The Foundation of Excellence
If the movement is the heart of the watch, the steel is its skeleton. For years, replica factories used 316L stainless steel—the same standard steel used in kitchen sinks and most watches. It’s good, but it’s not Rolex.
Rolex famously uses Oystersteel, a superalloy specific to the 904L family. It is notoriously difficult to machine, requiring specialized tooling that most factories cannot afford. Victory Factory has made the investment.
Why 904L? The “Precious Metal” of Steel
904L is not just harder; it has a different chemical composition with higher levels of chromium, molybdenum, and copper.
- Ultimate Corrosion Resistance: 904L was originally designed for use in sulfuric acid tanks. It is virtually impervious to salt water and sweat corrosion that can pit and dull standard 316L steel over time.
- Unique Luster (光泽): This is the most noticeable difference. Because of its hardness and composition, 904L steel takes a much higher polish. It has a brighter, whiter, “liquid metal” shine that looks closer to white gold than standard steel. When you hold a Victory Factory watch next to a lesser replica, the difference in the metal’s glow is unmistakable.
Machined to Perfection
Using 904L is meaningless if the finishing is poor.
- Clean Factory Legacy: Inheriting the legendary case-making capabilities of Clean Factory, our 904L cases feature razor-sharp transitions between brushed and polished surfaces.
- Solid Feel: Every component, from the solid end-links of the bracelet to the clasp safety, is machined from solid blocks of 904L. The weight and “heft” on the wrist are identical to the genuine article.