3230 movement text change?

[KusunokiR]

Hi there, first time posting. I recently bought a submariner 124060 second hand with the original sale dated August 2022. To verify the authenticity I popped open the case back, and noticed that the text above Rolex says “superlative adj.” instead of the “5 pos. + temp.” that I see in pictures of the 3230 movement.

Is this legit? I’m fairly sure the watch is authentic given 1) the new rotor with the “chronometer perpetual” text and additional ball bearings matches the mid-2022 production time, and 2) other details on the case and dial check out, but this text difference is eating away at me a bit.

[Jefferyasher]

Since nobody has responded yet, the only thing I can find to help is a Chrono24 item for sale and it appears to have the “5 pos. + temp.”

https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/movem...86470.htm#gref

as well as these YouTube videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwRJ2oZ5zk4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBlUWoKMBNw

This could be incorrect though....hopefully someone with the movement will respond.

[KusunokiR]

Thanks for this. I saw these as well, but I believe Rolex quietly made some changes to the 3230 movement starting at some point in 2022.

For example, they added extra ball bearings to the central rotor and added the text “chronometer perpetual” on the rotor as well. This is actually depicted on Rolex’s website and was discussed in other threads (as a new user I can’t seem to post URLs yet). The 3230 movement in the links you sent don’t have these details as they were likely manufactured prior to the updates.

What I’m not sure of is the “superlative adj.” text, I haven’t seen any photos of the 3230 movement with this, but that’s partially due to the lack of recent movement shots out there and because most movement shots seem to depict the rotor covering that side of the movement. Here’s another close up of my movement since the first was blurry.

Logically speaking I doubt this is a clone, since why would anyone add a superficial detail that isn’t found on most 3230 movements? Other movement details check out, like the free sprung balance and balance wheel with micro-stella screws. I’m just wondering if this is yet another silent update to the movement fresh from the factory, or maybe if what I have is a recent service part or something. Hoping someone else noticed this on their movement.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by KusunokiR

Thanks for this. I saw these as well, but I believe Rolex quietly made some changes to the 3230 movement starting at some point in 2022.

For example, they added extra ball bearings to the central rotor and added the text “chronometer perpetual” on the rotor as well. This is actually depicted on Rolex’s website and was discussed in other threads (as a new user I can’t seem to post URLs yet). The 3230 movement in the links you sent don’t have these details as they were likely manufactured prior to the updates.

What I’m not sure of is the “superlative adj.” text, I haven’t seen any photos of the 3230 movement with this, but that’s partially due to the lack of recent movement shots out there and because most movement shots seem to depict the rotor covering that side of the movement. Here’s another close up of my movement since the first was blurry.

Logically speaking I doubt this is a clone, since why would anyone add a superficial detail that isn’t found on most 3230 movements? Other movement details check out, like the free sprung balance and balance wheel with micro-stella screws. I’m just wondering if this is yet another silent update to the movement fresh from the factory, or maybe if what I have is a recent service part or something. Hoping someone else noticed this on their movement.

Since you are in NY visit the RSC center. You can ask them for an appraisal and they would open the watch and check it as part of the process; if not genuine you will find out. Hopefully everything checks out; if not would have evidence towards returning it to the seller and claiming your money back.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[dannyp]

Looks like there were some “transitional” movements with more ball bearings but the “5+temp” text and the textless rotor:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...postcount=2746

This was a 2021 3285, I think.

[dannyp]

Also, out of curiosity, how’s the timekeeping on it?

[KusunokiR]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Also, out of curiosity, how’s the timekeeping on it?

I've tracked it for a couple days and I'd say about +1s/d. Just checked on timegrapher and I'm getting like -/+1s in five positions and -3s in one position (crown right). Overall seems to be within the -/+2s Rolex tolerance.

[Rolexken]

Let the forum know the result if you get it looked at in the RSC

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by KusunokiR

I've tracked it for a couple days and I'd say about +1s/d. Just checked on timegrapher and I'm getting like -/+1s in five positions and -3s in one position (crown right). Overall seems to be within the -/+2s Rolex tolerance.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but only a genuine one will keep time that well, especially over time?

[George58]

Unrelated I've seen eta movements that look better than that

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but only a genuine one will keep time that well, especially over time?

Not necessarily. The 10-year-old, unserviced ETA in my Black Bay was showing -/+ 0 secs per day a few weeks ago, which is about how it performs with daily wear.

[KusunokiR]

Originally Posted by George58

Unrelated I've seen eta movements that look better than that

Haha I think that's mostly the lighting and my poor photography skills, but that's a good push for me to get it checked out at the RSC.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Not necessarily. The 10-year-old, unserviced ETA in my Black Bay was showing -/+ 0 secs per day a few weeks ago, which is about how it performs with daily wear.

Sorry, I wasn't saying only a Rolex movement could keep time that well, just that I wouldn't expect even the best cloned Rolex movements to keep time that well.

[KusunokiR]

Originally Posted by Rolexken

Let the forum know the result if you get it looked at in the RSC

Went to the RSC and asked for a service estimate. They took it to the back for 20mins to have their watchmaker check it and I’m assuming to match serial numbers etc. Told me everything looks good and is in good order, didn’t need any work. I didn’t ask about the movement text specifically because I didn’t want to imply that I had opened the case back myself, but this outcome is good enough for me. I guess this is how they make 3230 movements now. Thanks folks for all the input.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by KusunokiR

Went to the RSC and asked for a service estimate. They took it to the back for 20mins to have their watchmaker check it and I’m assuming to match serial numbers etc. Told me everything looks good and is in good order, didn’t need any work. I didn’t ask about the movement text specifically because I didn’t want to imply that I had opened the case back myself, but this outcome is good enough for me. I guess this is how they make 3230 movements now. Thanks folks for all the input.

Why should RSC open the caseback to check if your rather new 124060 (model launched in 2020) needs a service?
No, more likely they only measured the 3230 movement with their timegrapher to check amplitudes and rates.