Movement record · Switzerland

Rolex Calibre 3135

Partially verified

A robust in-house self-winding calibre with a free-sprung, adjustable-mass balance, produced in very large numbers and forming the backbone of Rolex's core professional and dress models for over two decades.

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Technical specifications

Diameter: Approx. 28.5 mm
Height: Approx. 6 mm
Jewels: 31
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve: Approx. 48 hours
Winding: Self-winding, Perpetual rotor
Setting: Twinlock/Triplock screw-down crown on most applications
Escapement: Swiss lever with Rolex's own pallet and escape-wheel production
Balance: Glucydur balance with Breguet overcoil, later Parachrom hairspring on some variants
Complications: Date (Cyclops-magnified on many dials), Date

Identification features

Free-sprung balance with poising weights on the rim rather than a conventional index regulator on later examples
Full bridge over the balance
Microstella adjustment nuts on the balance rim
Blue Parachrom hairspring in later movements
Full balance bridge
Free-sprung balance adjusted by Microstella nuts
Bidirectional winding via reversing wheels; quick-set date

Known variants

Numerous internal revisions across its production life; later replaced by newer in-house calibre families
3155 (day-date)
Successor calibre 3235 from 2015
3185/3186 (GMT)
3235 (successor with Chronergy escapement)

Servicing notes

Serviced almost exclusively through Rolex's own service network or specialists with equivalent parts access.

General guidance only. Antique movements should be serviced by a qualified watchmaker.

Historical significance

Rolex automatic movement with date, introduced in 1988 and used for about three decades; known for its full balance bridge, free-sprung Microstella balance and Parachrom hairspring in later production.

Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller 116660 Blue Dial 'James Cameron' — amh1988, CC0. Wikimedia Commons file page

Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller 116660 Blue Dial 'James Cameron' (cropped and turned) — Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller 116660 Blue Dial 'James Cameron' — amh1988, CC0. Wikimedia Commons file page

Sources & references

Rolex service literature as summarised in independent technical guides
Specific internal revision dates vary between secondary sources
de Carle, D., Watch and Clock Encyclopedia
Period trade material catalogues and calibre reference compilations (edition-dependent)
Published manufacturer technical documentation where available

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.