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maverick · 10 August 2005, 05:26 AM

I notice we are getting a list of serial numbers and dates. This is from a post from J. Dowling. I thought this info might be interesting reading. The only correction on this is a Rolex was found in a shop new, never sold, and was 12 years old with the original paperwork. JD bought it.
=) maverick

"When we were putting our serial number list together we only used what I like to consider verifiable information. We did NOT use the dates watches were sold; we only used the UK hallmark dates and the date code numbers stamped inside the back.

The UK hallmarks are quite specific as they change every January 1st and every gold or silver item sold in the UK has to be hallmarked BEFORE sale. So, it is safe to assume that Rolex UK would send them for hallmarking as soon as they arrived from the factory.

The longest I have ever seen between manufacture and sale of a modern watch is 7 years and that was a screw pusher Daytona. So sale dates are really not much guide to manufacture.

There is also the problem that Rolex would introduce a watch in one country first and might wait a couple of years before it was launched in another country, but the watches would all come from the same batch.

It's a freaking minefield & I find as many anomalies as I do ones that fit into the structure."

JJ Irani · 10 August 2005, 05:55 AM

Thanks, Dennis, good info!!

dman · 10 August 2005, 12:58 PM

Great info Dennis, thanks Pal.

It is amazing how that one letter in the alphabet can make grown men go nuts to have the latest.

padi56 · 10 August 2005, 05:33 PM

Yes agree 100% don't know what all the fuss to get the latest date letter.
Hallmarks silver or gold,cannot be reliable as date of manufacture thats only
when the case was assayed especially difficult in vintage watches.

Mr. K · 10 August 2005, 06:31 PM

There is a lot to consider when buying a watch. The condition, the seller, when it was last overhauled.

If you buy used, the condition and price will play the biggest factor IMHO.

But as far as the SN letters go, if I am paying retail and buying new. All things being equal I would like the latest SN letter. If I get a discount, then all bets are off.

But if there are three watches in the case, one is a Y SN, one is a F SN and one is a D SN, I'll take the D.

It will differ between models. I know the DD SNs may be older, that is fine. But if you are buying a Sub, I think you should expect a very recent SN.

I've seen DJ watches in dealers cases that have A or P SNs, now if the oils do dry with age, they will need an OH sooner than a D SN. Granted I live in a somewhat rural Japanese town and that watch will probably sit for another few years before it gets sold.

More recent SN watches should be easier to sell. For example 2 watches, same condition, same price. One is a Y SN, one is a D SN. Which one will sell first?

SN may not be perfect in dating a watch, but at least it is something.

Anyway just my random thoughts for the good of the cause...

maverick · 11 August 2005, 02:42 AM

The point is YOU do not know if the "D" was manufactured prior to the "F". So you may NOT be buying the "newest" watch, just the "newest" letter designation. But I do understand your point, which is perpetuated by the assumption that the latest serial number = latest manufactured watch, which may or may not be true. =) maverick

10 August 2005, 05:26 AM	#1
maverick Banned Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: maverick Location: Prescott Watch: Rolex Posts: 1,180	A word on Rolex numbering system FYI I notice we are getting a list of serial numbers and dates. This is from a post from J. Dowling. I thought this info might be interesting reading. The only correction on this is a Rolex was found in a shop new, never sold, and was 12 years old with the original paperwork. JD bought it. =) maverick "When we were putting our serial number list together we only used what I like to consider verifiable information. We did NOT use the dates watches were sold; we only used the UK hallmark dates and the date code numbers stamped inside the back. The UK hallmarks are quite specific as they change every January 1st and every gold or silver item sold in the UK has to be hallmarked BEFORE sale. So, it is safe to assume that Rolex UK would send them for hallmarking as soon as they arrived from the factory. The longest I have ever seen between manufacture and sale of a modern watch is 7 years and that was a screw pusher Daytona. So sale dates are really not much guide to manufacture. There is also the problem that Rolex would introduce a watch in one country first and might wait a couple of years before it was launched in another country, but the watches would all come from the same batch. It's a freaking minefield & I find as many anomalies as I do ones that fit into the structure."

10 August 2005, 05:55 AM	#2
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,319	Thanks, Dennis, good info!! __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

10 August 2005, 12:58 PM	#3
dman Lifetime TRF Patron Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: Daren Location: Austin Watch: the road Posts: 13,585	Great info Dennis, thanks Pal. It is amazing how that one letter in the alphabet can make grown men go nuts to have the latest. __________________ You either get it or you don't, if you have to ask, YOU DON'T!! I really hope that midget cop doesn't find me in Kokomo.

10 August 2005, 05:33 PM	#4
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 52,766	Yes agree 100% don't know what all the fuss to get the latest date letter. Hallmarks silver or gold,cannot be reliable as date of manufacture thats only when the case was assayed especially difficult in vintage watches. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

10 August 2005, 06:31 PM	#5
Mr. K "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: Mark Location: Seattle-ish Posts: 6,054	There is a lot to consider when buying a watch. The condition, the seller, when it was last overhauled. If you buy used, the condition and price will play the biggest factor IMHO. But as far as the SN letters go, if I am paying retail and buying new. All things being equal I would like the latest SN letter. If I get a discount, then all bets are off. But if there are three watches in the case, one is a Y SN, one is a F SN and one is a D SN, I'll take the D. It will differ between models. I know the DD SNs may be older, that is fine. But if you are buying a Sub, I think you should expect a very recent SN. I've seen DJ watches in dealers cases that have A or P SNs, now if the oils do dry with age, they will need an OH sooner than a D SN. Granted I live in a somewhat rural Japanese town and that watch will probably sit for another few years before it gets sold. More recent SN watches should be easier to sell. For example 2 watches, same condition, same price. One is a Y SN, one is a D SN. Which one will sell first? SN may not be perfect in dating a watch, but at least it is something. Anyway just my random thoughts for the good of the cause... Last edited by Mr. K; 10 August 2005 at 06:34 PM..

11 August 2005, 02:42 AM	#6
maverick Banned Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: maverick Location: Prescott Watch: Rolex Posts: 1,180	The point is YOU do not know if the "D" was manufactured prior to the "F". So you may NOT be buying the "newest" watch, just the "newest" letter designation. But I do understand your point, which is perpetuated by the assumption that the latest serial number = latest manufactured watch, which may or may not be true. =) maverick

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