GMT Master II with 3186 Movement.

[Saladin]

Hi guys, a friend of mine told me that there are only a few Non Ceramic GMt II 's (16710) produced by Rolex that have the new 3186 movement (instead of the regular 3185). These are the late Z and M series models. Is this correct? What are your thoughts on that?

[scottschoe]

Correct, although we don't know how many are out there. People place different weight on those quirky models...some don't care, others do (I lean towards the latter). Search for the wiggle test for an easy way to test.

I had two of the 3186 models...gone now

[Saladin]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

Correct, although we don't know how many are out there. People place different weight on those quirky models...some don't care, others do (I lean towards the latter). Search for the wiggle test for an easy way to test.

I had two of the 3186 models...gone now

Cheers Scott

[Z-Sub]

great reading.
one thing I like to point out is that stick ll dial is not unique to those with 3186 movement. it was found in the D serial as well and I happen to like the cleaner look of it more.

[Saladin]

Originally Posted by Z-Sub

great reading.
one thing I like to point out is that stick ll dial is not unique to those with 3186 movement. it was found in the D serial as well and I happen to like the cleaner look of it more.

yep, that what the link says as well

[padi56]

Yes but why would anyone think the 3186 is superior to the 3185 grant you perhaps the time zone setting is better.But superior IMHO around the same, and all Rolex movements have to pass the same COSC test as for any other Rolex movement no matter whats parts are inside.As to becoming collectable well IMO doubtful the only true way to tell is get the back off, that alone would turn most collectors off.Would say a 1987 sub with a 3035 be worth anymore than say a 1988 sub with the 3135 would doubt it.

[Imtiaz]

As the years go by, collectors tend to pick on some small quirk to create a collectible Rolex.

The GMT II with the 3186 may become one of these collectibles. Wish I could peep into the future.

[Tools]

It may...but I doubt it..... No standard production Rolex to date sees a marked difference in it's value because the movement was modified.. And movements have been changed within production runs since the beginning.

Also, if it were to suddenly sky-rocket compared to others, then many Explorer II models would be swapped out for their 3186 movements..

As a matter of fact, right now I'll bet that there are some who have bought the GMT w/3186, and it is one they paid a premium for but has a movement out of the Exp II in it... There is simply no way to ever know...

[tinstar]

The GMT-II (M serial) will always be special just because it is the last serial of the old style GMT.....3186 or not.
Just like the first serial of the new GMT2c will be.

[scottjal]

I suspect there are lot more 3186 16710's out there than people realize and it is a nice to have thing to note in a FS listing. I had a stick dial and they too are all over the place. I doubt either of those things will make it a high value item in the future.

[fly-dad]

Here is an interesting factoid I just read and tested on my M Serial 16710 with suspected 3186.

The "Turn Test"....Pull out the crown to position two...the position where rotating the crown will jump just the hour hand...rotate the crown one complete revolution counting how many times the hour had jumps....3186 should be 8....3185 should be 5 to 6. My 16710 jumps 8 hours...can anyone with a early Z or previous 16710 confirm how many hours the hand jumps with one revolution of the crown?

Cheers

[Colnago]

I can't confirm that but I can say I just tried this on my GMT II C which of course has the 3186....yep 8 hours advance on one rotation of the crown......maybe that is the simplest way to tell them apart without opening the case back....just need someone with a 3185 to confirm theirs does 5 or 6 hours on one crown rotation

[fly-dad]

Any one out there with a GMT II w/3185 able to verify?

Originally Posted by Colnago

I can't confirm that but I can say I just tried this on my GMT II C which of course has the 3186....yep 8 hours advance on one rotation of the crown......maybe that is the simplest way to tell them apart without opening the case back....just need someone with a 3185 to confirm theirs does 5 or 6 hours on one crown rotation

[Tools]

Originally Posted by fly-dad

Any one out there with a GMT II w/3185 able to verify?

3185's click 5 hours with one complete rotation when checked on the smaller twinlock crown..

[fly-dad]

I assume that the "turn test" is as reliable, if not more reliable, than the "wiggle test".

Originally Posted by Tools

3185's click 5 hours with one complete rotation when checked on the smaller twinlock crown..

[Tools]

Originally Posted by fly-dad

I assume that the "turn test" is as reliable, if not more reliable, than the "wiggle test".

Seeing as the only difference in these two movements is a change to the gears that affect the "jump" hand, then I would say yes, the gear change for the 3186 results in a quicker ratio for the jump hand........

[Casey VP-26]

I Havew 2 brand new 16710's GMT MASTER II one is a M36XXXX the other is aZ86XXXXserial Number and just got done counting Hour jump per one revolution of the winding crown and both jump 8 hours per revolution as far as I know from other forums this Z serial number is one of the earliest Known for possibably having the 3186 movement. Note: Ser. # Z86-(3186) Could this be where Rolex Started The 3186 Movement ? Just Speculation . Also Both Watches pass the Wiggle Test. I Have not opened either case and dont intend to. Thanks for the information on counting the hour jumps . CHIN CHIN

[MrCowboy99]

I have two of the 16710s. Both are 3186s movements and one is with a stick dial and the other is a box number (See avatar). One is a late Z and other stick is a M serial. Both are great watches!

[thecoinopcollector]

First of all the wiggle test works. I owned a Z3XXXX 16710 and confirmed it had the 3186 by having the case back removed. I sold it but wish I hadn't. "

[scottschoe]

[QUOTE=thecoinopcollector;1193222]First of all the wiggle test works. I owned a Z3XXXX 16710 and confirmed it had the 3186 by having the case back removed. I sold it but wish I hadn't. "


A Z3 with the 3186? I've never heard of a 16710 anywhere near that range with it. Pics? BS meter is high....or typo?

[thecoinopcollector]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

A Z3 with the 3186? I've never heard of a 16710 anywhere near that range with it. Pics? BS meter is high....or typo?

Man Scott, you are a ball buster. You are correct, however, it was M3XXXXX.
Sold to another TRF member.

[scottschoe]

Originally Posted by thecoinopcollector

Man Scott, you are a ball buster. You are correct, however, it was M3XXXXX.
Sold to another TRF member.

sorry. No harm meant.

[Andad]

One day we might find out all of the differences between a 3185 and a 3186 and why Rolex gave it a different number. More than just a 'parachute' spring IMO.
Perhaps one of our resident watcmakers could list all the differences in the movement (plates, gears etc) if they ever finds a spare minute.. If there is a difference in the gearing then some parts from the 3185 might not be interchangeable with the 3186?
IMO it seems that some Forum members minimise the differences between these movements and some make more of the differences than they should. The truth is out there.