Hi! I never worked on a 3235 movement but I am starting out poorly!! I purchased on Ali a few weeks ago with the intention of building my own replica of the 12610. I pulled the stem out while in winding and pressed on the top release and it came out easily. I than went to put back in and it went in with a little twist and turn and right back in. Problem is that is it!! It does not wind, change date or time it is loose and not catching. What did I do wrong??? Did I pull out in wrong position, or put back wrong. Shoud I have pushed on the release while pushing in. The stem is locked into one position which does nothing. It will not pull out at all. I dont want to force it. I tried taking out and putting back a few time and get the same result. Do I now have a paperweight?? Can Anyone help me with this??? Thanks
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3235 movement stem problem
- Thread starter Gfpatt
- Start date
I learned the hard way that the 3235 you have to remove the stem while on the time setting position. Probably needs a reset.
I thought it was supposed to be in winding position! So it has to be removed while in time setting!! Thanks!! Really appreciate that!!
- 12/3/18
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32xx stems should be removed and replaced in the time setting position, same as 31xx. It is usually necessary to press the stem release button in when replacing the stem.
You didn't say if
- you have dial and hands on already
- you are familiar with how to remove and replace a train bridge
In any case, 32xx movements have a new part that interacts with the stem called the intermediate winding gear. It has a spring washer on top of it (bottom of movement side) that pushes the gear down into a stem detent when the detent is positioned under the gear post. This spring washer on rep movements is cheap and flimsy, causing the gear post to get stuck sometimes. You can see the position of this gear on the backside of the movement (see pics below)
In the first pic, the top red arrow points to the top of the gear post. If it is depressed down into the train bridge hole, that may be what is preventing your stem from going in. In this scenario, the problem is not related to the keyless works.
Some more info about this rep winding gear part in the post below. Best option for a fix is just to buy a gen part.
Post #2682
forum.replica-watch.info
If your winding gear spring appears to be functioning correctly (see next post for how to test), then of course the keyless works should be disassembled then reassembled. A 3235 isn't the best movement to learn how to do this, especially since you can't even get a copy of the service manual (it's digital and protected). You could figure it out with a 3135 service manual and by taking pics before and after every part removal.
You didn't say if
- you have dial and hands on already
- you are familiar with how to remove and replace a train bridge
In any case, 32xx movements have a new part that interacts with the stem called the intermediate winding gear. It has a spring washer on top of it (bottom of movement side) that pushes the gear down into a stem detent when the detent is positioned under the gear post. This spring washer on rep movements is cheap and flimsy, causing the gear post to get stuck sometimes. You can see the position of this gear on the backside of the movement (see pics below)
In the first pic, the top red arrow points to the top of the gear post. If it is depressed down into the train bridge hole, that may be what is preventing your stem from going in. In this scenario, the problem is not related to the keyless works.
Some more info about this rep winding gear part in the post below. Best option for a fix is just to buy a gen part.
Post #2682
VSF 126610 Submariner with VS3235 Latest Movement 72 Hours Power Reserve
Looking at my 126610 and my gen GMT II, I see a similar cyclops distortion on the gen. It’s not something I ever noticed. Yikes that's going to be hard to unsee, sorry bro. You might have saved us all a bunch of money though. I'm pretty easy when it comes to living with flaws - my gen 16710...
forum.replica-watch.info
If your winding gear spring appears to be functioning correctly (see next post for how to test), then of course the keyless works should be disassembled then reassembled. A 3235 isn't the best movement to learn how to do this, especially since you can't even get a copy of the service manual (it's digital and protected). You could figure it out with a 3135 service manual and by taking pics before and after every part removal.
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- 12/3/18
- 37,417
- 79,615
- 113
@Gfpatt
To test your intermediate winding gear functionality (and see if it is stuck down), you can insert a needle into the empty stem hole and push it back up. If it stays up, the spring washer is shot, it should spring back down with no stem or needle pushing it up. This will also tell you if it is stuck down due to a binding or partially sheared washer. If it is operating normally, try replacing the stem while holding the stem release button down, and rotating the stem a bit as you replace it.
Note that some movements take more pressure than others on the stem release button to push the setting lever out of the way of the stem. If you've confirmed that the intermediate winding gear is working properly, there is no reason you can't be a little more aggressive pushing the stem release button down since a keyless reset will be necessary anyway if you can't replace the stem.
Pics of keyless works. It's not terribly difficult to disassemble and reassemble if you take it slowly and carefully.
To test your intermediate winding gear functionality (and see if it is stuck down), you can insert a needle into the empty stem hole and push it back up. If it stays up, the spring washer is shot, it should spring back down with no stem or needle pushing it up. This will also tell you if it is stuck down due to a binding or partially sheared washer. If it is operating normally, try replacing the stem while holding the stem release button down, and rotating the stem a bit as you replace it.
Note that some movements take more pressure than others on the stem release button to push the setting lever out of the way of the stem. If you've confirmed that the intermediate winding gear is working properly, there is no reason you can't be a little more aggressive pushing the stem release button down since a keyless reset will be necessary anyway if you can't replace the stem.
Pics of keyless works. It's not terribly difficult to disassemble and reassemble if you take it slowly and carefully.
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Hi!! Thanks for all the info! I have another one coming today. When I pull out the stem you press the release button and while in time setting! So do you press the release button when reinstalling the stem?? I don’t want to screw up the new one ! ThanksTo test your intermediate winding gear functionality (and see if it is stuck down), you can insert a needle into the empty stem hole and push it back up. If it stays up, the spring washer is shot, it should spring back down with no stem or needle pushing it up. This will also tell you if it is stuck down due to a binding or partially sheared washer. If it is operating normally, try replacing the stem while holding the stem release button down, and rotating the stem a bit as you replace it.
Pics of keyless works. It's not terribly difficult to disassemble and reassemble if you take it slowly and carefully.
Last edited:
- 12/3/18
- 37,417
- 79,615
- 113
Yes. I added this text to my last post since you read it.
"Note that some movements take more pressure than others on the stem release button to push the setting lever out of the way of the stem. If you've confirmed that the intermediate winding gear is working properly, there is no reason you can't be a little more aggressive pushing the stem release button down since a keyless reset will be necessary anyway if you can't replace the stem."
This is the new one coming in today.
When I go to reinstall of the stem after install of dial and hands, you press the release button while reinstalling??
When I go to reinstall of the stem after install of dial and hands, you press the release button while reinstalling??
Hi! I seen you already answered that you need to press the release in time setting and also when reinstalling, the release button needs to be pressed! Thanks for your help!!
Thanks for all the help! Got the 2nd movement today and removed the stem in time changing while pressing the release. And put the stem back while pressing the release and no problems!! Also regulated the movement with no issues. Got it to .1 beat error +3 sec and a good amplitude of 280! Now onto building the watch!
saucin
Renowned Member
- 20/4/20
- 587
- 578
- 93
Hey KJ, I'm curious if you know what my issue could be... it seems very similar to this, but at the same time different. I have a YM 40mm with the 3235 movement and when I attempted to pull out the crown to set the time, the entire crown and stem came out. I tried to reinsert the stem, and I did so successfully; however it will not "Lock" into place... I can wind the watch, and set the date (if i pull it out slightly to trigger the gear change), but am unable to stop the seconds hand and set the time. Does this sound a problem with the keyless system and requires that to be reset? Or is there (hopefully) a more simple solution?32xx stems should be removed and replaced in the time setting position, same as 31xx. It is usually necessary to press the stem release button in when replacing the stem.
You didn't say if
- you have dial and hands on already
- you are familiar with how to remove and replace a train bridge
In any case, 32xx movements have a new part that interacts with the stem called the intermediate winding gear. It has a spring washer on top of it (bottom of movement side) that pushes the gear down into a stem detent when the detent is positioned under the gear post. This spring washer on rep movements is cheap and flimsy, causing the gear post to get stuck sometimes. You can see the position of this gear on the backside of the movement (see pics below)
In the first pic, the top red arrow points to the top of the gear post. If it is depressed down into the train bridge hole, that may be what is preventing your stem from going in. In this scenario, the problem is not related to the keyless works.
Some more info about this rep winding gear part in the post below. Best option for a fix is just to buy a gen part.
Post #2682
VSF 126610 Submariner with VS3235 Latest Movement 72 Hours Power Reserve
Looking at my 126610 and my gen GMT II, I see a similar cyclops distortion on the gen. It’s not something I ever noticed. Yikes that's going to be hard to unsee, sorry bro. You might have saved us all a bunch of money though. I'm pretty easy when it comes to living with flaws - my gen 16710...
If your winding gear spring appears to be functioning correctly (see next post for how to test), then of course the keyless works should be disassembled then reassembled. A 3235 isn't the best movement to learn how to do this, especially since you can't even get a copy of the service manual (it's digital and protected). You could figure it out with a 3135 service manual and by taking pics before and after every part removal.
- 12/3/18
- 37,417
- 79,615
- 113
That's possibly a keyless issue bro. They are much less common in the 31xx 32xx but can happen. It's also possibly the setting lever post broke off, which is a known fault of some 3235s.
Either way the hands, dial and datewheel need to come off to troubleshoot. A setting lever part won't be easy to find if it's a VS.
saucin
Renowned Member
- 20/4/20
- 587
- 578
- 93
dang that kinda sucks... probably best off sending it to a watchmaker here to troubleshoot, or just buying a new movement and swapping it myself. Same exact thing happened to a previous 3235 I had (I just dont wear it lol), a friend's 3235 yachtmaster, and now this one... based on how often it happened, i'm assuming its the setting lever.
- 12/3/18
- 37,417
- 79,615
- 113
I haven't seen any VS3235s on Ali for quite a while now - they may be discontinued or just not available aftermarket. There is a "new generation" 3235 that is all you see on Ali. I've replaced a VS3235 with a VR that has not given me a single issue.
The movement linked below is being called an SH, but it's identical to the VR. A hybrid with the 3135. What's new about it is the balance assembly, the same mod the VR V2's got.
$108.81 50%OFF | Watch Accessories New Version of 3235 Movement Replaces The Swiss Original Blue Oil Filament Shanghai 3235 Movement
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saucin
Renowned Member
- 20/4/20
- 587
- 578
- 93
This is fantastic information. Very much appreciated. I messaged my TD to see if he’d be willing to fix, if not I’m absolutely getting these movement. Thanks so much!!!