Mostly lurk here but took a recent interest in this thread as I believe I may have an affected watch (was always +0.5-1 s/d, then all of a sudden a few weeks ago -1.7 s/d). Has anybody had a 3230 that genuinely just required regulation?
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Originally Posted by the dark knight
The "decrease" in problems seems to come from a recent post by Bas saying he's seeing much fewer 32xx movements coming in with issues than in the past.
That does make me hopeful, but I'd personally want to see a lot more evidence that Rolex has come up with a permanent fix.
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I have two hypotheses about why that could be the case without any actual "fix" implemented:
1. Rolex is calibrating movements at the factory to run much closer to the +2 end of the tolerance. That could potentially delay the time it takes for the watch to fall out of spec. I guarantee 99% of people making warranty claims are doing so based on timekeeping (that is either obvious or they track on an app) as opposed to amplitude.
2. Rolex is voiding more warranties of watches traded on the secondary market.
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Originally Posted by maratka
However, as we know, creating a movement with a 70-hour power reserve is not that difficult a task (considering we're talking about Rolex) and without losing accuracy. But I think the solution to this problem requires such a substantial change to the current design that most parts would need to be replaced, and it just wouldn't be the same anymore. Hence, I conclude that you are right, and there will either be a deep modernization or a new caliber (or they'll call this modernization a new caliber :) ).
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Rolex did develop a 70hr PR movement that can fit in a relatively thin 36mm case and maintain better-than-COSC-accuracy. However, they use Kenissi to produce it and it's fitted to the latest generation of Tudors. Still amazes me that somehow R&D was unable to replicate real-world conditions well enough to catch this during development.
As for repairs to 3230-series watches, I wonder when it'll get cheap enough to replace the movements with the "new" series at service?
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Originally Posted by Toshk
I have the same opinion. Think new calibre will be released soon. Just wonder what they will manage to disguise it as. Silicon hairspring perhaps? Improved anti magnetism for the new Millgouse? And then fit in whatever models are due next.
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If they're savvy in this department, they'll start with a Tudor MT design, then "enhance" it enough to make it relatively unrecognizable. Or it'll be based on the one they brought out for the 1908.
Unfortunately, there aren't too many in-production 36mm watches with manufacture calibers and 100m (or more) depth rating. Tudors look great, but I don't like the idea of movement swaps at service (especially ones using used parts).