3185 vs 3186

[Lubrifar]

Please share your comments about the two movements. Thanks!

[pdpmojo]

I have the 3185 in my GMT II and I think its great. Its been pretty much spot on accurate for the last year I have worn it. I have only synchronized it a few times and it has been running ever since i bought it.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Imho, they're equally good!

Yes, the Cal. 3186 has the Parachrom Bleu hairspring.

But although the PB hairspring is completely anti-magnetic and resists shocks up to ten times better, I for my part don't think the PB hairspring is any better than the conventional one in the Cal. 3185. The accuracy of the classic Cal. 3185 is amazing and is not beaten by the Cal. 3186, imho.

The PB hairspring is just another Rolex invention to get completely self-supplying.

[Mrdi]

It seems as a result of the parachrome some of the gearing was also changed.
This accounts for the lack of play in the hands when adjusting.
That may be what makes the M series unique in the future, the last of the old style GMT with
the 3186. Who knows?

[Felly Jr.]

IMO, the GMT II's with the 3186 movement are going to be a big hit with collectors.

[Lubrifar]

How long has 3185 been in production?

[BiG JeEzY]

Originally Posted by Lubrifar

How long has 3185 been in production?

The caliber 3185 has always been featured in the 16710 and 16570 and I would believe that the movement has been in production since about 1988-1989.

I agree that the caliber 3185 and 3186 are probably the most precise Rolex movements ever made. Its timekeeping abilities are incredible. I have a watch with the caliber 3185, its been powering my Explorer II for 7 years without any problems at all. Still gains roughly less than a second a day.

[Tools]

I believe that with the parachrome hairspring, the 3186 is now poised to get a paraflex shock system and become the next fully in-house movement.

As far as upgrading from a watch with the 3185 to the 3186, I don't think that there is enough advantage there to justify the cost for such a move, but it might be worth looking around to get the EXP II or GMT II with it if you're on the hunt..

[Jedi]

The jewels are still outsourced.

[Felly Jr.]

Originally Posted by Jedi

The jewels are still outsourced.

Wow, Rolex doesn't own their own precious stone mines?

[Jedi]

That would be the day.

I actually meant the jewels in the movement...

Still a damn good call

[Felly Jr.]

Originally Posted by Jedi

That would be the day.

I actually meant the jewels in the movement...

Still a damn good call

[ral]

Originally Posted by Lubrifar

How long has 3185 been in production?

Since 1988... and maybe no longer in use actually.

Inside the Oyster

[Lubrifar]

How is Parachrom-Blu pronounced?
Para Chrome Blue?

[Trurolexer]

Originally Posted by Felly Jr.

IMO, the GMT II's with the 3186 movement are going to be a big hit with collectors.

X2!!!

[DSJ]

3186 - a 3185 made a little better, IMO.

I have no problems having a 3185 and am not experiencing "3186 envy."

[Mrdi]

Originally Posted by DSJ

3186 - a 3185 made a little better, IMO.

I have no problems having a 3185 and am not experiencing "3186 envy."

As long as you have your own source for jewels David,
there is no reason for envy!

[HDHNTER]

Originally Posted by Felly Jr.

IMO, the GMT II's with the 3186 movement are going to be a big hit with collectors.

If they do catch the interest of collectors I would think the same could be said for the 3186 equipped Expy II's.

[JJ Irani]

Well, guys.....while the new 3186 movement has the technologically advanced Parachrom Blue spring, the 3185 is a time-proven, dependable, robust and very versatile movement....proven over several years of use....though hell and high-water.....through the freezing tundra and over the hot as hell Sahara.

NEVER FAILED!!! The 3186 is more than welcome to replace the 3185; but the 3185 will always remain as the all time GMT-II classic calibre!!

JJ

[Skippy]

In case of the Explorer II it probably depends on how long they will be selling them. The production of the GMT II has been stopped so the 3186 only has been in there for about a year(I guess) but the Explorer II's are still being produced in 2008 so they won't be as rare as the GMT II's. You can find incredibly good deals on m series Explorer II's over here with grey dealers(seen them as low as 3150 euro's brand new). As for collectebilitey I don't know how they would fare as the differance isn't noticable from the outside like with the red subs or dwellers. The 168000 reference is also very rare but doesn't fedge the huge amounts red subs do because of the lack of outside visability. The best watch to get now if you wan't it for collecting purposes might be the csoc 14060m sub no date as this is clearly visible on the dail and some people think/say/know that it won't be sold next year. If I had the cash I would defenitly go for that one as they are pretty easy to get wright now for good prices.

[HDHNTER]

Originally Posted by Skippy

In case of the Explorer II it probably depends on how long they will be selling them. The production of the GMT II has been stopped so the 3186 only has been in there for about a year(I guess) but the Explorer II's are still being produced in 2008 so they won't be as rare as the GMT II's.

Good point, forgot that the Expy is still in production.

[f16570]

All said and done, it is still a Rollie.
The movement to non WIS is imaterial.

[Lubrifar]

Originally Posted by f16570

All said and done, it is still a Rollie.
The movement to non WIS is imaterial.

But the trouble, my friend, is we are ALL WIS.

[shoppy]

The 3135 is great and proven but the new 3186 is also superb and I found much better at keeping time. But this is just MHO.