Moonwatch power dies when chrono is running

D Duckie

I feel compelled to make a correction or two if I may?

Firstly, 316 is indeed classified as an Austenetic SS as is 904.
However 316 SS (otherwise commonly referred to as "Marine Grade" by the prolitariat) is by far the most commonly available Austenetic SS.

Secondly, 304 SS is in actual fact classified as a Martinsetic SS which naturally has less corrosion resistance than 316.

For further clarity Austenetic SS is non-magnetic at normal temps where as 304 is somewhat magnetic.

If one has seen 316 eaten out right through the guts of the material when utilized at normal temperatures, one would appreciate the advantages of 904 over 316. Just as 316 has advantages over 304 in marine environments.
Hense the widely held view that 904 is regarded as and deservedly marketed as a "super alloy".

There are more than enough 316 SS watches out there that have been condemned in terms of water resistance over a good many decades because of case back corrosion.
To date as far as i'm aware none have been reported to be condemned with 904 SS.

EricCsN

Duckie, your entire note is absolutely wrong. By the way SS316 is not the same as SS316L. Let me pick just one scientific paper for your education .

D Duckie

You're quite right.
It was a case of me being just a little blase about the designations.
In my game just as it is with Al's friends 316 and 316l are the same when we talk in general terms.
Quite frankly I would say it's been decades since I really ever concerned myself about it as materials like 316l and 904l along with Duplex is all we ever use.

Incidentally, I was reflecting on the terminologies in the back of my mind as I was responding originally just before rushing off to start the day before the sun came up and my old mind is slower these days. Especially in the morning.
I was remembering what filler metals we used to use to weld the stuff and how the classifications changed considerably.
You see i come from a very bygone era and industry standards

Archer

Rolex marketing is the reason 904L is considered a “super alloy”. For anyone who is not aware of the connection to Rolex, it’s just another grade of stainless. I recently went to visit a couple of my fellow engineers (former co-workers) who work at a small company specializing in mechanical seals for the petroleum industry. They have huge bars of stainless sitting out in their material yard including lots of 904L. I mentioned that that Rolex fanboys would be having orgasms seeing it and they said it was odd because it’s just another material to everyone else. They don’t even lock it up at night...just sits in the steel yard with all the others.

Yes it has advantages, but the hyperbole that Rolex uses is so over the top it’s not funny.

I will point out there are plenty of 316L watches out there that are decades old and still holding up well. I’ve also never personally seen a 316L watch that was from 1985 or newer that was corroded, so I’m not sure your comparison really holds up...at least not yet.

Cheers, Al

Canuck

I wonder if the alloy content of the steel in the case of this particular watch has anything to do with its erratic performance? 😁

STANDY

Same steel just a bit more Molybdenum and you hit the nail on the head with Marketed.

Both have great watch case capabilities 904l is a little more corrosion resistant and polishes a bit better.

You want to see great Stainless Steels head over to any knife forum and read a few steel junkie threads.

Click this link and your head will spin

https://knifesteelnerds.com/2019/06/24/h1-steel-how-it-works/

Canuck

You’ve never heard of thread drift?