"Inside" Info about Rolex upcoming advances

[TheVTCGuy]

Stopped by my AD today and had a nice chat with the local watchmaker. He had just returned from Rolex service training and told me some things, the majority went about 4000 feet over my head, but here is what I remember...

1. There are a lot of silicone parts coming in the future, which reduce wear and increase accuracy. He told me of some future spring with a silicone base, (I'm not sure if it will be a replacement for the parachrome or a different spring) that will actually spring in BOTH directions, and with a lot less friction. He said Rolex just patented this in February of this year and they are pretty excited about it's future. Sorry I don't have a clearer description.

2. In the band, Rolex will introduce silicone ball bearing-kind of things that will reduce the friction and wear of the current connectors and screws. Rolex is equally excited about this enhancement.

He exclaimed how proud he was to work with a company like Rolex, saying the first question they asked him when the re-certification training starts is: "What problems are you having in the field" He said they take every comment by thier certified watchmakers very seriously and the improvements they come up with are direct results of these comments. For example, the Zenith El-Primero movement had 20 different size screws, which drove watchmakers nuts. When Rolex designed thier own Daytona movement (the 4130), they addressed this frustration and the reduced that number to five (5). He also told me that even thought it's a chronograph, the 4130 has 20 fewer parts than the old GMT, 3185. I found that to be very interesting and an incredible engineering achievement.

Over all, it was a very enjoyable conversation, if I didn't have so much on my mind I would have remembered more, but I'm sure I'll be back talking with him soon!

[Dr. Robert]

Very cool info! Good to hear Rolex is pioneering.

[t e x]

How cool is that, getting the goods from someone who enjoys what they do. Great share Paul, look forward to reading more...thanks for sharing

[Poom]

That's the right things Rolex is doing. Thks.

[sleddog]

Great info Paul!!!! Looking forward to the result.....

[Colnago]

Paul you're a lucky guy being in a position to talk to someone like that....I would love to be able to chat to someone with real insider info

[ParisDakarBmw]

Paul, Get a job at the Rolex AD. You could get discounts, and handle cool watches all day!

[ayecarumba]

....So you're telling me they're creating something I MUST HAVE!

Seriously, thanks for the info..love hearing about innovations..it's amazing that the basic swiss escapement movement hasn't had a more radical makeover considering the advances in materials and technology.

I'm happy to hear about it...my wallet, not so much!


ECP
East Coast Paul

[16610v]

wow...use Si....can this last as long as traditional metal?

[truetime]

thanks for sharing..... GOOD information

bests,
Krit

[Cru Jones]

Silicone?? What's next? Rolex getting in the breast implant business? LOL.

Thanks for the info, Paul. Very interesting!

[acce1999]

Interesting info. Thanks for the report! This is one of the reasons for me to like Rolex, the constant improvement of the watches.

[swatty]

Thanks for sharing that info Paul. I wonder how long before we see these improvements at the AD's

[padi56]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Stopped by my AD today and had a nice chat with the local watchmaker. He had just returned from Rolex service training and told me some things, the majority went about 4000 feet over my head, but here is what I remember...

1. There are a lot of silicone parts coming in the future, which reduce wear and increase accuracy. He told me of some future spring with a silicone base, (I'm not sure if it will be a replacement for the parachrome or a different spring) that will actually spring in BOTH directions, and with a lot less friction. He said Rolex just patented this in February of this year and they are pretty excited about it's future. Sorry I don't have a clearer description.

2. In the band, Rolex will introduce silicone ball bearing-kind of things that will reduce the friction and wear of the current connectors and screws. Rolex is equally excited about this enhancement.

He exclaimed how proud he was to work with a company like Rolex, saying the first question they asked him when the re-certification training starts is: "What problems are you having in the field" He said they take every comment by thier certified watchmakers very seriously and the improvements they come up with are direct results of these comments. For example, the Zenith El-Primero movement had 20 different size screws, which drove watchmakers nuts. When Rolex designed thier own Daytona movement (the 4130), they addressed this frustration and the reduced that number to five (5). He also told me that even thought it's a chronograph, the 4130 has 20 fewer parts than the old GMT, 3185. I found that to be very interesting and an incredible engineering achievement.

Over all, it was a very enjoyable conversation, if I didn't have so much on my mind I would have remembered more, but I'm sure I'll be back talking with him soon!

Well yes Rolex did experiment with silicone and develope the metal Parachrom with brands like Patek. Thats was before Patek going there own route under a different name.But myself cannot see how the Cal 4130
has less parts than the Cal 3185.The cal 3185 and 3186 are very very similar to the cal 3135 only main difference is the hand pinion shaft and a few gears for the second time zone.

[rfknauss]

Paul, thanks for the info!

[CoopJr]

Paul,
Sounds like you have a good man as a watchmaker!

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by ParisDakarBmw

Paul, Get a job at the Rolex AD. You could get discounts, and handle cool watches all day!

Take it from someone who works at an AD, best job in the world!

[Watchdog]

Cool info, Paul.

[JUSTROLEXES]

Paul Stop going to the AD... you can go a talk to Brian but slow down on the visits... or you will end up with the GMT sooner then you had wanted to

[User Name]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Stopped by my AD today and had a nice chat with the local watchmaker. He had just returned from Rolex service training and told me some things, the majority went about 4000 feet over my head, but here is what I remember...

1. There are a lot of silicone parts coming in the future, which reduce wear and increase accuracy. He told me of some future spring with a silicone base, (I'm not sure if it will be a replacement for the parachrome or a different spring) that will actually spring in BOTH directions, and with a lot less friction. He said Rolex just patented this in February of this year and they are pretty excited about it's future. Sorry I don't have a clearer description.

2. In the band, Rolex will introduce silicone ball bearing-kind of things that will reduce the friction and wear of the current connectors and screws. Rolex is equally excited about this enhancement.

He exclaimed how proud he was to work with a company like Rolex, saying the first question they asked him when the re-certification training starts is: "What problems are you having in the field" He said they take every comment by thier certified watchmakers very seriously and the improvements they come up with are direct results of these comments. For example, the Zenith El-Primero movement had 20 different size screws, which drove watchmakers nuts. When Rolex designed thier own Daytona movement (the 4130), they addressed this frustration and the reduced that number to five (5). He also told me that even thought it's a chronograph, the 4130 has 20 fewer parts than the old GMT, 3185. I found that to be very interesting and an incredible engineering achievement.

Over all, it was a very enjoyable conversation, if I didn't have so much on my mind I would have remembered more, but I'm sure I'll be back talking with him soon!

Hey next time just pull out your cell phone and record the converstatin, yeah he might be a little freaked out but at least you will get the whole conversation. Neil lol

[Puffy]

Awesome Paul. Thanks for sharing..

[2th Dr]

Thanks Paul! Good stuff!