Rolex New Movement Questions

[marc2828]

Does anyone have a resource that talks about the new Rolex movements?

Specifically, the new SD43 3235 movement vs. the new Pepsi 3285 movement?

It looks to me that the 3235 movement has "A consummate demonstration of Rolex technology, with 14 patents, it offers fundamental gains in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability". Whereas the 3285 movement "With 10 patent applications filed over the course of its development, this movement features a Chronergy escapement and a guaranteed power reserve of approximately 70 hours."

It seems that the 3235 is a more advanced movement...Why wouldn't Rolex use that in the GMT...Is the size an issue? And lastly, why do the Submariner and the GMT use different movements if case is the same?

Sorry if this topic was covered, I cannot find it in the search.

[sco]

They are different because the GMT has a hand that revolves around the dial once every 24 hours. The sub does not.

[marc2828]

Originally Posted by sco

They are different because the GMT has a hand that revolves around the dial once every 24 hours. The sub does not.

ok, that makes sense...never owned a GMT, but now that is abundantly obvious.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by marc2828

Does anyone have a resource that talks about the new Rolex movements?

Specifically, the new SD43 3235 movement vs. the new Pepsi 3285 movement?

It looks to me that the 3235 movement has "A consummate demonstration of Rolex technology, with 14 patents, it offers fundamental gains in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability". Whereas the 3285 movement "With 10 patent applications filed over the course of its development, this movement features a Chronergy escapement and a guaranteed power reserve of approximately 70 hours."

It seems that the 3235 is a more advanced movement...Why wouldn't Rolex use that in the GMT...Is the size an issue? And lastly, why do the Submariner and the GMT use different movements if case is the same?

Sorry if this topic was covered, I cannot find it in the search.

The 3285 is a basically a 3235 with a added second timezone complication,likewise the cal 3130 is a cal 3135 without the date complication.The 32 series are exactly the same size as the 31 series and share many of the same parts. Yes the 32 has a greater power reserve by making the spring-barrel thinner,and ball bearing rotor, but will they be more accurate than the 31 series IMHO doubtful.All this Chronergy escapement, 10 14 patent description stuff is mainly clever marketing.Basically yes the new movement has some improved features, but its still based on the older 30 series movement. All of the Rolex movements have proved themselves over the past 50 years with there robustness and accuracy.And the main Achilles heel in most of the Rolex 15 and 3 series movements like the cal 3135 cal 3185/6 was the rotor shaft bearings. and IMHO it's the 15 and 3 series movements weakest link the rotor winding sleeve bearings. Now these needed proper lubrication and its very critical its done right,if it dries out especially in warm climates you will get severe wear in the bearing jewels.Looks like to me Rolex has sacrificed a bit in the engineering department for better winding efficiency. IMHO the small diameter winding post don't offer enough support to the rotor weight, but again some go on for decades without service, but many fail for the lack of.But already on forum some are already moaning they can hear the rotor noise on the 32 series I guess you will never please everyone regarding Rolex watches.

[Brew]

Sometimes my head spins at how much the good folks around here know about watches. Wow, thank you Peter!

[Andad]

Good information Peter.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Brew

Sometimes my head spins at how much the good folks around here know about watches. Wow, thank you Peter!

We do try and give the best information but afraid many still believe the many Rolex fairy tales on the net.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by padi56

The 3285 is a basically a 3235 with a added second timezone complication,likewise the cal 3130 is a cal 3135 without the date complication.The 32 series are exactly the same size as the 31 series and share many of the same parts. Yes the 32 has a greater power reserve by making the spring-barrel thinner,and ball bearing rotor, but will they be more accurate than the 31 series IMHO doubtful.All this Chronergy escapement, 10 14 patent description stuff is mainly clever marketing.Basically yes the new movement has some improved features, but its still based on the older 30 series movement. All of the Rolex movements have proved themselves over the past 50 years with there robustness and accuracy.And the main Achilles heel in most of the Rolex 15 and 3 series movements like the cal 3135 cal 3185/6 was the rotor shaft bearings. and IMHO it's the 15 and 3 series movements weakest link the rotor winding sleeve bearings. Now these needed proper lubrication and its very critical its done right,if it dries out especially in warm climates you will get severe wear in the bearing jewels.Looks like to me Rolex has sacrificed a bit in the engineering department for better winding efficiency. IMHO the small diameter winding post don't offer enough support to the rotor weight, but again some go on for decades without service, but many fail for the lack of.But already on forum some are already moaning they can hear the rotor noise on the 32 series I guess you will never please everyone regarding Rolex watches.

Anyone who complains about rotor noise then can not lust over the Daytona. The 4130 has the same ball bearing noise. Which btw I think at least is a non-issue. Thanks for the good info