What's the Word on Calibre 3120?

I would like to get the opinion of the experts regarding AP Calibre 3120? The reason I'm asking is because, from a mere aesthetics standpoint, I find myself drawn to the newer incarnation of the Royal Oak (15400) vs the traditional Jumbo (15202), notwithstanding the latter's greater faithfulness to the original and the quality/historical significance of calibre 2120 (JLC920).

I absolutely don't want to turn this thread into a pros and cons for either Royal Oak. My only concern is to get as enlightened an opinion as possible on the quality, sturdiness, serviceability, and reliability of Calibre 3120. The only objective and detailed information I have been able to obtain regarding it is this 10-year old, very thorough review of the caliber by Suitbert Walter (http://www.p178host.com/apgallery/3120/), which I read as very positive regarding the caliber's design and construction.

On the other hands, the various forums appear to be littered with comments regarding alleged reliability problems for the 3120, ranging from poor accuracy, problems with the date change mechanism, and just overall lackluster reliability. However, it is very hard for a non-expert like me to determine whether there is any real issue behind those, or whether these comments are just mere repetitions by non-owners of "stuff they've read elsewhere", without actual first-hand experience or data.

I would expect that if there were ever a good place to get "l'heure juste" (pardon the pun) regarding this caliber, it would be here. I'm hoping that either watchmakers or people with significant amounts of experience with the caliber can chime in and give me the real lowdown on Calibre 3120. Real info vs hearsay...

Thanks for enlighting me!

Best regards,

Claude

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I am happy to share my personal views Claude.

By: MichaelC : February 9th, 2015-10:56

I feel my opinions on this topic are well supported, as I have now owned several Caliber 3120 and 3126 powered watches (the 3126 essentially adding the chronograph module to the 3120 base movement) for many years. Let's take each of your points to examine...

My personal experience -

By: Mally : February 9th, 2015-20:32

I actually wanted to pick up the jumbo 15202 at the Geneva boutique. They had one in RG - I won't deny it felt nice on the wrist but I was keen on the SS & the SS was on a 90 day waiting. The price difference was there but to me, at the price point, n...

For me...

By: emijar3 : February 9th, 2015-21:23

I had an issue with my 15400 and the movement. Had been using the watch pretty much over the last 2 years.. the watch suddenly stopped and the began working again... two days before the warranty expires I sent the watch to AP Service Center and the did ma...

It's been great so far

By: rnaden : February 10th, 2015-01:17

From personal experience with the 3120 in my 15450, it performs flawlessly. I use this as my "go to" watch and for the last 1 year, it's performed perfectly, not skipping a beat, and just gets the job done accurately, whether on the wrist or in the winder...

My opinion

By: ciaca : March 12th, 2015-05:18

Is that the 3120 calibre is a good modern automatic winding movement without any particular solution or excellence. An ordinary workhorse like many others you could find in many other watches costing less then the AP's. No comparison at all is possible wi...

Sure

By: Android : June 25th, 2016-14:06

Yeah, the 3120 might be an ordinary workhorse like you say, but how it gained the title of the finest mechanical watch movement? Surely not because it's ordinary..

I can't see my 3120...

By: Horologically_minded : June 26th, 2016-03:27

But only because my AP diver has a solid caseback. Otherwise, it has worked like a charm for the past two years, and hopefully many more! J