Quick Review of a gen 3235 movement
Ok guys, today I’m sharing some thoughts about the new 3235 movement, not sure whether there has been a review before or not.
I recently acquired a gen 126300 with jubilee and blue dial.
Originally I was searching for a 126334 but this came as a good deal and I catched it. I thought to myself, if I get the hands on a fluted bezel, I will replace one day.
First you need to know that I am very sensitive if it comes to movements, rotor noise, date discs and cyclops.
As I received the watch, my first impression was that it feels a bit light. Ok, this is affected by the jubilee bracelet. But then I shaked it and I was completely shocked. Rotor noise was like a 2836 movement. For a second I was really scared that I got probably cheated. And due to new time setting direction of 3235 you can’t be sure from „outside“ because it’s same as ETA. Thus, I took my tools and opened the case back directly.
In addition, I used google search to understand whether I am the only one facing this problem or not. I learned, that the new movement has a ball bearing based construction for the rotor. I new what this means. It’s same as ETA, eg 2836 movements uses and also Daytona 4130 uses such a construction. 3135 movements had a jewel based rotor construction. While it seems, that for this new ball bearing construction it is easier to replace single parts, it has the natural effect that you can hear it more obvious than previous 3135 based movements.
I was still shocked, so I checked whether there is a decorated clone movement out there. And indeed, Noob has a decorated one. But look at the pics and you will see from certain details that it’s only a clone / decoration.
To be 100% sure, I dropped also some pics to my friend interaktiv and he did confirm that everything looks gen to his eyes.
However, I was curious and went to 3 Rolex ADs. 2 of them had the typical TT Datejust models on display and one had a new SeaDweller two tone with new movement as well. I tried all of them and shaked the watches. I think ADs thought that I am crazy. LOL. However, it turned out that all of them have the same „noises“. Maybe some little nuances in volume but all of them are clearly to hear. Even such a bold and masculine watch like the new SeaDweller.
Somehow this did really shock me and I am not sure, if I will buy further 3235 watches. If you tap on the sapphire with your fingers, you can „feel“ the shock absorber, if you shake it you can hear the rotor, if you lift it, it feels a bit too light. Honestly, I am disappointed and I might go back to 6 digits with „old“ movement.
There is one more thing I noticed after opening the case back:
The movement does not fill the full case.
It looks like it’s mounted with a spacer ring. I think it’s not and it just looks like. You can also see the back of the dial (gold edges). This is a no go for me. If I am not wrong, all previous watches which had larger diameters (like Datejust II which really had 41mm or Milgauss or Explorer II) used modified 3135 movements like 3136 to fit better into the case. In addition, 3135 movements fitter perfectly into 36 and 40mm cases. And this? This looks like an ETA mounted with cheap movement screws. Again, I am so disappointed and really don’t know at the moment how to deal with this.
I would love to have a Datejust on jubilee but the old Datejust II doesn’t exist officially on jubilee and the new one has this shitty movement.... I don’t care whether the new construction is even more easy to service or whatsoever, but clearly thumbs down Rolex for this „cheap“ feeling movement.
Just my two cents and I am curious what other members will say.
Was using some pics from puretime to compare this.
If this is wron mg section, feel free to move wherever it is appropriate.
Now onto the pics
Ok guys, today I’m sharing some thoughts about the new 3235 movement, not sure whether there has been a review before or not.
I recently acquired a gen 126300 with jubilee and blue dial.
Originally I was searching for a 126334 but this came as a good deal and I catched it. I thought to myself, if I get the hands on a fluted bezel, I will replace one day.
First you need to know that I am very sensitive if it comes to movements, rotor noise, date discs and cyclops.
As I received the watch, my first impression was that it feels a bit light. Ok, this is affected by the jubilee bracelet. But then I shaked it and I was completely shocked. Rotor noise was like a 2836 movement. For a second I was really scared that I got probably cheated. And due to new time setting direction of 3235 you can’t be sure from „outside“ because it’s same as ETA. Thus, I took my tools and opened the case back directly.
In addition, I used google search to understand whether I am the only one facing this problem or not. I learned, that the new movement has a ball bearing based construction for the rotor. I new what this means. It’s same as ETA, eg 2836 movements uses and also Daytona 4130 uses such a construction. 3135 movements had a jewel based rotor construction. While it seems, that for this new ball bearing construction it is easier to replace single parts, it has the natural effect that you can hear it more obvious than previous 3135 based movements.
I was still shocked, so I checked whether there is a decorated clone movement out there. And indeed, Noob has a decorated one. But look at the pics and you will see from certain details that it’s only a clone / decoration.
To be 100% sure, I dropped also some pics to my friend interaktiv and he did confirm that everything looks gen to his eyes.
However, I was curious and went to 3 Rolex ADs. 2 of them had the typical TT Datejust models on display and one had a new SeaDweller two tone with new movement as well. I tried all of them and shaked the watches. I think ADs thought that I am crazy. LOL. However, it turned out that all of them have the same „noises“. Maybe some little nuances in volume but all of them are clearly to hear. Even such a bold and masculine watch like the new SeaDweller.
Somehow this did really shock me and I am not sure, if I will buy further 3235 watches. If you tap on the sapphire with your fingers, you can „feel“ the shock absorber, if you shake it you can hear the rotor, if you lift it, it feels a bit too light. Honestly, I am disappointed and I might go back to 6 digits with „old“ movement.
There is one more thing I noticed after opening the case back:
The movement does not fill the full case.
It looks like it’s mounted with a spacer ring. I think it’s not and it just looks like. You can also see the back of the dial (gold edges). This is a no go for me. If I am not wrong, all previous watches which had larger diameters (like Datejust II which really had 41mm or Milgauss or Explorer II) used modified 3135 movements like 3136 to fit better into the case. In addition, 3135 movements fitter perfectly into 36 and 40mm cases. And this? This looks like an ETA mounted with cheap movement screws. Again, I am so disappointed and really don’t know at the moment how to deal with this.
I would love to have a Datejust on jubilee but the old Datejust II doesn’t exist officially on jubilee and the new one has this shitty movement.... I don’t care whether the new construction is even more easy to service or whatsoever, but clearly thumbs down Rolex for this „cheap“ feeling movement.
Just my two cents and I am curious what other members will say.
Was using some pics from puretime to compare this.
If this is wron mg section, feel free to move wherever it is appropriate.
Now onto the pics
