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ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Real Name: Duh!
Location: Toronto Canada
Watch: a gonna do?
Posts: 2,573
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Rolex FAQ & FACTS
LETTER & SERIAL NUMBERS
Starting in 1987 Rolex started putting a letter in front of its serial numbers. The following is a list of letter and the year the series was introduced. Please note that it is not uncommon to find a mix of serial numbers mixed in. For example at my local AD here in Toronto they have Y, F and D serial watches available. What does this mean? Not much in terms of the watch itself other than the fact the the old serial number watches were/are less popular and they have had it sitting in their inventory for some time. This does not effect the factory warranty as it starts at the date of purchase and not the date of manufacturing. R 1987 L 1988 E 1990 X 1991 N 1991 (Nov) C 1992 S 1993 W 1994 T 1996 U 1997 (Aug) A 1998 (Nov) P 2000 (Jan) K 2001 (Sep) Y 2002 (Sep) F 2003 (Sep) D 2005 (Apr) Z 2006 (May) M 2007 (Aug) V 2008 (Aug) G 2010 (July) last of the single letter 6 number serials,from latter part 2010 some randoms started to appear these have now 8 digits mixture letters and numbers. G2010/ 2011 On Plus Randoms till present time HOLOGRAM ON CASE-BACK Does this guarantee the watch is real? Absolutely not, the counterfeiters have been putting on a hologram sticker on the back for years. The holograms can be purchased by the sheets on ebay so do not assume that because the watch has a sticker on the back that it is real. Do I decrease the value of the watch by removing it? Not at all, since over time the sticker will wear and become a sticky mess. Also like I said above fake stickers can be bought so ppl these days don't really care if the sticker is on the back. SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED What this means is that the watch has been tested by Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronometers (COSC) COSC is the swiss standard for testing watch movements. They are independent and every movement gets tested with the same standards. A movement that is COSC certified is accurate from -4 to +6 seconds a day anything in that range is acceptable. So if your watch is slow 4 seconds a day or fast 6 seconds a day (or anywhere in between) don't worry about it. SERVICING How often should I service my Rolex? NOTE: this is just the typical guideline that Rolex recommends in their literature, it is not engraved in stone, many have gone decades without servicing and have perfectly running timepieces. The main thing is to have it pressure tested annually by a Rolex certified watchmaker, especially if it is a divers watch. The main reason for a annual check is to make sure that the case is waterproof. The test is free, if your watchmaker wants to charge you for it go to one that doesn't. A full service should be done every 5-7 years depending on use. Note it is not uncommon for oils inside the movement to dry out if the watch is exposed to harsh climates. Also gaskets in the case could dry out quicker with extreme exposure to hot and cold. Who should I get to do the servicing? ROLEX Servicing centres can be found around the world and they do top notch work, however there are many great watch makers other there than can properly service Rolexes. Note though that in some parts of the world only Rolex certified watchmakers may order parts. ALWAYS make sure that the watch maker you go to uses ORIGINAL ROLEX PARTS, there is nothing else that comes close to them, you will end up hurting your watch in the long run, there are many horror stories out there about cheap dials that flake off paint into the movement and what not. Rolex Price List Current USA NOTE SOME OLD MODELS LISTED AS THEY ARE STILL IN CIRCULATION WITH SOME DEALERS 14000 3,625.00 SS Air King 14010 3,675.00 SS Air King 14060M 4,525.00 SS Submariner No Date 16610 5,175.00 SS Submariner with Date 16613 7,825.00 TT Submariner with Date 11618 23,100.00 Gold Submariner with date 16610LV 5,525.00 50th Anniversary SS Submariner with Date 16600 5,375.00 SS Sea Dweller 16622 8,325.00 SS/Platinum full size Yachtmaster 16623 8,675.00 TT full size Yachtmaster 16628 22,550.00 Gold full size Yachtmaster 168622 7,800.00 Yacht Master 35mm (steel/plat) 168623 8,000.00 mens, $7,900-ladies Yacht Master 35mm (steel/18k) 168623 6,975.00 TT Mid-Size Yachtmaster Serti Dial 168628 20,050.00 Mid-Size Yachtmaster 18kt Yellow Gold 169622 6,900.00 Yacht Master 29mm (steel/plat) 169623 7,100.00 Yacht Master 29mm (steel/18k) 114270 4,250.00 SS Explorer 16570 5,000.00 SS Explorer II 16710 5,075.00 SS GMT II 116713 8,925.00 TT GMT II 116718 22,750.00 GMT II 16718 19,750.00 Gold GMT II 116520 7,900.00 SS Daytona 116523 12,675.00 TT Daytona Dial 116528 25,550.00 Yellow gold Daytona 116519 18,100.00 White Gold Daytona on a strap 116518 16,900.00 Yellow Gold Daytona on a strap 16203 5,725.00 TT DateJust with Jubilee Bracelet 116203 7,600.00 TT DateJust heavy Oyster bracelet 16233 5,775.00 TT DateJust Yellow Gold Fluted bezel/Jubilee Bracelet 116233 8,025.00 TT DateJust heavy Jubilee bracelet 116233 7,650.00 TT DateJust heavy Oyster bracelet 116200 4,950.00 SS DateJust heavy Oyster Bracelet 16200 3,800.00 SS DateJust plain bezel Oyster bracelet 16220 3,925.00 SS DateJust Engine Turned bezel Jubilee Bracelet 116233 7,325.00 TT DateJust New Hidden Clasp Bracelet 16234 4,525.00 SS Datejust Jubilee Bracelet 116261 8,175.00 TT DateJust Turnograph Oyster bracelet 116263 7,800.00 TT DateJust Turnograph Jubilee bracelet 116264 5,775.00 SS DateJust Turnograph Oyster bracelet 78273 5,650.00 TT DateJust Mid-Size Jubilee bracelet 118238 22,450.00 Day Date Fluted Bezel 18kt Yellow Gold Presidential bracelet 118208 21,100.00 Day Date 18kt Yellow Gold Oyster Bracelet 118209 23,400.00 Day Date White Gold smooth bezel Oyster bracelet 118206 40,350.00 Day Date Platinum smooth bezel Presidential bracelet PRE OCT 02 2006 PRICE LIST 16610 4525.00 SS Submariner with Date 16613 7100.00 TT Submariner with Date 11618 20850.00 Gold Submariner with date 16610LV 4875.00 50th Anniversary SS Submariner with Date 14000 3250.00 SS Air King 14010 3300.00 SS Air King 14060 3800.00 SS Submariner no Date 16600 4700.00 SS Sea Dweller 16622 7850.00 SS/Platinum full size Yachtmaster 16623 8200.00 TT full size Yachtmaster 16628 20700.00 Gold full size Yachtmaster 168623 6975.00 TT Mid-Size Yachtmaster Serti Dial 16750 4450.00 SS Explorer II 16710 4525.00 SS GMT II 16713 7025.00 TT GMT II 16718 19750.00 Gold GMT II 116520 6950.00 SS Daytona 116523 11275.00 TT Daytona Serti Dial 116528 23400.00 Yellow gold Daytona 116519 18100.00 White Gold Daytona on a strap 116518 16900.00 Yellow Gold Daytona on a strap 16203 5725.00 TT Datejust with Jubilee Bracelet 116203 7025.00 TT Datejust heavy Oyster bracelet 16233 5775.00 TT Datejust Yellow Gold Fluted bezel/Jubilee Bracelet 116233 7325.00 TT Datejust heavy Jubilee bracelet 116233 7075.00 TT Datejust heavy Oyster bracelet 16200 3800.00 SS Datejust plain bezel Oyster bracelet 16220 3925.00 SS Datejust Engine Turned bezel Jubilee Bracelet 16234 4525.00 SS Datejust Jubilee Bracelet 116261 7550.00 TT Datejust Turnograph Oyster bracelet 116263 7800.000 TT Datejust Turnograph Jubilee bracelet 116264 5775.00 SS Datejust Turnograph Oyster bracelet 78273 5650.00 TT Datejust Mid-Size Jubilee bracelet 118238 20550.00 Day Date kt Yellow Gold Oyster bracelet 118209 21700.00 Day Date White Gold smooth bezel Oyster bracelet 118206 40350.00 Day Date Platinum smooth bezel Presidential bracelet Cleaning your Rolex This has been a topic of debate lately, and I think it is rather simple to keep your watches clean. Simple soap and water is what I have been using for over 15 years on all my watches with bracelets. I will say that using a dish-washing detergent is not advised as ppl have stated that the grease cutting properties will dry out the gaskets prematurely. If you wash your bracelet regularly there is no reason why a mild hand soap and your fingers wont wash your wash effectively. If you use a moisturising soap for your hands and that doesn't dry out your bracelet and watch will not be harmed. I rinse my watch on a weekly basis and have never had any issues of build up on them. Now this is just a guide and is not the only way to wash your watch. Some Pol like to use a soft brush, but I have never had the need to do so. Watch Winding Setting Etc. Let's take the example that you want to set you watch at PRECISELY 11 o'clock AM on the 27th. of May 2007. Take the following steps: (important things are underlined and in red): 1) Unscrew the winding crown counterclockwise. Two or three turns, and then the winding crown should "pop out" in the "winding position". If not, make SURE that the winding crown is free of the threads before winding the watch. Reason: if you turn the winding crown clockwise while it is still on the threads and if you are NOT pushing the winding crown inward whilst turning it, you might damage the threads. So again: Make sure that the winding crown is free of the threads before winding the watch! 2) Now you give your watch at LEAST 30-40 FULL windings by the crown. Wind the watch by turning the crown CLOCKWISE. The reason to wind the watch manually when it has stopped: That way you make sure that the watch is FULLY wound and will have its full power reserve. By just "shaking it to get it going" you will NOT get the full power reserve. Do not be afraid of "over-winding" the watch (there is a safety catch to prevent over winding), but about 30 full windings should be enough. 3) IMPORTANT STEP! Remember that our example states that you want to get your watch going at 11 AM (in the "morning")?? What you do BEFORE MOVING THE HANDS is to pull out the winding crown FULLY (time setting position) and then you turn the hands to make SURE that both the hour hand and minute hand stand at FIVE OR SIX o'clock! Reason: the date change mechanism (date-wheel) could be harmed if you change the date MANUALLY during the period from 21 to 01 o'clock. So by setting the hour and minute hand well off that period is strongly advised. 4) (now back to the date): Push the winding crown back to the SECOND notch (date change notch) and then advance the date MANUALLY via the winding crown until you reach the date of YESTERDAY (in our example: the 26th. of May). 5) Then you - once again - pull out the winding crown to the LAST notch (time setting position) and stop the seconds hand (that is now running since you have wound the watch manually!) at EXACTLY 12 o'clock (easier now to synchronise with another watch!). 6) Then you advance the hands by turning the winding crown clockwise. Keep a close eye on the date window as you advance the hands!. IF the date changes at midnight to the date of our example then you will have to advance the hands another 11 hours so that the date will change correctly at next midnight. If the date does NOT change, you have to advance the hands accordingly. 7) If you want to make the minute hand points EXACTLY on the given minute when the seconds hand has reached "12" (or "60" seconds), then you must know that there is some "play" in the hands. So if you just set the minute hand according to our example (EXACTLY 11 AM so that the minute hand will point exactly on the 12) then you will notice that by "one minute past 11 AM" the minute hand will NOT (or probably not!) point EXACTLY and spot on on the minute but rather somewhat (like 15 seconds) PAST it due to the "play" in the hands! Solution: Following the example, turn the minute hand approximately TEN minutes PAST "11 AM" and then turn the minute hand BACK again to the EXACT time (hour hand point at "11" and minute and seconds hand pointing - exactly - on "12"). Then - EVER SO GENTLY - turn the winding crown clockwise so that the minute hand actually points a bit (like "15 seconds" PAST the full minute marker). That way you adjusted to the "play" of the minute hand, and the minute hand will point EXACTLY on the minute next time the seconds hand reaches "twelve". 8) When you have wound the watch, set the time and date, screw the winding crown back so that the watch is once again waterproof. By the way: You do not have to screw it very hard onto the case. As soon as you feel some resistance, stop using more force on the crown." 9) ![]() Country Codes As you may have noticed, on every Rolex Warranty certificate there is a 3 digit number that precedes the Serial number of your watch. This number is reference to which market the watch was originally sent to by Rolex factory. This information is useful in that you know where the watch originally came from if you are buying a used one. 010 - Switzerland 012 - Switzerland 013 - Switzerland 014 - Switzerland 015 - Switzerland 017 - Switzerland 021 - Switzerland 022 - Switzerland 023 - Switzerland 024 - Switzerland 025 - Switzerland 026 - Switzerland 028 - Switzerland 032 - Switzerland 033 - Switzerland 036 - Liechtenstein 037 - Switzerland 044 - Switzerland 045 - Switzerland 061 - Switzerland 100 - Germany 110 - France 112 - France 113 - France 119 - France (COMEX) 120 - Austria 121 - Austria 122 - Austria 123 - Austria 124 - Austria 126 - Austria 127 - Austria 128 - Austria 130 - Belgium/Luxemburg 133 - Netherlands 134 - Netherlands 135 - Netherlands 136 - Netherlands 137 - Netherlands 138 - Netherlands 150 - Spain 160 - Great Britain 170 - Italy 181 - Italy 200 - Greece 204 - Italy 201 - Malta 202 - Turkey 207 - Corfu 208 - Greece 212 - Italy 213 - Portugal 215 - Portugal 216 - Portugal 217 - Portugal 218 - Portugal 226 - Denmark 228 - Denmark 231 - Denmark 233 - Denmark 237 - Iceland 241 - Norway 242 - Norway 246 - Sweden 265 - Sweden 267 - Sweden 270 - Sweden 271 - Sweden 283 - Finnland 286 - Finnland 291 - Finnland 298 - Finnland 316 - Roumanie 317 - Bulgaria 320 - Czech Republic 321 - Czech Republic 322 - Hungary 323 - Slovenia 325 - Serbia Montenegro 330 - Russia 400 - Hong Kong 410 - Japan 413 - Korea 430 - Singapore/Brunai/Indonesia 431 - Malaysia/Thailand 440 - Taiwan 500 - India 505 - Pakistan 512 - Sri Lanka 514 - Bangladesh 526 - Bahrain 527 - Middle East 529 - Saudi Arabia 531 - Saudi Arabia 532 - Saudi Arabia 533 - Kuwait 535 - Katar 536 - Abu Dhabi 537 - Dubai 538 - Oman 539 - Oman 542 - Iran 548 - Israel 551 - Yemen 605 - Tunisia 612 - Egypt 633 - Nigeria 634 - Congo 668 - Kenya 680 - South Afrika 700 - Canada 710 - USA 720 - Mexico 722 - Mexico 733 - Honduras 737 - Costa Rica 741 - Bahamas 742 - Bermuda 752 - Jamaica 756 - Dominican Republic 757 - Caribbean Islands 758 - Virgin Islands 759 - Turks Islands 760 - Barbados 761 - Netherlands Antilles/Aruba 762 - Aruba 765 - Antigua 766 - Saint Martin 767 - Cayman Islands 768 - Panama 770 - Venezuela 780 - Brazil 781 - Chile 790 - Argentina 810 - Australia/New Zealand 818 - Philippines 828 - Taiwan 838 - China 842 - New Zealand 871 - Hawaii 872 - Alaska 874 - Hong Kong 873 - Guam 888 - Hong Kong 900 - Japan 902 - AAFES, Germany 906 - Natex Retail, German NATO Airbase 907 - Rheindalen, German NATO Headquarter When were they Introduced? 1926 Oyster Case 1927 Serial Number On Oyster Case 1931 Oyster Perpetual 1938 Bubble Back 1938 Oyster Bracelet 1945 Jubilee Bracelet 1945 Datejust 1950 "Mercedes" Hands 1953 Submariner 100m/330ft 1953 Explorer 1954 GMT-Master 1954 Submariner 200m / 660ft 1954 Cyclops (aka Magnifying bump on Crystal) 1954 Lady's Oyster Perpetual 1956 Day-Date 1956 President Bracelet 1959 Submariner gets Crown Guards and 40mm Case 1960 Deep Sea Special 1961 Oyster Cosmograph 1962 Cosmograph Daytona 1965 Submariner Date 1965 Submariner Date 18 k YG 1967 Sea-Dweller 1971 Explorer II 1972 Hacking Movement 1974 Sapphire Crystal 1976 Oysterquartz 1977 Oysterquartz Day-Date 1977 Quick Set Date Feature 1978 Sea-Dweller 4000 1979 Submariner 300m/1000ft with Sapphire Crystal 1983 GMT-Master II 1983 Submariner Rolesor (aka Sub TT) 1988 Cosmograph Daytona (Zenith Movement aka Cal. 4030) 1992 Yachtmaster 1994 Yachtmaster Lady & Mid-Sized aka Boys Size 2000 Cosmograph Daytona with new in-house Mvt (Cal. 4130) 2001 Laser Etched Hologram In Crystal 2003 "Green" Submariner Date (aka Anniversary Model with Maxi Dial) 2002 end of Y serial early 2003. Non lugs holes started to make there appearence on most models. 2004 Serial F/D on some models the Rolex Rolex Rolex On the Rehaut ring 2004 New Datejust Case 2005 New GMT-Master YG (Cal. 3186) 2006 New GMT-Master Rolesor (Cal. 3186) Last edited by padi56; 19 May 2019 at 05:46 PM.. |
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#2 |
"TRF" Life Patron
Join Date: Jun 2005
Real Name: Peter
Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng
Watch: ing you.
Posts: 52,761
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Well these are the Rolex company figures from late 2006
Corporate Address: PO Box 1755 Rue Francois Dussaud 3 Geneva, CH 121126 Switzerland Tel: (41) 223082200 Fax: (41) 223002255 Web Site: www.rolex.com Number of Employees: 3,000 Fiscal Year End Date: 12/31/2006 State Of Inc.: CH Business Description: Mfr & Sales of Watches Import: No Export: Yes NAICS Code/Desc: 334518/Watch, Clock, and Part Manufacturing SIC Code/Desc: 3873/Watches, Clocks, Clockwork Operated Devices & Parts Personnel - Rolex S.A. (International) CEO: Patrick Heiniger Outside Service Firms - Rolex S.A. (International) Advertising Agency DDB Paris Corporate Address: 55 rue d'Amsterdam Paris, 75008 France Tel: (33) 1 5332 5669 Fax: (33) 1 5332 6347 Email: betrand.suchet@ddbparis.fr Web Site: www.ddbparis.fr JWT Corporate Address: 1 Knightsbridge Green London, SW1X 7NW United Kingdom Tel: (44) 20 7656 7000 Fax: (44) 20 7656 7010 Web Site: www.jwt.co.uk Brands & Products - Rolex S.A. (International) CELLINI - Fine Watches CELLISSIMA - Watch DAYTONA - Fine Watches OYSTER - Fine Watches ROLEX - Fine Watches Overview - Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. (International) Corporate Address: 665 5th Ave New York, NY10022 Tel: (212) 758-7700 Fax: (212) 223-7443 Web Site: www.rolex.com Number of Employees: 500 Business Description: Mfr. of Watches Import: No Export: No NAICS Code/Desc: 423940/Jewelry, Watch, Precious Stone, and Precious Metal Merchant Wholesalers SIC Code/Desc: 5094/Jewelry, Watches, Precious Stones & Precious Metals-Wholesale Personnel - Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. (International) Chm: Walter Fischer CFO & Sr VP: Michael Elms Outside Service Firms - Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. (International) Advertising Agency JWT U.S.A., Inc. Corporate Address: 466 Lexington Ave New York, NY10017-3140 Tel: (212) 210-7000 Fax: (212) 210-7299 Email: request@jwt.com Web Site: www.jwt.com Brands & Products - Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. (International) OYSTER COLLECTION - Watches Hierarchy - Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. (International)
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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 ![]() |
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#3 |
TechXpert & 2016 Patron
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Mx
Posts: 1,572
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Facts
Here are a couple of answers to questions that are repeatedly asked to members on this forum, and me personally at work. I’m not trying to argue with anyone. If you have more questions that have factual answers, feel free to ask.
Fact sheet: - You cannot overwind an automatic watch. - Your automatic watch will not keep running with just wearing it. (You have to actually move enough to keep it wound.) - The date can change anywhere between 11:55pm and 12:05am. (If it changes around 12:00pm, just move your hands 12 hours forward.) - Sapphire crystals can scratch, chip and shatter. - Oils will dry out inside the movement over time. (even though people claim it to be airtight/ having synthetic oils which shouldn’t dry, etc.) - You can turn the crown both ways while manually winding your watch. (It only works one way, but you don’t damage anything the other way.) - You can turn the hands of your watch backwards when adjusting the time, or date. No worries! - You can quickset the date any time of day on any Rolex. (Be aware that with some other movement, like ETA this is not always possible) - Any Rolex will loose it's water resistance rating if gaskets aren't replaced on a regular basis. Gaskets do deteriorate over time. - Rolex does not sell watches on-line, and does not allow AD’s to sell over the phone or internet. - Authorized Rolex repair centers and watchmakers are not allowed to work on watches with after-market parts on them. - Rolex will not honor a warranty, without the original paperwork or card properly filled out and belonging to the original purchaser.
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Member# 5731 Instagram: @vanessa.cw21 Watch my Rolex repair video: https://youtu.be/jDnaotCTpTA |
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#4 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 43,342
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A couple of good Rolex Service Centers not owned by Rolex Corporate..
Sutters Watch Repair Rolex Service Center 30 N Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 782-7768 Rolex Service Center 210 Post St # 705 San Francisco, CA 94108-5109 (415) 982-9830 Rolex Watch Service Center 1 Wynfield Dr Lititz, PA 17543-8000 (Lancaster, PA Metro Area) (717) 625-1262 Southeastern Service Center 224 Vining Ct, Ormond Beach, FL 32176 (386) 677-6355
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(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member Last edited by Tools; 12 December 2013 at 08:42 AM.. |
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