On the "issues" with the 32XX...

MegaSteel said:

I suspect that I have found the thread that you are referring to; it is what brought me here to ask again. I wanted a different perspective because until that thread my total exposure was throwaway, casual remarks made in passing about "issues" without any clarification or elaboration.

I also wanted the advice on older Explorer II watches.

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Well again, that thread has an actual RSC watchmaker saying he wouldn't buy a 32xx movement watch and that there still appear to be issues. I've also read other watchmakers with reservations about these movements in other mediums.

The only different perspective you should want is another skilled watchmaker who has worked on these movements saying the issues are overblown and there is nothing to worry about. I have yet to see this, even once. But am open to it of course. But in the absence about this, the only different perspectives available will not be rigorous but rather based on emotion or wishing.

If you are talking about 216570 vs 226570, the former's movements are quite bulletproof. IMO this is an easy decision as even aesthetically there's not that much change from old to new. Why even take the chance on the movement unless you absolutely must have brand new from AD (which if you do totally understandable of course). But there's also NOS models if you want unworn watches.

The decision is much harder for those that want a Submariner, considering the changes made to the 41mm. And if you want a stainless 6-digit Pepsi (like I did) then you literally have no choice. But Explorer II, I would definitely just go with the 216570.

This is the thread on The Rolex Forums: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=786299

Many of the people who have the 32xx problems have owned Rolex for a long time, often have many models with different calibers, and are obsessive with their timegrapher analysis, so the problem is real. Real to the point that some Rolex aficionados have sold all of their watches with the 32xx movement. Others have had to send in the same 32xx watch multiple times for the same problem. Rolex-trained watchmakers contribute to the thread, now 125 pages long.

I think there are several reasons why the problems with the 32xx movements aren’t common knowledge by now. Many new models either sit in a safe or are just flipped, rather than subjected to rigorous amplitude analysis. Many buyers, especially new buyers, don’t know a mainspring from a hairspring and couldn’t care less about the performance of the watch as long as it says Rolex on the dial. People with large collections who rotate watches regularly and aren’t scouring watch forums simply haven’t noticed (or are lucky so far). Others might have heard about the problem but are quaking in their boots worried that the value of their 32xx watches might go down and don’t want to contribute to the growing body of evidence. And some might simply be embarrassed that they spent wildly over retail for a watch that has a bum movement or might develop the problem.

I have a 2022 Air-King and my plan is to use the warranty period to see if my watch develops the problem. If so, I’ll send it in for service and immediately dump it and buy a JLC Polaris or similar. If the AK doesn’t develop the problem in 5 years I’ll consider myself lucky and will keep it.

One of the threads there asked for something like “show me your Rolex while pointing” and this is the photo I posted 😂:

Just my personal experience I've had a DJ36 go to RSC twice for the issue (I still have this watch because it's sentimental and it's doing well post 2nd visit), with 5 others go bad and I have sold, I don't really want to list them but it was awesome that you can move problematic watches very easily and some at a profit (this was never the intention). A RSC watchmaker confirms the issue on the other forum. Archer here has strong views on this topic. We know RSC Australia has a tonne of warranty work going on. I've had anecdotal confirmation from SAs that people are bring a fair few back. I recently got a batman and swaped it for a 2016 BNIB batman with a tiny bit of cash my way. The rolex part of my collection is dominated by daytonas and a sky dweller with two 32xx watches which appear to be fine (fingers crossed).

Personally, if and when offered by the AD I'll gladly buy, monitor and move. The one good thing about the issue is it's very easy to detect. If your timing sudden starts to go slow (normally +2 per day but it goes to -2) you simply throw it on a timegrapher and check the amplitude. 99% of the time you'll find that after 24hrs it can't hold 200 in vertical positions.

There are a lot of people who simply deny this issue exists. The thing is the TRF thread issues are actually understated in that 1. a lot of these watches aren't even worn 2. a lot of people don't wear the watch continuously meaning they won't pick up the issue until it's really bad. 3. some people don't even set the time when wearing these watches as they've just become status symbols.