Amplitude of 3235

[Gdoc26]

I have two watches with the 3235 movement . A DJ41 and SD43. Both of these seem to run in the 260-290 deg range, quite a bit lower than my other modern sports watch movements. Anyone else have similar experience?

[Irydium]

Which orientation of the watch did you test them at? 260 -270 is great for positions other than dial up or dial down, where it should be higher, where I've gotten 280 - 300).

[Panych]

Originally Posted by Gdoc26

I have two watches with the 3235 movement . A DJ41 and SD43. Both of these seem to run in the 260-290 deg range, quite a bit lower than my other modern sports watch movements. Anyone else have similar experience?

Make sure that your watch is fully wound and you use a correct lift angle while you measure. It should be 55.
My 3235 on a DJ has 300+ amplitude.

[watchmaker]

High amplitude is not analogous to good performance of a watch. There's a lot more to it than that and that is why the amplitude only needs to be below a maximum value when fully wound and above a minimum value after 24 hours.

Rolex claims the chronergy escapement is 15% more efficient which means less amplitude is required to perform optimally compared to swiss lever escapements.

[Gdoc26]

I use 55 as the lift angle and measure in six positions, dial up, dial perpendicular crown left, dial perpendicular crown right, crown down, crown up and dial down and take average readings.

[sheldonsmith]

Yes, I think the 3235 in my SD43 has the same issue.

When I purchased the watch, the amplitude ranged from 288 (FU) to 239 (CD).
Now the movement is running at 260 (FU) to 218 (CD).

I had the same issue with my GMT 126710BLRO, along with a sticking date disk, and it required three trips for Rolex to get both of those issues right. The first time I sent it in was because the amplitude dropped to 188 (CD).



Disclosures: full wind, gain turned up high for the microphone to listen through thicker dive case, lift angle at 55 degrees, and the time-keeping is gradually slowing.

Any TRF community insight appreciated,

-Sheldon

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

Yes, I think the 3235 in my SD43 has the same issue.

When I purchased the watch, the amplitude ranged from 288 (FU) to 239 (CD).
Now the movement is running at 260 (FU) to 218 (CD).

I had the same issue with my GMT 126710BLRO, along with a sticking date disk, and it required three trips for Rolex to get both of those issues right. The first time I sent it in was because the amplitude dropped to 188 (CD).



Disclosures: full wind, gain turned up high for the microphone to listen through thicker dive case, lift angle at 55 degrees, and the time-keeping is gradually slowing.

Any TRF community insight appreciated,

-Sheldon

For 32xx the minimum permitted amplitude is 200 degrees measured after 24 hours.

I suggest checking that, then you'll have a definitive answer.

[sheldonsmith]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

For 32xx the minimum permitted amplitude is 200 degrees measured after 24 hours.

I suggest checking that, then you'll have a definitive answer.

Perfect thank you!

-Sheldon

[Fred48]

My new Explorer ran 260 dial up and down; Rolex said it was fine.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

Perfect thank you!

-Sheldon

Any news?

[sheldonsmith]

Thanks for looping back.

I attempted to insert the table that I sent to Rolex, but cannot seem to find the method for inserting HTML or PHP that works with the platform. I have attached a .pdf of my findings.

The watch is going to Rolex Dallas RSC today.

This is my second 32xx movement, and the fourth time that I have to send it into Rolex (but the first time for this watch).

I do feel fortunate that Rolex understands customer service and will ultimately will get resolved.

-Sheldon

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

Thanks for looping back.

I attempted to insert the table that I sent to Rolex, but cannot seem to find the method for inserting HTML or PHP that works with the platform. I have attached a .pdf of my findings.

The watch is going to Rolex Dallas RSC today.

This is my second 32xx movement, and the fourth time that I have to send it into Rolex (but the first time for this watch).

I do feel fortunate that Rolex understands customer service and will ultimately will get resolved.

-Sheldon

Sorry to hear you’ve had multiple 32xx issues.

Better that it fails during the warranty period than after it expires is my take on it.

[wm82]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

For 32xx the minimum permitted amplitude is 200 degrees measured after 24 hours.

I suggest checking that, then you'll have a definitive answer.

In Crown down position.

The 32XX has had some teething problems, the biggest one being the center seconds wheel wear in the cannon pinion. They added an oiling point there in the manual. The 3135 never had that problem strangely.

Also theyve updated the calendar wheel with a new version, there was problems with the date change, and day/date change on the 3255.

I've serviced a number of 32XXs, mostly warranty repairs, and they never seem to have very high amplitude directly after servicing. Around 270-280 full wind at best. I think this is normal for the movement and has to do with the longer power reserve and escapement. Timing results are usually spot on.

[sheldonsmith]

Thank you! This helps. The Date Wheel issue resonates with my experience with the 3285 movement date wheel issue that I had with the 126710.



Rolex Dallas indicated a 6 week turn around on my 126600 and no mention of a full service . We’ll see how it goes.

Thank you again for your insights...

Originally Posted by wm82

In Crown down position.

The 32XX has had some teething problems, the biggest one being the center seconds wheel wear in the cannon pinion. They added an oiling point there in the manual. The 3135 never had that problem strangely.

Also theyve updated the calendar wheel with a new version, there was problems with the date change, and day/date change on the 3255.

I've serviced a number of 32XXs, mostly warranty repairs, and they never seem to have very high amplitude directly after servicing. Around 270-280 full wind at best. I think this is normal for the movement and has to do with the longer power reserve and escapement. Timing results are usually spot on.

[sheldonsmith]

Just looping back around as follow-up to the low amplitude issue on my SD43 / 3235.

After two COVID-19 months at Dallas, the watched was returned. In my conversations with Dallas Customer Service Rep, she indicated that they could not discern any issue with the watch.

With the watch shipped back, I put it on the timing machine and here are the results (full wind):


Face UP


Crown Left


Crown Down


Crown Right


Face Down

So it looks to me the technicians just adjusted up the balance wheel. In normal wearing, the watch consistently runs +2 to +3/day (Face Up overnight on the night stand).

I have not let the watch run 24 hours for an amplitude reading yet; I’ll report back if the results are materially different.

-Sheldon

[MikeyV]

Like others have said, many (most?) 3235 movements have lower amplitudes than the 3135, in general. Which is fine. 240, 250, 260 is good, 220, 215 205 is not.

I do believe that the low amplitude (actually low) is connected with the seconds wheel pivot problem.

Mine was running at like 207 amplitude FU when I sent it in, also running 7-8 spd slow.
Came back fixed, pooped out again in 6 months.

Waiting for real fix before sending it in again.

[SearChart]

Lift angle for the 32×× is no longer 55 degrees, it is now 53 degrees. Which will also result in a lower amplitude reading when compared to 55 degrees.

[sheldonsmith]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Lift angle for the 32×× is no longer 55 degrees, it is now 53 degrees. Which will also result in a lower amplitude reading when compared to 55 degrees.

Thanks for the update. Did Rolex re-do the math, or was 55 degrees an urban myth?

Thank you again. I truly appreciate your insights.

~ Sheldon

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

Thanks for the update. Did Rolex re-do the math, or was 55 degrees an urban myth?

Thank you again. I truly appreciate your insights.

~ Sheldon

They re-did the math, it used to be 55 degrees in the technical documentation.

[Ron P]

Maybe good to do some calibration, on the newest iphone you can go to slowmotion recording with 240 fps. Take a shot a the balance wheel and determine the amplitide visually. Next compare it the reading of your timegrapher, see if it corresponds more to a setting of 55 or to a setting of 53 degrees.
Btw, also ETA specified their openings angle for some models in the past at 52 degrees and in more recent documentation they also lowered this angle for to 51 degrees.

[DJ2020]

Here's a photo of my new DJ 126200 timing .

[Smobews]

Originally Posted by SearChart

They re-did the math, it used to be 55 degrees in the technical documentation.

So the technical documentation has officially changed to 53 degrees for the 32xx

[LNGSD43]

Would the change in lift angle go anywhere towards resolving issues with this movement? I’m no techie!

[Smobews]

Originally Posted by LNGSD43

Would the change in lift angle go anywhere towards resolving issues with this movement? I’m no techie!

No

The isolated issues with the 3235 slowing down is from one of the pinions wearing on a bearing. Bas was kind enough to share pictures of the failure in a thread a while back. My opinion is that during manufacturing, the bearing isn't properly seated and aligned in the main plate, eventually causing uneven wear.

[LNGSD43]

Originally Posted by Smobews

No

The isolated issues with the 3235 slowing down is from one of the pinions wearing on a bearing. Bas was kind enough to share pictures of the failure in a thread a while back. My opinion is that during manufacturing, the bearing isn't properly seated and aligned in the main plate, eventually causing uneven wear.

Thanks Smobews. One would think that should be relatively easy to fix under warranty. Mine has returned from RSC after almost 5 months and is now running perfectly. I hope this is the end of my 3235 woes.

[JBoone]

Originally Posted by LNGSD43

Thanks Smobews. One would think that should be relatively easy to fix under warranty. Mine has returned from RSC after almost 5 months and is now running perfectly. I hope this is the end of my 3235 woes.

Mine is running perfectly as well after a service after two years of daily wear (serviced about a year ago). Can I assume the issue is fixed or is the fix still unknown?