32xx movement problem poll and data thread

[CharlesN]

I don’t believe it ……
Rolex must know they have a problem with 32xx movements.

Why did they launch a new model with a problematic movement ?

What are they thinking ?

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by CharlesN

I don’t believe it ……
Rolex must know they have a problem with 32xx movements.

Why did they launch a new model with a problematic movement ?

What are they thinking ?

I suspect that fewer than 1,000 of these per year are produced, and that only a tiny fraction of those will be worn daily. In other words, for practical purposes, this isn't a problem.

[CharlesN]

Originally Posted by dannyp

I suspect that fewer than 1,000 of these per year are produced, and that only a tiny fraction of those will be worn daily. In other words, for practical purposes, this isn't a problem.

It IS a problem if Rolex release a model with what they know full well has a problematic movement.

That is tant amount to showing that the company does not care at all about its customers and is in denial about producing what was once upon a time a quality product.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by CharlesN

It IS a problem if Rolex release a model with what they know full well has a problematic movement.

That is tant amount to showing that the company does not care at all about its customers and is in denial about producing what was once upon a time a quality product.

But how is this any different than the new 2022 releases from W&W, assuming the same was known/not known then as now? I suspect there will be far more lefty GMTs and mint DJ 36/41 worn daily vs. this one, so far more people impacted.

If no solution currently exists, should Rolex simply stop with its planned releases?

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by dannyp

I suspect that fewer than 1,000 of these per year are produced, and that only a tiny fraction of those will be worn daily. In other words, for practical purposes, this isn't a problem.

This
On the balance of probabilities, this is a safe(no pun intended) one for Rolex.
Though I imagine that anyone who has one with movement problems will get the very best treatment by the mothership.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by saxo3

The new Rolex Deepsea Challenge 126067 with one of the 'best' movements they produce: 3230

Of course one can't be sure, but they may be rolling out "the fix" starting with this one.

[Bizcut1]

Originally Posted by CharlesN

Although this post is slightly off Topic it does relate to some of the content and contributors to this thread.

This thread has now got to the lengthy stage of 3,000 posts which in itself is quite remarkable and only goes to prove that some people appreciate the input and free giving or data by others.

We have seen plenty of people post in this thread who are purely mocking, deliberately disrupting or quite simply deliberately goading hoping to cause the thread to go off topic or even get shut down. Thankfully those people have failed at every attempt.

Thankfully some contributors are happy to stick with the thread and subject and give their knowledge and experiences freely for others to see and learn.

So …. To those who have joined in this thread with good intention, good knowledge and good helpful contributions I thank you all.

I raise a toast to the First 3,000 posts and await eagerly the next 3,000.

What a load.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Dirt

This
On the balance of probabilities, this is a safe(no pun intended) one for Rolex.
Though I imagine that anyone who has one with movement problems will get the very best treatment by the mothership.

But it’s unlikely the problem will be noticed. If they’re kept as collectors items, they’ll never be worn. If they were purchased to dive with, they’ll likely be reset each time and it’ll take a long time for the issue to be noticed.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by dannyp

But it’s unlikely the problem will be noticed. If they’re kept as collectors items, they’ll never be worn. If they were purchased to dive with, they’ll likely be reset each time and it’ll take a long time for the issue to be noticed.

That's what I meant by it being a "safe one" for Rolex.
My apologies for not being clearer Danny

[players02]

Does anyone own a 114060 and 124270?

I find the winding on 114060 when it is almost wound down "buttery" smooth, but it is "rough" when winding the 124270.

Is it a known thing with Rolex's caliber 3230?

[players02]

Originally Posted by eijiboy

I have 3285. No issue on accuracy but the manual winding system is. When i wind, feels really gritty and not smooth at all compare to my other 3285. And when you counterclockwise on winding position it doesnt make a noise. There should be a ratcheting sound
Its less month old vtnr

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have a 124270 with the calibre 3230 movement and you have described what I experienced as well when winding to start up the watch movement, it feels "gritty" and not "buttery" smooth like my 114060.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by players02

I find the winding on 114060 when it is almost wound down "buttery" smooth, but it is "rough" when winding the 124270.

Is it a known thing with Rolex's caliber 3230?

Yes, my 31xx wind "butterfly" smooth and the 32xx a bit less. "Rougher" winding has been reported frequently and is not limited to the 3230.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Yes, my 31xx wind "butterfly" smooth and the 32xx a bit less.

should read "buttery" …

[players02]

Originally Posted by saxo3

should read "buttery" …

Had me going for a while there.

This "gritty" feeling is so unfamiliar when the 31XX movement is so so smooth!

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by players02

Had me going for a while there.

This "gritty" feeling is so unfamiliar when the 31XX movement is so so smooth!

How is the accuracy of your Explorer 124270?

[Rolex1982]

My contribution, if it helps. I have a GMT meteorite from nov 2020. Since this january it is my daily. I only left it in the safe when i went on vacation which was 2 times for 2 weeks this year. So after 11 months and 2 full winds after vacations it runs at aprox -1.5 spd. In the beginning of the year it was aprox -1 spd but i always keep it on so it may depend on how it rests on my wrist at night. I’m happy with it’s performance. I don’t know what the amplitude is but looking at it’s timeloss i say it is running quite solid.

[CharlesN]

Originally Posted by Rolex1982

I have a GMT meteorite.

- - That is one of my favourite watches regardless of brand.
The dial really does make it special.

Originally Posted by Rolex1982

My contribution, if it helps.

- - All sensible contributions are very welcome here.

Originally Posted by Rolex1982

I’m happy with it’s performance. I don’t know what the amplitude is but looking at it’s timeloss i say it is running quite solid.

- - A Steady loss of -1.5spd is within Rolex specs.
The worry is that it can get worse for no clear reason. At that point it is worth asking your AD's watchmaker to check the amplitude.
You could even do that now and keep the results in case you see a problem occur further down the line. You would then know for sure if something is going on that is not too savoury by comparuing results.

[Rolex1982]

Originally Posted by CharlesN

- - That is one of my favourite watches regardless of brand.
The dial really does make it special.




- - All sensible contributions are very welcome here.



- - A Steady loss of -1.5spd is within Rolex specs.
The worry is that it can get worse for no clear reason. At that point it is worth asking your AD's watchmaker to check the amplitude.
You could even do that now and keep the results in case you see a problem occur further down the line. You would then know for sure if something is going on that is not too savoury by comparuing results.

I agree, the dial is something else :) Had the previous meteorite daytona on the leather strap but like the GMT more.

I have the timegrapher app, i can see if i can find some headphones which i can use to measure the amplitude. I didn’t try it for a long time.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by Rolex1982

I have the timegrapher app, i can see if i can find some headphones which i can use to measure the amplitude. I didn’t try it for a long time.

This app is tricky to use (suppression of external noise, microphone/crown contact, different watch positions) and delivers quite unreliable data compared to a timegrapher.

[Rolex1982]

Originally Posted by saxo3

This app is tricky to use (suppression of external noise, microphone/crown contact, different watch positions) and delivers quite unreliable data compared to a timegrapher.

I know that noise can very much influence the result but that can be avoided. How accurate it is when noise supressed i don’t know.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by saxo3

This app is tricky to use (suppression of external noise, microphone/crown contact, different watch positions) and delivers quite unreliable data compared to a timegrapher.

I have the app. It's not a real timegrapher of course but I've found it gets in the same ballpark results as a real one; particularly in +_ spd. I wouldn't use it as a diagnostic or regulating tool of course. I get the best noise suppression when I tape the mic to the back of the watch then fold a towel over it. No doubt a contact mic would get much better results than the earphone mic.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

I have the app. It's not a real timegrapher of course but I've found it gets in the same ballpark results as a real one

How do you know that? Have you compared the app results with the timegrapher data in 2 consecutive measurements with the same watch? I'm just curious.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by saxo3

How do you know that? Have you compared the app results with the timegrapher data in 2 consecutive measurements with the same watch? I'm just curious.

I've done that yeah (when I took the watch in for service). It's surprisingly not bad.

Part of the trick is to let it have a long timing run (a minute or more) to average the data. The real timeographer locks up much faster of course. And the app compares well with real world results. When I first got my 5 digit it was about +12spd. Got the app, figured out how to get good results and the app indicated about +10spd, and low amplitude. After service it's about +2 spd. The app indicates about +1spd but we know that on the wrist is a bit different. So it's close for the basics but of course I wouldn't use it for real diagnostic work.

Apologies for wandering off topic in this thread.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

Part of the trick is to let it have a long timing run (a minute or more) to average the data.

I found exactly the same.

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

The real timeographer locks up much faster of course.

Yes and No, because it depends on the settings if you can use a professional timegrapher.

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

And the app compares well with real world results.

No comment on "real world"

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

Apologies for wandering off topic in this thread.

Nothing wrong at all with such interesting contribution, we had it already before in this thread.

[OrangeSport]

Originally Posted by CharlesN

It IS a problem if Rolex release a model with what they know full well has a problematic movement.

That is tant amount to showing that the company does not care at all about its customers and is in denial about producing what was once upon a time a quality product.

I doubt Rolex cares. I doubt most “normal” customers even notice. Most people don’t even know what models they have and don’t go about checking its accuracy.

I don’t understand why this is so hard for Rolex to rectify though. It’s a pretty pedestrian movement, which is its bread and butter.

[CharlesN]

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

I doubt Rolex cares.
I don’t understand why this is so hard for Rolex to rectify though.

Possibly you have discovered the truth about Rolex ….
They have not found the root of the problem because as you said they don’t care.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

I doubt Rolex cares.

How do you know that?

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

I doubt most “normal” customers even notice. Most people don’t even know what models they have and don’t go about checking its accuracy.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

I don’t understand why this is so hard for Rolex to rectify though.

Because you (we) don’t know the details.

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

It’s a pretty pedestrian movement, which is its bread and butter.

No.

[CedCraig]

I have a 2022 Air-King, my first Rolex, and the winding action is rough and „sandy,“ worse than even my 500 euro kickstarter watch. It‘s keeping good time, -1 spd, but so far I‘m not that impressed. At least I won‘t lose money if it turns out to be a lemon.

[OrangeSport]

Originally Posted by saxo3

How do you know that?

Agreed.

Because you (we) don’t know the details.

No.

I don’t know, but do doubt

Rolex has never been too bothered about what customers (as a group) want

It is a pretty pedestrian movement, which is what Rolex has usually done.
Solid, reliable movements (with a few exceptions and innovations over the years)

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

I doubt Rolex cares. I doubt most “normal” customers even notice. Most people don’t even know what models they have and don’t go about checking its accuracy.

I don’t understand why this is so hard for Rolex to rectify though. It’s a pretty pedestrian movement, which is its bread and butter.

Exactly what do you think Rolex should do? Recall millions of watches? I believe waiting for returns is the appropriate thing for them to do. On the other hand, if the failure mechanism is clear and fix evident, they could do similar to what Omega did with their early Co-axials, do a couple of repairs and come out with a newly revised movement.