Quote:
Originally Posted by JeanGenie
How many more years do you think Rolex will continue to service the 31xx movements?
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That's a very good question. I don't have a concrete date, but we can elaborate it together.
The 3135 movement was introduced around 1988 and remained the company's flagship movement for more than 30 years.
In 2015, the 3135 was replaced by the 3235, which was first installed in the Pearlmaster 39.
Also in 2015, Rolex launched the first 3255 movement in the Day-Date model. The 3285 followed in 2018, and the 3230 in 2020.
There is indeed a very long list of Rolex watches that used the 3135. Among the latest watches to contain the 3135 movement are the Submariner (Ref. 116610LN), which was discontinued in 2020, and the Oyster Perpetual Date (Ref. 115200), which was discontinued in 2021.
I read somewhere that Rolex produces spare parts for (at least) 30 years after a caliber is discontinued. This would bring us to the year 2051 (2021 + 30).
I own vintage watches with a 1570/75 caliber. The 1575 production period was around 1965 to 1980. In 2020, 40 years after production ended, my watch movements were serviced by RSC. This is 10 years longer than the assumed 30 years.
In conclusion, the 3135 may well be serviced from its discontinuation in 2021 until 2061, but this date is not confirmed!