3235

[SearChart]

Got this one in for repair, sustained a pretty hard knock.
The ball bearing might be good for long time wear, it isn't good for taking hits. Sadly Rolex doesn't allow watchmakers to change the ball bearing so you'll have to replace the whole rotor.

On the picture you can see that the rotor scraped some of the bridges and it uncovers the brass underneath the rhodium plating.

[kieselguhr]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing Bas Great photo by the way.

Besides the rotor and the mainspring + barrel. What else cannot be repaired and is replaced entirely?

Also is it safe to say the new 32xx movements are less sturdy than their 31xx counterparts?

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Interesting. Besides the Rotor and the Mainspring + Barrel. What else cannot be repaired and is replaced?

Pretty much all parts in modern watchmaking are replaced when they're damaged or worn out. The old rotor axle style rotors get their axle replaced rather than 'repaired', which in some cases would be possible to do by carefully polishing the axle (if the wear mark is not too deep that is).

The practice of polishing pivots, turning bushings, making new gears, etc, is only used for vintage movements for which you can't get any parts anymore.

I've learned old techniques in school but now rarely do stuff like that anymore. Maybe if I ever get into the restoration department in Rolex Geneva, but since there's only place for a handful of watchmakers I highly doubt it.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Pretty much all parts in modern watchmaking are replaced when they're damaged or worn out. The old rotor axle style rotors get their axle replaced rather than 'repaired', which in some cases would be possible to do by carefully polishing the axle (if the wear mark is not too deep that is).

The practice of polishing pivots, turning bushings, making new gears, etc, is only used for vintage movements for which you can't get any parts anymore.

I've learned old techniques in school but now rarely do stuff like that anymore. Maybe if I ever get into the restoration department in Rolex Geneva, but since there's only place for a handful of watchmakers I highly doubt it.

Thanks for the thorough reply friend!

So in my mind there is basically no fundamental difference between the service of a Rolex and the movement exchange that occurs with an in house Tudor service?

[Danny83]

Thats a great pic Bas

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Thanks for the thorough reply friend!

So in my mind there is basically no fundamental difference between the service of a Rolex and the movement exchange that occurs with Tudor service?

Well they're both getting disassembled, cleaned, worn parts replaced and assembled, lubricated and regulated.

Where it differs is that you get your own movement back in the Rolex and it is serviced by one watchmaker, in the Tudor it goes back to Geneva and they have trained technicians in an assembly line fixing it, then you get a random refurbished movement in your watch.

If that is the way watchmaking is headed then I might want re-schooling for something else or try to get up to Patek/Lange.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Danny83

Thats a great pic Bas

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by SearChart

If that is the way watchmaking is headed then I might want re-schooling for something else or try to get up to Patek/Lange.

It may very well be my friend. Your peers in your age group do not share your love of watches and interest in watchmaking is dwindling

[JacksonRain]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Got this one in for repair, sustained a pretty hard knock.

The ball bearing might be good for long time wear, it isn't good for taking hits. Sadly Rolex doesn't allow watchmakers to change the ball bearing so you'll have to replace the whole rotor.



On the picture you can see that the rotor scraped some of the bridges and it uncovers the brass underneath the rhodium plating.

What do you suspect is the adverse effect mechanically of placing a Chrono in an ultrasonic machine for 30 seconds? What is the extent of damage likely caused for a watch like that, when it then begins telling time 15 seconds slow per day. What would the service entail, most likely?

Thanks

[joli160]

New is not always better, nice of you to give us lay man some insight

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by JacksonRain

What do you suspect is the adverse effect mechanically of placing a Chrono in an ultrasonic machine for 30 seconds? What is the extent of damage likely caused for a watch like that, when it then begins telling time 15 seconds slow per day. What would the service entail, most likely?

Thanks

Migration of lubricants would be my number one concern.

[HNS]

Very insightful thank you very much!
So what would be the main difference in servicing/taking blows between 3135 and 3235. Wouldn't both be considered modern movements?

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by HNS

Very insightful thank you very much!
So what would be the main difference in servicing/taking blows between 3135 and 3235. Wouldn't both be considered modern movements?

The 31×× was introduced in 1989, so yes quite modern still. The 32 series generally has better shock resistance but the ball bearing is just a weaker point in terms of taking shocks.

[037]

Great looking movement. Thanks for sharing.

Are the lighter spots at the bottom where the rotor rubbed the plates? How did it come apart when knocked? Did the rotor separate at the actual balls of the bearing?

[TswaneNguni]

In 3135 I trust ( I also own 3235s )

[77T]

Originally Posted by SearChart

If that is the way watchmaking is headed then I might want re-schooling for something else or try to get up to Patek/Lange.

I agree with either path. But is the Patek path much harder due to the many different movements?

Rolex SA, in its Tudor movement replacement process, is experimenting. They are relegating the certified watchmaker to an assembly line worker at HQ. The independent watchmaker becomes a polisher.

It’s economics and control at a higher level. If Rolex decides to disintermediate the parts account holders, it would only take the stroke of a pen to cancel the contracts. ADs would become a parts depot where a journeyman replaces movements. (Oh, and scratches lugs, strips screws, etc)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Flybak]

Bas, many thanks for these insights and sharing real life user experiences. These are so interesting to learn about

[waterman1]

Bas thanks for the insight. Would you say the older 31xx is more sturdy when it comes to wearing during rigorous activities like biking, working out, etc? I mean for so many years Rolex has been known as being a sturdy and robust movement that could handle almost anything thrown at it. Is that lost in the 32xx?
Thanks again. Your posts are very helpful.

[spoilsofwar01]

hi Bas, will the bridge be rhodium plated as part of the repair, also will you be fully servicing the movement in case the worn rhodium plating has got into it ?

many thanks for the interesting lessons,

[Brian Page]

Great thread!

[Old Geezer]

As always excellent picture Bas and great information. Was the watch significantly damaged on the exterior?

[Scapegoat]

Thank you for sharing, stay safe and healthy during this challenging period.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by 037

Great looking movement. Thanks for sharing.

Are the lighter spots at the bottom where the rotor rubbed the plates? How did it come apart when knocked? Did the rotor separate at the actual balls of the bearing?

The bearing was bent underneath, giving the balls too much space in there. In a Valjoux or 2892 you can easily fix this, but here you just can't...

Yes the lighter spots are where it rubbed

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by 77T

I agree with either path. But is the Patek path much harder due to the many different movements?

Rolex SA, in its Tudor movement replacement process, is experimenting. They are relegating the certified watchmaker to an assembly line worker at HQ. The independent watchmaker becomes a polisher.

It’s economics and control at a higher level. If Rolex decides to disintermediate the parts account holders, it would only take the stroke of a pen to cancel the contracts. ADs would become a parts depot where a journeyman replaces movements. (Oh, and scratches lugs, strips screws, etc)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I wouldn't say 'harder' when it comes to comparable movements (simple automatics) but getting into the brand itself is just impossible without the right connections.

Originally Posted by Flybak

Bas, many thanks for these insights and sharing real life user experiences. These are so interesting to learn about

Originally Posted by waterman1

Bas thanks for the insight. Would you say the older 31xx is more sturdy when it comes to wearing during rigorous activities like biking, working out, etc? I mean for so many years Rolex has been known as being a sturdy and robust movement that could handle almost anything thrown at it. Is that lost in the 32xx?
Thanks again. Your posts are very helpful.

I've put my trust in the 31×× and have worn it myself during trail ultramarathons, ocean swimming, skydiving and just regular daily wear. I'm not sure the ball bearing is just as shock resistant, but on paper it should be just as rugged, time will tell.

Originally Posted by spoilsofwar01

hi Bas, will the bridge be rhodium plated as part of the repair, also will you be fully servicing the movement in case the worn rhodium plating has got into it ?

many thanks for the interesting lessons,

No, the bridges were a replacement option, but the customer didn't go for that. They're not super damaged, you'll see a lot more damage when the 31×× rotor axle is worn the shreds and starts scraping the bridges.

Originally Posted by Brian Page

Great thread!

Cheers mate!

Originally Posted by Old Geezer

As always excellent picture Bas and great information. Was the watch significantly damaged on the exterior?

Yes it sustained quite a knock and had a good bit of scratches and dings.

Originally Posted by Scapegoat

Thank you for sharing, stay safe and healthy during this challenging period.

you stay safe as well

[AnthonyA114]

Hi I have yachtmaster 42 in white gold and I hear the rotor spinning. Is that normal for the 3235?

[kohe321]

Originally Posted by AnthonyA114

Hi I have yachtmaster 42 in white gold and I hear the rotor spinning. Is that normal for the 3235?

Yeah, the ball bearing system makes a lot more noise than the old rotor axle. It's completely normal to hear the rotor whirring around.