Is A Rolex Really Better ???

[Tools]

These discussions always seem to get out of hand and folks start saying that just because one movement is capable of meeting the COSC standard, then it must be just as good as any other movement that can meet the same standard..

They cite this as proof that "their" movement is as good as another, and then say they have a better clasp, so that their watch is overall "better". Or they say that their clear case back shows some nice designs and evidence of superior workmanship,(we're not sure superior to what) therefore it is "better".

This shows no understanding in what makes the watch tick....

So.........let's talk about what makes a Rolex movement actually better, from an engineering perspective, than others..

1. All Rolex movements have a full balance bridge. This adds stability and superior support to the balance which is the brains of your movement. Many others do not.

2. Rolex uses screw locks to hold the movement in the case...no clips, no bend tabs...solid mounting.. it won't move around in the case.

3. Free sprung balance. This allows free movement of the hairspring and it is not attached, or anchored to a regulator screw, but rather the balance wheel is timed by actually adjusting the inertia of the wheel (balance screws, kind of like balancing your car wheels) itself rather than just adjusting the length of the spring

4. Breguet over-coil hairspring. This is known to help the watch keep more consistent time as the mainspring unwinds so the watch is accurate over a broader range of power from the traditional flat-spring used in other makes.

5. 31 jeweled movements as a standard so jewels are at all wear points rather than 23, 25, or 27 as found in many other high end watches.

6. 10mm balance wheels. More mass equals more stability and more consistent operation during use. It is much more difficult to disturb the heavier mass of a Rolex balance wheel than it is on the typical 9mm balance wheel of other watches.

7. Teflon coated reverser wheels for smooth and quiet, lifetime operation.

8. A removable and easy to disassemble reverser module for easy cleaning rather than a fixed and riveted module as used in some others.

9. Rolex uses additional gearing to run the center seconds which results in a slightly thicker movement, but one that is stronger and more stable.

10. Cam, jewel, and spring actuation of the date change function. This allows you to change the date in a Rolex at any time, without issue, because the date change function is disassociated from the hand stack gears. Many other movements will be broken if you change the date between 9pm and 3am. It also snaps the date over instantaneously.

I'll stop here before you fall asleep....

But I will say.............This is why my Rolex is better than your XXXXX watch..

[Ivy League]

Hey that's great Larry.
Thanks for the great info. This lends testimony and good reference to all those Rolex haters who claim that their Walmart casio is just as good if not better than Rolex.

[GradyPhilpott]

Those are some interesting details.

I've seen you around the boards, Larry.

Whence comes all this esoterica?

[meloncap78]

Excellent information Larry. I enjoyed reading every morsel of it. :cheers::thumbsup:

[frostie]

ZZZZZZzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZ













:justkiddi

Great info :thumbsup::cheers:

[Ed Rooney]

That's all very interesting, but I hear that they don't keep very good time.

[Tools]

That's all very interesting, but I hear that they don't keep very good time.

But they don't keep it, better than many other brands............:rofl:

[cody p]

my only criticism is the lack of ball bearings at the rotor pivot (cal. 4130 excepted). better? better than what?
robust, accurate, easily serviced, sure.

[sea-dweller]

Great info. From my side, the perception of Rolex is better. For me, that's enough !

[JJ Irani]

Great stuff, Larry. :clap:

Could you please elaborate #8 - haven't understood a word. Some pics, if possible.

Thanks - JJ :cheers:

[Dylan Wade]

Good to know, thanks for taking the time to share.

I'm with JJ on #8 and to be honest on one or two other items mentioned but I'll work those out in time...........most makes sense to me.

Thanks again

[Lol-x]

These Rolex watches simply have appeal.

The watch has a standard of quality that in some ways what many of us would strive to achieve in our personal aspects of life.

In other aspects the watch provides a level of deep satisfaction.

Maybe this sense of satisfaction isn't just from the watch but to some extent from marketing, the stories of others and our own personal experiences with a very personal possession.

[Tools]

Great stuff, Larry. :clap:

Could you please elaborate #8 - haven't understood a word. Some pics, if possible.

Thanks - JJ :cheers:

Here is the reversing module, the famous "red wheels" seen under the winding weight.

This sits on top of the movement and as the weight swings either way, it "reverses" to provide winding of the watch in either direction.

It is completely disassemble-able for cleaning and repairs. and the red color is the teflon coating that makes it run smoothly, dependably, and quietly.

http://people.timezone.com/mdisher/andrewb/3135/Rolex10.jpg

http://people.timezone.com/mdisher/andrewb/3135/Rolex16.jpg

[Blimms]

Larry, you are well versed on many fronts !!! Knowledge is King.

Regards

[JJ Irani]

Here is the reversing module, the famous "red wheels" seen under the winding weight.

This sits on top of the movement and as the weight swings either way, it "reverses" to provide winding of the watch in either direction.

It is completely disassemble-able for cleaning and repairs. and the red color is the teflon coating that makes it run smoothly, dependably, and quietly.

http://people.timezone.com/mdisher/andrewb/3135/Rolex10.jpg

http://people.timezone.com/mdisher/andrewb/3135/Rolex16.jpg

Thanks, Larry.....excellent info!! :thumbsup::cheers:

[jmsrolls]

Thanks for all the info, Larry!

And I though a watch was just a watch. :lol:

Fr. John+

[eric23]

Great info Larry!

[limbo]

Wow. Very informative. Thanks for sharing. Posts like this one is one of the reasons TRF is the best.

[Bisquitlips]

This is a keeper!!!

[ROLEX MAN]

Doesn't it just tell the time!

[The_Scroop]

10. Cam, jewel, and spring actuation of the date change function. This allows you to change the date in a Rolex at any time, without issue, because the date change function is disassociated from the hand stack gears. Many other movements will be broken if you change the date between 9pm and 3am. It also snaps the date over instantaneously.


Thanks for posting this, especially point number 10. I had no idea about that, and on its own I think that is enough for me to say that my Rolex is far better than my Breitling (which can break if I change the date between 10 and 2)

[SirLoki]

wow i feel even better after reading this, thanks!

[kiasunkiasi]

Great info...

Just wanna add on to the first point, I know majority of Rolex owners thought Rolex invented and used the full balance bridge... The truth is Rolex is not the first watch company that comes out with full balance bridge... Seiko and Citizen did that in the 50s and 60s...

We Rolex-er be humble...

[golfball123]

very informative... thanks

[Troy]

Good post :thumbsup::cheers:

[unclesallie]

thanks, excellent information!:thumbsup:

[StereoPhe]

Thanks for share!Great !!!

[chicagowatchman]

Rolex has been and wil always be my Number 1 Watch

:clap::clap::clap:

[zeppe19avr]

Thanks lots, Larry for this info, I appreciate getting technical info like this.. Many thanks again.:cheers:

[Perdu]

Larry,

I'm just having problems visualizing a free sprung balance if you could say some more? Also, you can add microsteller adjustment to the list. Many of the points you made are why I chose a Rolex movement but not being technical I don't know how important they are. Point 4 seems to be very important to performance but does a full balance bridge really make any difference? I always compare my Rolex 3135 to my Omega 1128. The Rolex should be a more consistent time keeper - it has a better design. But will it make any practical difference? So far, there is no difference in performance. I do know that the Omega will not keep to COSC if left to unwind and it will be interesting to test the Rolex here - I suspect it will do better. One thing's for sure, you can't ever go wrong with a Rolex movement.:thumbsup:

[mretzloff]

Then why does Rolex not bear the Geneva Seal?

[Rawhyde]

You forgot one, Tools...

In durability tests personally conducted by Big Daddy Rawhyde, only Rolex watches will last more than a year in daily use on his wrist. My oldest one has been giving me faithful service for 18 years and counting....

Other makers may have more expensive watches with more decorative features, but if it doesn't tell me the time when I look at it, I'll soon quit wearing it!

[Tools]

Larry,

I'm just having problems visualizing a free sprung balance if you could say some more? :

Gary,

I don't want to write a book, but let me see if I can say a few words.. (My apologies to all watchmakers)

1. On a Free-sprung balance, the balance wheel and hairspring ride on jewels at each end of the staff (axle), and the hairspring itself is attached to the inside of the wheel at the axle; the other end of the hairspring is attached (anchored) to the bridge (a stud screw holds it in place there). That's it...it's not attached any place else. On a Rolex, the speed of the hairspring is adjusted by the micro-stella screws and weights on the outside of the balance wheel... Screw the weights in closer, or out further to change the inertia/speed.

On a regulator balance, the wheel has the same axle, jewels, and pivots, and the hairspring is attached to the staff at the inside, but the other end of the hairspring is run through some pins (clamped) at the outside end to an eccentric screw. Regulation is made by taking the clamped end, turning the screw, and twisting the hairspring tighter, or looser to achieve a speed change.

2. The full balance bridge does make a difference.. First, Rolex uses a larger balance wheel than the Omega 1120/1128. The balance cock as used in the 1120/1128 (half bridge) extends halfway out into space to hold the balance pivot jewel and shock spring. After a shock or a bump, this hanging length of metal can vibrate the same way the ends of a tuning fork vibrate when hit. This half-bridge can only swing a moderate sized wheel because it swings (rotates) rapidly, so this piece of metal hanging out is also subject to the lateral forces caused by the mass of the wheel starting and stopping.. The half bridge can vibrate up and down, and laterally with the mass of the wheel.

The full balance bridge spans the entire distance and is anchored at both ends. The balance pivot jewel and shock system is placed in the middle. It cannot vibrate. It also allows Rolex to use a much larger balance wheel because, again, anchored at both ends, it cannot move laterally either.

(I'm not bashing the Omega 1120/1128, it's my favorite Omega movement. I'm just saying that from an engineering perspective, these points give the Rolex movement an edge)

[clock]

As a salesman at Wempe said, if had to only wear one watch, it would be a Rolex. When I've asked watchmakers which watch they prefer to work on, Rolex is usually the answer.

I don't question the highly reliable movement of a Rolex and not having to worry if the watch gets knocked.

All that said, I recently handled a couple of IWC's. Namely the Portugueser 5001 and the new vintage Port. The attention to detail on the dial and case is just top notch. Something not found on a Rolex.

IMO, Rolex comes the closest to being a lifestyle watch; a watch that can be worn in any occasion; from the beach to a formal affair.

[Z-Sub]

One of the best :boring::boring: read....:dummy::justkiddi
Certainly one of the most educational reads for a long time.
Thanks Larry.

[Perdu]

Thanks Larry, that's really helpful. I really enjoy this forum for the knowledge I gain and you are a fantastic contributor to my (all of our) knowledge.

p.s. you are making me want another Rolex.

[Quicksilver]

Fantastic post - very informative and inspiring :thumbsup: