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.

[JC316]

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?

Or they simply dont care. It certainly hasn't hurt their sales.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Easy E

The problem is I have a 5/24 example that is showing the signs of having “the issue”

Yipes!

And 10 years... bigger yipes!

Btw I was trying to be a bit humorous in my previous post (only three years). It's puzzling that this has not been sorted. Do you think Rolex will ever really fix the issue, or will they create new bits and call it Version B, or is it finally time to give up, admit defeat, and thus create a new movement?

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by JC316

Or they simply dont care. It certainly hasn't hurt their sales.

I think the Actuarial Department weighed in and said "let this one ride."

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Yipes!

And 10 years... bigger yipes!

Btw I was trying to be a bit humorous in my previous post (only three years). It's puzzling that this has not been sorted. Do you think Rolex will ever really fix the issue, or will they create new bits and call it Version B, or is it finally time to give up, admit defeat, and thus create a new movement?

More or less in reverse order:
Sooner or later there will be a new movement (that is not a stretch). It will be released with much fanfare to advertise how awesome and cutting edge Rolex can be. IDK, longer PR, "better accuracy", maybe they release a twin barrel unit, better serviceability...who knows.


It will never, ever be presented as a "Just Kidding" on the whole 32 idea.


I would like to believe that at some point a stated, actual and definitive service bulletin would be released. At this point I am calling into question what will 20 or 30yr old 32s service look like. Maybe nothing, maybe just like any old watch. Your 20 year 32 runs slow? Ah, that's too bad...its 20 years old, send it in. Not even going that far back, I owned an 8yr old 3135 that ran spot on. I have zero confidence at this point in time that an 8-10yr old 32 will be anything other than slow. Only time will tell that.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by JC316

Or they simply dont care.

Originally Posted by Easy E

I think the Actuarial Department weighed in and said "let this one ride."

Maybe in Korea or America but not at Rolex HQ.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Maybe in Korea or America but not at Rolex HQ.

What then would be the reason for this situation to continue in it's current state? At least as it relates to my most recent 32 measurements anyway.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by Easy E

What then would be the reason for this situation to continue in it's current state? At least as it relates to my most recent 32 measurements anyway.

"They simply don't care"?
No. I say that Rolex HQ still cares, even today.

The very well documented 32xx problems are technically indisputable. It bruises Rolex's ego, also because details are published on the internet. Rolex hates that kind of publicity. It is negative. It shows that Rolex can't build watches with a 70-hour power reserve, reliably, in a large series. They can't deny the 32xx facts, at least internally. All HQ watchmakers are aware of the 32xx problem(s), RSC watchmakers too.

I have no explanation why we find amplitude problems in 2024 watches, but at the same time we don't know how old these calibres really are. We both remember your thread about the "age of movements".

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by saxo3

"They simply don't care"?
No. I say that Rolex HQ still cares, even today.

The very well documented 32xx problems are technically indisputable. It bruises Rolex's ego, also because details are published on the internet. Rolex hates that kind of publicity. It is negative. It shows that Rolex can't build watches with a 70-hour power reserve, reliably, in a large series. They can't deny the 32xx facts, at least internally. All HQ watchmakers are aware of the 32xx problem(s), RSC watchmakers too.

I have no explanation why we find amplitude problems in 2024 watches, but at the same time we don't know how old these calibres really are. We both remember your thread about the "age of movements".

Yes, this is a pesky question. I have thought about off an on since I posted that, to no conclusion...obviously...I have zero data for such a conclusion. On one hand I would like to believe that they tooled up the 3285 line and pumped out several hundred thousand of them, boxed them up, and pull them out as cases, bracelets, etc are completed. So a 24 movement could have easily produced a good while back. On the other hand, I can see it was made 6 weeks prior and rolled out the door. I have no idea.



The older, batch production theory would make sense. Also, when you consider the often negative response to the subject of this thread and the way many stand in battle ready defense of the brand I can absolutely still see that a stat master at Rolex said something, loosely like " Yeah, this may be bad, but the numbers show the impact to be insignificant. Send it."