32xx Issue Curtailing Your Purchases?

[CHRONOLEX]

Much has been made of this 32xx issue recently. To be honest, I didn’t even know what the issue was, although I’ve bought several 32xx watches in the last few years. Did not really even think about it (or fully understand it) until this weekend when opportunity arose to add a new 2022 Sub Date. Cannot easily locate NIB prior gen Sub Date and not sure I really want to, since I will wear this on Rubber B and thinner lugs look better IMO. I’m also looking at my other recent purchases with a bit of a disappointed eye, since according to other threads I might have numerous RSC interactions in my future.

Question: is this 32xx issue preventing or causing anyone to hold off from buying new watches right now? If so, how do we know when problem has been resolved and it’s safe to buy again?

Thanks all

[amanbra]

To be honest no for me, I simply move the watch on if I detect the issue and get another in the hopes of getting a good 32xx. It's allowed me to spend time with a tonne of different types of watches to learn what I actually like.

The issue is two of my watches are quite sentimental ones so for those two I'll persist with RSC for warranty. Not sure what I'll do should warranty runs out but for most I have no issues parting with if the issue surfaces.

Got offered a Blue YM40 a couple of months ago, I said yes, it's gorgeous.

[Bengal fan]

Nope, I do realize some have had issues, but it’s apparently not every watch because the forum would be blowing up with complaints. I’ll let my warranty help me sleep for the next 4+ years I have left and worry about possible potential issues then. Life’s too short, I might not be here in 5years!
I’m really loving my 124060 right now!

[CHRONOLEX]

Best I can tell, this problem causes the accuracy to go from outstanding to horrible after about 1.5 years. So there’s no way to know for awhile if yours is bad or not.

[Driver8]

I’ve only owned one 3235 powered piece (an SD43), and when it suffered the slowing issue, I got it “fixed” by RSC, and then I immediately sold it.

I definitely won’t touch another 32xx for the foreseeable future. These watches are luxuries - pure and simple - and dealing with even the potential of poor timekeeping and trips to RSC to fix something that should’ve been fixed at source years ago isn’t very “luxury” in my book.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by Driver8

I’ve only owned one 3235 powered piece (a SD43), and when it suffered the slowing issue, I got it “fixed” by RSC, and then I immediately sold it.

Sensible course of action IMO. I have two 32 based watches and they run just fine. I hope I will never have to make such a decision.

The internet is a magnet for all the horror stories and bad news travels far and fast. I expect the vast majority of 32 based watches run well, but the reported issues can't be ignored and I do wonder if in the fullness of time 32 based watches will need more frequent servicing outside of their warranty periods.

I certainly won't be parting with any of my 31 based watches for 32 based replacements. If I didn't have the 116610LV I would own or be waiting for a 126610LV by now, but my 116610LV renders it moot and is a keeper - not just for the dial.

[cuibono]

I had a very brief exchange with the person who wrote the article comparing the 31 and 32 series movements and who was (is?) engaged in that big thread about it. I asked him if I should stay away from the 32 series movement. He didn't think so and felt that Rolex would sort things out if necessary ("as always") That was reassuring enough that I did opt to buy a 32xx bluesy.

Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk

[Annan]

After two negative experiences with DJ41s bought in 2016 and 2017, I swore I would never buy another 32XX. Both developed problems within the first month or so of purchase. Both went to RSC but the fix was not permanent and I sold them.

Regardless, I missed the DJ look so took a leap of Rolex faith in February 2022 and bought a new DJ36. In the first 2-3 weeks it ran around -1s/day. Then it sped up and has been around +0.5s/day or more ever since. I wear it 12-14 hours/day, rest it dial up overnight and give it 40 winds weekly.

I don't have a timegrapher so can't share any serious data or other measurements. I understand the "32XX issue" might still happen. I'm grateful for the 5-year warranty and will send it to RSC at least once if I have to. If the fix is not permanent I will simply sell this one too.

In the meantime, other than the self imposed stress of watchful waiting, I'm just enjoying my new DJ and hoping for the best this time.

[JDsnewwatch]

I'm not buying any 32XX. FWIW, I'm also not buying any of the "updated" Panerais that are now made without hacking seconds.

[Cauhauna]

does this issue include the 3285 movement in the Explorer II?

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by Cauhauna

does this issue include the 3285 movement in the Explorer II?

yes we have multiple cases of 3285s suffering. We have seen all the 32xx show issues.

[FTX I]

It's something that bothers me. I don't own a timegrapher but I check my watches on time.is every other day and I'm sure I'd think is it today is it tomorrow that kind of stuff. The nearest RSC is an hour drive from where I live and I don't know anyone there too. My trusted watchmaker would not be able to help me so yes it's a big issue to me.

[mike morris]

I have negative experience 3 watches with 3235 , in this time I’m only ready to buy Daytona, but PM too expensive for me , SS impossible for MSRP.

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by mike morris

I have negative experience 3 watches with 3235 , in this time I’m only ready to buy Daytona, but PM too expensive for me , SS impossible for MSRP.

if your wrist can handle it don't forget the skydweller.

[mike morris]

I have negative experience 3 watches with 3235 , in this time I’m only ready to buy Daytona, but PM too expensive for me , SS impossible form AD.

[mike morris]

Originally Posted by amanbra

if your wrist can handle it don't forget the skydweller.

My wrist 6,75 , too big sky

[brandrea]

It’s not an issue for me. I own 3 references with 32xx movements.

Admittedly I’m not terribly concerned about time keeping as some here. I generally wear watches in rotation every couple of days and wouldn’t notice if they were running slow or fast by a minute or two.

In real world use, I have travelled with by my BLRO (2018) wearing it three weeks at a time. I’ve never missed a flight or train due to poor time keeping

[Stan Cooper]

I won't be buying a Rolex with a 32xx movement until I am convinced the issues have all been fixed. My daily wearer is a 16710 GMT II with a 3185 movement that has been bulletproof for 21 years, and serviced twice (2012 and 2022) by Rolex RSC. It still looks and runs like new.

[Tim Plains]

Part of me wonders if the guys who worry about 32xx movement issues drive big three American or German vehicles and if they worry as much getting a car with problems or a lemon?

This is a forum filled with enthusiasts and ecstatics. Of course you will see an overrepresented amount of issues here vs the real world. How many sane people do you know who looked at 12 series Sub and said the lugs are too fat?

[Barada7]

I think it’s impossible not to consider it if you’ve read about the issues. That stated, Rolex is a good organization. They’ll make it right.

[Harvey_D]

This just made me realize, not only do I have to wait years to be "worthy" to purchase a Rolex from an AD but that when I do it'll start having issues in in less time than my wait...

[JoseR]

I had the DJ41 from 2019 and just sold it because it wasn't getting any wrist time, but in the 2-1/2 years I owned it I didn't have any issues with it. It was at running within specs. So, maybe I got lucky, or it takes some time for the problems to start happening.

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by Tim Plains

Part of me wonders if the guys who worry about 32xx movement issues drive big three American or German vehicles and if they worry as much getting a car with problems or a lemon?

This is a forum filled with enthusiasts and ecstatics. Of course you will see an overrepresented amount of issues here vs the real world. How many sane people do you know who looked at 12 series Sub and said the lugs are too fat?

I'm not going to buy any product with known, well documented problems. It's just not worth the potential headaches.

[jsobral]

I'm buying Patek and Sky-Dweller/Daytona only until this gets fixed!!

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Tim Plains

Part of me wonders if the guys who worry about 32xx movement issues drive big three American or German vehicles and if they worry as much getting a car with problems or a lemon?

This is a forum filled with enthusiasts and ecstatics. Of course you will see an overrepresented amount of issues here vs the real world. How many sane people do you know who looked at 12 series Sub and said the lugs are too fat?

This 32xx issue is actually oddly reminiscent of the big Porsche 996 engine issue that eventually became a class action lawsuit, once warranties stopped paying for the fixes.

The 32xx was one of reasons I chose a 114270 over a 124270 for about the same price, but it wasn’t the only reason.

[joli160]

I knew I was buying jewelry and not a time keeping instrument when I bought my CHNR.

Accuracy is not important to me, but Rolex should fire the chief of the R&D department for releasing this movement.
A 100$ Seiko5 performs better

[Onequik135i]

My new 2021 Subdate has no issues as of yet, I purchased it new from local AD April 2021. If & when I get the text for a new gmt I won’t hesitate in purchasing one either.

[Bizcut1]

I’d like to see someplace other than this Forum discussing this.

I can’t find it. Please post if you have.

[CHRONOLEX]

There would seem to be millions of these examples if essentially every non-Daytona last 5 years is afflicted

[CHRONOLEX]

I decided to get the new Sub Date tomorrow