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Are the Rolex Bubbleback movements really that bad?

M'Bob
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It’s rare in life to get consensus on ANYTHING. But every watchmaker I’ve ever spoken to, when asked about Bubbleback movements, say, “Stay away,” “They’re evil,” “Parts are impossible to get and expensive.”

If you’ve had any experience with these calibers, has it been a good one…or a nightmare?
 
Dan S
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I guess you mean cal 520/530? Some watchmakers certainly have parts for those movements. But obviously they're not easy to find, like other early Rolex automatics. If you know a watchmaker with a stash, that makes it easier to be confident buying old watches. Just in the last couple of years, I am feeling more and more that I want to be thoughtful about where I will get a watch repaired/serviced before buying, if I think the watch is going to need it. It's getting harder. Fortunately, I'm in good shape with Rolex and pretty good shape Omega, at least for the time being.
 
Adam2941
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Yes, stay away! More opportunities for the serious Bubbleback collectors to access nice examples! I have spoken to many watchmakers who have advised me to stay away from ALL vintage watches because parts are impossible to find. Some will not touch any watch made before about 2010, even for a standard service, in case they get into it and have trouble finding parts. Many watchmakers think it is crazy not to replace the crown with every service, even if it is a rare signed crown for a particular model, and they will throw the old crown away because they see no value in it. Some think it is crazy not to polish a case with every service to achieve a perfectly smooth and shiny finish. There are specialists in every field. Some watchmakers specialize in vintage watches, and some even specialize in vintage Rolex watches. If you take advice from non-specialists, then you will get non-specialist advice.
 
Larry S
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If
Adam2941 Adam2941
Yes, stay away! More opportunities for the serious Bubbleback collectors to access nice examples! I have spoken to many watchmakers who have advised me to stay away from ALL vintage watches because parts are impossible to find. Some will not touch any watch made before about 2010, even for a standard service, in case they get into it and have trouble finding parts. Many watchmakers think it is crazy not to replace the crown with every service, even if it is a rare signed crown for a particular model, and they will throw the old crown away because they see no value in it. Some think it is crazy not to polish a case with every service to achieve a perfectly smooth and shiny finish. There are specialists in every field. Some watchmakers specialize in vintage watches, and some even specialize in vintage Rolex watches. If you take advice from non-specialists, then you will get non-specialist advice.
If I encountered a watchmaker that refused ALL vintage, I’d not trust him with a battery change. I get that some guys only want to work on Omega etc.
 
Adam2941
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Nesbits in Seattle, highly regarded generally and in this forum, will not touch anything more than about 20 years old unless parts are still readily available , such as some ETA calibers, etc. But my point was that Rolex vintage, especially older examples like Bubblebacks, require specialist watchmakers, who do exist. So are parts hard to find? Yes. Can they be found? If you are willing to be patient and pay the costs as needed, yes.
Edited:
 
Archer
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Larry S Larry S
If I encountered a watchmaker that refused ALL vintage, I’d not trust him with a battery change. I get that some guys only want to work on Omega etc.

Actually, my old instructor would be like that. Nothing wrong with his abilities, because trust me he's very good (and largely responsible for the work I do today). But he made it clear he hated working on vintage. Not every choice is about ability...
 
Bernhard J
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I have a 3131 from about 1946 and it is in great condition. The movement is rugged and reliable. I would not think that there is a reason to stay away specifically from these. Following what you were told, one would have to stay away from all vintage watches.

Cheers, Bernhard
 
Larry S
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Archer Archer
Actually, my old instructor would be like that. Nothing wrong with his abilities, because trust me he's very good (and largely responsible for the work I do today). But he made it clear he hated working on vintage. Not every choice is about ability...
Fair point.
 
M'Bob
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Bernhard J Bernhard J
I have a 3131 from about 1946 and it is in great condition. The movement is rugged and reliable. I would not think that there is a reason to stay away specifically from these. Following what you were told, one would have to stay away from all vintage watches.

Cheers, Bernhard

Not exactly. These specific group of calibers have, allegedly, some design weakness that makes them problematic. I will consult a couple of watchmakers who may have an answer, and see if I can clarify.
 
M'Bob
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M'Bob M'Bob
Not exactly. These specific group of calibers have, allegedly, some design weakness that makes them problematic. I will consult a couple of watchmakers who may have an answer, and see if I can clarify.

One man’s/watchmaker’s take. 40 years at the bench:

“The movement in the bubble back, is known as the NA. It’s does have some unique parts. It has two circular stamps steel springs with four fingers on each one, that almost always are broken. It also has the super balance which can be staffed maybe once, if your’re extremely careful the first time. Also in my opinion it was not the best made movement. And have not held up over the last 80 years. They look neat, but as a watch not so much. Rolex didn’t get really good until the early 60’s. And now they are just window dressing.
My two cents…”
 
Fish70
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Adam2941 Adam2941
Nesbits in Seattle, highly regarded generally and in this forum, will not touch anything more than about 20 years old unless parts are still readily available , such as some ETA calibers, etc. But my point was that Rolex vintage, especially older examples like Bubblebacks, require specialist watchmakers, who do exist. So are parts hard to find? Yes. Can they be found? If you are willing to be patient and pay the costs as needed, yes.

It seems reasonable that Nesbits would only want to work on watches that have parts readily available. The last two watches they worked on for me were made in 1969 and 1975.
 
Bernhard J
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M'Bob M'Bob
And now they are just window dressing.

Well, I use mine and I have nothing to complain. In contrast to my GMT Master II. And I love the modest appearance. It does not yell "Rolex" and "luxury", even not in a 18K case.

Cheers, Bernhard
 
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