Watch Doctor’s 3185 vs. 3186

[DramaTurtle]

I came across this article as I own both movements. Curious to see what you guys think about the issues presented!

http://blog.watchdoctor.biz/2018/02/...-3185-vs-3186/

[sillo]

Never had an issue with my 3186. Just get the issue corrected whenever it's due for service.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by sillo38

Never had an issue with my 3186. Just get the issue corrected whenever it's due for service.

I've not had an issue with mine either......but it is a widely known problem.

[henrylee]

Hah I wonder why the 16710 with the 3186 movement are worth double.

[Euge]

Got 2 3186 with no issues....




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[padi56]

Originally Posted by henrylee

Hah I wonder why the 16710 with the 3186 movement are worth double.

Mainly the internet generated hype,and today many buy hype over the actual watch.

[Andad]

I have seen the schematics of the 3185 and 3186 date change spring and the 3186 spring was considerably thinner in the first models.
I have no idea why this change was made and expect Rolex reverted to the original design?

I remember a thread where a GMT owner was boasting as to how fast he could change the date.
I doubt that this would extent the life of the weaker date change spring on the first run of 3186 movements.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by pickettt

I've not had an issue with mine either......but it is a widely known problem.

It's widely known, especially on the forum, but how many people have actually experienced the problem?

We're also at the point where the early 3186 that suffered from this design flaw should all have been serviced and corrected. Yes that's wishful thinking since plenty of people forego servicing for absurdly long intervals, but if it breaks at this point you probably needed a service anyway and if it hasn't then it wasn't an issue to begin with.

[SubMarine]

Would the replacement part be just as weak? Or can a 3185 part be borrowed?

[sillo]

Originally Posted by SubMarine

Would the replacement part be just as weak? Or can a 3185 part be borrowed?

I’m pretty sure Rolex revised the part. I just don’t have a source right this second.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by sillo38

It's widely known, especially on the forum, but how many people have actually experienced the problem?

We're also at the point where the early 3186 that suffered from this design flaw should all have been serviced and corrected. Yes that's wishful thinking since plenty of people forego servicing for absurdly long intervals, but if it breaks at this point you probably needed a service anyway and if it hasn't then it wasn't an issue to begin with.

I have seen many broken springs in the early 3186 movements, and I haven't been working as a watchmaker for a very long time...

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by sillo38

I’m pretty sure Rolex revised the part. I just don’t have a source right this second.

Correct. New GMT wheel to accommodate the updated (stronger) spring.

I still think the 3185 is better than the 3186, as the 85 has no issues whatsoever, yet even the updated 86 grinds its axle on which the GMT wheel turns to shreds, meaning you'll have to replace the axle and wheel every time.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by padi56

Mainly the internet generated hype,and today many buy hype over the actual watch.

This exactly. I'd choose a 3185 model over it every single time, the GMT mechanism is just better and it being cheaper is a good thing for me

[Ashton_Horologist]

No, the two parts are not interchangeable between calibers. There is no need to worry about this. All watch movements have flaws. There are positive and negative aspects of both styles.

I would argue that a far greater problem with the 3186 is the post that this wheel actually sits on. It is frequently chewed up and needs replacing. But like I said, all movements have weak points and that is they need servicing. It is a fact of like that everything goes downhill. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

[Ashton_Horologist]

Originally Posted by SearChart

This exactly. I'd choose a 3185 model over it every single time, the GMT mechanism is just better and it being cheaper is a good thing for me

Sure, but it doesn't actually affect the consumer in a huge way... The part fails and it gets replaced. You can't say the 3185 has no issues whatsoever. Why did Rolex replace it in the first place?

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Ashton_Horologist

No, the two parts are not interchangeable between calibers. There is no need to worry about this. All watch movements have flaws. There are positive and negative aspects of both styles.

I would argue that a far greater problem with the 3186 is the post that this wheel actually sits on. It is frequently chewed up and needs replacing. But like I said, all movements have weak points and that is they need servicing. It is a fact of like that everything goes downhill. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Yep, 3186-5044.... God I hate that little post I now put them in epilame to make sure the lubricant won't get away.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Ashton_Horologist

Sure, but it doesn't actually affect the consumer in a huge way... The part fails and it gets replaced. You can't say the 3185 has no issues whatsoever. Why did Rolex replace it in the first place?

Too much gear play was the reason for the upgrade. Granted it is indeed improved in the 86, but not massively.

[Ashton_Horologist]

One could argue that from a purely horological standpoint the 3186 has longer serviceability. It is at its core more low tech. A post that gets chewed, a spring, and a wheel. They are all parts that can be made by hand on a watchmaker's lathe. The convoluted weel of the 3185 would be nearly impossible to reproduce by hand.

Now, I am looking at them from a purely restoration perspective in 50 years time, but that is something to consider...

[sillo]

How long was the movement in production before the revised spring was implemented?


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[TheDude]

My 3186 was one of the first M serial Ceramic GMTs, purchased in October ‘07.

Never serviced, doing just fine. Spun many a turn ‘round the dial to set the date.


I have had a Panerai P9000 break from that though...


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[Euge]

Just wondering if someone can tell me if the 3186 that have had this issue broke when changing fast the date between 9pm and 3am,
Or is this movement good to go ahead and do the fast changing without any issue at any given time???

Im always careful to change the date on my watches with both hands down pretty much 6:30 am or pm.
Just in case.....


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[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Euge

Just wondering if someone can tell me if the 3186 that have had this issue broke when changing fast the date between 9pm and 3am,
Or is this movement good to go ahead and do the fast changing without any issue at any given time???

Im always careful to change the date on my watches with both hands down pretty much 6:30 am or pm.
Just in case.....


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Won't matter since the quickset is done by clicking the hour hand and not a regular quickset mechanism.

[Euge]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Won't matter since the quickset is done by clicking the hour hand and not a regular quickset mechanism.

I suspected that, but didn’t know for sure.
So it doesn’t hurt me at all changing the date at 6:30,
It’s like a common practice....


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[4BostonB]

Originally Posted by Euge

I suspected that, but didn’t know for sure.
So it doesn’t hurt me at all changing the date at 6:30,
It’s like a common practice....


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On the GMT you can change the date using the jumping hour hand at any time. You can also go backwards.