3235 setting direction
 

I just noticed that the time setting direction on 3235 is the opposite (counterclockwise moves hands forwards) from 3135. Is there a technical reason for the change, or is it solely to differentiate the 2 movements?

Yes thats correct much like the cal 3035 introduced way back in 1977 is just how the 32 movement is made nothing more.

There is one less setting wheel compared to a 31 movt, hence a reverse of direction. For each wheel meshing with its neighbour, the direction of rotation is reversed!

Initially I thought this was somehow related to the new ball bearing rotor replacing the bushing rotor, given my other ball bearing rotor watches are the same.

I'm so used to setting the time forward by rotating the crown forward on the 31xx movement. Would be nice if the 32xx movement was updated to include the extra setting wheel!

It was the first thing I noticed when I got my brand new 3285 GMT BLNR too (December 2022) specialy because I was used with my old and daily wear 2009 GMT (3186 movement). At first moment I feel a little scared, but then reading the TRF forum I realized it is the way the new 32XX movements were designed!