Rolex “glockenspiel” ringing?

[atn_uk]

I’ve been reading a bit today about how 3xxx movements make a ringing sound, in addition to the fast ticking, that you can hear by holding your genuine Rolex up to your ear.

Apparently in Germany, at least, this is one of the tells on the list of things to check to see if a Rolex is a fake.

I had never heard of this before, and there is little about it on the internet.

But, it’s true, at least on the Rolex genuine end of the equation. Hold your genuine 3xxx movement Rolex to your ear and you can hear it ticking, but you can also hear a distinct clear bell-like ringing, not for the entire time, but for a good 10+ seconds every 30, fading up in intensity then down again.

I can clearly hear it on my SD43.

Amazing. I wonder is it deliberate or just an artefact of the movement.

And is it a real, useful tell?

[Alan111]

I have heard it on mine. Only for about 10-12 seconds depending on where the seconds hand is positioned. In fact at night when it is really quiet, I can hear it reverberating when placed on my dresser.

[Db7566]

Works on the 114060. I can also hear it from a couple feet away in the middle of the night.

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[flyinmn]

I’ve noticed the exact thing on my 3135 in 16610! I was too chicken to ask the question thinking something was unique to my movement or out of wack but keeps time in spec.

I’ve not heard the same on Tudor or ETA movements. Interesting to hear others have the same sound and what the technical reason is behind it. It’s like a harmonic at each 30 second interval.


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[atn_uk]

Crikey, I guess my tinnitus affects me more than I had realised! Mine is only 2 feet away at night, or on my wrist, but I never heard it before.

[mash_taylor]

Yep sometimes I have to move my watch at night because it reverberates through my bedside table!

[jltait]

I love hearing this sound by my pillow at night. Thought I was the only one!

[Rocky2020]

Yes, I've heard for years with my Sub, especially in the quiet of night if the watch is on the nightstand or dresser.

[G.D.BeanCounter]

So Cool! I just gave a listen on my SD43 and sure enough... almost like listening to a music box. Thanks for sharing.

[billfredericks]

I put my 114060 and 16710 together to make a little duet at night.

[R G]

Yes I noticed this myself some years ago when listening in to the Rolex watches I have. The DJ’s more so than the Sub.

[Doc Savage]

Interesting. I haven't noticed before, but with kids in the house, it's probably never quiet enough for me to hear it!

[Wobbly]

Wow, I’ve never heard that before, until I just put my LVc to my ear.

[thesharkfactor]

Soothing sounds that I have been enjoying for years. Like a train approaching from a far, speeds past and fades out again. Works best in the dead of night...

[Chevelle007]

Both of mine do this. I've always wondered why. Only for a few seconds each minute.

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[77T]

I used to wear my first Rolex 24x7 and even through a pillow the chiming/ringing was evident and that was 20+ years ago. I’m sure my current ones do the same but have stopped the full-time wear habit.


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[Largoshark]

Is it very subtle? I'm having trouble identifying this sound in my CHNR...the ticking alone is difficult to hear without complete silence.

[georgekart]

You live and you learn.

[jvb.nc]

it puts me to sleep many nights.

[utc66]

A bit like this:

https://youtu.be/ZXJWO2FQ16c

[No SUBctitute]

I just put my Sub to my ear. I heard the ringing for about 10 seconds starting at about the 20 second marker and the 50 second marker. It gradually came and gradually faded. Very interesting.

I wonder at what second maker others heard the ticking.

Do other brand's movements vary enough in sound through the cycle that you can hear a difference in the ticking sound? Or is it just Rolex? And if others also change do they go from more "tick-ey" to more "ring-ey" like Rolex?

[csaltphoto]

That was one of the first things I noticed when I got a Rolex. tiktiktiktiktiktiktikdingdingdingdingdingdingdingd ingtiktiktiktiktiktiktiktiktiktiktiktiktik...

[kohe321]

Yup! Every Rolex I've had has done this. The chime is really nice to listen to at night. It comes and goes, slowly fading into a more dry ticking sound before coming back into a full chime again every minute. Seems to be at its strongest for about 15-20 seconds at a time.

When I wear my Explorer at night, I can easily hear the chime through the pillow.

[meyers]

Originally Posted by kohe321

I can easily hear the chime through the pillow.

Same! A neat byproduct of sleeping with one's watch on

[Bob_Loblaw]

Originally Posted by utc66

A bit like this:

https://youtu.be/ZXJWO2FQ16c

Yes.

I just posted a comment under that video referring to the similarities to the sound of a Rolex.

[Sspenceur]

Woah! Never knew this! I hear it on my 116613lb!

[brandrea]

All I can hear at night is our furnace blasting heat through the house .... February in Canada folks

[EEpro]

You guys have very quiet houses. I'm jealous.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by atn_uk

I’ve been reading a bit today about how 3xxx movements make a ringing sound, in addition to the fast ticking, that you can hear by holding your genuine Rolex up to your ear.

Apparently in Germany, at least, this is one of the tells on the list of things to check to see if a Rolex is a fake.

I had never heard of this before, and there is little about it on the internet.

But, it’s true, at least on the Rolex genuine end of the equation. Hold your genuine 3xxx movement Rolex to your ear and you can hear it ticking, but you can also hear a distinct clear bell-like ringing, not for the entire time, but for a good 10+ seconds every 30, fading up in intensity then down again.

I can clearly hear it on my SD43.

Amazing. I wonder is it deliberate or just an artefact of the movement.

And is it a real, useful tell?

Today most modern movements beat today at 28800BPH so apart from case size, space left in the case and resonance of the case they all sound basically the same no matter the brand .

[atn_uk]

Originally Posted by padi56

Today most modern movements beat today at 28800BPH so apart from case size, space left in the case and resonance of the case they all sound basically the same no matter the brand .

So, apart from all the differences, they are all the same!

Got it!