Rolex 32** movement issues?

[CamCG]

I was wondering if anyone on TZ has experienced issues with their 32** movement Rolex slowing down?

(Apologies if this has already been discussed elsewhere in TZ, but if it has I didn't find it with a search).

I'm close to a purchase of a watch using the 3230 movement (new from an AD) and this has come up in the course of some research.

There is a long-running thread on Rolex Forums concerning 32** movements. The gist of the problem seems to be 32** movements running at low amplitudes, tending to have degrading amplitudes and then tending to run slow, a problem which gets progressively worse.

This seems to happen from 12 months onwards after purchase.

There are quite a few reports throughout the thread from owners of their 32** watches having to go back to a Rolex for work, sometimes more than once. I found similar reports of this issue on other websites.

The 3235 movement (eg Datejust 41 / GMT Master II / Submariner Date 126610LN) is the most commonly mentioned as being effected.

However, this may be because the 3235 has been in use since 2015 whilst other 32** movements (eg 3230 used by OP41 / Submariner 124060 etc) have been in use for a shorter time and by less common models.

There is plenty of speculation throughout the main thread (and elsewhere) as to the cause(s), but as of yet, no definitive answers or remedies.

I'm aware the thread in question, despite containing compelling evidence of this issue, being over 100 pages long and containing over 250 individual posters still represents a very small sample size of owners.

As such, I'd be interested as to collective experience and wisdom of the TZ community as to this "issue".


Here's a few links to the main thread which may be be of interest...

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=786299
* Starting point of the thread (January 2021)

https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...postcount=3161
* Summary of what had been learned over the 100+ pages the thread had reached by November 2022

[Toshk]

Definitely true!

[Haywood_Milton]

I have posted previously about the suggestion that production has been reduced in the last couple of years because of problems with the new movements.

Interesting suggestion ;-)

[verv]

I *think* its previous owner sent my 126600 back to rolex under warranty to address timekeeping. That has a 3235 movement.
Now it runs at a steady -0.5

[Toshk]

I *think* its previous owner sent my 126600 back to rolex under warranty to address timekeeping. That has a 3235 movement.
Now it runs at a steady -0.5

St James’s managed that at the end. After two returns.

Something wrong with those new calibres for sure if often new watches need regulation.

[verv]

St James’s managed that at the end. After two returns.

Something wrong with those new calibres for sure if often new watches need regulation.

Yes, touch wood they seem to have put it right permanently.

The movements dont put me off tbh, seems a bit pot luck like the Tudor gmt date issue.

[CamCG]

I have posted previously about the suggestion that production has been reduced in the last couple of years because of problems with the new movements.

Interesting suggestion ;-)

I'm interested whether the information publicly available about this issue would put you off purchasing a Rolex with a 32** movement for personal use?

[Haywood_Milton]

I'm interested whether the information publicly available about this issue would put you off purchasing a Rolex with a 32** movement for personal use?

As with any other Rolex, it wouldn't put me off buying one from a seller who would provide a substantial guarantee and be able to back that guarantee up with any necessary remedial work, which means either a new watch or a pre-owned one from an established dealer of verifiable reputation*.

* Please note that this may not best be judged by the existence of a flashy website or Instagram account, a physical shop in Brighton or Reigate, copious but familiar listings on eBay photographed with lurid surgical gloves on so that we can't see Jamie Thorpe's hands, etc.

[MartynJC (UK)]

No issues with mine though I need to unpack my timeograph since moving house.

I have a 124060 (2020) and 126655 (2020) with no timing issues - but a sample size of 2 is not statistically significant.

In UK you should be covered up to 6 years under the consumer rights act (or whatever it is called) and Rolex does warrant watches for 5 years anyway. If I was buying new from an AD I would count myself lucky and not have any worries buying a 32xxx movement watch.

[dkpw]

As with any other Rolex, it wouldn't put me off buying one from a seller who would provide a substantial guarantee and be able to back that guarantee up with any necessary remedial work, which means either a new watch or a pre-owned one from an established dealer of verifiable reputation*.

* Please note that this may not best be judged by the existence of a flashy website or Instagram account, a physical shop in Brighton or Reigate, copious but familiar listings on eBay photographed with lurid surgical gloves on so that we can't see Jamie Thorpe's hands, etc.

Oh he's back at it is he? Or did he never actually go away?

[Boss13]

Had an issue with my SD43 not holding power for long enough and it wasn’t overly accurate when I did measure it over a few days, losing a little time. But I didn’t measure it often.

I took it to Rolex SJ and they sorted it.

You have five years warranty so low risk for you I would say. Which model are you going for?

[Willows]

No issues to report from my 3230 models. I've been keeping an eye on the timekeeping, and that famous thread on the rolexforums!

My Submariner 41 (124060) runs about +2.5 s/day, holds power reserve well, as does my Air-king (126900), which runs about -0.5 s/day.

[CamCG]

Had an issue with my SD43 not holding power for long enough and it wasn’t overly accurate when I did measure it over a few days, losing a little time. But I didn’t measure it often.

I took it to Rolex SJ and they sorted it.

You have five years warranty so low risk for you I would say. Which model are you going for?

Yes, all things considered, I've not been discouraged from purchasing the Rolex model I intend to.

I'm hoping to pick up an OP41.

[MartynJC (UK)]

Yes, all things considered, I've not been discouraged from purchasing the Rolex model I intend to.

I'm hoping to pick up an OP41.

Good luck with your purchase. I have checked both my 32xx on my trusty Weish (sp) 1000 and both are within the +-2s/d in all positions and amplitudes are strong. My 116610LV 3135 is less in shape but still in COSC (but does have the green tag so I guess should be in +-2s/d) - not sure if these limited stats prove anything one way or another. Martyn

[CamCG]

Good luck with your purchase. I have checked both my 32xx on my trusty Weish (sp) 1000 and both are within the +-2s/d in all positions and amplitudes are strong. My 116610LV 3135 is less in shape but still in COSC (but does have the green tag so I guess should be in +-2s/d) - not sure if these limited stats prove anything one way or another. Martyn

Thank you. Enjoy your watches.

[learningtofly]

Just checked my 116613LN, which is a month shy of 2 years old. I've been wearing it for 3 days, and it's gained 1spd over that period. No sign if the accuracy degrading from the day I bought it new from the AD, in fact.

[JIG67]

My SD43 went back as it started running slow after six months of cracking timekeeping. It seemed fine after they sorted it but I never really trusted it after that and so off it went.

[Toshk]

OP, discussion on RF is really good. Decent feedback too.

[joe narvey]

Does the suspected change in performance apply over elapsed time or with regular use?

If I put one on a timegrapher can the amplitude data be used to confirm if it’s running with correct amplitude and if so is reference amplitude data available?

[beechcustom]

I'm amazed no one outside of us and TRF is talking about this??? None of the youtube content providers in the watch space have ever gone anywhere near this to my knowledge. You'd think at least someone might have picked it up by now as a discussion point.

[Tom-P]

I'm amazed no one outside of us and TRF is talking about this??? None of the youtube content providers in the watch space have ever gone anywhere near this to my knowledge. You'd think at least someone might have picked it up by now as a discussion point.

I agree that, given how much Rolex chatter is out there, it's odd that it's not more widely discussed. Because where it is discussed there is clear evidence of an issue; and we have an RSC watchmaker on this thread (744ER) telling us it is an issue, and that Rolex know it is an issue, and don't really have a fix.

There are also threads on Watchuseek, and the usual avalance on Reddit.

I have been surprised by the lack of any intel from Rolex re the issue, and its proposed fix, but then they are the high priests of "never apologise, never explain".

[Dynam0humm]

I agree that, given how much Rolex chatter is out there, it's odd that it's not more widely discussed. Because where it is discussed there is clear evidence of an issue; and we have an RSC watchmaker on this thread (744ER) telling us it is an issue, and that Rolex know it is an issue, and don't really have a fix.

There are also threads on Watchuseek, and the usual avalance on Reddit.

I have been surprised by the lack of any intel from Rolex re the issue, and its proposed fix, but then they are the high priests of "never apologise, never explain".

From what I've read there is no fix as it would mean a comprehensive re-design of the movement, so maybe that is the fix and the new 33xx is currently being rushed through development...

[MartynJC (UK)]

From what I've read there is no fix as it would mean a comprehensive re-design of the movement, so maybe that is the fix and the new 33xx is currently being rushed through development...

How many watches do Rolex produce a year (>1Million) how many have an issue? I did hear on one YouTuber (ex-Watchfinder) that Rolex would replace with upgraded movements on service - as necessary.

[Jon Kenney]

Each of mine with the 32XX movements dating from 2017 - 2023 have experienced no issues whatsoever.

The 2017 DD40 has not been serviced.

[CaptainRockNRoll]

I’ve had the new 36mm Explorer since January 2022 and worn it on a nearly daily basis since that time. I was aware of the reported movement issues, so do keep a keen eye on its time keeping. I can happily report it has been consistently -1.5 seconds per day in all that time.

[Russ]

The poll on TRF still runs at 75% saying no problems and 25% saying they have had issues. The thread has gone a bit stale now and the sample size remains at around 1400. As said before, people are much more likely to report issues on such a thread so it might not reflect the true picture. One of mine runs at plus 2 and never changes. The other seems to be sensitive to temperature, runs at plus 2 in the winter and minus 2 in the summer.

[wileeeeeey]

Had one serviced under warranty a few weeks back. Asked when collecting it what the issue was and they said it was the oils so probably it had that issue.

[Toshk]

What RSC have been instructed to answer. Many keep going back after “ full service “ under warranty. Developing the same issue after few months. Happens more on watches worn every day.

[Toshk]

What RSC have been instructed to answer. Many keep going back after “ full service “ under warranty. Developing the same issue after few months. Happens more on watches worn every day.

Full service in inverted commas. They like to call it that whilst just regulating the movement.

[Passenger]

What RSC have been instructed to answer. Many keep going back after “ full service “ under warranty. Developing the same issue after few months. Happens more on watches worn every day.

Blimey that´d be a colossal ball ache, 6K, 7K PLUS for a mass produced watch renowned for it´s tank like reliability- durability, potentially bigger problem when worn daily, sheesh...outside of here I´d guess most folks buy the 1 Rolex and expect to wear daily for the rest of their time.

Interesting thread.

[Toshk]

[Toshk]

[omegasteve]

yep I have had this with my 2021 sub, well under 200 amp and losing lots of time.

It's come back from warranty work at +2 seconds and 260 amp so much better however.....I'm watching it like a hawk as think it has just lost 1 min over 24hrs. It was this erratic time keeping that first made me realise it wasn't right so I'll see over the next month.

I have 4 x 31xx movements in other watches and never had an issue, all absolutely rock solid. I think on my experience to date I wouldn't bother with Rolex until this is fixed imo.

[beechcustom]

yep I have had this with my 2021 sub, well under 200 amp and losing lots of time.

I think on my experience to date I wouldn't bother with Rolex until this is fixed imo.

I've only got one Rolex with the current 32xx movement. It's a Jan 2024 and well within super cosc so far but I'm keeping an eye on it. Not done a detailed test yet but am tempted to get a timegrapher for that purpose.

[mylofitz]

My SD43 went back to Rolex under warranty for said issue. Still charged me £190 after claiming the crystal had failed with water pressure test. Hasn’t happened since being returned.