Rolex Bubbleback 3696 Movement Issue: Watchmaker Help

rennfahrer · Mar 19, 2026

Hello all:

I just purchased a 3696 Bubbleback which is in amazing cosmetic condition, but the movement runs poorly: it runs but in the dial up position it starts “galloping” and slowing down and stopping in the crown down position.

Can anyone point me to a trusted watchmaker who has a particular expertise in Bubblebacks?

Thanks.
Patrick

Endshake · Mar 19, 2026

Those early Rolex Models have fairly simple automatic movements. A good Professional watchmaker should be able to find the issue. The Problem is the spare parts. Those are hard to find. But maybe he doesn‘t Need spare parts.

Mark020 · Mar 19, 2026

Where do you live? And indeed parts can be a PITA

Dan S · Mar 19, 2026

RWT on RF.

alexei.joukovski · Mar 20, 2026

I used michael young in hong kong for my bubbleback. It took about 18 months though to source a reversing gear for the automatic winder. It was ticking at the time but I didn't realise it had teeth missing on some gears. At the time I had given it a service and couldn't get it right so decided to use a rolex pro.

Rolex Bubbleback 3696 Movement Issue: Watchmaker Help

rennfahrer

Endshake

Mark020

Dan S

alexei.joukovski

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