32xx movement problem poll and data thread

[HiBoost]

We've got several other threads talking about this movement, but my goal here is to have a single source of real data, both the poll question - has your movement had an issue, yes/no - and actual timegrapher data to give us a feel for "normal" amplitudes. I didn't want to go overboard with poll options so I left it more yes/no. If you had an issue, but have sent it in to RSC and it seems to be better now, please mark this as having an issue as it still represents a problem data point in the field.

Please answer the poll even if/especially if you have not had any issues!

If you don't have any amplitude data but you are still having significant timekeeping issues, please choose the 3rd option as well.


Here is mine: Brand new 126613LB Sub, worn on and off for 2 weeks. Lift angle set to 53 degrees, Weishi 1000, 4 second period. Watch allowed to settle for 2 minutes after changing positions. Then monitored for another 3 minutes.

Full wind (75 winds)

DU: +2 to +3 s/d, 256-262 deg
CU: -3 to -6 s/d, 208-218 deg
DD: +2 to +4 s/d, 250-257 deg
CD: 0 to -2 s/d, 216-224 deg

For most of the full wind tests across all positions the beat error was 0.2ms.

24 hours later (not worn or moved)

DU: +1 to +3 s/d, 231-237 deg
CU: -5 to -9 s/d, 185-197 deg
DD: +1 to +4 s/d, 222-226 deg
CD: 0 to -9 s/d, 188-195 deg

For most of the 24 hour tests across all positions the beat error was 0.0ms.

[Mystro]

Good job.
You need to add 2 more categories. “amplitude is low (but above 200) and time keeping is slowing.” You are going to find many in that category with not crazy low amplitude but still low and movement is slowing.

Then there is those without amplitude measurements and their time keeping is slowing. Lots of owners won’t own a scope and just report their time keeping is progressing getting slower.


Every owner can vote to add data if you add those two more categories.

[TswaneNguni]

No idea about amplitude .

DSSD JC 2018 (3235) was -5s/day .
RSC (Only Rolex I have ever sent to RSC)
Running perfect now .

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Good job.
You need to add 2 more categories. “amplitude is low (but above 200) and time keeping is slowing.” You are going to find many in that category with not crazy low amplitude but still low and movement is slowing.

Then there is those without amplitude measurements and their time keeping is slowing. Lots of owners won’t own a scope and just report their time keeping is progressing getting slower.


Every owner can vote to add data if you add those two more categories.

There's no way I'm seeing to add or even edit options, which kind of makes sense after a poll has started. I added a comment indicating to vote option 3 for all timekeeping issues, even if you don't know amplitude. I have seen zero reports of a "high amplitude but losing lots of time" piece so I'm not sure that is a real concern here. But I agree we want to hear from anybody who is having timing issues even if they don't have amplitude data.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

There's no way I'm seeing to add or even edit options, which kind of makes sense after a poll has started. I added a comment indicating to vote option 3 for all timekeeping issues, even if you don't know amplitude. I have seen zero reports of a "high amplitude but losing lots of time" piece so I'm not sure that is a real concern here. But I agree we want to hear from anybody who is having timing issues even if they don't have amplitude data.

Agreed. For those that don’t know your amplitude, just vote on what your timekeeping is doing.

[philohlean]

Super curious for the results on this! Just to confirm before I cast a vote, would you like results from all 32xx series movements, inclusive of all complications (i.e. 3285 and 3255)?

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by philohlean

Super curious for the results on this! Just to confirm before I cast a vote, would you like results from all 32xx series movements, inclusive of all complications (i.e. 3285 and 3255)?

Yes.

[philohlean]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Yes.

Got it, thanks!

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by philohlean

Super curious for the results on this! Just to confirm before I cast a vote, would you like results from all 32xx series movements, inclusive of all complications (i.e. 3285 and 3255)?

Yes! From what the watchmakers have told us, this issue could impact any of the range which is why I specified 32xx in the title.

[philohlean]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

Yes! From what the watchmakers have told us, this issue could impact any of the range which is why I specified 32xx in the title.

Understood! I haven't researched the issue too much so wasn't sure if it has impacted some variants more than others. Cast my vote accordingly.

[saxo3]

I had started at the same time a thread "Rolex 3200 Series Movement Data Collection", which I deleted and join here.

The baseline of my approach is a collection of movement measurement data, taken with a timegrapher or other methods, e.g. a smartphone App.

Let us collect data since the introduction of the 3200 series at Baselworld 2015. Especially, data taken with recently purchased watches (2020, 2021) are very interesting to see if problems on rates, amplitudes, beat errors still exist or have been solved.

I start adding data for my beautiful looking GMT-Master II, Ref. 126711 CHNR (caliber 3285), bought in August 2018 and worn for only about 10 days (max.) until today.

Conclusions Table 1:
First measurements 13 months after purchase. After full watch winding all rates are negative, depending on position between -1 s/d and -7 s/d, with amplitudes between 199 and 247 degrees. 7 days later: again full winding, then the calibre performance significantly decreased after 13:50 hours and 25:30 hours; between all measurements the watch remained at rest in position DU (dial up) and was not wound again.

Conclusions Table 2:
One year later. After full watch winding, rates in all positions became worse, i.e. from -4 s/d to -12 s/d, amplitudes vary from 191 to 240 degrees. After 11 days, the situation further degraded again, even after full watch winding. Waiting 24 hours (at rest) in DU position reduced the measured amplitudes to only 153 -204 degrees with rates of -10 s/d to -26 s/d.

This watch was bought in August 2018, was rarely worn (10 days max.) until today, and its present performance is as listed at the end of Table 2. A clear data-based proof that something is wrong with this 3285 movement. I will give it to Rolex within the 5 years guarantee period.

What are your data for the 3200 series movements? Please, always indicate when you bought your watch and the movement number (32xx). An overview in a simple table is probably easier to read than very long text. Photos of your watch are very welcome too.

[rolexguynfl]

I can’t comment on amplitude info as I have no info in that regard.
126600 timing slow by 12+ s/d with first couple of months owning. It was fine originally. I sent it to Dallas RSC for repairs early 2020 and was returned about 3 months later (COVID delays), and worked fine. But within several months it was back at it loosing about the same amount of time as before. It will be going back again unfortunately.
Regards,

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by rolexguynfl

I can’t comment on amplitude info as I have no info in that regard.
126600 timing slow by 12+ s/d with first couple of months owning. It was fine originally. I sent it to Dallas RSC for repairs early 2020 and was returned about 3 months later (COVID delays), and worked fine. But within several months it was back at it loosing about the same amount of time as before. It will be going back again unfortunately.
Regards,

That would drive me crazy.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by rolexguynfl

I can’t comment on amplitude info as I have no info in that regard.
126600 timing slow by 12+ s/d with first couple of months owning. It was fine originally. I sent it to Dallas RSC for repairs early 2020 and was returned about 3 months later (COVID delays), and worked fine. But within several months it was back at it loosing about the same amount of time as before. It will be going back again unfortunately.
Regards,

^^^ This is a very common trend that is popping up. Its not that RSC regulates a slow watch but it returns to a slow watch.. That is a smoking gun trend that cant be denied. Notice no reports of their watch being regulated by RSC and then it speeds up over the next year.
No one should expect you to believe this is a normal/acceptable part of the ownership experience of a $10k automatic with a accuracy standard.

[AirPeasant]

I’m not sure about amplitude but 11 months in to owning my Datejust 126200 it went from gaining 2 second a week to losing 4 seconds a week. Granted it was around the same time that I knocked it pretty hard. Not super happy with a watch losing any time at all but it’s very minor amount and has been stable for the last few months.

Here it is:

[dba]

I just put my watch on my wrist. If I think about it, every couple of weeks, I check it against my iPhone.

As for the rest of all this? IDGAF, there are many other issues that I'm concerned about.

[saxo3]

Gentle Reminder
This thread is about Rolex 3200 series movement issues and facts.
It intends to focus on measurement data and a technical discussion only.
Opinions about uselessness, speculations, negative claims, and disrespectful abbreviations are not wanted.

[Annan]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Gentle Reminder
This thread is about Rolex 3200 series movement issues and facts. It intends to focus on measurement data and a technical discussion only. Opinions about uselessness, speculations, and other negative claims and disrespectful abbreviations are not wanted.

Thanks for this poll. Some of us are indeed quite interested in the results.

[Oxfordian]

All watches with 32xx movements running fine, in the event that any issues occur then I'll send the watch to Rolex for repair, I have 10 year warranty on my watches so not overly concerned.

There are far more pressing things to worry about than whether my watch's accuracy is slightly off.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by Annan

Thanks for this poll. Some of us are indeed quite interested in the results.

You have some data to share with us?

[brandrea]

**3285 blro perfect (purchased May 2018)
**3230 Submariner perfect. (Purchased September 2020)

** worn rotation every few days so I voted yes no issues

Perhaps something else to add is the date when the watch was purchased.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Perhaps something else to add is the date when the watch was purchased.

Thanks for your input! That's what I wrote in post#11:
Please, always indicate when you bought your watch and the movement number (32xx).

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Thanks for your input! That's what I wrote in post#11:
Please, always indicate when you bought your watch and the movement number (32xx).

Got it, I see that now

I think this may be relevant to know IF watches say purchased in 2015 are performing similarly to watches purchased in 2020-21 ...

If the pundits here are correct Rolex wouldn’t exactly advertise any changes but simply implement them into new production. I suppose folks like Bas would be the second to know

[Annan]

Originally Posted by saxo3

You have some data to share with us?

I don't have access to a timegrapher. I can only share that I've owned two new DJ41s and both had time loss issues. Both went to RSC. Both came back running great. Both did not last.

I flipped the first DJ for the second DJ not knowing about the alleged 3235 issue. The first was bought in 2016 and the second in 2017.

No more 32XX for me.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I think this may be relevant to know IF watches say purchased in 2015 are performing similarly to watches purchased in 2020-21 ...

That is EXACTLY what I want to understand.

Originally Posted by brandrea

If the pundits here are correct Rolex wouldn’t exactly advertise any changes but simply implement them into new production.

That's seems the normal way for new production movements

[waterman1]

Maybe a selection for ; more than 1 occurrence on same timepiece.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by brandrea

**3285 blro perfect (purchased May 2018)
**3230 Submariner perfect. (Purchased September 2020).

I assume they never went to a RSC, right?
Your BLRO is different (see Tables in post #11) than my CHNR (both 3285, both 2018).
Can you get amplitude and rate data for your 2 watches as they are today?
Many thanks for your positive participation!

[rolexguynfl]

Originally Posted by FTX I

That would drive me crazy.

It is a bit frustrating for sure.

Originally Posted by Mystro

^^^ This is a very common trend that is popping up. Its not that RSC regulates a slow watch but it returns to a slow watch.. That is a smoking gun trend that cant be denied. Notice no reports of their watch being regulated by RSC and then it speeds up over the next year.
No one should expect you to believe this is a normal/acceptable part of the ownership experience of a $10k automatic with a accuracy standard.

Agree! That’s my thought as well.

When I look at the time on my wrist, I’m not looking at it as an exact time. But when it’s running slow by 2-3+ minutes after 2 weeks (even winding it twice a week while wearing it to rule out that issue), that’s a bit annoying given the cost of the watch.

Regards,

[Annan]

Originally Posted by Annan

I don't have access to a timegrapher. I can only share that I've owned two new DJ41s and both had time loss issues. Both went to RSC. Both came back running great. Both did not last.

I flipped the first DJ for the second DJ not knowing about the alleged 3235 issue. The first was bought in 2016 and the second in 2017.

No more 32XX for me.

Still have DJ #2. I've discovered that if I wind it 25 turns twice a week it runs about +0.5 to 1.0s/day. Power reserve is fine at 70 hours and the watch does not stop. I wear it daily for at least 10 hours.

[sheldonsmith]

I voted “yes” no issues as of 23JAN21, but that was after one trip to the RSC whereby all they did was regulate to +3/day.

@Saxo3, can you post or IM me your data template. I will start keeping track of monthly timing as well and post here.

-Sheldon