Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door is a phrase attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson in the late nineteenth century.
I was thinking about this phrase when I was working on 2 Rolex watches this month. One of the most popular models that I work on is the GMT and GMT 2. While I was working on the newer model that uses a Rolex movement #3186, I started thinking of the comparison between this movement and the #3185. I thought that this would make an interesting comparison blog post. So here we go:
Rolex 3185 vs 3186 Movement
Both the 3185 and 3186 are basically a standard 3135 with the only changes in the date. If you read last weeks blog post, you will note that I voted the Rolex #3135 as my favorite watch to repair.
The standard 3135 is a solid no nonsense movement, both in the train side and also the date. Nothing fancy, it is simple and easy to work on, no surprises. One of the reasons that I enjoy working on a Rolex movement is the high quality, sturdy design and well thought out layout, how the parts fit etc. That is why I am a bit disappointed in the 3186. I will show you why I really dislike this one over its older version the 3185.
Rolex Movement #3185
It is easier to show you a few pictures of each movement so that you can see how they are alike and how they differ. All of the differences that I will discuss are in the date and quick-set.
Rolex Movement #3186
In the last 6 weeks, I have worked on 2 #3186 movements and both needed a new jump hour click spring!
Which one do you think does the better job?
23 Comments
John Phillipp
From a total novice… Why complicate and make it less effective. Seems counterintuitive to the earlier statement regarding the Rolex movement having a “solid no nonsense movement.” Thanks for the Rolex lesson!
Mike Graves
Great and valuable data, Mark. I was going to say – as always – and that’s true, but this blog post is going to guide me when I buy my first Rolex. Which model(s) should I look for in order to get the 3185? Thanks!
Joe
Rolex GMT Master 1. The GMT Master II uses the newer movement.
Zak
Not true.
I have a 16713 GMT master II with the 3185 movement
Stefano
Wrong! GMT II uses both 3185 and 3186.
The one with 3186 are rarer and most valuable (do not ask me why)
Juan
I have a 16570 G series ( 2010 ) with the 3186 mvmt , that after nine years, never had a date change problem . Keeps time perfectly well , only + 1 sec in 24 hs . Couldnt´t Rolex have fix that issue , after five years of production , started in 2005 , and mine is 2010 . Anyway the 3186 has the parachrom hairspring , and the hour hand doesn´t wobble anymore , like the 3185 does . I think Rolex knows what they do .
Justin
I always liked the game of mousetrap!
A
Which mouse trap. Lol
Phil Wolf
Thanks, Mark! I think you might have just made my Explorer 3185 a star … should be here in tomorrow’s mail.
Chuck tortorice
Mark, another excellent digest of the operating descriptions of two fine instruments—a great buying guide.
Christian
The irony is that, for the discontinued Rolex explorer II (16570), there was a small batch that was produced with the 3186 caliber and subsequently they are commanding higher prices in the used market… I am glad of this because I recently purchased a 16570 and narrowed my search to the more affordable refs with the 3185 caliber!
Barry
Nice article. Thanks Mark
Darin Tornatore
Great read. Thanks for your expertise Mark.
P.S. just curious what my movement is on my datejust. Do you happen to have that on file. Please pm me if you get a chance.
Christian Salcedo
Do you know if this issue was corrected in the newer 3187?
Ken Mazur
Mark, you are currently working on my Rolex, which model do I have?
Tom Gonzales
Now I know you are a hard core “techie” kind of watch maker. You have a great ability to see things and wonder why sometimes, manufactures “over bloat” systems, as you scratch your head in frustration and wonder “but why”! I am faced with this all of the time, which is why I still wear a simple mechanical watch. Simplicity, here is a good reason for it. The other day, my well connected friend and I were out hiking, of course while he was busy texting until his battery died, go figure! Three miles down the trail he wanted to know what time it was but realized that he forgot to charge that “thing” on his wrist he calls a watch. Not having all of that high tech stuff working at least on this day, he asked me a simple question, hey Tom, what time is it!
Tick – Tock – Tick – Tock well at least mine works!
William H Fite
Hi Mark,
Thanks for another interesting discussion. I know you are primarily a Rolex guy but I’m surprised that you prefer the Rolex 3135 to the Omega 8800 or 9300. Comments?
Manh Pham
From your blog: 2 #3186 movements and both needed a new jump hour click spring!
Is this part easily damaged from hitting something while being on somebody’s wrist? Is this part innovated from the earlier version #3185? Based on your preference and judgment, does this innovation on the #3186 affect the reputation of the Rolex Company that makes it? Thank you so much for your professional blog, Mark!
Jesse Enriquez
This is a very revealing piece of writing based on evidence too!
It makes you wonder why the 116710 BLNR and 116710 LN are very sought after!
Having said that, is it true that the models released after 2015/16 had a corrected and improved spring?
I heard from TRF that Rolex has quietly replaced these spring.
As a watch doctor, what’s you take on this?
Thank you from New Zealand!
Jan White
Interestingly, when I sent in my 16710 (bought new in 1989) for service in 2016, they couldn’t repair the 3185, so they replaced it with the 3186. They also replaced the dial, hands, crystal and band as I had pretty much worn it out. The only original part left was the case. Boy, that sure wasn’t an inexpensive service!
Dave Bellamy
Thanks very much for this excellent article and for your considerable expertise. I have just recently decided to make the 16570 my grail watch, and have been researching the different versions and movements. I was leading toward The newer 3186, but after reading this article I will be looking for a 3185, which will also save me considerable money! I appreciate this very much.
David Jackson
I agree the 3186 seems retrograde. I have one in service at the moment and the gear above the jump hour click spring is reluctant to come off (am I missing a trick?) so that I can’t finish removing the motion work.
Mike
I have a 16710 that I purchased in 1989 (even has open 6s and 9s). It has a 3185 on board and has been working flawlessly for 30 years. Can’t beat that. Don’t know why they changed it.