32xx movement problem poll and data thread

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by CaptT

My guess is they can't fix the issue or don't know how to, given it's been what 8 years(?).

10 years.
The 32xx movement series was introduced in 2015 (3235, 3255), followed by the 3285 (2018) and the 3230 (2020).

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by CaptT

Don't know if this is serious or not, or more a question?

Seems there are still new 32xx watches coming out in 2024 that are exhibiting the main issue.

There's nothing really substantial to indicate Rolex has fixed the issue; though there have been some subtle changes along the way in an effort to improve performance I believe.

My guess is they can't fix the issue or don't know how to, given it's been what 8 years(?). Maybe 33xx brings a new era in timekeeping performance?

Well a 3rd possibility is they absolutely CAN and KNOW how to fix it, they are just choosing not to because of the $$$ involved. Which would suggest it's not an easy fix and they have instead decided it's a better $$$ decision to devote resources to the development of the 33xx movements instead.

I will say that I've owned at least a handful of 32xx movement watches now (probably closer to 10 different ones) and each and every single one has run within the promised +-2s/day consistently. Indeed, as long as the watch does not develop the amplitude issues, I don't think anyone has reported a 32xx watch not running those specs.

This is nothing short of incredible timekeeping. I've never owned a single mechanical watch outside of Rolex that has had that level of consistent timekeeping, and the fact they do it universally over annual 1M+ production is astounding.

My very amateur guess is something about these tight tolerances along with the bump up to increased PR must be behind these issues. I added the latter because the 31xx movements also can do +-2s/day. Indeed, some folks here have reported that after service for amplitude issues, their watches have come back running outside those specs, maybe even +5s/day. I wonder if Rolex sacrifices accuracy they can make the movement more reliable or at least more likely to run longer without developing the issues? Just spitballing.

Another mystery of mine is why some enterprising watchmaker hasn't gotten a hold of one of these with the amplitude issues, opened it up, and sought to theorize what is causing the problems and how Rolex could fix it. They could post their findings online and/or on YT.