A modern Submariner bites the dust…

[MTROIS]

Hey guys. Haven’t posted here in a little while as life has come in the way lately, but I figured I would at least post my recent and (very) disappointing experience with my new Rolex Sub 124060 just acquired this past March.

Now, mind you, I didn’t take it exploring the Marianna trench or even underwater lost worlds. In fact, I didn’t even take it past the depths of my local swimming pool (or of my desk “diving”).

I didn’t take it to the highest summits of the Himalayan chain, nor of the Alps… just in the Jura and Black Forest mountains.

I didn’t take it spelunking in the deepest caves, just took it to my basement’s cellar.

And despite what I feel has been quite a mundane 6 month long of horological life, the watch has suddenly started to lose 20-30 seconds a day! Took it to one of the Bucherer locations while I was in Switzerland and once put on the timegrapher, the tech confirmed that the watch now shows a very poor amplitude and that it is indeed losing between 20-25 sec per day.

Conclusion: it will need to go back to the Rolex Service Center for a check up.

I am OBVIOUSLY not trying to dish the watch or the brand, nor trying to start a Rolex vs. Omega discussion, but I will certainly say that this is quite a disappointment.
I already knew that the new 32xx movement calibers were plagued with some issues when they came out a few years ago, but I thought these had been fixed.
Anyhow, good thing I was not exploring the farthest territories of Earth when it happened, and fortunately I was able to switch back to a trusted companion: one of my Speedies!!!

 

[blufinz52]

That's gotta be disappointing, sorry to hear about that. I've had my 124060 for almost a year and it has run flawlessly, as did my previous 114060 for 7 years. I'm sure the RSC will sort it out.

 

[Davidt]

Interesting as this is the first issue I’ve heard of with a non date 32xx movement. All the issues seem to relate to day-dates, datejusts, GMTs etc.

Clearly there’s an issue with the movement though.

 

[MTROIS]

Davidt

Interesting as this is the first issue I’ve heard of with a non date 32xx movement. All the issues seem to relate to day-dates, datejusts, GMTs etc.

Clearly there’s an issue with the movement though.

My brother’s Sea Dweller started to malfunction after 3+ years of daily wear and that one has also a date movement, indeed.

 

[MTROIS]

blufinz52

That's gotta be disappointing, sorry to hear about that. I've had my 124060 for almost a year and it has run flawlessly, as did my previous 114060 for 7 years. I'm sure the RSC will sort it out.

Up to that point, the watch was running at a quite remarkable 0-+0.5s/day and so is my BLNR with a 3185 movement for the past 9 years now (I actually had to check my notes as I couldn’t believe that it has been nearly 9 years since I bought that one!!! Don’t feel any younger now… )… so, Yes, it is a bit of a letdown.

 

[HamDoctor]

A letdown indeed, but I hope Rolex comes through for you and fixes the problem ... permanently. Good thing this is still under warranty.

I know that experiences like that can sour a relationship with a watch, so ideally, see it as a new watch when it returns from service. Just a hiccup at the start of your relationship, and who knows, maybe afterwards you get to climb the highest mountains and dive the deepest seas with it ... or the deskiest desks, if that's what you prefer ;-)

 

[YY77]

MTROIS

I already knew that the new 32xx movement calibers were plagued with some issues when they came out a few years ago, but I thought these had been fixed.

I recall a recent post from @Archer;

Archer

The 3230 series suffers from low amplitude, accuracy issues, prematurely worn seconds wheels, and sometimes even snapped off pallet forks. Rolex doesn’t appear to have solutions to these problems yet, many years into the life of the movement.

The 3861 issues were solved within months of it coming up on forums, so these are not analogous situations.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/so-how-does-the-jump-hour-in-the-85-8900-work.161148/#post-2201425

 

[Aroxx]

Sorry to hear about the watch but glad to see you back and posting. Hopefully Rolex can get it fixed up for you once and for all.

 

[spacemission]

All brands make mistakes. I know some rolex fans that can not stand it.

 

[watchyouwant]

You took it to the enchanted Black Forrest? Oh Dear .... Don't do that.