32xx Issue Curtailing Your Purchases?

[Kinnakeet]

Originally Posted by Devildog

I don't think he's posted for a while but SearChart (who works in a Rolex RSC) has confirmed that there is a known problem - particularly with early production having insufficient lubrication on the seconds wheel pivot.

What is concerning is that more recent movements and those early ones that have been "fixed" under warranty or at service have also exhibited the same issue.

This is not just a "forum issue" unfortunately

Are you for certain he works in a Rolex RSC?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Devildog

I don't think he's posted for a while but SearChart (who works in a Rolex RSC) has confirmed that there is a known problem - particularly with early production having insufficient lubrication on the seconds wheel pivot.

What is concerning is that more recent movements and those early ones that have been "fixed" under warranty or at service have also exhibited the same issue.

This is not just a "forum issue" unfortunately

So putting the same question to you Scott, are you a buyer if your AD calls with a BLRO or another 32xx movement?

I think it’s a valid question by the OP

I’m honestly a bit skeptical of some of those who say they won’t touch them

[Exracer1985]

After reading these posts about holding you back from purchasing and others regarding time loss, didn’t stop me.
I recently bought an SD 126603 from my AD two weeks ago as my everyday watch.
I’ve been checking the time and it has gained about 10 seconds in 14 days. I’m good with that and I believe within specs. However time will tell.
I’ve sort of retired my 6265 Daytona that I have worn for 46 years everyday except in the shower. Now that one ran fast too but I was never late for an appointment. If my SD can deliver that performance my young wife will be happy.😀
I suggest go for it. You only live once.

[DJ2020]

I think it's a roll if the dice really. If you get a good one, It's good. If not..... well.

My DJ2 was 3235 equipt with nary a problem..... ever. (2017) My two newest Rolex's was in late 2020. Both absolutely refused to keep time.

Needless to say I was disappointed. But understood these things happen. Do I think there a good movement? well they are accurate when running, just not completely dependable at this point across the board.

I have a long time friend who is a Rolex watchmaker. He still tells me they are still trying to sort things out. With many being returned for warranty work. Around 32% of their sales. Some are addressed the first time in, Some can't seemed to be corrected. My local Rolex AD watchmaker says the same.

Now they are replacing anything they "think" may be related and reporting back to the factory along with the used parts for analysis.

He did say Rolex wants to make it right and are very much involved. So I'm sure things will sort out in the long run.

Will this stop me from buying another? Doubt it. There is one I'm still wanting to get. And most likely will buy it when the time comes (after retirement). Until then I'm enjoying other brands.

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by DJ2020

I think it's a roll if the dice really. If you get a good one, It's good. If not..... well.

My DJ2 was 3235 equipt with nary a problem..... ever. (2017) My two newest Rolex's was in late 2020. Both absolutely refused to keep time.

Needless to say I was disappointed. But understood these things happen. Do I think there a good movement? well they are accurate when running, just not completely dependable at this point across the board.

I have a long time friend who is a Rolex watchmaker. He still tells me they are still trying to sort things out. With many being returned for warranty work. Around 32% of their sales. Some are addressed the first time in, Some can't seemed to be corrected. My local Rolex AD watchmaker says the same.

Now they are replacing anything they "think" may be related and reporting back to the factory along with the used parts for analysis.

He did say Rolex wants to make it right and are very much involved. So I'm sure things will sort out in the long run.

Will this stop me from buying another? Doubt it. There is one I'm still wanting to get. And most likely will buy it when the time comes (after retirement). Until then I'm enjoying other brands.

To be fair, Rolex gives a 5 year warranty. If it needs a repair, they will cover it and hopefully fix the issue for good. If it is running well for 5 years, you should be in the clear?

[TswaneNguni]

I think the 32xxs are damn duds ,but own the following:

124060
126610LN
126610LV
126710BLNR
126619LB
126719 Meteorite

Go figure ! ...

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

I think the 32xxs are damn duds ,but own the following:

124060
126610LN
126610LV
126710BLNR
126619LB
126719 Meteorite

Go figure ! ...

Since you are calling them duds, can you advise which of your six pieces have had any issues?

[mario1971]

I currently own 4 Rolexes with a 32xx movement. All of them keep the declared parameters, three of them are light plus, and one is late about -0.5 seconds / day. I don't understand all the hysteria and balloon inflation, writing about someone not wanting / not going to buy watches as long as there are problems with these mechanisms. What problems? One in a hundred or maybe one in a thousand? I wish you all a good day!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

I think the 32xxs are damn duds ,but own the following:

124060
126610LN
126610LV
126710BLNR
126619LB
126719 Meteorite

Go figure ! ...

Makes complete sense

[garyk]

Nope

[Rolexken]

I don’t know how common this problem is outside of TRF bubble but I have owned a DJ41 since March 2019 which has been worn enough to never stop and it has been maximum + 1 sec per day in all that time. Got a YM40 yesterday and it has gained 1 sec in the last 24 hrs.

[S.Explorer]

No, still have watches on my wishlist using 32xx movements.

If there will be an issue, I will send it in for warranty repair.

There was some news on the main 32xx timekeeping thread about silent upgrades (e.g. increased ball bearings and ceramic clicks) in the past few years. I'm confident the reported timekeeping issues will be fixed within 5 years.

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by mario1971

I currently own 4 Rolexes with a 32xx movement. All of them keep the declared parameters, three of them are light plus, and one is late about -0.5 seconds / day. I don't understand all the hysteria and balloon inflation, writing about someone not wanting / not going to buy watches as long as there are problems with these mechanisms. What problems? One in a hundred or maybe one in a thousand? I wish you all a good day!

That’s great news that yours have all been fine. But just because you have had 100% success (thus far), it doesn’t mean that everyone else’s are the same. For example, Amanbra here owns 8 and 5 have gone bad. That’s a 63% failure rate. I owned 1 and it went bad. A good friend of mine owns 2 and they both went bad. Those are 100% failure rates (admittedly on a smaller sample).

The simple fact is, there clearly IS an issue that affects a proportion of 32xx movements: there’s simply too much evidence to discount it. Now obviously the number affected is complete conjecture as we simply have no way of knowing. Maybe it’s <1%, maybe it’s 10%, maybe it’s 30% - we will simply never know.

All I can say is having experienced the issue first hand, and therefore the hassle and ultimately the loss of faith in the watch, I can safely say that I personally don’t want the aggravation, so I won’t touch a 32xx in future. Life’s too short, and this hobby is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. What others choose to do is up to them.

[gmtmister]

Still love them, though I have to say I haven’t checked much for their accuracy. I rotate and don’t worry about it. IF/When the time comes I’ll address the issue at RSC

[DJ2020]

Originally Posted by padi56

Afraid common sense is sadly lacking today Brian, wonder how many 32 series movements today are in the world today.The majority of them loved by there owners ,mainly because without the aid of timegraphers and the rest of today's Rolex toys.

Your absolutely correct. Most of the ones returned are not really that far off the -2\+2 mark. I have been told they are returned (to the annoyance of the AD) 2 days after purchase claiming that it's running -3 spd. or +4 spd.

Their policy (AD)(mine) is to tell them to wear it for two weeks and don't touch it. Bring it back to them if you feel you have a problem. Most never return. Out of the ones that do and after being ran on a simulator are within spec.

Some that are slow are just not worn with enough activity to wind the mainspring to 50% or more.

Point being, Yes there are alot being returned, But at the same time a good portion that are returned is only a failure of the owner simply not understanding what effects a automatic movement. A $10k and up Rolex does not make a difference in the fundamentals of a automatic movement accuracy.

They are meant to be worn, everyday and enjoyed. Rolex has no machine to simulate part time wearers. On the wrist for a few hours, then back in the safe. Wear it for a few days then on to another. Just doesn't work that way.

And don't get me started on the timeagraphers! Great tool for someone who knows what there looking at. Think about it for just a minute. If a timegrapher was the absolute authority in regulating a watch, They would be perfect when they left the factory.

A watchmaker may use one to make sure there's nothing wrong. But when regulating a watch, all he or she does is make a correction based on what YOU tell them your watch is doing based on YOUR wearing habits. Be it fast or slow. Then makes a small adjustment accordingly. Wear it for a couple more weeks and make another even smaller adjustment if necessary. Spot on or as close as humanly possible until parts start to wear and lube dries up. This is routine if you want a excellent time keeper. But even after all this is done, It's just temporary.
Just the nature of a mechanical movement.

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by mario1971

I currently own 4 Rolexes with a 32xx movement. All of them keep the declared parameters, three of them are light plus, and one is late about -0.5 seconds / day. I don't understand all the hysteria and balloon inflation, writing about someone not wanting / not going to buy watches as long as there are problems with these mechanisms. What problems? One in a hundred or maybe one in a thousand? I wish you all a good day!

If you have four and all four are good as far as I’m concerned you have hit jackpot.

Can we ask how old they are?

As driver8 has mentioned I’m 5 from 8. I actually have a 9th 32xx now but it’s way too new day if it’s bad etc so I leave it out of my count. Yes even with 5 watches going bad I keep rolling the dice with Rolex as I can simply sell them if they go bad and not lose much money if at all. Im sure my luck with the movement will change and I’ll be able to have about five of them with no issues.

Unfortunately it’s not hysteria, there are a large amount of these watches going bad vs what is normal. Some people can’t accept this though not matter how many facts are shown.

For me it’s a reflection of the times. Facts don’t seem to matter anymore in society.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by Bizcut1

Probably millions.

Common sense? It's certainly lacking here.

Okay before we start name calling again who here couldn’t use google?

For me it is common sense to see that this movement has more issues than most.

Has not stopped me buying more but it actually aligns with common sense to avoid a product with more issues than the average movement.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mario1971]

Originally Posted by amanbra

If you have four and all four are good as far as I’m concerned you have hit jackpot.

Can we ask how old they are?

As driver8 has mentioned I’m 5 from 8. I actually have a 9th 32xx now but it’s way too new day if it’s bad etc so I leave it out of my count. Yes even with 5 watches going bad I keep rolling the dice with Rolex as I can simply sell them if they go bad and not lose much money if at all. Im sure my luck with the movement will change and I’ll be able to have about five of them with no issues.

Unfortunately it’s not hysteria, there are a large amount of these watches going bad vs what is normal. Some people can’t accept this though not matter how many facts are shown.

For me it’s a reflection of the times. Facts don’t seem to matter anymore in society.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have the oldest of them for a year. I use them alternately. I hope that they will serve me for many years without any problems. And in my case I would not be talking about some luck, but rather the bad luck of those whose mechanisms do not meet the factory parameters. I would also like to add that I am very demanding in terms of the precision of the gait. My Lange started to do + 8s / day after half a year - I sent him back for regulation and now he is doing + 1s / day, and I have it for almost two years. Also, anyone can get a badly adjusted roll.

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by mario1971

I have the oldest of them for a year. I use them alternately. I hope that they will serve me for many years without any problems. And in my case I would not be talking about some luck, but rather the bad luck of those whose mechanisms do not meet the factory parameters. I would also like to add that I am very demanding in terms of the precision of the gait. My Lange started to do + 8s / day after half a year - I sent him back for regulation and now he is doing + 1s / day, and I have it for almost two years. Also, anyone can get a badly adjusted roll.

Well that’s two sides of the same coin here.

I very much hope your watches stay they way they are.

I’m actually not demanding at all to be honest. My 1863 and 321 omegas run +12. Couldn’t care less likewise one of my Daytonas is +4-6. What I don’t like are defects. Regulation issues are not really issues for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mario1971]

Originally Posted by amanbra

Well that’s two sides of the same coin here.

I very much hope your watches stay they way they are.

I’m actually not demanding at all to be honest. My 1863 and 321 omegas run +12. Couldn’t care less likewise one of my Daytonas is +4-6. What I don’t like are defects. Regulation issues are not really issues for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Disadvantages of course also happen. I just sent my Polar back two days ago, which is working almost perfectly because of found hair stuck on the date wheel.

Once upon a time I did not pick up a Datejust 41, which had a defect visible to the naked eye on the dial, and in Pepsi there was a discoloration (like a pond under ice) on the lumen of the hour hand.

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by amanbra

Okay before we start name calling again who here couldn’t use google?

For me it is common sense to see that this movement has more issues than most.

Has not stopped me buying more but it actually aligns with common sense to avoid a product with more issues than the average movement.

Well said Graham, but sadly you (like the rest of us who've experienced the issue) are on a hiding to nothing with this one I'm afraid.

Unfortunately the culture of "it's all fake news unless it happens to me" is just too strong in some quarters. Each to their own though, huh?

[IEEE1588]

I’m curious, for those who have experienced an issue with 32xx, what was the accuracy when you first got the movement and how long did it take for the problem to manifest?

I’ve had my 126660 DSSD for six months and it’s remarkably accurate for a mechanical watch, losing about 2 seconds a month. I literally never take off so I can’t say which positions are better or worse.

I’m hoping I get lucky and no problems surface down the road.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by IEEE1588

I’m curious, for those who have experienced an issue with 32xx, what was the accuracy when you first got the movement and how long did it take for the problem to manifest?

I’ve had my 126660 DSSD for six months and it’s remarkably accurate for a mechanical watch, losing about 2 seconds a month. I literally never take off so I can’t say which positions are better or worse.

I’m hoping I get lucky and no problems surface down the road.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

so in the massive thread there is a lot of data on this but it's all over the place. I'll give you a run down on my experience:

of the 8 32xx watches I had for awhile, all of them were perfectly in spec when new. They were easily the most accurate/precise/consistent mechanical watches I owned.

about a year into my ownership of my first 32xx DJ36 i noticed the watch was running 2 mins slow... I shrugged my shoulders and set the time... by the end of the week i was -1min...

the other 4 that have fallen ill on me they've taken about 9 months to show issues (some a couple of months earlier some a bit later), but as I had issue with the DJ36 I was much more proactive in checking specs with the timegrapher. If it wasn't for my experience with the DJ36 it would have taken a bit longer for me to realise there was an issue.

I have a 9th 32xx now, again perfectly in spec and stellar timekeeping, only a month or two old though.

For me the first sign of something going wrong is the watch all of a sudden losing 2-3s a day more than what it was running the day you received the watch... the second my watch app shows that i throw it on the timegrapher and check the amplitude vs what they were the day i received the watch... invariably they have dropped...

[Bizcut1]

Just to be "clear." I never called anyone a name.

Just pointed out that one particular member couldn't quit his rabbit hole on this subject.

Which, apparently, touched a nerve. So, I apologized.

In either case, the "Ignore" button works wonderfully so there you go.

We move on...


Thanks,

Ben

[CHRONOLEX]

OP here. I decided to buy the Sub today and will see how it goes. Dealer has a certified watchmaker on staff so I asked him about the issue. He said it’s real and he’s experienced it first hand. However anecdotally problem has been limited to early run production and he hasn’t seen it much if at all in current year models. He offered to check it out and put it on the machine to see how it was performing out of the box. Scores all came back in line so I pulled the trigger. I guess time will tell, but for now I’m loving it!!

[gwozhog]

I told myself I would not buy a 32 movement but that all changed after I tried on the TT Sea-dweller. Was even more happy to pick it up for 1k under retail. Who knows maybe the seller read all the FUD posts on here and that is why he panic sold it lol.

[Bizcut1]

Congrats. Great choice!

[ArtNouveau]

My BLRO, picked up on December 2018 got a little inconsistent at 2 years. A month at the RSC and it’s been good since. My 6 month old OP is running fine. Not looking for anything new at this time but the movement would not be a concern to me.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by CHRONOLEX

OP here…. He offered to check it out and put it on the machine to see how it was performing out of the box. Scores all came back in line…

What does that mean concretely, machine = timegrapher?
The dealer provided concrete numbers?

Congratulations, enjoy your new watch.

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by Bizcut1

Just to be "clear." I never called anyone a name.

Just pointed out that one particular member couldn't quit his rabbit hole on this subject.

Which, apparently, touched a nerve. So, I apologized.

In either case, the "Ignore" button works wonderfully so there you go.

We move on...


Thanks,

Ben

Nah don’t apologise, we’re arguing over watches on the internet.

I’m just trying to change your mind, I feel is unlikely to happen.

But yeah we’re arguing about watches. It’s all good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk