32xx movement problem poll and data thread

[CharlesN]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Thanks
I totally forgot to mention i have a Co-axial in the collection, so I need to make sure that whatever I am looking at can record the goings on with the innards correctly
I understand Co-axials operate in a world of their own.

OhOh ! You are entering the slippery slope I fell into

I bought a Weishi 1900. Its a good machine.

But ...... I also have Co-Axials in my meagre collection.

I ensed up buying a very much more expensive Timegrapher, very similar to those used by watchmakers and manufacturers.

It handles just about any watch you can imagine and then some. Its super accurate and gives you all the information that you could possibly need.

The Weishi is back in a box, unused, and in a cupboard.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by CharlesN

OhOh ! You are entering the slippery slope I fell into

I bought a Weishi 1900. Its a good machine.

But ...... I also have Co-Axials in my meagre collection.

I ensed up buying a very much more expensive Timegrapher, very similar to those used by watchmakers and manufacturers.

It handles just about any watch you can imagine and then some. Its super accurate and gives you all the information that you could possibly need.

The Weishi is back in a box, unused, and in a cupboard.

Boys and their toys.
As we get older and wiser, they just get bigger and more expensive. At least that's the view my wife is on board with
God love her

[CharlesN]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Boys and their toys.
As we get older and wiser, they just get bigger and more expensive. At least that's the view my wife is on board with
God love her

What a strange thing ...

My wife thinks and says exactly the same.

[CharlesN]

Originally Posted by amanbra

Seems a very plausible scenario based on the evidence we have.

My only reasoning that I feel that Rolex don't have a fix yet is based on none of the watchmakers we know reporting back "hey the new fix is change out this component" when currently they are told to service and lube the pivot but I accept this is not 100% proof of my theory either.

Thats EXACTLY the point that this is and will be a SILENT REPAIR

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by amanbra

Seems a very plausible scenario based on the evidence we have.

My only reasoning that I feel that Rolex don't have a fix yet is based on none of the watchmakers we know reporting back "hey the new fix is change out this component" when currently they are told to service and lube the pivot but I accept this is not 100% proof of my theory either.

Agreed.

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by CharlesN

Thats EXACTLY the point that this is and will be a SILENT REPAIR

They’re not repairing it with the new solution if they haven’t been told to use the new fixed component.

The most current process as we know it is to service and lube the problem area.


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[Mystro]

You do understand Rolex will tell their independent watchmakers not to disclose any modified repairs for typical Rolex in-house disclosure policies. The customer will never get any official or unofficial update from Rolex. So if a tweaking is being done in routine service or not being done you will never know it.

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by Mystro

You do understand Rolex will tell their independent watchmakers not to disclose any modified repairs for typical Rolex in-house disclosure policies. The customer will never get any official or unofficial update from Rolex. So if a tweaking is being done in routine service or not being done you will never know it.

Yea and no.

We have watchmakers here who did promise to report back if anything changed but say they were warned not to and didn’t, it would be nearly impossible to stop a person (any other Rolex related watchmaker) reporting this considering how many people are involved.

Another forums resident watchmaker has reported fellow colleagues who work for Rolex leaving due to pressure etc. In Sydney we now have rsc watchmakers looking for new jobs as they are moving all operations to Melbourne.

Though they might not announcing it on a forum it doesn’t take much for them to talk between themselves… the independent watchmaker I used for a patek verification recently indicated no known fix had been communicated to his network of watchmakers for instance.


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[mr_gray]

great thread! congratulations to OP and to the main contributors. thanks for all the hard work.

[Youngling]

Hello everyone!

I’m sorry if this interrupts something or is regarded annoying! This is my first ever post.

My name is John and I’m only 18 yrs old. When I was 13 I set up a ”stupid” goal for myself to be able to afford a SS Sub when I’m 18. During these years I have come to love mechanical watches and the beautiful craftmanship inside them. With incredible hard work I managed to afford it. I also managed to get an AD to sell one to me which I will be picking up this week (ref. 126610LN). I am incredibly excited and this is a watch I want to cherish for the rest of my life, it will be my one watch collection for a while too.

But I recently learnt about the issues people have been facing with the 32XX movements. I now have gotten pretty worried. Since this is a watch I plan on having my whole life I want it to work properly without worrying about the movement not lasting.

Iam writing this post to see if there has been any updates recently? Do we know if, for example, 3235’s bought in 2022 still have this error with slowing after 6-12 months?

How worried should I be?

Thank you and it’s very nice to be here!

[saxo3]

Hello John,
A warm welcome here. There is absolutely nothing to worry about your post! Nobody on any forum can predict if a 2022 watch with a 3235 movement will develop an issue or not. Anyhow, you have 5 years of guarantee. Since you desire this watch so much I would say go for it and enjoy as much as possible. Excellent choice, the Rolex Submariner is an iconic watch.

[Dirt]

Welcome to the forum
A rather noble goal and you are about the same age as I was when I bought my first Rolex(4digit)
The difference between us is that I wasn't keen on spending that much money at the time, but I needed to see what it was all about and there's no other way around it but to take a run at it
It's good you are re-evaluating after acquiring some knowkedge. It's a skill that will hold you in good stead

To your questions.
Nobody knows how this will play out with the calibre.
It's been going on for years now, with no end in sight
As far as we know in this day and age, it's new ground for Rolex to have what seems to be such an unsolvable problem.
If I were you, i would be very worried that I've put so much time, effort and emotional energy into the aquisition.
Interestingly I see reference from a well known watchmaker on another forum which reflected the current situation in fairly suspect terms. I don't think he will be lining up to buy one for himself unless he'll freezes over.
If you were my lad, I would be inclined to council you to defer the purchase and sit on the sidelines until something is sorted out. But it's your money
In one way, time is on your side and as long as the ownership experience doesn't poison your mind in the short to medium term it's possible Rolex will get it sorted out.
Early adopters are beta testers. Especially with watches and their movements.
Everything used to be straight forward when buying a Rolex.
With this new movement, it's a right old lottery.

Have you ever considered something in the 5 digit references for outstanding value? I did see a really nice 5513 the other day which would've been a great daily wearer but it was getting a little up there in price which would've been super cool and left nothing on the table as a daily wearer

Please let us know how you get on, win, lose or draw?

[PekWatchGuy]

"never meet your heroes"

Originally Posted by Youngling

Hello everyone!

I’m sorry if this interrupts something or is regarded annoying! This is my first ever post.

My name is John and I’m only 18 yrs old. When I was 13 I set up a ”stupid” goal for myself to be able to afford a SS Sub when I’m 18. During these years I have come to love mechanical watches and the beautiful craftmanship inside them. With incredible hard work I managed to afford it. I also managed to get an AD to sell one to me which I will be picking up this week (ref. 126610LN). I am incredibly excited and this is a watch I want to cherish for the rest of my life, it will be my one watch collection for a while too.

But I recently learnt about the issues people have been facing with the 32XX movements. I now have gotten pretty worried. Since this is a watch I plan on having my whole life I want it to work properly without worrying about the movement not lasting.

Iam writing this post to see if there has been any updates recently? Do we know if, for example, 3235’s bought in 2022 still have this error with slowing after 6-12 months?

How worried should I be?

Thank you and it’s very nice to be here!

[Andad]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Hello John,
A warm welcome here. There is absolutely nothing to worry about your post! Nobody on any forum can predict if a 2022 watch with a 3235 movement will develop an issue or not. Anyhow, you have 5 years of guarantee. Since you desire this watch so much I would say go for it and enjoy as much as possible. Excellent choice, the Rolex Submariner is an iconic watch.

There are some who would not take the chance John.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...postcount=2579

[douglasf13]

Even forum member wm82, a watchmaker, has hesitation in buying the new movement. I know that, in my case, it was a major reason why I picked a 114270 over a 124270 a few months back.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...6&postcount=19

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by Youngling

Hello everyone!

I’m sorry if this interrupts something or is regarded annoying! This is my first ever post.

My name is John and I’m only 18 yrs old. When I was 13 I set up a ”stupid” goal for myself to be able to afford a SS Sub when I’m 18. During these years I have come to love mechanical watches and the beautiful craftmanship inside them. With incredible hard work I managed to afford it. I also managed to get an AD to sell one to me which I will be picking up this week (ref. 126610LN). I am incredibly excited and this is a watch I want to cherish for the rest of my life, it will be my one watch collection for a while too.

But I recently learnt about the issues people have been facing with the 32XX movements. I now have gotten pretty worried. Since this is a watch I plan on having my whole life I want it to work properly without worrying about the movement not lasting.

Iam writing this post to see if there has been any updates recently? Do we know if, for example, 3235’s bought in 2022 still have this error with slowing after 6-12 months?

How worried should I be?

Thank you and it’s very nice to be here!

So... If I were you and worked so very hard to save up money for this incredibly important piece I would not feel good about it going into a 32xx movement watch...

The person in this thread recommending you to buy literally posted that he is not buying any more 32xx watches... In a different thread also linked above he said the movement was trash...

I personally now have had issues in 5 of 8 watches with the 32xx. Back when I was 17 I saved a month's worth of wages from pizza hut to purchase my first swiss watch which was my Tissot PRS200 reverse panda. I still have this watch today, it means a lot to me. This purchase has a reasonably high risk of going wrong and you hating the brand forever...

Now this next part is my advice but a lot of people are not going to like it... but it's my advice to you, do with it as you wish.

Buy the sub, find a LNIB Sub that has a 3130 movement, trade your sub in and cash your way. Enjoy the sub with basically one of the most bulletproof movements ever made. That is what I'd do if I were you.

I honestly believe this is a blip in Rolex's history and the 33xx movements will be stellar again but I and a lot of other people are not a fan of the 32xx...

[Youngling]

Wow, thank you all for such a warm welcoming and for all the invested and rigorous answers, I’m grateful.

Just so you know, I won’t be answering everyone individually but please be aware that I have read all your replys thoroughly and thought them over!

I will buy the watch this Friday and even though I know there’s a risk that comes with the 32 series movement inside, my desire to purchase it and succeed with my goal is far greater than the ”troubles” that may come with it.

(I also want to acknowledge that there is still a chance that my movement won’t be a so called lemon AND there is also a chance that Rolex have implemented a silent fix but we haven’t noticed. As you see, I like to think positively.)

My reasoning is as follows: I want to buy a watch that I will keep for my whole life. And because of that, I want to be the sole owner of it (that’s why a vintage or the fat lug presecessor isn’t an option). It may seem weird to you but I want to buy it directly from the AD, warm from the factory.

And I also don’t really care THAT much about accuracy as long as it is functioning and I won’t miss my classes because of it (hehe). I know you should expect more from a brand like Rolex but this seems to be the situation today. I think it is easy to get tunnel-visioned in this matter too, it is not like Submariners you buy today are useless as wristwatches and as long as I can use it to tell time Iam happy.

But if it starts slowing down to tens of seconds per day it’s another story. Then I will just have to turn it in and get it fixed under warranty. The five year warranty also gives Rolex a bit more time to find a fix.

I will try and keep track on how it is performing but I won’t buy an own timegrapher in the beginning since I’m the type of person who would think about it more and check often etc. It would ruin the experience a bit. I will try to keep track by just setting the watch and checking weekly or monthly. I will also take it to a watchmaker to check with their timegrapher some time.

Everywhere else online I’m seeing how great of a movement the 3235 is and articles by watchmakers are praising it too. It seems to be an amazing piece of craftmanship, there is just this ”small” problem in a few of them.

I’m praying that my movement will be healthy! (After all, 70% says that their movement is fine and that is just in this specific group of watch enthusiasts)

[CharlesN]

It is a great shame that there are so many negative people posting on this forum

I am one of the contributors who has been measuring the 32xx caliber and reporting on it’s failings.

I also report on it’s strengths though

There are small problems but I am sure that Rolex know and will fix everything during a service but as said previously in a post the watch will have a 5 year warranty so I don’t think you have anything to worry about at all.

I suggest you get, and enjoy your First Rolex but one word of warning …….. it won’t be the last one you get. !!!

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by Youngling

Wow, thank you all for such a warm welcoming and for all the invested and rigorous answers, I’m grateful.

Just so you know, I won’t be answering everyone individually but please be aware that I have read all your replys thoroughly and thought them over!

I will buy the watch this Friday and even though I know there’s a risk that comes with the 32 series movement inside, my desire to purchase it and succeed with my goal is far greater than the ”troubles” that may come with it.

(I also want to acknowledge that there is still a chance that my movement won’t be a so called lemon AND there is also a chance that Rolex have implemented a silent fix but we haven’t noticed. As you see, I like to think positively.)

My reasoning is as follows: I want to buy a watch that I will keep for my whole life. And because of that, I want to be the sole owner of it (that’s why a vintage or the fat lug presecessor isn’t an option). It may seem weird to you but I want to buy it directly from the AD, warm from the factory.

And I also don’t really care THAT much about accuracy as long as it is functioning and I won’t miss my classes because of it (hehe). I know you should expect more from a brand like Rolex but this seems to be the situation today. I think it is easy to get tunnel-visioned in this matter too, it is not like Submariners you buy today are useless as wristwatches and as long as I can use it to tell time Iam happy.

But if it starts slowing down to tens of seconds per day it’s another story. Then I will just have to turn it in and get it fixed under warranty. The five year warranty also gives Rolex a bit more time to find a fix.

I will try and keep track on how it is performing but I won’t buy an own timegrapher in the beginning since I’m the type of person who would think about it more and check often etc. It would ruin the experience a bit. I will try to keep track by just setting the watch and checking weekly or monthly. I will also take it to a watchmaker to check with their timegrapher some time.

Everywhere else online I’m seeing how great of a movement the 3235 is and articles by watchmakers are praising it too. It seems to be an amazing piece of craftmanship, there is just this ”small” problem in a few of them.

I’m praying that my movement will be healthy! (After all, 70% says that their movement is fine and that is just in this specific group of watch enthusiasts)

You’re making a very informed decision that’s all that matters. We do hope it goes well.

For me accuracy isn’t the main thing, hell two of my speedies are +12 per day… I don’t mind at all, this is just a regulation thing, for me the issue is if there is a defect with that watch.

Watchmakers saying the 32xx are great we’re written very early on… regardless wear in good health and we do hope you do get a “good” movement in yours. They do exist so why not yours.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by Youngling

Wow, thank you all for such a warm welcoming and for all the invested and rigorous answers, I’m grateful.

Just so you know, I won’t be answering everyone individually but please be aware that I have read all your replys thoroughly and thought them over!

I will buy the watch this Friday and even though I know there’s a risk that comes with the 32 series movement inside, my desire to purchase it and succeed with my goal is far greater than the ”troubles” that may come with it.

(I also want to acknowledge that there is still a chance that my movement won’t be a so called lemon AND there is also a chance that Rolex have implemented a silent fix but we haven’t noticed. As you see, I like to think positively.)

My reasoning is as follows: I want to buy a watch that I will keep for my whole life. And because of that, I want to be the sole owner of it (that’s why a vintage or the fat lug presecessor isn’t an option). It may seem weird to you but I want to buy it directly from the AD, warm from the factory.

And I also don’t really care THAT much about accuracy as long as it is functioning and I won’t miss my classes because of it (hehe). I know you should expect more from a brand like Rolex but this seems to be the situation today. I think it is easy to get tunnel-visioned in this matter too, it is not like Submariners you buy today are useless as wristwatches and as long as I can use it to tell time Iam happy.

But if it starts slowing down to tens of seconds per day it’s another story. Then I will just have to turn it in and get it fixed under warranty. The five year warranty also gives Rolex a bit more time to find a fix.

I will try and keep track on how it is performing but I won’t buy an own timegrapher in the beginning since I’m the type of person who would think about it more and check often etc. It would ruin the experience a bit. I will try to keep track by just setting the watch and checking weekly or monthly. I will also take it to a watchmaker to check with their timegrapher some time.

Everywhere else online I’m seeing how great of a movement the 3235 is and articles by watchmakers are praising it too. It seems to be an amazing piece of craftmanship, there is just this ”small” problem in a few of them.

I’m praying that my movement will be healthy! (After all, 70% says that their movement is fine and that is just in this specific group of watch enthusiasts)

Thanks for your very mature, reasonable, and detailed answer. All that makes a lot of sense from your perspective. I wish you will win the caliber 32xx lottery. Please keep us informed about your experiences. Especially factual news and some data are appreciated on my side.

Personally, I would ask the AD for a full set of 5-position timegrapher data after full caliber winding, only to keep it as a reference data set for later. Good luck and enjoy your new Submariner.

[mario1971]

Originally Posted by Youngling

Wow, thank you all for such a warm welcoming and for all the invested and rigorous answers, I’m grateful.

Just so you know, I won’t be answering everyone individually but please be aware that I have read all your replys thoroughly and thought them over!

I will buy the watch this Friday and even though I know there’s a risk that comes with the 32 series movement inside, my desire to purchase it and succeed with my goal is far greater than the ”troubles” that may come with it.

(I also want to acknowledge that there is still a chance that my movement won’t be a so called lemon AND there is also a chance that Rolex have implemented a silent fix but we haven’t noticed. As you see, I like to think positively.)

My reasoning is as follows: I want to buy a watch that I will keep for my whole life. And because of that, I want to be the sole owner of it (that’s why a vintage or the fat lug presecessor isn’t an option). It may seem weird to you but I want to buy it directly from the AD, warm from the factory.

And I also don’t really care THAT much about accuracy as long as it is functioning and I won’t miss my classes because of it (hehe). I know you should expect more from a brand like Rolex but this seems to be the situation today. I think it is easy to get tunnel-visioned in this matter too, it is not like Submariners you buy today are useless as wristwatches and as long as I can use it to tell time Iam happy.

But if it starts slowing down to tens of seconds per day it’s another story. Then I will just have to turn it in and get it fixed under warranty. The five year warranty also gives Rolex a bit more time to find a fix.

I will try and keep track on how it is performing but I won’t buy an own timegrapher in the beginning since I’m the type of person who would think about it more and check often etc. It would ruin the experience a bit. I will try to keep track by just setting the watch and checking weekly or monthly. I will also take it to a watchmaker to check with their timegrapher some time.

Everywhere else online I’m seeing how great of a movement the 3235 is and articles by watchmakers are praising it too. It seems to be an amazing piece of craftmanship, there is just this ”small” problem in a few of them.

I’m praying that my movement will be healthy! (After all, 70% says that their movement is fine and that is just in this specific group of watch enthusiasts)

I have already converted seven or eight Roplexes with the 32xx mechanism and I had no problems with any of them. Unless you are unlucky enough to "get a seed of the blind hen", then when you buy a new Rolex from AD, you will be able to enjoy it for many years of happiness.

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by amanbra

You’re making a very informed decision that’s all that matters.

Absolutely. And that's why I think this is an important thread - it presents observations based on the real world experiences of owners that others can read, consider, and then make their own decision accordingly. As they say, forewarned is forearmed.

If people know the facts and still decide to go with it, then that's absolutely fine; at least they made the decision from a position of awareness and knowledge, and that's the main thing.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by mario1971

I have already converted seven or eight Roplexes with the 32xx mechanism and I had no problems with any of them. Unless you are unlucky enough to "get a seed of the blind hen", then when you buy a new Rolex from AD, you will be able to enjoy it for many years of happiness.

With seven or eight 32xx movements in rotation you may not have a problem for a quite a while.

If you do I hope it iis within the warranty period

[mario1971]

Originally Posted by Andad

With seven or eight 32xx movements in rotation you may not have a problem for a quite a while.



If you do I hope it iis within the warranty period

They are all still in the warranty period. :)

[Andad]

Originally Posted by CharlesN

It is a great shame that there are so many negative people posting on this forum

I am one of the contributors who has been measuring the 32xx caliber and reporting on it’s failings.

I also report on it’s strengths though

There are small problems but I am sure that Rolex know and will fix everything during a service but as said previously in a post the watch will have a 5 year warranty so I don’t think you have anything to worry about at all.

I suggest you get, and enjoy your First Rolex but one word of warning …….. it won’t be the last one you get. !!!

Members on this thread should not be called negative just because they will not buy anymore Rolex watches with the 32xx movement.
They are making decisions based on the data that is being reported.

[Tyd450]

Does this problem pop up in the time only 3230 as well or usually only with the date complication in the 3235?

I'm looking to buy a submariner no date 124060 and it doesn't sound like there are many issues with that model compared to the 3235 in the sub date, sea dweller, date just, etc. I wasn't sure if there was something to it or perhaps I just haven't noticed no date sub owners reporting their movement issues.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by Tyd450

Does this problem pop up in the time only 3230 as well or usually only with the date complication in the 3235?

I'm looking to buy a submariner no date 124060 and it doesn't sound like there are many issues with that model compared to the 3235 in the sub date, sea dweller, date just, etc. I wasn't sure if there was something to it or perhaps I just haven't noticed no date sub owners reporting their movement issues.

Most issue reports on this forum were made for 3235 and 3285, significantly less for 3230, which may depend on the introduction dates of the 32xx movements:

2015: 3235, 3255
2016: -
2017: -
2018: 3285
2019: -
2020: 3230

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Tyd450

Does this problem pop up in the time only 3230 as well or usually only with the date complication in the 3235?

I'm looking to buy a submariner no date 124060 and it doesn't sound like there are many issues with that model compared to the 3235 in the sub date, sea dweller, date just, etc. I wasn't sure if there was something to it or perhaps I just haven't noticed no date sub owners reporting their movement issues.

Yeah, there have been some 3230 users with problems, too. It’s just a less common movement.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by mario1971

I have already converted seven or eight Roplexes with the 32xx mechanism and I had no problems with any of them.

There are not many people I know who own so many 32xx watches as you.

It would be a great input to this thread if you could quantify all their timekeeping performances including the watch reference numbers and purchase dates.

Do you have any timekeeping or timegrapher data to share with us?

[mario1971]

Originally Posted by saxo3

There are not many people I know who own so many 32xx watches as you.

It would be a great input to this thread if you could quantify all their timekeeping performances including the watch reference numbers and purchase dates.

Do you have any timekeeping or timegrapher data to share with us?

I don't look for problems where they are not. I am glad that they all keep time, and I hope that I will not have to return them to the service sooner than after a minimum of 5-10 years of use.