Is A Rolex Really Better ???

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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..