To those that believe in the 32xx problems, what is your plan/strategy?

[waterman1]

Have an sd43 and DSSD and both have been sent back twice for the issue. After the second time both doing fine and running in + category. I like the watches and will stay positive that Rolex will handle the situation should it occur again.

[Mountain]

I have an explorer which is 18 months old. For the first 12 months the timing was spot on and then it started running slow.

I took it to be serviced, was told it had low amplitude, and it was fixed under warranty.

In fact, the only reason I joined this forum was to understand about the problem with the 32xx movements! I came across the forum after searching for Rolex warranty!

I now have the watch back, it’s working well, and has lost about 5 seconds in a month. If it goes wrong again, I’ll have it fixed again. Annoying, but not the end of the world. I love the aesthetics of the explorer so will never sell it.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by brandrea

That’s very much where I land on it too Kevin.

The thread you’re referring to, sort of turned me off certain members of this forum, not because of their stance on the timekeeping issues (for the record I believe there are issues to what extent, no one really knows), but because of how some of them they make me (and it sounds like others) feel.

Great that they have a passion to chase this dog for as long as they have. I hope it brings them happiness.

To each their own.

If only Rolex were as committed perhaps it would have been fixed by now

[diver2012]

Originally Posted by Mountain

In fact, the only reason I joined this forum was to understand about the problem with the 32xx movements! I came across the forum after searching for Rolex warranty!

Exactly. When people have issues they will often search online and join forums to find out more.

The fact we don't have new members joining every day with the same issue shows that it's not as widespread as people are making out.

[Mystro]

Of course watchmakers are seeing a lot of sick 32 series movement. A Emergency Room sees a lot more sick people than the local Gym. There is nothing to infer about the correlation. .....

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by JParm

Is this like the car forums where you hear more about problems because there's a louder minority with the problems than the quiet majority who don't actually know they have a problem or don't care they do?

Fixed that for you

Joking aside, when our resident RSC watchmaker says he believes all 32** will develop the low amplitude problem, its not quite the same as the louder minority with/silent majority without. It is, in fact, closer to my edit of your comment

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Of course watchmakers are seeing a lot of sick 32 series movement. A Emergency Room sees a lot more sick people than the local Gym. There is nothing to infer about the correlation. .....

This is not a good analogy for the situation. This is more akin to a cancer doctor saying he is seeing an abnormally higher amount of colon cancer patients, even in people that do not fit the risk profile at all. And saying he believes Acme Sausage is causing it, the ingredients themselves are faulty so if you eat Acme Sausage then eventually you will get cancer, and that the himself will avoid eating Acme Sausage.

Now, it's a totally different BUT FAIR point to say you like Acme Sausage so much that you are willing to take the risk of eating it and hope you don't get colon cancer until you are 80. Or if you get it, you will just get treatment and hope for the best.

But if you are going to deny the doctor's findings altogether, then you should have a valid reason for doing so.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by diver2012

Exactly. When people have issues they will often search online and join forums to find out more.

The fact we don't have new members joining every day with the same issue shows that it's not as widespread as people are making out.

That’s part of the difference between an issue that degrades performance vs. the watch stopping altogether. The Omega 2500 had tons of forum threads and concern 10-15 years ago, because the movement would go from running well to seemingly stopping out of nowhere, which anyone would notice.

This 32xx issue is more complicated, because it’s a slower degradation that most won’t likely notice until it’s WAY off, and the timeline may be extended enough that it will seem like a normal 5 year service interval (although Rolex says we should hope for ten.)

Plus, the 32xx is relatively new in most models. Few people have had the new Sub longer than a couple of years. When all of the 32xx models have been out 5+ years, things could change.

Oddly enough, I still occasionally see people argue in Omega forums that the 2500 movement is fine, while Omega themselves released four variants to fix it and then scrapped it altogether.

[Chewbacca]

Just ordered RLX32XX as Iliana’s new Ferrari license plate, to match the towing and service invoices.

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Sorry for your thread, OP, some gentlemen can't read or understand.

Indeed, but par for the course and was expecting it. I did get some terrific responses though, and I myself am leaning towards keeping my 32xx watches for now and playing things by ear instead of hastily selling them.

Having said that, I'm still quite shocked that people are just totally ignoring Bas's thoughts on the issue. Now, it's totally different to acknowledge the issues and think the risks are worth taking (my stance) or express your views that Bas is just wrong about this (in which case you better be able to explain why). And of course not just Bas but some other watchmakers have weighed in with similar thoughts. But the amount of people saying there are no issues at all or that this is hyped/overblown when an actual RSC watchmaker on a Rolex forum has said otherwise is just mind boggling to me.

Of course, I watched The Big Short and lived through that whole mess. Human psychology is interesting even in the face of obvious issues.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Of course watchmakers are seeing a lot of sick 32 series movement. A Emergency Room sees a lot more sick people than the local Gym. There is nothing to infer about the correlation. .....

Sure there is, when one can compare to 31xx movements that are considerably more numerous. The 32xx has only recently been put in service across the line. There should be relatively few coming in at all.

We’re getting away from the thrust of the thread, but I’m surprised at the pushback. We can’t deal with a problem if we refuse to even identify it as a problem.

[Mr. Drunmond]

2018 SD43 owner, with no issues, but do believe there is some percentage with issues. Is that 2% or 30% who knows. I know we have a poll here and it is 25%, but we arent a normal sampling.

But assuming rolex is a rational actor, they must believe it is a small enough percentage and /or the current movements fixed the earlier issues, to put the movement in everything they make now.

You would not put it in your highest running lines if you thought your RSCs would be bombarded with warranty work. That's just not how businesses are run.

So, i wouldn't hesitate to buy a new Rolex. I might give pause to a used one from 2017-2020 even though i have one.

[DG123]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Sorry for your thread, OP, some gentlemen can't read or understand.

Everyone replying to this thread is literate.

[diver2012]

It was 25% of people within the Watch Tech section of the forum.

That's like asking how many people in the Audi service centre waiting room have issues with their car.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by diver2012

It was 25% of people within the Watch Tech section of the forum.

That's like asking how many people in the Audi service centre waiting room have issues with their car.

That thread spent a long time in the general forum before being moved to the tech section, and the poll numbers didn’t dramatically change after the move.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Devildog

If only Rolex were as committed perhaps it would have been fixed by now

Even can see the humour in that

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[poppyoua12]

I’m running about -7 seconds a day on my sub it’s not enough for me to take it in for service at this time if it gets worse maybe I will take it in but it’s been consistent at -7 for a year and a half now

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by franktehtank

Strategy? Wear it, enjoy it, if it breaks, get it fixed. What strategy is there?

Exactly, and fixed under warranty.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by DG123

Everyone replying to this thread is literate.

Exactly why he’s on my ignore list.

Knowledgeable perhaps, but also a bit of a _____ you fill in the blank.

[febie111]

Originally Posted by tifosi

Any watch that has a crown logo between Swiss and Made on the dial.

OK thanks.

[rcwatchcollector]

What about just sending in the watch for service at the 5 year mark even if running well. To fit in the 5 year warranty and get the issue potentially averted. ??


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[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by rcwatchcollector

What about just sending in the watch for service at the 5 year mark even if running well. To fit in the 5 year warranty and get the issue potentially averted. ??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah but what if it’s happens again in say, Year 6?

[DC116710LN]

Originally Posted by Mr. Drunmond

You would not put it in your highest running lines if you thought your RSCs would be bombarded with warranty work.

I tend to agree. I don't doubt that there is an issue but it seems unlikely that Rolex would continue to introduce more and more models featuring a "destined to fail" movement knowing that they will need to complete warranty work at no charge

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by febie111

OK thanks.

Plus ALL SD43s. They didn't have the crown there for the first year or so

[DG123]

Is the problem that the watch stops running completely, no longer keeps time, or what?

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by DC116710LN

I tend to agree. I don't doubt that there is an issue but it seems unlikely that Rolex would continue to introduce more and more models featuring a "destined to fail" movement knowing that they will need to complete warranty work at no charge

They'll be playing the numbers game.

The percentage that identify the issue and seek remedy will be low. There will be many who don't know or care and there will be many who don't have the issue at all and who, with luck, never will.

To admit and recall on that basis would be a PR disaster.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by DG123

Is the problem that the watch stops running completely, no longer keeps time, or what?

The watch will run impeccably for an indeterminable amount of time. It then starts running slow - at first a few seconds a day and eventually worsens.

Mine was +1 second a week (yes - a week) for nearly 4 years and one week it was 5 seconds behind and that became - 10 seconds a day.

[DG123]

Originally Posted by Devildog

The watch will run impeccably for an indeterminable amount of time. It then starts running slow - at first a few seconds a day and eventually worsens.

Mine was +1 second a week (yes - a week) for nearly 4 years and one week it was 5 seconds behind and that became - 10 seconds a day.

10 seconds per day is the worst of it?

[Nads786]

We need to list out all the factors for someone considering purchasing a brand new Rolex in 2023:

Entry criteria:
1) Milestone in 2023
2) Desire for a specific model where buying can't wait
3) AD gives them the call

Range of outcomes:
1) No adverse movement impact - 30%
2) Degradation of movement - 30%
3) Severe Degradation of movement - 30%
4) Total failure - 10%

Remedies:
1) Frequent servicing post warranty - potential cost of $5,000 lifetime of watch
2) Rolex solves the issue
3) Total failure and brand new movement inserted - $5,000 one time fee


What am I missing for someone who is interested in buying a Rolex in 2023? The key question is do you want the watch this year, and is your reason strong enough to justify the probable maintenance risk and possible total failure risk.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by DG123

10 seconds per day is the worst of it?

No, it may continue to degrade.

Have a look at this thread

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=786299