Rolex 15010 - Is This Pitting ?

workandturn · Tues. 10:35am

Im selling my Rolex 15010 and Ive had some push back from a potential buyer.

Just to ask the community is this pitting between the lugs ? Are there are dangers to it being there ?

To be clear Im selling the watch, I used to live in Singapore and I bought it from a dealer there. I did have it checked independently, no issues, all legit and has been working with no problems for the last year.

But Im not sure what this is, my presumption is its moisture and wear to the watch and having checked the watch and noted no other damage its fine. Am I right to say that ? How do I correctly explain this to the potential buyers as I dont want to mislead anyone ?

M'Bob · Tues. 11:14am

Looks like corrosion to me. If it’s cleaned properly, it should not progress. It would make me wonder about the movement, though. Has it been checked for moisture damage?

workandturn · Tues. 11:23am

M'Bob
Looks like corrosion to me. If it’s cleaned properly, it should not progress. It would make me wonder about the movement, though. Has it been checked for moisture damage?

Its been cleaned and stopped already, this was previous damage well prior to purchase

Movement was checked and all clean, between the lugs is the only place this corrosion exists, nothing on case back, or front of the watch.

Im going to get it opened and take some pictures for the buyer as I understand their nervousness and I dont want any issues.

Dan S · Tues. 11:36am

It is pitting and picky buyers won’t like it. More concerning is whether there is pitting in the oring groove of the case or the flange of the case back. So you will need to show those photos.

Open the case and show good photos of the inside of the case back, showing the flange clearly. Then remove the gasket and show good photos of the back side of the mid case, focusing on the inside of the oring groove. It’s not uncommon to see pitting in those places, and if it’s bad enough it can compromise water resistance.

If I were a buyer I’d want to see photos and not just take your word for it. Especially since you’ve already demonstrated that you don’t recognize pitting when you see it. Perhaps you can also show the results of a pressure test.

workandturn · Tues. 11:40am

Dan S
It is pitting and picky buyers won’t like it. More concerning is whether there is pitting in the oring groove of the case or the flange of the case back. So you will need to show those photos.

Hey Dan

I wasn’t picky, didn’t even think about it other than I best get it looked over but I got it at a good price as well.

Now I’m selling it I’m realising I need to be transparent about it on this one, might pull this watch down and get some good photos of the issue.

So Oring groove / flange, I’ll need to look up what that actually means 😂 guessing under the case back ?!

Davidt · Tues. 12:30pm

It’s certainly pitting. When it’s localised to between the lugs I usually associate it with dirt and grime between the case and the Endlinks which can hold moisture against the case for years and lead to this ‘pin prick’ pitting.

It will impact the value of the watch but if disclosed transparently you should still find a buyer as long as the price reflects the condition.

workandturn · Tues. 2:31pm

Davidt
It’s certainly pitting. When it’s localised to between the lugs I usually associate it with dirt and grime between the case and the Endlinks which can hold moisture against the case for years and lead to this ‘pin prick’ pitting.

It will impact the value of the watch but if disclosed transparently you should still find a buyer as long as the price reflects the condition.

Thanks David, I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of dirt but it makes perfect sense. Never cleaned, worn in Singapore with high humidity, chased the damage and then it was cleaned up.

Any idea how much the value is usually affected ? listed at £2980 which is almost the cheapest 15010 on Chrono and by far the cheapest black dial.

Probably already 10% lower than it should be (but I realise I’m a private seller) so questioning how much to lower it if at all

Davidt · Tues. 2:50pm

I don’t think it’s quite as straight forward as a percentage as there are other condition factors, dial colour, bracelet, service history etc. But comparing like for like I’d be guessing more like 15-20% at least.

If I think about it the other way, would I rather pay £3500 (purely as an example) for a good case or £3150 for one with pitting. I’d always prefer to spend a couple hundred more for one without pitting as I hate it.
If you go down to a 15 or 20% discount so £2800-2975 vs £3500, personally I still wouldn’t buy the pitted case but you’re into the realm where perhaps less discerning buyers might start to be tempted.

Purely my thoughts and others may disagree.

workandturn · Tues. 3:12pm

My intention wasn't to over simple, just trying to understand where to price this piece. Watch is in decent condition, not perfect, but I'll price accordingly. Likely Ill reduce down to £2700 as that seems fair.

Dan S · Tues. 3:20pm

I think it's the seller's decision how to price the watch. It depends on many factors.

vibe · Wed. 6:11pm

Uggg, pitting. This is why Rolex started using 904L. This example looks to be from 89-92ish which is before they stared using it. For selling strategy; you could price it higher with pitting but it may take some time to sell. A lot of buyers are looking for a deal and they don't really know if pitting is an issue. I have been there and done that in my collecting career. I had a 1002 with pitting like this; I ended up sourcing a donor case. I also had a IWC XI with pitting only on the CASEBACK; but it seemed active. I priced it down 25% because of that.

Walrus · Fri. 12:48pm

Is this common on Rolex from that era? When I began looking I noticed pitting but it seemed to be on older models. It’s still a nice looking watch. If it’s not hitting the case seal I’d be less concerned I just don’t recall seeing pitting often on watches of that era but I’m far from knowledgeable on the issue.

Dan S · Fri. 12:53pm

Walrus
Is this common on Rolex from that era? When I began looking I noticed pitting but it seemed to be on older models. It’s still a nice looking watch. If it’s not hitting the case seal I’d be less concerned I just don’t recall seeing pitting often on watches of that era but I’m far from knowledgeable on the issue.

I think it's fairly common from the entire era where 316 steel was used, so until the mid-80s for sure. I'm not certain if Rolex switched over entirely to 904 at the time, or gradually phased it in on new references.

Davidt · Fri. 1:25pm

I think Rolex started using 914L in the mid 80’s on either the submariner or sea dweller, before phasing it in over the next 10-15 years across the range.

I don’t think this kind of pitting is specific to vintage Rolex. I’ve had it on vintage Speedmasters, Seamasters and Heuers from the 60’s/70’s.

Purely anecdotal but I do think it’s related to watches fitted with hollow Endlinks which got full of crud, retaining moistures against the case between the lugs, that were then put away in a drawer for years. Several times I’ve bought a barn find with bracelet that was filthy and when I cleaned it up this kind of pitting was lurking underneath.