P serial date help !!

[arttay10]

Hi all.

Is it possible to have a 'P' serial on a 2002 DateJust?

I'm new to the forum and this is my first Rolex purchase - I've found the perfect watch, I just need a little help with basic authentication. My studies so far have told me that 'P' serial is 2000/early 2001.

Any help would be greatfully appreciated.
Thx.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Welcome to TRF!

No, "P" is running from the start of 2000 to September 2001 where the K series took over, so having a P serial number on a 2002 DJ is not possible.

[Tools]

Well....

Yes....and No...

A "P" serial number would have been manufactured in 2000/01. That same watch may have been shipped out in late 2001 and sat in shipping and on a dealers shelf for several months.

If it was not sold until January or later of 2002, it would be a 2002 watch.

In the Rolex world, nothing starts until the watch is sold to a customer. If a "P" model was not sold until 2002 (assuming it sat in the back room for that long), the Warranty would start in 2002, and that original warranty would show a new date of 2002 for that serial number, also the receipt would "prove" that it is a 2002watch..

[Mrdi]

If someone says it is a 2002 model and the serial indicates a 2000 date of manufacture,
then it was probably sold for the first time in 2002.
Most people wouldn't check out a serial number if they were buying a new watch from an AD.
Most buyers would assume the watch was new.
The dealer is also likely to want to move the (NOS) old stock.
Is the watch still new if it has been in the dealers safe for a couple of years?
Yes, but....
I would like the oil changed first.

Mrdi

[arttay10]

Thanks guys - its a major purchase for me and being my first - I'm so intent on getting it right.

[arttay10]

HI Mrdi - Its from a collector, I have no real reason to doubt him - but you still can't help looking over every details anyway.

[Dan Pierce]

Larry makes a good point. I have a K series [sept 01] GMT that was not sold untill mid 2003.
dP

[arttay10]

Cheers Dan - Thank for the input.

I feel a bit dumb asking the question now.... But thats what its all about I guess.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by arttay10

Cheers Dan - Thank for the input.

I feel a bit dumb asking the question now.... But thats what its all about I guess.

Never feel dumb around here for asking a question..

[frostie]

welcome to trf

[Dan Pierce]

Never feel dumb around here for asking a question..

Agreed.
dP

[SPACE-DWELLER]

I think it is a matter of how you look at it, so as Larry says it is MADE in 2000/2001 and SOLD later on. But Rolex did not put "P" on its watches in 2000/2001.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

I think it is a matter of how you look at it, so as Larry says it is MADE in 2000/2001 and SOLD later on. But Rolex did not put "P" on its watches in 2000/2001.

That's absolutely true Spacey.

And when researching a watch, the "P" would always date it as a case stamped as late as 2000 but prior to 2001..... It would be in that way "dated" as a 2000 watch, unless supporting documents demonstrate it was sold in 2001 or 2002..

However, keep in mind that cases are numberd as they are stamped out; then pulled from stock for assembly. So a case with a serial "P" may be being assembled on the same table as a "K" serial in 2001.. and perhaps neither one actually making it to a store until 2002.

The same as there are currently "D", "Z", and "M" models that are in AD's display cases right now BNIB..

[jac67]

Originally Posted by Tools

Well....

Yes....and No...

A "P" serial number would have been manufactured in 2000/01. That same watch may have been shipped out in late 2001 and sat in shipping and on a dealers shelf for several months.

If it was not sold until January or later of 2002, it would be a 2002 watch.

In the Rolex world, nothing starts until the watch is sold to a customer. If a "P" model was not sold until 2002 (assuming it sat in the back room for that long), the Warranty would start in 2002, and that original warranty would show a new date of 2002 for that serial number, also the receipt would "prove" that it is a 2002watch..

Correct Tools. Full marks.

Nothing more to add.

BTW, welcome to TRF.


John.