The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 14 January 2009, 04:32 AM   #1
acce1999
"TRF" Member
 
acce1999's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: GMT+1
Posts: 2,711
News on cal 3186 in Explorer II (and GMT 16710)

I just had my Explorer II adjusted, and asked the watchmaker to confirm that it had caliber 3186. According to the so called wiggle test it should. It is an M0-serial purchased in february 2008, and the code on the clasp indicates august 2007.

The watch has indeed caliber 3186!

This is therefore another example where the test truly indicates caliber 3186.

In addition I asked him to verify the height of the caliber, since it was told initially that caliber 3186 is 0.4 mm higher than caliber 3185 (to allow for the new construction for the hour hand). This information comes from (to the best of my knowledge) the early facts from Basel when the all gold GMT IIc 116718 was introduced.

I have been intrigued by the fact that a larger caliber has been found in cases of the older style, and according to my calculations the margins would have been zero - or even negative. There should not be room for the new caliber in the older cases.

The watchmaker now confirmed that the height is the same for both caliber 3185 and 3186: 6.4 mm, not 6.8 that has been "public knowledge" on sites like this.

I hope this information is of interest not only for me.

Best,

A
acce1999 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2009, 04:48 AM   #2
yannis
"TRF" Member
 
yannis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Real Name: Yannis
Location: Europe
Watch: maniac
Posts: 9,070
Interesting info man, thanks for sharing...also it makes sense since (as far as i know) they only change is replacing the old spring with the parachrom blue!!
__________________
Rolex Submariner 116610LV | Tudor 79220N



yannis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2009, 05:16 AM   #3
acce1999
"TRF" Member
 
acce1999's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: GMT+1
Posts: 2,711
Quote:
Originally Posted by yannis7777 View Post
Interesting info man, thanks for sharing...also it makes sense since (as far as i know) they only change is replacing the old spring with the parachrom blue!!
No, caliber 3186 is not only about the new balance spring. The construction for setting the independent hour hand is completely new. That's why the "wiggle test" is so indicative of the new caliber.

Best,

A
acce1999 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2009, 05:25 AM   #4
yannis
"TRF" Member
 
yannis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Real Name: Yannis
Location: Europe
Watch: maniac
Posts: 9,070
Oh i didn't know this!!
__________________
Rolex Submariner 116610LV | Tudor 79220N



yannis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2009, 05:53 AM   #5
f16570
"TRF" Member
 
f16570's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Real Name: F
Location: Scotland
Watch: Exp II White Face
Posts: 4,272
Nice info, thanks for sharing.
__________________
Why have what's new when you have what's best.
f
f16570 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2009, 06:07 AM   #6
valentine
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Justin
Location: Baltimore, MD
Watch: TT Diamond DJ
Posts: 2,809
ok..can someone please explain the "wiggle test" as I am confused....I own a d serial expy II cal 3185. I am confused as to what this test refers to..My expy has the jumping hour hand and the 24 hour and minute hand adjustable...I though this was the norm...
valentine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2009, 06:19 AM   #7
Moto
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: NYC
Watch: SS GMT IIc
Posts: 144
The difference is that the construction of the jumping hour hand mechanism is decoupled from the 24 hand in the 3186 movement. The wiggle test is to move the jumping hour hand to see if the 24 hour hand wiggles. If it does, it has the older style mechanism.
Moto is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2009, 06:24 AM   #8
Mrdi
Banned
 
Mrdi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 3,478
Simply:
In the 3186 some of the gearing has changed as well as the parachrom spring. The "slap" in the gears has diminshed and the hands do not wiggle as extensively as in the 3185 when adjusted.
Mrdi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2009, 06:27 AM   #9
Jocke
2024 Pledge Member
 
Jocke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Real Name: Jocke
Location: Sweden
Watch: A dozen of Rolex's
Posts: 22,507
I still wonder how JJ do the wiggle test with his sheep?



Jocke
__________________
This message is written in perfect swenglish.

What is best a custom Rolex or a Rolex that is stuck in custom?

Buy a professional camera and you´re a professional
photographer, buy a flute and you own a flute.
Jocke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2009, 06:30 AM   #10
Mrdi
Banned
 
Mrdi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 3,478
He opens up the aperature and wiggles the appendages.
Mrdi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2009, 06:48 AM   #11
Jocke
2024 Pledge Member
 
Jocke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Real Name: Jocke
Location: Sweden
Watch: A dozen of Rolex's
Posts: 22,507
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrdi View Post
He opens up the aperature and wiggles the appendages.
I hope he not post pics of the test.



Jocke
__________________
This message is written in perfect swenglish.

What is best a custom Rolex or a Rolex that is stuck in custom?

Buy a professional camera and you´re a professional
photographer, buy a flute and you own a flute.
Jocke is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

Asset Appeal

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.