Help with DJ 36 / caliber 32xx decision

[ArtVandelay0]

Hi all,

I’m new to this forum, and having a bit of an emotional conundrum with my new DJ 36 and I would love some feedback from the community. Some things like this even your friends/family who somewhat appreciate Rolex as a brand don’t quite “get” what I’m describing so could use some more help.

To give some background that will color the experience: I have loved watches since childhood, but when I graduated college and got my first big boy job, I told myself to hold off on buying, try to set myself up financially, and then when im a bit older I can indulge more guilt free. So I’ve admired from a far, watching and reading and enjoying the hobby that way.

The two watches that I’ve always wanted are a datejust 36 on a jubilee bracelet with a fluted bezel and a silver dial, first and foremost. Second would be a five digit GMT master II with the “Pepsi” insert. Flash forward to modern times, and obviously one of those is a bit easier to procure at a reasonable price than the other.

So, just recently to bring in my 30s, I allowed myself to splurge and got a 2019 126234 from a reseller, complete set with box and papers and in excellent condition. I was absolutely thrilled with it!

Then I checked how well it was keeping time.. by my calculations it’s running 8-9 seconds slow per 24 hours. So I do some research and come across this dreaded issue highlighted on this forum concerning the 32xx caliber movements.

My watch is still under warranty through mid 2024, but my understanding from reading up is that Rolex doesn’t seem to actually have a permanent solution to this issue, and it could end up being a recurring, post warranty issue.

Here’s where I’d love some input: I was so incredibly excited to own and wear this watch. As mentioned, this configuration is one of my dream watches. But part of the fun for me is wearing such a expertly manufactured machine. And while 8-9 seconds a day will never cause me to miss an appointment, lately I feel this weight attached to the watch associated the potential recurring and expensive servicing once it’s out of warranty. Who knows if this issue will cause increased wear over time and more damage. Hell, even under warranty I don’t want to have to be without the watch (my only one) for months at a time.

So my question is, if you were in my shoes, how would you approach this? Would you try to just enjoy the watch, knowing 8-9 seconds a day is “meaningless”? Would you simply cut losses and move on, try to find another watch to celebrate turning 30? Would you send it into service immediately and just hope it doesn’t recur, knowing there’s a “walking on eggshells” feeling?Something in the middle? I’d love to hear the take from folks who’s brain probably works similar to mine.

Thank you,
Art Vandelay

[amanbra]

Hey Art

Sorry to hear this has happened on a special purchase for you.

I’m one of the vocal ones on this issue in the hope people get educated on the matter before purchase.

Having owned many of these watches (9 now) that hold this movement my approach is a follows:

Sell the watch as soon as I detect the issue except when the watch has a sentimental value. I have two in this category including a ten year anniversary dd40.

I have a dj36 that has gone to rsc twice. After the second time it’s has faired much better but it’s only been 8 months in total so it’s way too early to get comfortable with it just yet as having a perm fix.

Personally if you’re the person that will never really have your mind at ease due to the concern of the watch going bad even after rsc then cut bait now. You won’t enjoy the watch as you should be doing.

Otherwise send it in now knowing you have another two years or so of warranty cover.

In your shoes as you effectively got a problematic watch straight off the bat, Not one that you spent time with and then it went bad, I’d part ways with it.


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[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum.

I’d send it into RSC for a service if you can’t live with it running slow

[Tommy125]

I would send it in. After sending mine in early this year, my datejust has been running extremely accurately for around 6 months now. I got my watch back from RSC after 2 weeks (Singapore).

[OrangeSport]

This is why I wouldn't buy any watch with this movement..

I would sell and get thenolder version with the more reliable movement or the GMT..

It's a shame it's happened on your first one.

***EDIT*** Unless of course it is just in need of regulating.. in which case no bother.. we are assuming it has the dreaded issue. It might not..

[ArtVandelay0]

Originally Posted by amanbra

Hey Art

Sorry to hear this has happened on a special purchase for you.

I’m one of the vocal ones on this issue in the hope people get educated on the matter before purchase.

Having owned many of these watches (9 now) that hold this movement my approach is a follows:

Sell the watch as soon as I detect the issue except when the watch has a sentimental value. I have two in this category including a ten year anniversary dd40.

I have a dj36 that has gone to rsc twice. After the second time it’s has faired much better but it’s only been 8 months in total so it’s way too early to get comfortable with it just yet as having a perm fix.

Personally if you’re the person that will never really have your mind at ease due to the concern of the watch going bad even after rsc then cut bait now. You won’t enjoy the watch as you should be doing.

Otherwise send it in now knowing you have another two years or so of warranty cover.

In your shoes as you effectively got a problematic watch straight off the bat, Not one that you spent time with and then it went bad, I’d part ways with it.


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Appreciate your input. It is a shame cause I love this model and it was marking a special occasion. I really am torn, and there’s not a great substitution

[ArtVandelay0]

Originally Posted by Tommy125

I would send it in. After sending mine in early this year, my datejust has been running extremely accurately for around 6 months now. I got my watch back from RSC after 2 weeks (Singapore).

That’s the trouble I guess right? Not knowing I’d it’s a permanent solution.

[ArtVandelay0]

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

This is why I wouldn't buy any watch with this movement..

I would sell and get thenolder version with the more reliable movement or the GMT..

It's a shame it's happened on your first one.

***EDIT*** Unless of course it is just in need of regulating.. in which case no bother.. we are assuming it has the dreaded issue. It might not..

I really had thought I did my research on the movement and model. Unfortunately this issue doesn’t come up in a regular simple search.

Regarding your point about “just needing regulation” - any advice in how I’d know that’s the case for sure? Seems Rolex is very secretive about the whole thing, so is there really any way to know?

[ArtVandelay0]

Sorry folks - I should learn how to multi quote while on mobile

[FTX I]

I'd consider two options. First would be have it serviced now under warranty and hope not to need it again, but if unlucky I'd still have another free service round within a valid warranty period. Second would be move it for a DJ with a 31xx movement inside. To be honest I'd have to love the watch immensely not to go with the second option, and needless to say I'd never try to forget about it because pretending something isn't happening is never the best way to deal with it IMHO. Good luck. Cheers.

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by ArtVandelay0

I really had thought I did my research on the movement and model. Unfortunately this issue doesn’t come up in a regular simple search.

Regarding your point about “just needing regulation” - any advice in how I’d know that’s the case for sure? Seems Rolex is very secretive about the whole thing, so is there really any way to know?

Timegrapher. The issue shows up as poor amplitude specifically the movement needs to hold 200 amp in five positions after 24 hours of full wind.

If you’re running -9 but your amplitudes are fine then it’s simple regulation.

If you’re going to go down this rabbit hole there is a mega thread on it. You can’t miss it.

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[ArtVandelay0]

Originally Posted by amanbra

Timegrapher. The issue shows up as poor amplitude specifically the movement needs to hold 200 amp in five positions after 24 hours of full wind.

If you’re running -9 but your amplitudes are fine then it’s simple regulation.

If you’re going to go down this rabbit hole there is a mega thread on it. You can’t miss it.

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I may have read that thread honestly. Left it confused whether a cheapo timegrapher on Amazon would suffice

Of course can take it to an AD as well but since Rolex seems to be content to not tell anyone anything, it might help to go in informed.

This is quite a bummer, I hate to cut bait and likely lose money on it, and I really do love the watch.

[Aerogph]

Wanted to ask the opener a question:

Are the 8-9 seconds consistent or the losing time has become more prominent? At the moment the only and best choice would be to send the watch back to a warranty repair and test it again.

Wear it as much as possible as the lubricants need to spread correctly. The extra wear is on the pivot of the seconds hand wheel (most likely due to a wrong material being used in its fabrication)

Try also to keep track of the time daily to make sure that if it shows, you get some data on how soon or later (or not at all) it appears.

[ArtVandelay0]

Originally Posted by Aerogph

Wanted to ask the opener a question:

Are the 8-9 seconds consistent or the losing time has become more prominent? At the moment the only and best choice would be to send the watch back to a warranty repair and test it again.

Wear it as much as possible as the lubricants need to spread correctly. The extra wear is on the pivot of the seconds hand wheel (most likely due to a wrong material being used in its fabrication)

Try also to keep track of the time daily to make sure that if it shows, you get some data on how soon or later (or not at all) it appears.

Well, I’ve only had it for about a week, so I can’t comment on if it’s been a recurring issue previous to me buying (from previous owner, reseller, etc). Honestly, first day or so I didn’t bother hacking seconds and then just recently did and noticed the issue.

Over the 2-3 days I’ve been tracking, it’s been consistent. After ~48 hours I was running a full 15ish seconds behind.

[Gab27]

If the watch is impacted by the documented issue, then its performance will likely continue to degrade over time. You could take it to a Rolex dealer and ask them to measure the amplitude to see if it is low. If so, that is often indicative of this issue.

How attached are you to this specific watch? As you got the watch very recently, is there any chance you could return it to the seller? Also, FWIW, my AD has had a few of the BLROs recently that you are interested in, in great condition, at a much more reasonable price than what we were seeing a few months earlier.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Aerogph

Wanted to ask the opener a question:

Are the 8-9 seconds consistent or the losing time has become more prominent? At the moment the only and best choice would be to send the watch back to a warranty repair and test it again.

Wear it as much as possible as the lubricants need to spread correctly. The extra wear is on the pivot of the seconds hand wheel (most likely due to a wrong material being used in its fabrication)

Try also to keep track of the time daily to make sure that if it shows, you get some data on how soon or later (or not at all) it appears.

I mostly agree but I would be inclined to keep an eye on it's timekeeping in the event it worsens to >-10 seconds per day then pull the trigger to send it in for repair with Rolex and hope it's not too painful with extracting a warranty claim.

[burnthesehills]

I also am curious if the OP can return the watch to the seller, just stating that the timekeeping is way out of specs. Maybe he will get lucky. If the seller is willing to accept a return I would definitely go that route.

If not, I would send it to a RSC now and not wait. Then decide to keep or sell.

As noted there are older models with a different movement. There are also different brands that might catch your eye and even offer better bang for the buck than Rolex.

I personally would move on from this particular watch.

[Annan]

One step at a time. As already mentioned, if you can find one take it to an AD with a certified watchmaker and have him/her check the amplitude. Actually, any competent watchmaker with a decent timegrapher can do that for you. If the amplitude is low you very likely have a DJ with the noted issue. At that point, I would send in in to RSC at least once and give it a chance. Upon return, monitor it closely for improvement. If none, sell it and move on. Perhaps then try to source a DJ with the 3135 movement.

I'm speaking from past experience with a new DJ41 bought in late 2016 and another new one bought in mid-2017. Regardless, I rolled the dice again in February 2022 and bought a new DJ36 hoping there might have been a "fix". So far all is well after almost seven months. I'm hoping Rolex silently modified the 3235 movement in the past year or so and/or will apply that "fix" to any that are sent to RSC for repair under warranty. No one knows and Rolex will never say. Time will tell for all of us.

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by Annan

I'm speaking from past experience with a new DJ41 bought in late 2016 and another new one bought in mid-2017. Regardless, I rolled the dice again in February 2022 and bought a new DJ36 hoping there might have been a "fix". So far all is well after almost seven months. I'm hoping Rolex silently modified the 3235 movement in the past year or so and/or will apply that "fix" to any that are sent to RSC for repair under warranty. No one knows and Rolex will never say. Time will tell for all of us.

you play 32xx roulette as well =) we should form a club =) I think there is 3 of us at the moment

[ArtVandelay0]

Originally Posted by Gab27

If the watch is impacted by the documented issue, then its performance will likely continue to degrade over time. You could take it to a Rolex dealer and ask them to measure the amplitude to see if it is low. If so, that is often indicative of this issue.

How attached are you to this specific watch? As you got the watch very recently, is there any chance you could return it to the seller? Also, FWIW, my AD has had a few of the BLROs recently that you are interested in, in great condition, at a much more reasonable price than what we were seeing a few months earlier.

I guess not necessarily an attachment to this particular watch but more so the idea of purchasing of a Rolex that I love for my 30th. Additionally, I’m not keen to turn around and lose 1-2k. Hoping to avoid that.

[ArtVandelay0]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

I also am curious if the OP can return the watch to the seller, just stating that the timekeeping is way out of specs. Maybe he will get lucky. If the seller is willing to accept a return I would definitely go that route.

If not, I would send it to a RSC now and not wait. Then decide to keep or sell.

As noted there are older models with a different movement. There are also different brands that might catch your eye and even offer better bang for the buck than Rolex.

I personally would move on from this particular watch.

Not possible to return unfortunately. From a reseller who plainly stated no refunds (I don’t blame them, I’m sure people take advantage. My purchase price was just about what retail+tax would’ve been but I expect I’d lose a thousand or two turning around to sell.

[Annan]

Originally Posted by amanbra

you play 32xx roulette as well =) we should form a club =) I think there is 3 of us at the moment

Yeah.....I'm just a sucker for a DJ and really missed having one. So far so good but if this one doesn't work out I plan to give give Omega a try. I've got my eye set on a TT Globemaster if need be.

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by Annan

Yeah.....I'm just a sucker for a DJ and really missed having one. So far so good but if this one doesn't work out I plan to give give Omega a try. I've got my eye set on a TT Globemaster if need be.

the globemaster sits funny on my wrist... can't quite put my finger on it. I really wanted to like it. Fingers crossed this DJ works out.

[Phahrenheit]

bring it in to RSC, there could be some parts needing replacement or just simple regulation.

[Arid]

For someone who don’t normally sell, I sent in my 32xx Sub for repair and sold it immediately upon getting it back from RSC. I don’t want to second guess if my watch has the issue or not going forward.

[ArtVandelay0]

Folks, I have what might be a really dumb question as a follow up to some of the advice I’ve received. When people say to take it to an RSC, I know those are only in two areas in the US, so do you just mean take it to my local Rolex boutique?

Looking online, there doesn’t seem to be a way to directly contact Rolex service

[burnthesehills]

Originally Posted by ArtVandelay0

Folks, I have what might be a really dumb question as a follow up to some of the advice I’ve received. When people say to take it to an RSC, I know those are only in two areas in the US, so do you just mean take it to my local Rolex boutique?

Looking online, there doesn’t seem to be a way to directly contact Rolex service

Bring it to an authorized Rolex dealer and they will ship it off to be serviced. You can read more about it on the Rolex site. Let us know how it goes.

[Annan]

Originally Posted by ArtVandelay0

Folks, I have what might be a really dumb question as a follow up to some of the advice I’ve received. When people say to take it to an RSC, I know those are only in two areas in the US, so do you just mean take it to my local Rolex boutique?

Looking online, there doesn’t seem to be a way to directly contact Rolex service

https://www.rolex.com/en-us/watch-ca...#locateme=true

[ArtVandelay0]

Originally Posted by Annan

https://www.rolex.com/en-us/watch-ca...#locateme=true

Thanks, yeah that’s just ADs so I wasn’t sure if there was a way to get in touch directly with the RSC - but that makes sense either way.

[Annan]

Originally Posted by ArtVandelay0

Thanks, yeah that’s just ADs so I wasn’t sure if there was a way to get in touch directly with the RSC - but that makes sense either way.

No, there are the three Rolex Service Centers on the map too - Beverly Hills, Dallas and New York. Click on them and they will open up with info on address and phone numbers.

At the top of the page there is a filter for the Service Centers, a darkened crown logo. Find the one you want, click on the crown and up pops the selected site with it's address. There is not a specific phone number for each site but a general number - 1 833-765-3900