SS 316L vs. 316F vs. 904L- The final VERDICT- A technical study

[Clarity93]

I just came across this great write-up and have to say: I learned a lot!



But to BoulderJ's point: when the factories today claim that they are using "Rolex-grade" 904L steel - is this true? Prices increased accordingly

I’m not a material specialist by any means, but I’ve recently ordered two VSF subs 126610LN from Ryan. They’re advertised as 904L, Ryan confirmed 904L and it happens that I had a neodymium magnet laying around. I’ve checked both bracelets and they show no signs of attraction whatsoever. The color is spot on like gen. I have some points to think that 904L might have been used there, but I would like to get 100% confirmation.

 

[Fabulously]

I’m not a material specialist by any means, but I’ve recently ordered two VSF subs 126610LN from Ryan. They’re advertised as 904L, Ryan confirmed 904L and it happens that I had a neodymium magnet laying around. I’ve checked both bracelets and they show no signs of attraction whatsoever. The color is spot on like gen. I have some points to think that 904L might have been used there, but I would like to get 100% confirmation.

Thanks for your thoughts! This is indeed interesting. I am just wondering whether 316L or 316F stainless steel alloys are magnetic at all? My understanding was that all of these high great steel variants were supposed to be rather non-magnetic...

 

[Dokraven]

Good info here. Thanks. My 904L sub has held up surprisingly very well to wear and tear, but better than the specs would lead you to believe.

 

[zoullo1]

Bonjour, je viens de voir une usine ( QF ) qui propose des daytona en or avec cette description : Boîtier en acier inoxydable massif 904L plaqué ou jaune 18 carats, réplique 1:1, métal Cu-W pour augmenter le poids de la montre pour correspondent au poids de la montre en ou véritable, presque le même poids que la montre authentique.
Connaissez vous ce métal : Cu-W ?
Merci d'avance.

 

[Karbon74]

Bonjour, je viens de voir une usine ( QF ) qui propose des daytona en or avec cette description : Boîtier en acier inoxydable massif 904L plaqué ou jaune 18 carats, réplique 1:1, métal Cu-W pour augmenter le poids de la montre pour correspondent au poids de la montre en ou véritable, presque le même poids que la montre authentique.
Connaissez vous ce métal : Cu-W ?
Merci d'avance.

Tungsten Copper

 

[WatchN3RD]

I can't add much, but I can say with comfort that cheap stainless steel is magnetic. Haven't you walked in a new-ish public bathroom and noticed the "stainless" railings are already rusting?
The old school trick for building materials was to make 100% sure that the "rust free" steel you purchased was non-magnetic. There could be a few exceptions, but I doubt those apply to watches.

 

[gvogia]

From my little experience in metals sorting business, 316 and 904l have no magnetic properties. Lower grades of stainless steel like 4xx series are magnetic. A common stainless in the daily applications is 304 and is in general non-magnetic, but it could become partially magnetic under cold processing/ forging. I also purchased recently a VSF sub 126610LN that is supposed to have 904l alloy. I have at the yard equipment that could read the type of alloy the watch is made of, but this would lead to slightly damaging the surface of the watch on the contact spot, so I don’t think I’ll make an attempt

 

[nycevan]

From my little experience in metals sorting business, 316 and 904l have no magnetic properties. Lower grades of stainless steel like 4xx series are magnetic. A common stainless in the daily applications is 304 and is in general non-magnetic, but it could become partially magnetic under cold processing/ forging. I also purchased recently a VSF sub 126610LN that is supposed to have 904l alloy. I have at the yard equipment that could read the type of alloy the watch is made of, but this would lead to slightly damaging the surface of the watch on the contact spot, so I don’t think I’ll make an attempt

Very cool fun facts!

 

[UptonDowntown]

Interesting. I’m actually a little surprised to learn that nobody actually knows if the Rolex reps are using 904 now or not. I would have thought this to have been sorted years ago.

 

[ne0viper]

From my little experience in metals sorting business, 316 and 904l have no magnetic properties. Lower grades of stainless steel like 4xx series are magnetic. A common stainless in the daily applications is 304 and is in general non-magnetic, but it could become partially magnetic under cold processing/ forging. I also purchased recently a VSF sub 126610LN that is supposed to have 904l alloy. I have at the yard equipment that could read the type of alloy the watch is made of, but this would lead to slightly damaging the surface of the watch on the contact spot, so I don’t think I’ll make an attempt

Good to know, thanks for the info

 

[Nathanwatch44]

article of extreme importance and could be useful to other people in my case was wondering about the different materials used on our rep

 

[rossco17111]

Interesting. I’m actually a little surprised to learn that nobody actually knows if the Rolex reps are using 904 now or not. I would have thought this to have been sorted years ago.

Agree, as I’m reading a lot of reps now advertised as 904, so would be keen to understand if that is indeed true or if all factories and TDs have become a bit more brazen on their advertising practices…

 

[derjenigewelcher]

For the weightet watches nowadays its not 904L. 904L is in Rolex SS Models.
But who knows. would be cool if PT would test again

 

[aye154]

904 does look more whiter as time goes pay because 316 does lose color.

 

[tbandy]

Very interesting info