skyeriding
900
If the inlay is made of aluminium, then my theory suggests it is Galvanic Corrosion
Aug 29, 2017,10:45 AM
Which, in more layman terms, means that if you have two different metals physically touching/connected via e.g. salt water especially, one of the pair of metals will start rapidly corroding.
A pure bronze watch, or a pure aluminium watch will not corrode as rapidly compared to if the two metals are used together.
In the case of bronze and aluminium, aluminium acts as the metal that is "sacrificed" during Galvanic Corrosion - being the more reactive metal. Salt water only serves to accelerates the process. Only after the aluminium fully corrodes to nothing will the bronze slowly get corroded by seawater as usual. This is why for example, the hull of navy ships usually have little blocks of zinc stuck onto the sides - these zinc blocks will corrode from the seawater first before the seawater starts attacking the hull of the ship directly.
I'd imagine they should have used something non-reactive like ceramic inlay if they are going to use it for bronze watches. The same thing will happen with some other pairs of metals; e.g. a copper insert into a steel watch will have the copper rapidly corrode via the same mechanism. Two-toned watches like steel and gold do not face this issues as they are more "stable" metals, and relatively close to each other on the galvanic scale.
Regards,
skyeriding
Comments:
view entire thread
some SERIOUS Tudor bronze complaints
By: Bruno.M1 : August 29th, 2017-09:29
I posted this already on instagram via ' @collectible_watches' but they didn't feel the need to answer or explain anything :-( I know Patek monitors this site so I hope Rolex / Tudor does the same About a year ago I bought the Black Bay bronze. Not my fir...
ok, ready for a horror picture ? .........
By: Bruno.M1 : August 29th, 2017-10:05
this is not my watch nor picture but like told, one I received after the instagram post The watch belongs to a guy that surfs often in the Mediterranean Sea ( just got his permission to post this one too ) ...
Wow Bruno this is insane!
By: Makilla : August 31st, 2017-03:31
Looks like a virus attached the bezel and started eating it out!
OMG! [nt]
By: travelller : September 6th, 2017-17:37
Sorry to hear about your problem
By: Poky : August 29th, 2017-10:18
It must be the corroding (some people call it patina, it is corrosion!) bronze underneath the disc which is affecting the disc. I don't mean to add insult to your injury but bronze is not a corrosion resistant metal. It is fine with water but anything aci...
imo it IS the problem of the manufacturer
By: Bruno.M1 : August 29th, 2017-10:44
why is Tudor the only one that uses an aluminium (?) inlay ? If it would have been ceramic there wouldn't be a problem, or no inlay but a solid bronze bezel ( Panerai, Oris, ...) We know bronze oxidizes or erodes ( what is the english word for it) ... get...
You have a point there
By: Poky : August 29th, 2017-11:00
The problem is that the manufacturer will only change yours to ceramic if they decide to do that for the rest of them. I doubt Tudor will do that. Let us know what happens.
..
By: amblin_xi : August 29th, 2017-13:06
Yes, you are correct, this is the perfect example of a galvanic corrosion in progress. Aluminum by itself had excellent anti corrosion properties because a thin oxidation layer will rapidly form , adhere to the parent metal and stop any further corrosion ...
...
By: amblin_xi : August 29th, 2017-13:45
No, it's the fight of two metals and aluminum will always be the victim. Salt water could be a catalyst but not the main reason behind the problem.. And after all, why would one dive with a bronze watch anyway? Nasty green rust spots will happen especiall...
.....
By: amblin_xi : August 29th, 2017-16:39
Not sure, I've not seen the particular watch in person, but judging by the gold tone in pictures and typical basic requirements of a watch case , I'd say it's most likely be the CuAl10Fe3. Al content is 8.5%-11% , this particular alloy can offer good stre...
too bad I didn't see this earlier
By: jayeyedoubleemmwhy : August 29th, 2017-17:04
the Tudor rep was at my AD yesterday, so I totally could've asked about this. next time!
You have got my attention = stopped my purchasing plans
By: kolosstt : August 29th, 2017-22:13
I had the Tudor Bucherer edition on my wrist and really could have been an owner by now. Some changes in personal life made me delay the acquisition. However, getting this eye opener with your post, I will certainly not proceed with any of these plans. Wh...
Wow! I can't believe it.
By: masterspiece : August 29th, 2017-22:37
After reading your post I had to check mine as I've used it as a daily beater for quite sometime. Rain, pool, beach. Mine is still pristine with a lovely patina. It is a total bummer that salt water + bronze=corrosion. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on...
You will get a reply via Lady Gaga.....
By: Hororgasm : August 30th, 2017-12:30
Sorry to hear about your woes. Mine is holding up very well, but then again, I have worn it probably 5 times since I bought it. Thanks for the share. Best, Horo
This is totally unacceptable!
By: Makilla : August 31st, 2017-03:37
its not about how many times they need to change the Inlay but Solve the problem instead. This is really horrible! I doubt it's Alluminum because Rolex and other watches used Alluminum inlays for decades and never had this problem. I think it's a differen...
.
By: amblin_xi : August 31st, 2017-04:42
Yes, aluminum bezel inlay has been around for ages, but not in a bronze+aluminum combination.
and 2 years later ...
By: Bruno.M1 : March 30th, 2019-00:12
they show us a new one at Basel 2019 ... with the same bezel inlay material ? A big Tudor fan but SO disappointed ... when will someone at Tudor stand up and solve this problem or will they keep ignoring it ?