What’s the deal with SD43 3235????

[SeaDweller50]

Originally Posted by CarlOver

In what year did the SD have a movement change?

2017 with the 50th Anniversary reference 126600

[rominvicta]

Mine is SD43 TT, no issues at all!

[zion_rasta]

This is where Omega set and forget wins

[EEpro]

I had an early 3235 DJ41 that had slow timekeeping. Other 3235 watches I've owned have no issue.

You want a beast of a movement go 4130 Daytona. People service those at year 20 out of guilt or boredom only.

[alphadweller]

I bought my SD43 in May 2017. It's been a safequeen, unworn and stickered. I wind it every 3 to 4 months and track it over 48h. Over the years, it went from -0.5 to - 6 s/d last year to +2 s/d now in my latest reading. Won't really know its real life accuracy until I wear it. Saving it for my 50th birthday in 2 1/2 year from now. If it needs a service then, so be it, I don't really care.

Got a TT Sub41 in Sep 2020. I wear it once or twice a week. Running within spec, mostly around -1 s/d on average.

I prefer the 3135 in my YM 116622. It's never been in negative territory in 7 years.

[mike morris]

My DJ 41 2019 new was +1 s/d used every day for 10 months and start lose time -8s/d - sold.
My BLNR 2021new was 0 s/d, 8 months started lost time-6s/d , next month-7s/d -sold.
My submariner 2019 3135 was new -2s/d , today+ 2 s/d
My wife dj36 2019 3135 best timekeeping +1 always no change

[H25B]

Mine was purchased in January, but it’s freakishly accurate so far. I’m hoping the 3235 issues were worked out by the time they got to mine.

[sheldonsmith]

I’ve had a SD43 since 2020; it went back to Rolex 2x for the issue described here, but since the second visit, I am pleased to say that the watch has been dead-on accurate.

There is an extensive thread on the 3285 movement that discusses this topic.

I also had a similar issue with a GMT with a 3286 movement with the same problems and a sticky date wheel. That watch went back 2x; once for the date wheel, and second time because it slowed down. I flipped it after the second time to Rolex.

-Sheldon

[amh]

My gen1 sd43 still most accurate watch I've ever owned. If just wear it then it's at +1 or better when kept crown up at night. With full wind it's at -1... So I never wind it.

[waterman1]

Well I have an update to my post from yesterday. Today I set my sd43 and wound about 40 times. Within 20 minutes it was 15 seconds slow and now 6 hours later it is 1 minute slow. This one is headed back to Dallas RSC for a second time. I sure hope they have this issue sorted out and will fix for good.

[samson66]

Dropped mine off for warranty service yesterday. They said 4-8 weeks. We'll see...

[Hookedonkristy]

I just received word that my SD43 is low amp and will need a full service for the second time since 2019.

I am extremely active with my watch. I NEVER take it off. Running, hunting, fishing, military work etc. I do, however, take it off when I am in the gym so the metal / metal doesn’t do anything to the movement.

But here we are. Anyways, thought I would update the thread. Have a good evening.

[Galion]

My 126603 keeps almost perfect time +0.2 secs per day, my 126600 is +9 secs per day.

[7enderbender]

https://quillandpad.com/2019/11/19/w...ich-is-better/

[dannyp]

Part of me still wonders whether Rolex didn't account for the extra work the 32xx would do in the SD43 and DJ41 (which seem to be the ones reported here most for this problem) - both of which have larger dials, and therefore longer/heavier hands, than the Sub, YM, or DJ36. Previously, the larger dialed watches (DJII, OP39, Exp39) all had slightly different movement calibers than their shorter-handed counterparts (and could therefore be regulated slightly differently).

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Part of me still wonders whether Rolex didn't account for the extra work the 32xx would do in the SD43 and DJ41 (which seem to be the ones reported here most for this problem) - both of which have larger dials, and therefore longer/heavier hands, than the Sub, YM, or DJ36. Previously, the larger dialed watches (DJII, OP39, Exp39) all had slightly different movement calibers than their shorter-handed counterparts (and could therefore be regulated slightly differently).

Not plausible.
A mechanical movement has plenty of torque to do what they're doing.
Besides, the bulk of problem relates to to second pinion.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Not plausible.
A mechanical movement has plenty of torque to do what they're doing.
Besides, the bulk of problem relates to to second pinion.

Right. But wouldn't it, theoretically, be tuned/regulated slightly differently for hands of different weights? My hypothesis is that in previous generations, this was done as a matter of course (since larger-dialed pieces used different movement references). However, with all using the same movement, presumably they're all constructed and calibrated the same prior to casing?

My other theory is that some minor part, like the seconds wheel pivot, is getting magnetized. Due to the outstanding antimagnetic properties of the springs, the magnetization goes largely unnoticed, but it ends up creating extra friction on those particular parts, slowing them down and causing premature wear. However, "symptoms" are totally different than older watches that have met a similar fate.

[SeaDweller50]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Part of me still wonders whether Rolex didn't account for the extra work the 32xx would do in the SD43 and DJ41 (which seem to be the ones reported here most for this problem) - both of which have larger dials, and therefore longer/heavier hands, than the Sub, YM, or DJ36. Previously, the larger dialed watches (DJII, OP39, Exp39) all had slightly different movement calibers than their shorter-handed counterparts (and could therefore be regulated slightly differently).

They do not have larger dials. The SD43 dial size is identical to the Sub 126610 reference. The case and bezel are larger. In fact I’m sure the SD43 case is just an Explorer 2 case, 216570 reference.

[AnakChan]

Originally Posted by SeaDweller50

They do not have larger dials. The SD43 dial size is identical to the Sub 126610 reference. The case and bezel are larger. In fact I’m sure the SD43 case is just an Explorer 2 case, 216570 reference.

Somehow on the wrist, the Explorer 2 feels larger than the SD43.

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by AnakChan

Somehow on the wrist, the Explorer 2 feels larger than the SD43.

I agree. It's the effect of the larger (and white) dial coupled with a thinner bezel that does it.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by SeaDweller50

They do not have larger dials. The SD43 dial size is identical to the Sub 126610 reference. The case and bezel are larger. In fact I’m sure the SD43 case is just an Explorer 2 case, 216570 reference.

Interesting. Didn't realize that all 3mm of extra diameter was case/bezel.

Originally Posted by AnakChan

Somehow on the wrist, the Explorer 2 feels larger than the SD43.

Maybe the dial is larger? Proportions didn't change a ton when the watch went to 42mm from 40 so guessing dial larger than SD (if SD is still size of Sub dial).

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by SeaDweller50

They do not have larger dials. The SD43 dial size is identical to the Sub 126610 reference. The case and bezel are larger. In fact I’m sure the SD43 case is just an Explorer 2 case, 216570 reference.

Its not. 22mm between the lugs on the SD43. 216570 is 21mm between the lugs.

EXP2 dial is bigger (both the 216570 and 226570) than the SD43.

They might be machined from the same midcase blanks, especially the 226570 as its also 22mm between the lugs and has similar lug to lug, but the machining will be different to accomodate completely different bezel arrangements and different sized dial apertures.

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

https://quillandpad.com/2019/11/19/w...ich-is-better/

Yip

[1665fan]

Glad I have my 116600, I’ve had no issues with timekeeping

[6120]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

https://quillandpad.com/2019/11/19/w...ich-is-better/

Interesting...

[JasChCh]

I had to send my Deep Sea (3235 movement) back for regulation twice. Out of the box it was great, but then began to lose ever more time until it was around 12-15 seconds per day, at which point it was sent off to Rolex in Australia.
When I got it back it was again within specification for several months until it started doing the same thing but this time it was gaining time....
That was on a 2018 model, you would think Rolex had solved these issue by now, which I was led to believe was caused by lubrication problems, but I guess we will never know.

Meantime, my Sub with it's old 3130 movement just keeps on going at within 1 second per day.

[SamArj]

Just putting this out there....if watches that are still within warranty period continue to not match accuracy claims despite being 'repaired' could one ask for a new watch? Or even a refund?
I know the latter option wouldn't make sense as these watches sell for above rrp but just curious

[Cronus251]

SD43 (126600) with 3235 here and spot on accurate. After reading this thread and others, I decided to see how well it performs over several days. Roughly +1-2sec fast per day. I'm happy with that.

[alphadweller]

Originally Posted by SamArj

Just putting this out there....if watches that are still within warranty period continue to not match accuracy claims despite being 'repaired' could one ask for a new watch? Or even a refund?
I know the latter option wouldn't make sense as these watches sell for above rrp but just curious

I don't think so, that's what the warranty is for, I'm afraid.

[amh]

I've posted before, but my SD43 can be more accurate than a quartz. I keep it spot on to the second with only 'home regulation':
- If tending a few seconds fast, I leave it crown up overnight
- If running a little slow, I lay it flat on the back/bracelet


I don't wind the watch when changing the date - winding seems to disturb the equilibrium and then it will run somewhat slow for about a month until things settle.