank u

Not a big difference. It’s slightly heavier and from appearance stand it looks the same


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[mari115]

Quoting google:

"Rolex calls 904L stainless steel a “corrosion-resistant superalloy.” 904L differs from 316L because of extra Chromium, Molybdenum, Nickel, and Copper which gives it improved resistance to acids. 316L is considered a tougher, harder, “marine grade” steel, but it does not have luster and acid resistance of 904L."

There isn't any real visual difference, I owned plenty gens or reps and the color of the steel is basically the same in everyone of those. If you see any difference is probably due to the different grain for the satin or the different depth of polishing

 

[stockwatch]

Quoting google:

"Rolex calls 904L stainless steel a “corrosion-resistant superalloy.” 904L differs from 316L because of extra Chromium, Molybdenum, Nickel, and Copper which gives it improved resistance to acids. 316L is considered a tougher, harder, “marine grade” steel, but it does not have luster and acid resistance of 904L."

There isn't any real visual difference, I owned plenty gens or reps and the color of the steel is basically the same in everyone of those. If you see any difference is probably due to the different grain for the satin or the different depth of polishing

Facts !


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[DaleM]

Hi guys, which are REAL differences between these two kinds of steel?
i know the 904L is the rolex original and obviously bettere... but what does change in practice?

thank u

https://www.keepthetime.com/blog/316l-vs-904l-stainless-steel-in-watches/

 

[OiRogers]

In everyday use... 904 polishes nicer, but seems to scratch slightly easier than 316.
On the wrist... I don't know of anyone that can spot the difference.

 

[muiramas]

https://www.keepthetime.com/blog/316l-vs-904l-stainless-steel-in-watches/

Thats a very good and balanced article.

That Ball use it as well as a bunch of factories churing out Chinese fakes renders 904 steel nothing special at all.


Ball - I mean who buys Ball? Smh.

 

[DaleM]

Thats a very good and balanced article.

That Ball use it as well as a bunch of factories churing out Chinese fakes renders 904 steel nothing special at all.


Ball - I mean who buys Ball? Smh.

I am wearing a Ball Hydrocarbon Original as we type and have the Ball Engineer Green Beret too. If you like COSC certified watches, tritium lume, and watches with an American past it don't get much better.

 

[Glaude]

If only there was a full thread dedicated to this just above in the stickies ... https://forum.replica-watch.info/fo...f-vs-904l-the-final-verdict-a-technical-study

 

[muiramas]

If only there was a full thread dedicated to this just above in the stickies ... https://forum.replica-watch.info/fo...f-vs-904l-the-final-verdict-a-technical-study

The old original sticky is rather esoteric in its nature, and several points are understandably wrong because they are out of date now. I thought the article posted by DaleM was an interesting, updated and quickly accessible take on the question.

 

[pt98765]

316L also known in other industries as 'surgical steel'...I am no expert but 316 probably more rugged and 904 more 'premium' in its finish. But yeah, there is a dedicated sticky to this.

Unsure if rep 904L is 'true' in its ratios on reps but it certainly feels better to me.

 

[p0pperini]

The old original sticky is rather esoteric in its nature, and several points are understandably wrong because they are out of date now. I thought the article posted by DaleM was an interesting, updated and quickly accessible take on the question.

This.


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[muiramas]

Unsure if rep 904L is 'true' in its ratios on reps but it certainly feels better to me.

904L is 904L - its mix / ratios or %ages cannot be different, otherwise it is no longer 904L. The first step to accepting this is to understand there is nothing special about 904L.

 

[pt98765]

904L is 904L - its mix / ratios or %ages cannot be different, otherwise it is no longer 904L. The first step to accepting this is to understand there is nothing special about 904L.

Correct. You missed my point so allow me to say it more bluntly - the factories may not always be telling the truth about the fact that it’s 904L. You either have to trust them or be a metallurgist.

 

[Glaude]

The old original sticky is rather esoteric in its nature, and several points are understandably wrong because they are out of date now. I thought the article posted by DaleM was an interesting, updated and quickly accessible take on the question.

The latest posts in it are pretty accurate, and all of this content would have been better suited in said post, newbies usually check the first page & last, so it would have worked fine, but it's not a big deal to have this here

 

[muiramas]

Correct. You missed my point so allow me to say it more bluntly - the factories may not always be telling the truth about the fact that it’s 904L. You either have to trust them or be a metallurgist.

I didn’t miss anything. You said. “True in its ratios on reps” which is what I was responding to.

The use of 904l in a rep was confirmed by member 2Fake4U who paid for a spectrum analysis of a rep at a lab. Before your time.