Common Rolex Watch Movements

Rolex 1570 Movement

It wasn’t until 1957 that Rolex developed their own in-house movement, the 1500 series. They became a mainstay of the company, remaining in production for 20 years.  Both the 1560 and 1570 were COSC Certified.

To gain certified chronometer status, the calibers had to prove themselves accurate to within -4/+6 seconds a day over a 15-day period.

Rolex 3035 Movement

The first men’s high-beat caliber Rolex had ever made. It increased the balance speed from 19,800bph to 28,800bph.

It was this new speed on the 3035, causing the seconds hand to ‘tick’ eight times per second.

It was the first automatic caliber to feature a quickset function.

Rolex 3135 Movement

The 3135 still forms the basis of most modern Rolex movements. It includes an instantaneous date change at midnight. The 3135 is the basis for many variations.

• 3155 — day-date complication
• 3130 — no date
• 3131 — no date, with anti-magnetic shield
• 3132 — no date, with Paraflex anti-shock system
• 2235 — smaller with date (2236 gets an updated hairspring)
• 2230 — smaller without date

Rolex 3255 Movement

Introduced in 2015, the core technologies of the 3255 will likely soon be the basis for a majority of Rolex’s movements.

Rolex claims that the 3255 handily doubles the accuracy of +6/-4 secs/day set out by Switzerland’s official accuracy testing program, COSC.

Rolex 3186 Movement

Rolex’s 24-hour GMT movement (the 3187 picks up the Paraflex anti-shock system).

Rolex 9001 Movement

Model 9001. Rolex’s most complicated movement with two time zones and an annual calendar (Sky-Dweller only)

Rolex 4130 Movement

Model 4130. No-date chronograph movement (Daytona only)