Advice on GMT

[sub2011]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Condition is everything.

Personally I prefer the 3185 movement because the GMT mechanism hardly wears out, whereas the 3186 will always shred its stud/post to bits after a couple of years.

The 3185 might have more gear play but I do not consider the 86 to be an upgrade.
They definitely improved the design on the later 3285 though, that GMT mechanism seems rock solid so far.

Hi Bas, can you please elaborate this: "the 3186 will always shred its stud/post to bits after a couple of years". Thanks in advance

[springer]

Originally Posted by Bsp32

Hi all,
I am trying to decide on a GMT-II from 2005-07 with 3185 movement with box and papers or a 2008 with 3186 but no Box and papers? Assuming the price is roughly the same, which would you go for and why?
Thanks!

The complete set would be my preference. A movement number change with a new hairspring means very little to most collectors as found in the 3186.

[ColoradoTime]

I’d agree with many of these responses. I was weighing out these options as well recently.

I think having box and papers is worth it. I think that it is an important part of the watch’s history and also suggests to me that the original owner probably cared for it enough to keep everything for all those years.

The 3186 was uncommon and commanded a premium when prices went crazy and demand was high - but I think that has cooled. I don’t think most collectors put a premium on it currently IMO.


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[youneswatches]

I will go with the one that is in good condition.

[jimcarver]

Best condition one wins for me.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by sub2011

Hi Bas, can you please elaborate this: "the 3186 will always shred its stud/post to bits after a couple of years". Thanks in advance

The 3186 uses a thin post on which the GMT wheel and its spring turns. Aside from early 86s breaking the spring (which was updated) they also just really wear that post out, this is an issue that the 3185 never had.
I therefore think that the 3185 is the superior movement.

The 3285 fixes this problem by not having the post in the first place, and upgrading the point of friction to a ceramic bushing, but still using the more modern click design that the 3186 had. So you don't get the gear play from the 3185 design, nor the wear and tear from the 3186.

[Bsp32]

Thanks for everyone’s thoughts and expertise. I decided against the 3186 because on closer inspection the bezel had some dents, and any of the 3186s with B&P or running thousands more than I was looking to pay for a watch that I plan to enjoy on my wrist.
I had pretty much decided on a 3185 with B&P, but found one without that was in really good condition, tight band, good price, reputable dealer. Figure I can always have it serviced and get a warranty card from Rolex.
And thanks again

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by SearChart

The 3186 uses a thin post on which the GMT wheel and its spring turns. Aside from early 86s breaking the spring (which was updated) they also just really wear that post out, this is an issue that the 3185 never had.
I therefore think that the 3185 is the superior movement.

The 3285 fixes this problem by not having the post in the first place, and upgrading the point of friction to a ceramic bushing, but still using the more modern click design that the 3186 had. So you don't get the gear play from the 3185 design, nor the wear and tear from the 3186.

Hype vs reality. Thanks for shedding some light on this, Bas!
dP

[georgew]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Hype vs reality. Thanks for shedding some light on this, Bas!
dP

yep, some good information

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by SearChart

The 3186 uses a thin post on which the GMT wheel and its spring turns. Aside from early 86s breaking the spring (which was updated) they also just really wear that post out, this is an issue that the 3185 never had.
I therefore think that the 3185 is the superior movement.

The 3285 fixes this problem by not having the post in the first place, and upgrading the point of friction to a ceramic bushing, but still using the more modern click design that the 3186 had. So you don't get the gear play from the 3185 design, nor the wear and tear from the 3186.

Thank you Bas, always love hearing your insights.

So the 3285 is good for something then

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Hype vs reality. Thanks for shedding some light on this, Bas!
dP

Originally Posted by georgew

yep, some good information

Originally Posted by brandrea

Thank you Bas, always love hearing your insights.

So the 3285 is good for something then

Definitely!