32xx movement problem poll and data thread

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by illiguy

So, for those who bought 32xx movement watches in 2023, experiencing any difficulties or watch running smoothly?

I have one that is out of spec (4/23). I have let a new watch fan in our office borrow my timegrapher (and I have been a bit busy). As soon as I can I will get some reading up.

[rbndylan]

Hi, I've noticed that when I take my OP41 and close it on my hand, I can hear the rotor turning up and down very well, but from left to right, I hear a little tac, as if the rotor or the movement was moving. I think this is a "normal" sound, as it's never fallen, but I'd like to know what it is. Is it the rotor banging against the case back? Or maybe the movement moving?

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by rbndylan

Hi, I've noticed that when I take my OP41 and close it on my hand, I can hear the rotor turning up and down very well, but from left to right, I hear a little tac, as if the rotor or the movement was moving. I think this is a "normal" sound, as it's never fallen, but I'd like to know what it is. Is it the rotor banging against the case back? Or maybe the movement moving?

Should only be a swirling sound. Can you hold phone to it and post on YouTube for sound ?

[rbndylan]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Should only be a swirling sound. Can you hold phone to it and post on YouTube for sound ?

I'm really talking from left to right, as if you were laying the watch flat and going up and down, so the rotor doesn't turn. That's just where I hear the tac.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by rbndylan

I'm really talking from left to right, as if you were laying the watch flat and going up and down, so the rotor doesn't turn. That's just where I hear the tac.

Could be the bracelet or clasp.

[Andy81]

A slight development on my slow-running DJ 36, which after around 2.5 years was running about 7 seconds a day slow. I haven't put it on a timegrapher yet but hope to do so soon.

I went to Goldsmiths in Reading and spoke to the SA there. He suggested giving it a manual wind, which I've been repeating each morning, giving a few turns each time). Since then it's been running 3 seconds a day slow, so much better. Still out of Rolex specification, but not enough to bother me too much.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Should only be a swirling sound. Can you hold phone to it and post on YouTube for sound ?

Originally Posted by EEpro

Could be the bracelet or clasp.

Interesting interpretation.

I performed an experiment: it is not the clusp but the bracelet. Your watch bracelet has the same noise spectrum?

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by rbndylan

Hi, I've noticed that when I take my OP41 and close it on my hand, I can hear the rotor turning up and down very well, but from left to right, I hear a little tac, as if the rotor or the movement was moving. I think this is a "normal" sound, as it's never fallen, but I'd like to know what it is. Is it the rotor banging against the case back? Or maybe the movement moving?

Hi, I just looked back how your watch (OP41, Ref. 124300, purchase date: 02/2023) performed in May 2023, see 4099 and 4100.

I suggest you repeat your timegrapher measurements.

Your watch is very interesting because it is still quite new and was already not good only 3 months after date of purchase.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by Andy81

A slight development on my slow-running DJ 36, which after around 2.5 years was running about 7 seconds a day slow.
I haven't put it on a timegrapher yet but hope to do so soon.

Good plan

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Interesting interpretation.

I performed an experiment: it is not the clusp but the bracelet. Your watch bracelet has the same noise spectrum?

Is y dB?

[Easy E]

Updated readings, watch was purchased April of 23. Not the worst, but amplitude is most definitely off @ 24 for the verticals.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by Easy E

Updated readings, watch was purchased April of 23. Not the worst, but amplitude is most definitely off @ 24 for the verticals.

Your table shows t=0 for all data, why?

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Your table shows t=0 for all data, why?

Oh dang. Filled that out as I was on the way out the door for a work trip. 1/8 is 0, 1/9 is 24hrs. Can’t fix until at least Friday. My bad.

[saxo3]

EasyE's 3235 watch, bought in May 2023 …

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by saxo3

EasyE's 3235 watch, bought in May 2023 …

It's dyin' E!

Heartbeat is fading.

I wish I had timegrapher still to run 4130 and 4131 to see if they chronergy'd that perfect movement.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by EEpro

I wish I had timegrapher still to run 4130 and 4131 to see if they chronergy'd that perfect movement.

A direct 4130 / 4131 caliber comparison would be very interesting! The price for a timegrapher cannot be a reason… You are afraid?

[saxo3]

The new 4131, 7140, and 9002 calibers are interesting to test with a timegrapher because they all have the Chronenergy escapement of the 32xx series.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by EEpro

It's dyin' E!

Heartbeat is fading.

I wish I had timegrapher still to run 4130 and 4131 to see if they chronergy'd that perfect movement.

You can borrow mine for a week.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Easy E

You can borrow mine for a week.

Cool. When I'm back from travel we can make it happen. Returning Jan 29.

[Evgtok]

A lot of statistics about this problem in 32xx. Would be interesting to discover if this issue exists in 9002 and 4131.

[SearChart]

@saxo

Regarding the difference between -1/+3 for aftersales and -2/+2 for new watches. I was told that it commercially looks beter to have it 'even', but in reality it is preferred to not have them run at -2. The tolerance is obviously the same.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by SearChart

@saxo

Regarding the difference between -1/+3 for aftersales and -2/+2 for new watches. I was told that it commercially looks beter to have it 'even', but in reality it is preferred to not have them run at -2. The tolerance is obviously the same.

Many thanks Bas that you got the answer to my question from June 2023 (4207, 4515)
With the rate second criterion of -1/+3 s/d, instead of the advertised -2/+2 s/d, the 32xx movements are NOT better than the older 3130, 3186, 3187, 4130, 4160, 4161, 9001, 2230, 2235, 2236 calibers. All these Rolex movements have the same aftersales rate tolerances of -1/+3 s/d!

[BDII]

I’ve had two 32xx GMT’s: one (2022) was -30 seconds a day. Terrible.


Current one (2023) is perfect. Maybe gaining 1 second a day. Seems like they got it fixed.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by BDII

Current one (2023) is perfect. Maybe gaining 1 second a day. Seems like they got it fixed.

Do you know what the main observable of the 32xx issue is? How old is your 126710BLRO movement (3285)?

[BDII]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Do you know what the main observable of the 32xx issue is? How old is your 126710BLRO movement (3285)?

The one from 2022 had issues straight out of the box. I purchased the 2023 12/18/23. I’m the original owner of both.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by BDII

The one from 2022 had issues straight out of the box. I purchased the 2023 12/18/23. I’m the original owner of both.

Thanks, my question for the movement age of your 3285 was a joke, interesting thread and answers here: Production Time

Seriously, the main observable for the 32xx issue is too low amplitudes after full winding and/or 24 hours later.

Many watches still have very good timekeeping although the amplitudes, especially in the 3 vertical positions, are too low. You can only see (measure) that by using a timegrapher, as extensively described in this thread.

For your new GMT-Master II, bought on 18.12.2023, it would be very interesting (for me) to get rates and amplitudes of the 3285 measured with a timegrapher (instrument).

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by BDII

I’ve had two 32xx GMT’s: one (2022) was -30 seconds a day. Terrible.


Current one (2023) is perfect. Maybe gaining 1 second a day. Seems like they got it fixed.

It is also worth noting that the most common presentation of this issue is over time, starts fine, then degrades. To be fair, this is IF you will experience that issue. I understand you had one that started off slow, but I believe that is not the norm. YMMV. I genuinely hope you have a good example.

[MikeyV]

Originally Posted by Andy81

A slight development on my slow-running DJ 36, which after around 2.5 years was running about 7 seconds a day slow. I haven't put it on a timegrapher yet but hope to do so soon.

I went to Goldsmiths in Reading and spoke to the SA there. He suggested giving it a manual wind, which I've been repeating each morning, giving a few turns each time). Since then it's been running 3 seconds a day slow, so much better. Still out of Rolex specification, but not enough to bother me too much.

Interesting - I tried the manual wind - and found that a good wind would make my 3235 run slower for a few days, then back to whatever the normal slow rate was. So if it was running -7 spd, after a full wind it would run -9 spd for two days, 8- for a few days and settle back to -7 spd.

[HiBoost]

Briefly poking my head back in with a data update. Quick recap I have two 32xx watches - a 2020 126613 and a 2021 126334.

The 126613 has been dropping in amplitude and its rate drifting negative ever since purchase. Every time I check it (3 to 6 months) it is noticeably worse. At this point it's complete crap (less than 200 degrees dial up, full wind) and I'm finally about to send it back to RSC.

The good news is, my 126334 appears to be maintaining its performance perfectly. Last check was Nov 2022 where it did 270 dial up and 227 crown down, both at 0 s/d. Today's results, 15 months later, are 270 dial up and 228 crown down, again 0 s/d. These identical numbers were present 30 months ago when the watch was purchased. Bottom line - no change, not even a couple of degrees, through 2.5 years of ownership.

This of course doesn't help the overall situation in any way. It merely provides one data point that it is possible to own a 32xx watch which is not continually degrading in performance. This is a low bar to set for the likes of Rolex, but given some of the conjecture along the way I found myself believing at times such a level of consistency would be impossible.

See you guys in 2025!

[Easy E]

2021 YG 126618LB. Timekeeping is still ok, but rate and amplitude have slipped a little since last measurement in July 23. Not bad to the point of service (yet?), but still down from last POM. Verticals definitely below spec.