Rolex Serial Number Question

[californiadreamn]

One of my most recent purchases (I purchased it a week ago) has a serial number that starts with a "D" and then it has a series of numbers that follow behind it. Based on a chart I saw on another website, it appears that my watch (which was a new purchase from a AD) was made in 2005. Is that possible? Does that mean it was some type of refurbished watch that I purchased?

The one I purchased in December has a number that starts with 1X and a series of numbers after that, which based on that site says it was manufactured in 2010.

Please advise am I missing something? Is there a way to tell if a watch was previously purchased and re-sold as NEW?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I really thought I was safe only working with ADs. I sincerely hope that is still the case.

This is a picture of the watch.

[joeyjordan]

I have a similar question as Californiadreamn. I have recently been to an authorized dealer looking for a brand new 36mm explorer I and came across one with a D serial number with no rolex branding in the inner rim (not sure the correct term) and still has the hologram sticker in the back of the watch. However, the ref number (114270) on the hologram looked a little smurdged. The shop claimed it's a brand new watch. Is it possible there are still brand new D series explorer I out there in the U.S. market given it's last production should be somewhere between 05-06?? Please enlighten me experts!!

[tkc324]

It's possible that this watch has been sitting in the ad window for 6 years. I don't think dj with diamond bezel and dial are that popular. Did it come with all stickers intact?? The new serial numbers are suppose to be random now, maybe that's why it's a d serial. I am sure other experts will chime in soon.

[californiadreamn]

Originally Posted by tkc324

It's possible that this watch has been sitting in the ad window for 6 years. I don't think dj with diamond bezel and dial are that popular. Did it come with all stickers intact?? The new serial numbers are suppose to be random now, maybe that's why it's a d serial. I am sure other experts will chime in soon.

Yes, it APPEARED to have all the stickers intact. But, since this is the first watch that I've purchased for this dollar figure (over twice as much as my first) I really don't know what it's suppose to have on it.

The store told me that this was just sent to them from Rolex. Now that I'm doing a little more homework, I'm finding it a little hard to believe that Rolex would have a watch sitting around for that long.

From what I've read, I think the new serial numbers have a number before the letter and the numbers are very random.

[mitchy]

it has been said here a few time but ill let you know, cause your relativly new
the serial number chart is only a GUIDE for popular SS sport watches usally model off the the SUB sales nothing else,
rolex produces a couple of thousand watch cases each month then leaves them in storage until needed, therefore it is even possible they have an F serial case still in there manufaturing facility in Geneva.
the case are sent via robot to the work station and it takes them at random, yes the guide indicates that D serial was produced (case anyways) in 2005, but by the time the robot actually grabbed the watch case it could be 2008-2010 and then the movement is put in and braclet then sent off to your AD. this often happens with the less popular models ie Precious metal ones, and diamond bezal DJ ect

it is also possible that the AD has had it in stock for a year or so, but at my work and many AD's around the world the rule of thumb is, if it has been in stock for more than 600 days (around 2years) discount hevily to move out to make way for newer peice.
dont worry that it has a D seriel or a random if you bought it new with warrenty fro an AD then that is all that matters
hope that helps

[joeyjordan]

Mitchy, what percentage discount are you refering to as "discount hevily". It'll be a good guideline for me when I purchase. Thanks.

[californiadreamn]

Originally Posted by mitchy

it has been said here a few time but ill let you know, cause your relativly new
the serial number chart is only a GUIDE for popular SS sport watches usally model off the the SUB sales nothing else,
rolex produces a couple of thousand watch cases each month then leaves them in storage until needed, therefore it is even possible they have an F serial case still in there manufaturing facility in Geneva.
the case are sent via robot to the work station and it takes them at random, yes the guide indicates that D serial was produced (case anyways) in 2005, but by the time the robot actually grabbed the watch case it could be 2008-2010 and then the movement is put in and braclet then sent off to your AD. this often happens with the less popular models ie Precious metal ones, and diamond bezal DJ ect

it is also possible that the AD has had it in stock for a year or so, but at my work and many AD's around the world the rule of thumb is, if it has been in stock for more than 600 days (around 2years) discount hevily to move out to make way for newer peice.
dont worry that it has a D seriel or a random if you bought it new with warrenty fro an AD then that is all that matters
hope that helps

Thanks Mitchy!

That makes me feel a little better.

I love my watch but it cost as much as a small car, so I just wanted to make sure I did not get a lemon. I might feel a little better if it had been heavily discounted. I thought I had a nice, shiny new 2011 model.

Yes, it was a AD whose name I got directly from the Rolex site. So I hope my trust was not misplaced.

Is there a way to tell if a watch was previously sold, returned, refurbished and then re-sold.

Again, thank you so very much!

[mitchy]

Originally Posted by californiadreamn

Thanks Mitchy!

That makes me feel a little better.

I love my watch but it cost as much as a small car, so I just wanted to make sure I did not get a lemon. I might feel a little better if it had been heavily discounted. I thought I had a nice, shiny new 2011 model.

Yes, it was a AD whose name I got directly from the Rolex site. So I hope my trust was not misplaced.

Is there a way to tell if a watch was previously sold, returned, refurbished and then re-sold.

Again, thank you so very much!

if there is no scratches on the watch and the stickers are all there and the warrenty is in your name it hasnt been returned, if you find out later it has, inform rolex because if rolex catches an AD handing out a watch without filling in the warrenty info then they could loose there license, no offence to the grey dealers, but that is exacly what rolex doesnt want, no greay dealers with BNIB watches with blank warrenty cards :P
hope that helps

[mitchy]

Originally Posted by joeyjordan

Mitchy, what percentage discount are you refering to as "discount hevily". It'll be a good guideline for me when I purchase. Thanks.

well we currently have 2 YMII in stock one of each and they have been instock for well over 1000 days so they can be discounted for about 30% off,which in AUS is a big discount however that still makes them around 30K aud which in aus is a great price but since DavidSW can get you one for around 40-45% off AUD price, not so much

[joeyjordan]

Thanks Mitchy, 30% discount is quite a bit. I doubt this could apply to a brand new 36mm explorer I. The shop was willing to give me USD $4500 flat. Should I try to knock it down a bit more?

[californiadreamn]

Originally Posted by mitchy

if there is no scratches on the watch and the stickers are all there and the warrenty is in your name it hasnt been returned, if you find out later it has, inform rolex because if rolex catches an AD handing out a watch without filling in the warrenty info then they could loose there license, no offence to the grey dealers, but that is exacly what rolex doesnt want, no greay dealers with BNIB watches with blank warrenty cards :P
hope that helps

Thanks again!

That is really good to know. I think it's okay. The warranty card (which looks a bit like a green credit card with the watch information on it, with my name hand written on the back) looks real.

I looked at the watch under a jeweler's loop for scratches but what I have is a 30X LED loop and a loop like that gives you way too much detail. LOL!!!

Thanks again and I really appreciate your help!

[chicfarmer1]

Originally Posted by californiadreamn

Yes, it was a AD whose name I got directly from the Rolex site. So I hope my trust was not misplaced.

Is there a way to tell if a watch was previously sold, returned, refurbished and then re-sold.

Again, thank you so very much!

It would be illegal for an AD to sell as new a refurbished watch. The likelihood is next to zero: the dealer has too much at stake to pull something like that.

In addition, a watch whose case is stamped D can indeed be technically brand new in an AD's inventory, because of the fuzziness of determining when the watch as a whole was put together.

Furthermore, I'm speculating that the new random system can allow for a D to appear in the first position--if it's random.
---
Aside from these points: From your other posts it seems like you're eager to back out of this watch because you like something else more. Perhaps consider taking another route to this end, with a trusted reseller here. Cheers.

[gqllc]

That watch is relatively new if not very new. Even if it is truly a later D series it doesn't seem to apply to Gold watches that are lower in volume compared to the SS watches. You have the engraved rehaut and a D series SS watch does not. It the engraved rehaut came about on M serial for most of the SS watches. Congrat's and enjoy your new watch!

[joleel7]

OP I had the similar question about my DSSD I bought few weeks ago the S/N I found is 2008 but than the warranty card is under my name and sticker still intact.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by californiadreamn

Thanks Mitchy!

That makes me feel a little better.

I love my watch but it cost as much as a small car, so I just wanted to make sure I did not get a lemon. I might feel a little better if it had been heavily discounted. I thought I had a nice, shiny new 2011 model.

Yes, it was a AD whose name I got directly from the Rolex site. So I hope my trust was not misplaced.

Is there a way to tell if a watch was previously sold, returned, refurbished and then re-sold.

Again, thank you so very much!

Far to much enthuses is put on these Internet codes all it could ever tell you was.That a case/clasp was stamped sometime between X&Y years and does not in many cases mean the date the completed watch was made.Now with gold and diamond watches in general poor sellers and not volume sellers like the S.Steel.But today just because of a silly Internet code hype everyone thinks thats when the watch was made.Now how old the movement is in the case well only Rolex knows that one.And in any particular letter case stamp that movement could be older or newer or visa versa its all a approximation.And when bought new from AD they all get the same two year warranty whether called Tom,Dick or Harry serial.