VS3235 vs Gen 3235

[FDG]

I have had a few VS3235 movements and while they are good, they do not feel the same as my gen 3235 movements.

Specifically I am wondering what it is that makes the gen so much smoother when winding and operating the crown? E.g. which parts cause this difference.

Would it be possible to make the 3235 as smooth as gen?

 

[Zeta7]

I have had a few VS3235 movements and while they are good, they do not feel the same as my gen 3235 movements.

Specifically I am wondering what it is that makes the gen so much smoother when winding and operating the crown? E.g. which parts cause this difference.

Would it be possible to make the 3235 as smooth as gen?

Yes. I had my vs3235 movement Frankensteined and it’s amazing. I had it done a couple of weeks after getting it and it was a totally different watch after the work was done. It’s smooth as silk and performance is within COSC standards for certification. It was a bit pricey but worth every dollar.

 

[FDG]

Yes. I had my vs3235 movement Frankensteined and it’s amazing. I had it done a couple of weeks after getting it and it was a totally different watch after the work was done. It’s smooth as silk and performance is within COSC standards for certification. It was a bit pricey but worth every dollar.

Can you elaborate which parts were switched to gen?

 

[Zeta7]

Can you elaborate which parts were switched to gen?

I’ll see if I can find that info. I didn’t know my watchsmith was able to obtain gen parts so I sourced the parts from several different suppliers and it was around Christmas. Were you thinking about doing the work yourself?

 

[MaximillianGT]

I have had a few VS3235 movements and while they are good, they do not feel the same as my gen 3235 movements.

Specifically I am wondering what it is that makes the gen so much smoother when winding and operating the crown? E.g. which parts cause this difference.

Would it be possible to make the 3235 as smooth as gen?

I am not frankening a 3235 but a 4130, if you want it smooth when winding and the keyless, you should think about changing the setting lever, setting lever jumper, winding pinion, sliding pinion, setting wheel, the yolk, and the rotor (better do it in full set).

 

[FDG]

So basically the keyless works and winding gears are the differentiator?

The mainspring can be left stock VS?

 

[MaximillianGT]

So basically the keyless works and winding gears are the differentiator?

The mainspring can be left stock VS?

You are asking about the winding "smooth", and I gave you an answer. Of course you can change as much as you like, and the entire wheel train too, but is it cost-effective? And please be polite, I don't owe you anything. Am answering you just want to be nice.

 

[FDG]

You are asking about the winding "smooth", and I gave you an answer. Of course you can change as much as you like, and the entire wheel train too, but is it cost-effective? And please be polite, I don't owe you anything. Am answering you just want to be nice.

How was I impolite? I had not intention of doing that.

 

[Zeta7]

Like @MaximillianGT said you can go as deep as you choose but his solution will accomplish the smoothness during winding. You mentioned also swapping your mainspring. I’d definitely swap out the complete barrel and mainspring. Not so much because of the smoothness of winding but because the vs barrel is sealed and you can’t service the mainspring. The mainspring in vs3235 has more force than the gen if memory serves and you won’t get the 72 hours of power reserve anymore unless you change out some other stuff.
Please be polite to me too. I’m just trying to give you some information that I’ve picked up along the way. Nobody owes anyone anything. You weren’t impolite to me and I didn’t see anything in any of your comments here but it sounds like you have a history.

 

[FDG]

One of the things I noticed is when in the winding position, turning counter clockwise is smooth on VS3235 and on gen it has a distinct click.

I replaced the stem and lubricated the keyless works and it already improved the smoothness of the movement. Next step will be replacing parts with gen.

 

[Zeta7]

Make sure you buy new gen parts. Most come in blister packs. Just my humble opinion