Case Numbers and Movement Numbers

[Grissom]

Does Rolex still place serial numbers on the base plates of each movement?

If so, has anyone complied a chronological listing of these "movement" serial numbers, by Model and/or Date of Manufacture, or know of where one exists?

Given the fact that many AD's report STILL receiving new product with "Z" serial numbers, indicating that "the case" was from 2006/2007, would one assume that the entire watch was assembled at that time, and held for later delivery, or that it was assembled perhaps later (closer to the actual ship date), and if so, would then the "movement" serial number reflect such.

Would it be conceivable, such as with the GMT 3185/3186 "M" serial number situation, that a "Z" serial number "whatever" received today by an AD might have a different movement than a "Z" serial number "whatever" received in, say 2006/2007?

With other watches I have collected, style/model numbers were usually stamped on the case, while "serial" numbers were usually marked on the actual movements.

Your thoughts......

[Tools]

Rolex case serial numbers are stamped during an allocation run of that particular model....... it is a myth that numbers actually correspond to a particular year...... They only give an approximation based on WIS reports around the world of what they have seen, or think that they know.. The fact is, Rolex is like any business.. they only make a run when they have enough orders to fulfill; so they may make a few thousand Z models in 2006, run off a few thousand more in 2007, introduce a new prefix - get an allocation of proposed serials with that prefix - then in 2008, perhaps make a few thousand of each, and so on...

It is physically impossible to make and stamp all cases within a few months like many perceive for each prefix, then store all these parts in the back room.

For movements:
They have their own serial numbers and, like cases, are put together at some point in time, then sent for a COSC cert. Upon receiving them back, they go into inventory until a particular model run is in demand in the marketplace (see above)..

At that point, a case and a movement, each with their own individual serials, are married up and the "as built" records are prepared.

Rolex has many more models than they do movements. For example, any 3186 can go in any GMT II or Exp II. or any 3135 movement can go in any Sub, YM, DSSD, DJ and so on..........

[Grissom]

Thanks, Larry, as I thought. Like how it was done at Hamilton, Illinois, and the like. Cases, and movements put together as needed, periodically throughout the life cycle of a particular model.

I suppose since case numbers are so much easier to see, they became the "number of choice". I, for one, would be much more interested in the movement serial number of a watch, as with that, I would potentially be able to ascertain what variation of a particular movement I have, in my watch, again, much as we used to do with early American Pocket Watches.

I just found it interesting that we so closely look into the case numbers. We behave almost as if we do not know that each movement has a serial number along with the ref number.

[Tools]

Movement numbers can easily be found..

Here is the number (or most of it) on one of my Subs..

[Andad]

Would it be correct to say that the date on the bracelet would be a better guide as to when the watch hit the market?

Nice pix Larry.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Would it be correct to say that the date on the bracelet would be a better guide as to when the watch hit the market?

There is a school of thought that leans that way.......... It is assumed that the bracelet is the last thing put on, and therefore likely the last item actually manufactured...

It's possible that bracelets also sit around for a while before being attached...

It really gripes me because I know that Rolex has a record of every watch made, including it's final assembly date, shipped to AD, and service record and the so-and-so's won't give out the information.......

[Speed]

I guess Rolex ADs - and hence Rolex - have more to lose / more opptys for WIS's to complain or ask for a "fresh" watch...vs buy what's on the case.

[Z06]

Originally Posted by Tools

Rolex case serial numbers are stamped during an allocation run of that particular model....... it is a myth that numbers actually correspond to a particular year...... They only give an approximation based on WIS reports around the world of what they have seen, or think that they know.. The fact is, Rolex is like any business.. they only make a run when they have enough orders to fulfill; so they may make a few thousand Z models in 2006, run off a few thousand more in 2007, introduce a new prefix - get an allocation of proposed serials with that prefix - then in 2008, perhaps make a few thousand of each, and so on...

It is physically impossible to make and stamp all cases within a few months like many perceive for each prefix, then store all these parts in the back room.

For movements:
They have their own serial numbers and, like cases, are put together at some point in time, then sent for a COSC cert. Upon receiving them back, they go into inventory until a particular model run is in demand in the marketplace (see above)..

At that point, a case and a movement, each with their own individual serials, are married up and the "as built" records are prepared.

Rolex has many more models than they do movements. For example, any 3186 can go in any GMT II or Exp II. or any 3135 movement can go in any Sub, YM, DSSD, DJ and so on..........

Excellent info...thanks! (I just keep learning more and more here)