Discussions on the 32xx movements - too negative opinions?

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by robinmgb

I’ve just had my 3rd 32 series movement and I’ve only owned 4 of them!
After the second one running slow several months after supposedly being fixed by Rolex I said I wouldn’t touch one again yet stupidly bought a Sub 122710LN, 2021 watch a few weeks ago, it runs about 8/10 seconds slow a day so I’ve traded out of it.
It’s totally unacceptable in my opinion, I’ve had a 1956 Day Date (-3 seconds/day), 1970 Day date ( + 2) and countless other 31 series that all ran +/- 5 seconds a day, others from many other brands including eta movements that were generally +/- 2 seconds a day
Rolex’s legendary accuracy is in general a myth to me anyway but the 32 series is an actual joke

Interesting.
Our collective experiences will vary as well.
My only ETA based movements were rock solid timekeepers at close to +3.5 secs per day when new. One I still have that's been serviced once 5 years ago after 13 years of excellent time keeping through thick and thin and it continues its fine record. The other was a modded version that simply didn't stay in the collection because it really didn't suit my style.

All my Rolex Chronometer movements were set up well to run to outstanding accuracy for weeks on end as daily wearers with up to 3 in the collection at the same time performing off the charts for accuracy on a constant rotation for up to of a few months at a stretch.
They are gone to happy homes now, but I have 2 others which are also rock solid even if they're typically running at between -3 and -3.5 seconds per day since new which is very manageable.
The non-chronometer Rolex watches had always been much better than Rolex specs.

One constant in recent times relates to the crux of the matter which is a disproportionally large number of these new 32xx movements are sadly generally below standard and marginally better than the best examples of something one could by off a cart in an alleyway for minimal outlay.
There is a serious disconnect between the well deserved reputation of the brand and the new watch longer term performance. Having said that, I have always maintained that a large part of the value composition of Rolex was the after sales care of the customer by the mothership.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Brian Page

I don't obsess over that kind of accuracy. When I get a new watch, or one that's new to me I look at the accuracy for a few days then I quit thinking about it until there or if there is a obvious problem.

+1

Once it's established that a watch is running at the better end of the spectrum or even within specs a periodical check with a glance at a phone or computer is all that's required to keep an eye on things.
Naturally the closer to + or - 0 seconds per day the watch is running, the easier it is to keep some sort of track on it

[codecow]

Wasn’t aware of these issues and just bought one. Maybe it’s like the 324 Patek with sticking date. My 5167 developed it, I sent it in, they fixed it. No big deal.

As for accuracy my Grand Seiko spring drive I love it. That one I set against an atomic clock app.

[Calatrava r]

The 32xxx issues are overblown. I am certain some watches had issues. That is to be expected with anything mechanical. I have three with no issues and my AD has never had an issue with anything they have sold. Demand is through the roof for the watches. It would not be if this were an on-going problem. I would not even know of this issue but for reading it here. The larger issue for me is the new movement is not as service friendly so all the watchmakers who service Rolex may have problems not seen with the older movements. This becomes a bigger deal for owners with watches 50 years or more down the line in the future. Rolex doesn't even service their watches over fifty years old, but any competent watch maker can. That may not be the case way in the future.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

The 32xxx issues are overblown. I am certain some watches had issues. That is to be expected with anything mechanical. I have three with no issues and my AD has never had an issue with anything they have sold. Demand is through the roof for the watches. It would not be if this were an on-going problem. I would not even know of this issue but for reading it here. The larger issue for me is the new movement is not as service friendly so all the watchmakers who service Rolex may have problems not seen with the older movements. This becomes a bigger deal for owners with watches 50 years or more down the line in the future. Rolex doesn't even service their watches over fifty years old, but any competent watch maker can. That may not be the case way in the future.

It seems as though serviceability of these new 32xx movements is comparable to the 31xx all things considered.
It just different in that Rolex are moving toward replacement of whole sub-assemblies rather than individual components which should be easier provided parts are available, which is and has always been a factor.
It's an indictment on the new movements when the watchmakers that work on them are generally un-impressed

The way the watch market currently is, Rolex would sell every cat shite sandwich they could make as long as it had the brand name on it. Even without the bread and the ignorant prolls would be lining up down the road and around the corner just to have the opportunity to lick the cat shite display models