Grail Watch Reference

A Reference Library for Watches from Grail Watch

Rolex 3055

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Cal. 3055 was the fifth-generation Day-Date movement, produced from 1977 through 1988 and used in the famous “President” Day-Date watch model. It was part of the Rolex 3000 family of movements, developed alongside the Oysterquartz Cal. 5000 series with which it shared many components. Cal. 3055 was retired in 1988 in favor of the updated Cal. 3155.

  • Rolex Day-Date, Ref. 18000, 18026, 18028, 18029, 18038, 18039, 18046, 18048, 18049, 18078, 18079, 18178, 18206, 18208, 18238, 18239, 18248, 18249, 18308, 18348, 18368, 18369, 18388, 18389

Compared to the predecessor Cal. 1556, Cal. 3055 was much-improved. The balance speed was increased from 19,800 to 28,800 A/h and it gained a quickset date feature, though it only advances the date wheel. The hacking balance wheel features a Breguet overcoil and Microstella regulation.

It is a 28,800 A/h 12.5 ligne movement with bi-directional automatic winding and chronometer certification. The movement is 28.5 mm in diameter, with 27 jewels. It has a power reserve of 48 hours. The date is quick-set in crown position 2 but the day function is not quickset as on later movements. Note that many sites list the thickness or height of the movement at 6.3 mm but the official Rolex parts diagram shows it as 7.11 mm.

The movement can be manually wound with the crown in position 1. Rotate the crown clockwise to wind the mainspring.

The date wheel is advanced with the crown in second position (one notch out). Turn the crown counter-clockwise to advance the date wheel by one day.

The time is set with the crown in third position (pulled all the way out). Rotate the crown counter-clockwise to advance the minute and hour hands and clockwise to turn them backward.

3000 Family3100 FamilyParachrom FamilyChronergy Family
1977-20011988-20102005-present2015-present
Time Only300031303130
3132
Milgauss3131
Datejust303531353135
3136		3235
Day-Date305531553155
3156		3255
GMT307531753187
GMT II3085318531863285

Rolex 3000 Family

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Rolex developed the Cal. 3000 family in the 1970s just as quartz movements were taking over the market. It was designed to replace the Cal. 1500 family of movements and was developed alongside the Oysterquartz Cal. 5000 family. The Cal. 3000 movements represented a new standard for movement design and production in the 1970s and are respected today for their durability and simplicity.

These movements operate at 28,800 A/h and measure 12.5 ligne (28.5 mm) in diameter. They feature bi-directional automatic winding and most are chronometer certified. The movement are 5.8 to 6.3 mm thick, with 27 jewels. They have a power reserve of 48 to 50 hours. Unlike later Rolex movements, which use a balance bridge, Cal. 3000 movements feature a simple clockwise balance cock.

Cal. 3000 lasted in production until 2001

Most movements in this family use a free-sprung Breguet overcoil and all have a hairspring glued to the balance stud. They all also feature Microstella regulation on the balance. Notably, Cal. 3000 was the last Rolex movement to not feature a Breguet overcoil for the hairspring. Despite the choice of a flat hairspring, Cal. 3000 achieved Chronometer certification, with accuracy of +4/-6 seconds per day.

Setting the time on the Cal. 3000 family of movements is “backward” from usual expectations, with the crown rotated counter-clockwise to advance the hour and minute hands. This was changed in the follow-on Cal. 3100 movements, but remains an item of lore among Rolex fans.

The Cal. 3000 family began in 1977 with Cal. 3035, famously used in the Rolex Datejust and Submariner models, and was phased out in favor of the Cal. 3100 family beginning in 1988. But Cal. 3000, introduced in 1989, lasted in production through 2001.

1500 Family1520 Family1560 Chronometer1570 Family3000 Family
Time Only15301520156015703000
Milgauss1580M
Datejust15351525156515753035
Day-Date155515563055
GMT1565GMT1575GMT3075
GMT II3085
3000 Family3100 FamilyParachrom FamilyChronergy Family
1977-20011988-20102005-present2015-present
Time Only300031303130
3132
Milgauss3131
Datejust303531353135
3136		3235
Day-Date305531553155
3156		3255
GMT307531753187
GMT II3085318531863285

Rolex 3035

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Cal. 3035 was an automatic movement with date produced by Rolex from 1977 through 1988. Developed alongside the Oysterquartz 5035, Cal. 3035 represented a new standard for movement design and production in the 1970s. Cal. 3035 was phased out in 1988, replaced by the updated Cal. 3135.

Cal. 3035 was used in many famous Rolex models in the 1980s, notably the Submariner.

  • Rolex Date, Ref. 15000, 15003, 15007, 15008, 15010, 15017, 15018, 15037, 15038, 15053
  • Rolex Date, Ref. 15148
  • Rolex Date, Ref. 15200, 15203, 15210, 15223, 15238
  • Rolex Date, Ref. 15505
  • Rolex Datejust, Ref. 16000, 16003, 16008, 16009, 16013, 16014, 16018, 16019, 16030, 16058, 16078
  • Rolex Datejust, Ref. 16200, 16203, 16220, 16233, 16234, 16238, 16248, 16250, 16253, 16258
  • Rolex Sumariner, Ref. 16800, 16803, 16808
  • Rolex Sea-Dweller, Ref. 16600, 16660

Compared to the predecessor Cal. 1575, Cal. 3035 was much-improved. The balance speed was increased from 19,800 to 28,800 A/h and it gained a quickset date feature, though it only advances the date wheel. The hacking balance wheel features a free-sprung Breguet overcoil hairspring and Microstella regulation.

It is a 28,800 A/h 12.5 ligne movement with bi-directional automatic winding and chronometer certification. The movement is 28.5 mm in diameter and 6.3 mm thick, with 27 jewels. It has a power reserve of 48 hours.

The movement can be manually wound with the crown in position 1. Rotate the crown clockwise to wind the mainspring.

The date wheel is advanced with the crown in second position (one notch out). Turn the crown counter-clockwise to advance the date wheel by one day.

The time is set with the crown in third position (pulled all the way out). Rotate the crown counter-clockwise to advance the minute and hour hands and clockwise to turn them backward.

3000 Family3100 FamilyParachrom FamilyChronergy Family
1977-20011988-20102005-present2015-present
Time Only300031303130
3132
Milgauss3131
Datejust303531353135
3136		3235
Day-Date305531553155
3156		3255
GMT307531753187
GMT II3085318531863285

Miyota 8205

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Part of the Miyota Cal. 8200 family, Cal. 8205 is a day-date central seconds automatic movement produced since 1977. Cal. 820A is substantially similar but better finished, with ribbing on the reverse side and a slotted rotor. A gilt version of each is also available.

These movements feature a bilingual day wheel. Offerings include English/Japanese, English/Spanish, English/French, English/German, English/Portuguese, and English/Chinese. Additionally, vertical (window at 6:00) versions are available in English/Spanish and English/Chinese.

All members of the Miyota 8200 family have indirect seconds, which causes a noticeable wobble to the central seconds hand. When struck, the seconds hand can appear to pause for up to 2 seconds due to slack in the movement.

Similar movements include Cal. 8200, 8200A, 8203A, and 8205A. Cal. 8285 is a related day-date movement with an outer date wheel and larger main plate.

Hand WindingAutomaticAutomatic
24 Hour Hand at 9:00
Central Seconds8270
8270A
8260 (Date)
8260A (Date)		8200 (Day-Date)
8200A (Day-Date)
8203A (Day-Date)
8205 (Day-Date)
8205A (Day-Date)
820A (Day-Date)
8210 (Date)
8210A (Date)
8215 (Date)
8215A (Date)
821A (Date)
8228A (Open)
8285 (Day-Date)
82S0 (Open)
8N24 (Skeleton)
8N26 (Skeleton)		8217 (Date)
Small Seconds at 4:308218 (Date)
82S5 (Open)
8N40 (Skeleton)		8219 (Date)
82D7 (Open)
82S7 (Open)

Miyota 8215

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Part of the Miyota Cal. 8200 family, Cal. 8215 was introduced in 1977 and remains in production as of 2019. Cal. 821A is substantially similar but better finished, with ribbing on the reverse side and a slotted rotor. A gilt version of each is also available.

All members of the Miyota 8200 family have indirect seconds, which causes a noticeable wobble to the central seconds hand. When struck, the seconds hand can appear to pause for up to 2 seconds due to slack in the movement.

Similar date-only movements in the Miyota 8200 family include Cal. 8210, 8210A, 821A, 8215A, and the hand-winding 8260 and 8260A.

Cal. 8215 is used by SevenFriday. Cal. 821A is used by Laco.

Sea-Gull’s Cal. ST1612 is similar in design to the Miyota 8215.

Date at 3:00Date at 6:00
Black on White
Date Wheel		8215-21A
821A-43D
821A-43A		8215-1TH
821A-43Z
White on Black
Date Wheel		8215-1AV821A-43K