The 3235 Movement and The Fix (3 years out)

[sevykor]

I posted about a year ago hoping to find the fix to the issues plaguing the 3235 movement. My post at the time was to find a reason and solution to the issue. While there were many interesting replies, no long term fix was ever found. That was the case until now.

I’ve been collecting Rolex and many other brands for over 20 years. Not for making money or investment, but rather for the pleasure of owning something that took skill, dedication and a relentless pursuit to horological perfection on the part of the maker. I could go on, but that’s not the purpose of this thread. You are all interested in how I got it fixed - right!?!

After the DJ41 came back from Rolex the second time, I was back to a happy and precise -1 seconds per day. Sure enough, 10 months later, almost seeming over night, the 3235 was encroaching -15 per day. This is now the third time the 3235 has failed. Back to my AD we go. They sent it to Rolex and it was back good as ever for the third time in only a few months. Only this time I knew if this goes on, I may not have a warranty to fall back on for too much longer. So I did what any reasonable person would do. I sold it!!! I can’t even begin to tell you what a great weight has been lifted.

I still own Rolex and I will continue to buy, but the 3235 is not ready. There are many theories listed by others in my previous post. I do have a suspicion, but I’m not certain if anyone here would be interested in hearing about it. Perhaps saved for a later thread so as to relieve you all from an extensive post here and now. I loved the DJ41, but in the end it was not meant to be it seems. I hope Rolex finds a fix for those of you who want to hold on to their piece. Some of you may be coming to that 5 year warranty expiration. Do you intend on paying out-of-pocket for repairs? I certainly was not up to the task of feeding Rolex with service costs. May the previous sentence give you some insight as to my speculations...

[Dirt]

Thanks for sharing your experience.
It must be disheartening, but look on the bright side.
Rolex has made some great watches in the past and as long as you stick to watches with movements that don't have a 32 in the front of their designator, you will be just fine

Reading your post I gather you may be on the same page as I have been for a number of months, in that you have a theory as to the root cause of the problem.
Would you like to share it, if i tell you my mine?
Sort of you show me yours if I show you mine

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by sevykor

I posted about a year ago hoping to find the fix to the issues plaguing the 3235 movement. My post at the time was to find a reason and solution to the issue. While there were many interesting replies, no long term fix was ever found. That was the case until now.

I’ve been collecting Rolex and many other brands for over 20 years. Not for making money or investment, but rather for the pleasure of owning something that took skill, dedication and a relentless pursuit to horological perfection on the part of the maker. I could go on, but that’s not the purpose of this thread. You are all interested in how I got it fixed - right!?!

After the DJ41 came back from Rolex the second time, I was back to a happy and precise -1 seconds per day. Sure enough, 10 months later, almost seeming over night, the 3235 was encroaching -15 per day. This is now the third time the 3235 has failed. Back to my AD we go. They sent it to Rolex and it was back good as ever for the third time in only a few months. Only this time I knew if this goes on, I may not have a warranty to fall back on for too much longer. So I did what any reasonable person would do. I sold it!!! I can’t even begin to tell you what a great weight has been lifted.

I still own Rolex and I will continue to buy, but the 3235 is not ready. There are many theories listed by others in my previous post. I do have a suspicion, but I’m not certain if anyone here would be interested in hearing about it. Perhaps saved for a later thread so as to relieve you all from an extensive post here and now. I loved the DJ41, but in the end it was not meant to be it seems. I hope Rolex finds a fix for those of you who want to hold on to their piece. Some of you may be coming to that 5 year warranty expiration. Do you intend on paying out-of-pocket for repairs? I certainly was not up to the task of feeding Rolex with service costs. May the previous sentence give you some insight as to my speculations...

Man I am sorry to hear of your struggles, i hope they come up with a solution fast.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Man I am sorry to hear of your struggles, i hope they come up with a solution fast.

Agreed

[kieselguhr]

Sucks to hear you couldn’t enjoy the watch. Maybe you’ll have a better experience next time around.

[TswaneNguni]

Perhaps those bitching and moaning about lack of 126610LNs and LVs should be grateful they have to wait 3 or 4 years ...maybe the 3235 is sorted out by then

The 3235 is a lemon
The 3135/4130/3186/3136 etc are not lemons

Sorry ,too many reports stating exactly the same issue from owners.
The issues well explained by those that service watches as a profession on this very forum.

...and I dont care how many times Rolex or Rolex ADs deny it .

Rolex needs to sort this out or its going to bite ....
I hope you are reading this Mr Dufour .

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Perhaps those bitching and moaning about lack of 126610LNs and LVs should be grateful they have to wait 3 or 4 years ...maybe the 3235 is sorted out by then

The 3235 is a lemon
The 3135/4130/3186/3136 etc are not lemons

Sorry ,too many reports stating exactly the same issue from owners.
The issues well explained by those that service watches as a profession on this very forum.

...and I dont care how many times Rolex or Rolex ADs deny it .

Rolex needs to sort this out or its going to bite ....
I hope you are reading this Mr Dufour .

Agreed.
I think Rolex got a little caught with their pants down by Omega.
Then they rushed a handful of patented designs to market without enough durability testing.
Maybe Rolex were just a little too arogant

After all it can happen that way.
Omega initially thought they knew more about watchmaking than the man himself who actually designed the Co-Axial and it bit them where it hurts instil they learnt their lesson.
I remember an old watchmaker friend describing it as the Swiss still haven't worked out they don't know everything about all things horological.

[alphadweller]

What a pain it must have been OP. I would have sold the watch too. In fact, as I already posted in your other thread, I'm thinking of letting my unworn BNIB SD43 go before the problem gets worse (currently at -6 s/d). I'm keeping my 4 months old Sub41 under strict observation (currently at -2 s/d), any serious drop in accuracy and it will get sold. I won’t take them to the RSC, it’s a pointless exercise as there’s no permanent fix.

I have no interest in trouble-shooting 14k+ watches for Rolex. I have no time and no energy for this cr**. Also, I can't stand the lack of transparency from Rolex. If they were open about this at least and show good faith in working on a permanent solution, perhaps I’d be more willing to make the effort and go through the tedious RSC process. But honestly, I have more important things to worry about than a poorly designed movement. Life's too short.

[Etschell]

i thought it was just a lubrication issue? guess i thought wrong.

[travisb]

Sorry to hear.
I've had zero issues with any of my 3235s. More accurate than anything else I own.

[SubDate]

Originally Posted by travisb

Sorry to hear.
I've had zero issues with any of my 3235s. More accurate than anything else I own.

Agree same here.

[East of Eden]

Originally Posted by Etschell

i thought it was just a lubrication issue? guess i thought wrong.

From my reading on this subject lubrication is a temporary fix to a design flaw.

[BLNR Nairobi]

Three questions:
1) Are there people with 32xx movements who have not had issues?
2) If so, how long have you had those movements for (and if you may, what references are they)?
3) Why would it be so difficult for Rolex to fix whatever the issue might be?

[fmc000]

Originally Posted by BLNR Nairobi

Three questions:
1) Are there people with 32xx movements who have not had issues?

Just look at the post immediately above yours...

[Romeo Clive]

Originally Posted by BLNR Nairobi

Three questions:
1) Are there people with 32xx movements who have not had issues?
2) If so, how long have you had those movements for (and if you may, what references are they)?
3) Why would it be so difficult for Rolex to fix whatever the issue might be?

1. Yes
2. Since 2018, (DJ41 - 126334)
3. Dunno

However, I also own a 2018 126710BLRO which have had problems. Worked fine for a year and a half, then started degrading. Lost 10 minutes per day, with an amplitude of 127 :(

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by BLNR Nairobi

Three questions:
1) Are there people with 32xx movements who have not had issues?
2) If so, how long have you had those movements for (and if you may, what references are they)?
3) Why would it be so difficult for Rolex to fix whatever the issue might be?

I'm not panicking yet

Admittedly I don't wear any one watch long enough to notice if its gaining or losing time but I can see why for some who are more into timekeeping that it's an issue.

If it turns out that the millions of Rolex with these 32 series movement are dogs and can't be "fixed", I have no doubts I'll be able to recoup my costs

I wear my watches to enjoy and yes they serve a function, to tell time.

So far I haven't missed an appointment yet.

20191231_200531.jpg

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[shipitfresh]

Originally Posted by BLNR Nairobi

Three questions:
1) Are there people with 32xx movements who have not had issues?
2) If so, how long have you had those movements for (and if you may, what references are they)?
3) Why would it be so difficult for Rolex to fix whatever the issue might be?

Bought a DJ41 from an AD a little over a year ago. Accuracy was great (+1sec every 2-3 days or more). After a few months it went whacko and started losing 30-40 seconds per day. My AD has an ASC and they adjusted it back to the previous accuracy. It's been fine since...

[MINOLI]

I have the SD43 and had an issue with it after 7 months, it was running 7.5 seconds slow per day. It was serviced about 2 years ago, and has been running +2 seconds per day since then.

[DJ2020]

My 126200 ran -7 right out of the gate (Oct 2020) After 2 regulations later it ran pretty much -0\+0, but that's only been 90 days ago. Someones else's problem now.

[jcatral14]

I have 126660 and 124060 and quite pleased with both

[R.J.]

Originally Posted by DJ2020

My 126200 ran -7 right out of the gate (Oct 2020) After 2 regulations later it ran pretty much -0\+0, but that's only been 90 days ago. Someones else's problem now.

Right out of the gate my new datejust is running -4 seconds a day. When the lockdown here in Ontario is lifted it goes into the shop for correction. Hopefully they can correct it first time around.

[Fenix84]

Originally Posted by sevykor

I posted about a year ago hoping to find the fix to the issues plaguing the 3235 movement. My post at the time was to find a reason and solution to the issue. While there were many interesting replies, no long term fix was ever found. That was the case until now.

I’ve been collecting Rolex and many other brands for over 20 years. Not for making money or investment, but rather for the pleasure of owning something that took skill, dedication and a relentless pursuit to horological perfection on the part of the maker. I could go on, but that’s not the purpose of this thread. You are all interested in how I got it fixed - right!?!

After the DJ41 came back from Rolex the second time, I was back to a happy and precise -1 seconds per day. Sure enough, 10 months later, almost seeming over night, the 3235 was encroaching -15 per day. This is now the third time the 3235 has failed. Back to my AD we go. They sent it to Rolex and it was back good as ever for the third time in only a few months. Only this time I knew if this goes on, I may not have a warranty to fall back on for too much longer. So I did what any reasonable person would do. I sold it!!! I can’t even begin to tell you what a great weight has been lifted.

I still own Rolex and I will continue to buy, but the 3235 is not ready. There are many theories listed by others in my previous post. I do have a suspicion, but I’m not certain if anyone here would be interested in hearing about it. Perhaps saved for a later thread so as to relieve you all from an extensive post here and now. I loved the DJ41, but in the end it was not meant to be it seems. I hope Rolex finds a fix for those of you who want to hold on to their piece. Some of you may be coming to that 5 year warranty expiration. Do you intend on paying out-of-pocket for repairs? I certainly was not up to the task of feeding Rolex with service costs. May the previous sentence give you some insight as to my speculations...

Im hoping a solution comes out before my warranty is over, if nothing then i may end up selling mine too.

[saxo3]

Sorry to say, but the problem of all these 32xx movement threads is that not enough facts and timegrapher data are shared.
This topic is interesting and should be discussed in a tech forum, well separated from places where people only reply speculations or don't care.
Understanding and analyzing neasurement data would be also good, for example the difference between accuracy and precision.

[Mrngrz46]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Sorry to say, but the problem of all these 32xx movement threads is that not enough facts and timegrapher data are shared.
This topic is interesting and should be discussed in a tech forum, well separated from places where people only reply speculations or don't care.
Understanding and analyzing neasurement data would be also good, for example the difference between accuracy and precision.

No need to make it so complicated. There is no point discuss the difference between accuracy and precision. We are not doing PhD or whatever. Despite that the difference you learn at middle school...but this is another story.

Is enough to check if a watch respect the cosc certificate. While maybe not everyone has a dato graph at home, for sure everyone after 1 week can easily check how many minutes the watch is off.

People for decades wear 31xx movement and never an issue.
Now “someone” notice 32xx issue.

The real interesting factor is only the statistics to understand if is a real lemon.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by Mrngrz46

No need to make it so complicated. There is no point discuss the difference between accuracy and precision. We are not doing PhD or whatever. Despite that the difference you learn at middle school...but this is another story.

Is enough to check if a watch respect the cosc certificate. While maybe not everyone has a dato graph at home, for sure everyone after 1 week can easily check how many minutes the watch is off.

People for decades wear 31xx movement and never an issue.
Now “someone” notice 32xx issue.

The real interesting factor is only the statistics to understand if is a real lemon.

Excellent approach; the Vogel-Strauss method has always been good.

[WalterE]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Excellent approach; the Vogel-Strauss method has always been good.

[Zippo]

2 month old 126610Lv running spot on.

[TheVTCGuy]

My two month old Sub41 is -1.3, the most accurate automatic watch I have ever owned. I’ll keep checking though.

[HogwldFLTR]

Maybe they should rename the movement Co-axial; oops; that name's already been taken by another watch house!!!

[TswaneNguni]

Observation,dont know if the rest of you picked this up ,but when the 3235 is reported as running fine its almost always at a minus value and seldom at a plus value .