The new 3255 Movement A game changer?

[TheVTCGuy]

There was another thread on here, my apologies to the OP but I think it was about buying a Sub now or waiting until the new 3255 movement became available(?). Being an Engineer, (and a bit OCD) it is in my nature to always strive for a more-efficient, better working system, whether it be in Communications, areodynamics, or watch movements. I always placed Patek as a level above Rolex, for this very reason. Their standard, I think it is marked on the watch by PP, is twice as accurate as COSC; -2 +4. Larry or anyone else please correct me if I'm wrong but it's something like that.

Well, IMHO, the 3255 changes everything for Rolex, If it's true that the standard is as acurate as advertised, this puts it on par with Patek!!! Let's take personal preference and the model appearance out of the equation for a minute (obviously that's important but bear with me). Right now Patek offers a lifetime gurantee. Rolex is 10 years. The accuaracy is the same.... Doesn't this put Rolex on the same level as Patek? If not, at least a lot closer? And if the improvements of the 3255 makes it's way in to other models (right now it's only in the new Day Date as far as I know) then why would you pay $20,000 for a Patek when you can get the same quality of movement in a $10,000 Rolex (Like a Sub). Again, the appearance, size, weight and brand-loyalty all have a lot to do with the choice of a watch purchase but to me, this improvement in efficency is a HUGE boost for Rolex. Yes? No?

One last point, will Rolex ONLY make this available on the Day Date. I.e. to reep the benefits of this new movement, will you have to pay Patek-like prices of $30-ish thousand dollars?

Comments?

[Scholar]

If movements form a big part of your interest in watches, you should definitely look into JLC, which is first and foremost a movement manufacture (who've supplied movements to many of the finest makers.)

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Scholar

If movements form a big part of your interest in watches, you should definitely look into JLC, which is first and foremost a movement manufacture (who've supplied movements to many of the finest makers.)

/thread

[joe100]

It's an incremental change. Really no different than the slow progression from the 15xx movements to the 3xxx

[padi56]

Originally Posted by joe100

It's an incremental change. Really no different than the slow progression from the 15xx movements to the 3xxx

Have to agree and no big deal very much like the change from 3185/6/7.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree and no big deal very much like the change from 3185/6/7.

The blame goes to the upgrade culture we live in.

And manufacturers know this and marketers push it.

[Bakasana]

Originally Posted by beshannon

The blame goes to the upgrade culture we live in.

And manufacturers know this and marketers push it.

[Alpino]

.

It's already in another model , DJ Pearlmaster 39 , with reference 3235 . It's the date version (without Day).

A lot more model will come , without any doubt.


PS: you make many references to patek. What is it ?

[Mak2013]

You are an engineer. You should know Rolex and 3255 will never come close to anything PP produces. You can get precision w less expensive brands
If accuracy is your measure of standard, then id suggest you buy an Omega watch with 8500 movement.
Phenomenal accuracy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Mak2013

You are an engineer. You should know Rolex and 3255 will never come close to anything PP produces. You can get precision w less expensive brands
If accuracy is your measure of standard, then id suggest you buy an Omega watch with 8500 movement.
Phenomenal accuracy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well said

[capote]

Well Patek has finish on another level all together. But I'm into Rolex because of their classic designs and robust movements.

[xjeeunitx]

Close to PP? I do not think so. However, they are stepping up their game regarding this movement and their service intervaul. IMHO, I think it would have been wiser for them to push the 5 year warranty and 10 year service interval with the new movement. Not gonna lie, but I feel cheated for servicing my watches every 5 years. Deep down inside, I knew I didnt have to but I did it anyways. Im sure others will agree.

Omega offered 2 year warranties on all watches. Omega offered 3 year on their 2500 co-axial movements. Then they offered 4 years of their 8500 co-axial movements with si spring. At least, Omega introduced these extended warranties with new movements. Do you all get my drift?

At the same time, i dont mind the extra year on my rolex watches (purchased between 20130701 and 20150701). Fosho!

[LumpHammer]

...and here it is if you want to make one at home...

[Andad]

Hi Peter,

You don't think that 90% new components and 14 patents is a big step up considering the increase in precision?

[Woooster]

Since watches are about measuring time, it should be a basic information to know what are the accuracy of the various movements.
Strangely enough, this is nowhere to be found.
The only information we can get is the standard against which some watches are tested (eg the famous COSC for Rolex) : but this gives only the minimum level of accuracy the watch complies with, not the actual performance. More over, all watch manufacturers don't use the same standard. So we, as customers, are lost.
This would be interesting to have an independant survey testing the movements on the market.

[cht]

Originally Posted by Woooster

Since watches are about measuring time, it should be a basic information to know what are the accuracy of the various movements.
Strangely enough, this is nowhere to be found.
The only information we can get is the standard against which some watches are tested (eg the famous COSC for Rolex) : but this gives only the minimum level of accuracy the watch complies with, not the actual performance. More over, all watch manufacturers don't use the same standard. So we, as customers, are lost.
This would be interesting to have an independant survey testing the movements on the market.

If you subscribe to watchtime, you'll see they test watches all the time on performance.


OP, on par with Patek???

Game changer???

Ummm...no and no.

[997.2]

Just buy an omega 8500 movement.. What do you really care about? Sounds like you're hard to please

[kunlun]

Originally Posted by 997.2

Just buy an omega 8500 movement.. What do you really care about? Sounds like you're hard to please

But taking the 8500 as the be-all-end-all is swallowing Omega's marketing without understanding the trade-offs made in reality. The 8500 is hard to service, needs very, very, very precise lubrication and the movement is more susceptible to shock than a different escapement. Also, the si hairspring isn't suitable for a Breguet overcoil, iirc-which is why Rolex has the parachrom.

Now, you could just as easily argue that one should be wary of Rolex' marketing, but for some reason I see more Omega swallowing going on.

In either case, a quartz is most accurate, it's nice to see Rolex upgrade their movement significantly (yes, 90% new parts is something I'm interested in), and Patek is known for hand-finishing, not really superior accuracy.

[WS9D]

Originally Posted by 997.2

Just buy an omega 8500 movement.. What do you really care about? Sounds like you're hard to please

Yeah, as much as I love my Rolex watches, my SMP 8500 is the most accurate movement I've owned. It only gained 4 seconds over a 30 day period.

[mfer]

Lifetime guarantee? Not really, Patek will just service for a lifetime, not a warranty.

Also, comparing a rugged sport watch to a refined, hand made, highly decorated, highly complex watch is not a valid comparison. The company goals are clearly different.

[brandrea]

I'm pleased that Rolex keeps improving their movements. Im not sure it puts them on par with PP, but it definately improves the brand quality.

[kilyung]

Very different companies and brand focus. Rolex is more about durability and Patek is more about... well Patek.

[jolimont]

Is it safe to wear my nautilus in the shower?

[Velox]

Originally Posted by jolimont

Is it safe to wear my nautilus in the shower?

Depends how deep you shower

[Jakx]

Back to the OP query, IMO when an industrial manufacture claims -2/+2 for their new movement, this is indeed a game changer and now justifies the "superlative" inscribed on the dial.

[Scholar]

I dare say if it's the 32xx series in particular that one is drawn to, the new Tudor movements would do just as well (being, to my eyes and those of others, essentially less decorated versions of it.)

[hunterp27]

The reason Rolex doesn't push to make their warranty and service schedule closer to that of Patek is very simple. They don't have to. If this comparison was keeping Rolex from selling a record number of watches each year, then maybe they'd consider it. But it's not and thus we have what we have and will ad infinitum in all likelihood.

[watchwatcher]

Maybe not a game changer...but a step closer perhaps?

[qu0cthanh]

3255 going to be on the GMT II?

[Alpino]

Originally Posted by qu0cthanh

3255 going to be on the GMT II?

not a chance ...

3285 maybe.