Upgrading 3135 Movement with Parachrom Blu

[AConnolly]

Hey guys,

Does anyone know if an RSC can upgrade a 3135 movement to have the parachrom blu movement on request?

Has anyone ever actually had this done?

I'm aware that the Nivarox and Parachom Blu have very similar real world properties and that no one would probably ever be able to tell the difference in real world scenarios, but I'm still curious to know if such an upgrade is possible.

I called the RSC in Toronto and asked them that question point blank, and they couldn't come up with an answer. The ended up letting me go without providing any real information..

Thanks for any information guys!

Andrew

[japenney]

No they will not do this.

[IT Nerd]

I believe that when the hairspring needs replacement, they will put a blue one in during service. I think that any watchmaker with a Rolex parts account would be able to it though.

[AConnolly]

Originally Posted by japenney

No they will not do this.

Are you sure? Even on request? and if not, do you know if there is a technical reason why? or do you have any other information about it?

[tomchicago]

They will not do this as a matter of policy.

[japenney]

Originally Posted by AConnolly

Are you sure? Even on request? and if not, do you know if there is a technical reason why? or do you have any other information about it?

Think about it. Rolex designs the Parachom Blu hairspring as a incentive for people to buy their new watches. Why would they put a Parachom Blu hairspring in an old watch? It would be a terrible marketing strategy...and if Rolex are masters of anything its marketing.

[AConnolly]

Originally Posted by japenney

Think about it. Rolex designs the Parachom Blu hairspring as a incentive for people to buy their new watches. Why would they put a Parachom Blu hairspring in an old watch? It would be a terrible marketing strategy...and if Rolex are masters of anything its marketing.

I get it but the problem is when you're in an AD you have no real idea how old the watches are. Especially around the time that these springs were just being released how would you even know if you were buying one or not?

[japenney]

Originally Posted by AConnolly

I get it but the problem is when you're in an AD you have no real idea how old the watches are. Especially around the time that these springs were just being released how would you even know if you were buying one or not?

The parachrom blue hairspring really does not do much in real life compared to a generic hairspring...its all marketing. If you really want to make sure your specific watch of interest has one just do a bit of research and make sure it has a 3186 movement....etc.. Fairly sure most have been 3186 since 2008 or so???

[Tools]

Originally Posted by AConnolly

I get it but the problem is when you're in an AD you have no real idea how old the watches are. Especially around the time that these springs were just being released how would you even know if you were buying one or not?

You don't.

The parachrom was being used in 3130 and 3135 movements for quite a while before the enthusiast community was aware of it.

They did begin advertising the parachrom in some models with 3135's like the Sub Date, but others, like the 14060 (3130), and likely other OP models, have been found with one and it was never advertised as such.. especially those in the last years of production.

[Jocke]

If Rolex refuse to do it, you have to do it yourself.

Click here to find out.

[AConnolly]

Originally Posted by Jocke

If Rolex refuse to do it, you have to do it yourself.

Click here to find out.

Awesome! At least now I know it's technically possible. :)

[AConnolly]

Originally Posted by Tools

You don't.

The parachrom was being used in 3130 and 3135 movements for quite a while before the enthusiast community was aware of it.

They did begin advertising the parachrom in some models with 3135's like the Sub Date, but others, like the 14060 (3130), and likely other OP models, have been found with one and it was never advertised as such.. especially those in the last years of production.

Would you expect a ref 116234 from 2007 would have one?

[Meme-Dweller]

If you think about it, you're technically paying money to make your watch a frankenwatch.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by AConnolly

Would you expect a ref 116234 from 2007 would have one?

That is possible for sure, but only one way to find out and that is to open it.
The parachrom is a novelty and while the anti magnetic properties are nice it doesn't really add any value and it isn't more accurate either.

[AConnolly]

Originally Posted by SearChart

That is possible for sure, but only one way to find out and that is to open it.
The parachrom is a novelty and while the anti magnetic properties are nice it doesn't really add any value and it isn't more accurate either.

Thanks for the input. I'm slowly starting to not care one way or the other now. Thanks!

[xjeeunitx]

Originally Posted by AConnolly

Would you expect a ref 116234 from 2007 would have one?

From what I understand, they started to add the new blue hairsprings in 2010 with the G serials. I don't think late M or V serials have them.

[Andad]

My M Pepsi has one.

[padi56]

The parachrom was first introduced way back in 2000 with the cal 4130 in the Daytona but then it was more of a grey colour now its blue by some chemical prosses. Now if the parachrom was so wonderful dont you think Rolex would have introduced it to all of there line up instead of waiting almost 10 years to do so.One of the main reasons for Rolex to become self sufficient in escapement parts was perhaps down to this. The Swatch company the owner of Nivarox-Far stated that they might stop supplying parts to movement manufactures outside the Swatch group.

[Austin in Japan]

Originally Posted by padi56

The parachrom was first introduced way back in 2000 with the cal 4130 in the Daytona but then it was more of a grey colour now its blue by some chemical prosses. Now if the parachrom was so wonderful dont you think Rolex would have introduced it to all of there line up instead of waiting almost 10 years to do so.One of the main reasons for Rolex to become self sufficient in escapement parts was perhaps down to this. The Swatch company the owner of Nivarox-Far stated that they might stop supplying parts to movement manufactures outside the Swatch group.

There are a lot of reasons they might not have just suddenly switched to using the parachrom. They might have wanted to see how it performed in the real world. Had they noticed a problem, it would have been a disaster if every single one of their watches since a given year had it.

Another reason is that they might have had a ton of regular springs in stock and they didn't want to just throw them away, which they would have had to do if they just switched across the whole line.

[xjeeunitx]

Originally Posted by directioneng

My M Pepsi has one.

We're talking about the 3135 and not 3185/3186.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by AConnolly

Would you expect a ref 116234 from 2007 would have one?

They put them in all 4130 Daytonas beginning in 2000, then they blued and "introduced" them with much fanfare in the Ceramic GMT's 3186 in 2005.

When they introduced the first Ceramic Subs in 2007, they were advertising them as 3135's with Parachrom, as they still do.

Rolex never advertised other models until later, but enthusiasts have noticed that their 3130 Subs and Op's and other 3135 models were being fitted without any fanfare at all.

Since they have "blued" them from 2005 onward, it's a simple thing to open the back and look if you are curious.

The Parachrom has zero functional affect on your watches movement, you have to look to know.