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

[gilrob]

^^Thank you for your insightful information.^^

 

[Marcospcol]

certainly not worth paying more for the same

 

[Grand_Nagus]

Thanks

 

[sincron]

Recently, a friend of mine showed me how his original rolex submariner purchased 5 years ago looked. He had gone into the sea one day under a yellow flag and the steel box had been completely crushed by the sand in a 5 minute swim. How could this be possible?

 

[Glaude]

He had gone into the sea one day under a yellow flag and the steel box had been completely crushed by the sand in a 5 minute swim.

Steel box ? You meant the case of the watch ?

Crushed by sand ?

:bsmeter:

 

[sincron]

Steel box ? You meant the case of the watch ?

Crushed by sand ?

:bsmeter:

Indeed, steel box, stitch marks on the case caused by sand

 

[Dani89]

Very interesting! Thank you

 

[nani89]

the post was written in 2011 and updated in 2017, in these days if in the TD catalog says the wach with 904L is they still laying to us ?

 

[derjenigewelcher]

the post was written in 2011 and updated in 2017, in these days if in the TD catalog says the wach with 904L is they still laying to us ?

No. It was documented by a metal analysis test by a member here (I'm no longer sure whether it was a TD or not) with photos that the specified values were correct. ZZF is known as the only son of a bitch company that lied to people about the Submariner and sold the ZZF V2 as the 904L.
Buying the 904L from a TD is the 904L.

But I tell you: the difference between Gen and 316L is barely visible

 

[Kyzander]

A really superb writeup, Thank you.

 

[Rocco8081]

Is this still true today ? Most of the reps out there advertise 904?

Sent from my SM-N981U using Tapatalk

 

[Rocco8081]

Is this still true today ? Most of the reps out there advertise 904?

Sent from my SM-N981U using Tapatalk

 

[Rocco8081]

Is this still true today ? Most of the reps out there advertise 904

Sent from my SM-N981U using Tapatalk

 

[ALE7575]

Nowadays, many Rolex reps are really made with SS 904. Maybe it is not as good as the Rolex SS but it is very correct

And the other reps are mainly made with a 316 F but the prices are the same as other SS

ALE

 

[AnExpensiveBracelet]

Nowadays, many Rolex reps are really made with SS 904. Maybe it is not as good as the Rolex SS but it is very correct

And the other reps are mainly made with a 316 F but the prices are the same as other SS

ALE

Thanks, Its good to know that those more reputable Rolex reps (CF, VSF, etc) are really using the 904s they claim.

 

[MaxAndPaddy]

Hats off to you, real time taken in writing this and a very good read for a amateur like myself.

 

[MaxAndPaddy]

It’s a relief to hear that higher end factories like CF and VSF are using 904

 

[Nono92]

It’s a relief to hear that higher end factories like CF and VSF are using 904

If it doesn't change anything, it's not worth...

 

[cbx1100]

Does the 904L advertising that I see alot of still not available as per the 2011 technical study or has the use increased?

 

[Shootgun]

My new Rolex OP 41mm also use 904L and its amazing