Rolex GMT II Ceramic questions

[brandobot]

Hello,

I'm looking into getting a GMT II Ceramic to replace my '89 16610 Submariner and had a few questions.

When did Rolex start randomizing the serial numbers on these watches? I'm looking into a GMT Ceramic with a Z serial number, which I believe dates back to 2006, but I thought the ceramic models were released in 2007 for all Stainless steel.

If condition of watches were all in like new condition, should the price I can expect to pay for an early ceramic GMT (2007) be similar to a later model GMT (2011+)?

Have there been any changes to the black, all stainless steel models since the 2007 model?

Anything else I should know before I pull the trigger?

Thanks!

[SeaDweller50]

Why a Z serial? AFAIK all Z's are 16710 only. M3xxxxx is where the 116710 began.

[brandobot]

I'm not particularly looking for a Z serial, but I came across one at a jeweler that I think is a fair price.
Warranty card says it is a Z90XXXX serial, style# 116710N, bracelet 78200.

Were there any randomized Z serial numbers for GMT II's? If so, how would you determine age? The store told me it was a 2006 model.

[SeaDweller50]

Random began in 2010. They must have started making 116710's alongside 16710's in that case.
Randomised have 8 digits.

[brandobot]

Originally Posted by Airborne

Random began in 2010. They must have started making 116710's alongside 16710's in that case.
Randomised have 8 digits.

Thanks for that info. Didn't know randomized serial numbers had 8 digits.

[Srct]

My 116710 is a Z4xxxxx and is from 2006 even came with the paper rather than warranty card so there was a crossover. The link below gives an overview of serial numbers over time.

http://www.watches.co.uk/information...erial-numbers/

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by Airborne

Why a Z serial? AFAIK all Z's are 16710 only. M3xxxxx is where the 116710 began.

No, there are Z serial 116710's.

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by brandobot

Thanks for that info. Didn't know randomized serial numbers had 8 digits.

Technically 8 characters. Can be any mix of numbers and letters. This give Rolex hundreds of millions of possible serial numbers without a repeat.

[T. Ferguson]

Regarding your question of price between an early or later model, you should expect to py something less for the older watch even if the condition is the same simply because it is closer to, or past, the service interval so it would require a service sooner than a random serial sold new last year.

There has been very little changes to the GMTC since it's introduction. About the only thing I can think of off the top of my head is the switch to blue lume from green for all models about 1 1/2 to 2 years ago. That's about it except they added the stainless BLNR to the line up last year.

Oh, BTW, recently Rolexes (not just GMTs) have been showing up with lower magnification date cyclops. It hasn't been determined if this is a permanent change they've made or not.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by brandobot

. .
When did Rolex start randomizing the serial numbers on these watches? I'm looking into a GMT Ceramic with a Z serial number, which I believe dates back to 2006, but I thought the ceramic models were released in 2007 for all Stainless steel.

. .

You are falling into the Internet Chart Trap. Z serials are NOT 2006; that is the first year of the Z serial release and so most would have been later than that. They carry over for 3 to 4 years.

Since the SS GMT 116710 was first released in 2007, it is very likely that there are hundreds with Z serials...

[waQstar]

Those had clasp issues..

[bbressler]

I have read that some of the early 3186 movements had a manufacturing defect (I think with the jumping hour hand). As waQstar mentioned, I believe there was a clasp problem too. The early models would also be due for service if they haven't been.

[brandobot]

What kind of clasp problems are we talking about? I ended up buying the Z serial today.

had it brought to the Rolex service center and everything checked out.

[brandobot]

Originally Posted by Tools

You are falling into the Internet Chart Trap. Z serials are NOT 2006; that is the first year of the Z serial release and so most would have been later than that. They carry over for 3 to 4 years.

Since the SS GMT 116710 was first released in 2007, it is very likely that there are hundreds with Z serials...

Thanks for that info! That's extremely helpful to know.

[Highland Ranger]

I have one from March of 2007 - a Z serial number. Has not been serviced, was a daily wearer until 2012, still keeps excellent time, no issue with clasp.

The band actually kept me from falling off a boat years ago. Case dug in and cut my wrist but did not fail. So clasp and band = pretty good.

[bbressler]

Originally Posted by brandobot

What kind of clasp problems are we talking about? I ended up buying the Z serial today.

had it brought to the Rolex service center and everything checked out.

I'm sure you'll probably be fine but if you google about GMT clasp problems you can find a couple of threads like this one.

Congrats on the purchase!

[stainlesssteve]

I have one of the very first GMTs that was available in the US. It's a Z serial number and was purchased in August 2007. I have never heard of the clasp issue. In my opinion, the Z is indistinguishable from the current production.

[cmr]

Originally Posted by waQstar

Those had clasp issues..

i bought my z series 2c in october of 07 (I think) and it's not been serviced. i am an aviation inspector and it is knocked around on aircraft parts every day. there have been zero problems.

i remember the clasp issue, there were a few reported here and rolex replaced the entire bracelet instead of just the clasp. mine is fine and it gets beat up pretty good. don't be concerned about that, both of my daytonas have the same clasp and they are also just fine.

[brandobot]

Thanks all!