Year of production?

[Don D.]

Hey guys,

I just bought a 16613 Bluesy from Swiss Watch Expo.

After researching them and talking to them on the phone I was comfortable moving forward with the purchase. The watch arrived today and is just amazing. Exceeded my expectations.

I was looking for a 2000+ model, holes/no holes didn't matter, with solid end links and the gold through buckle/clasp. This one had all of that and was in my price range (holes, btw lol).

The main question I had and was hoping maybe some of you Rolex experts could comment on was... the serial number is an A900 number. The watch was listed as a 2000 model. The date on the warranty papers is from May of 2000.

But, all but two sites that I've researched serial numbers on show it to be a 1999 model, including Bob's Watches. I've found two that show the A900 serial could definitely be a 2000 model. Beckertime and Millenarywaches both show it can be a 2000 model. Beckertime shows 1998-2000 when I input it and Millenary shows both A & P for the year 2000 (but also A in both 1998 & 1999). On Bob's it actually comes up as 1999 when I input it. The others just show the A in the years 1998 & 1999, but not in 2000, just to be clear. I don't know if that's just the starting date and could extend into the following year or not.

I guess that should be enough for me as all of Swiss Watch Expo, Beckertime & Millenary show it can be a 2000 (well SWE listed it as a 2000 but you know what I mean)... and it has the solid end links as well. I'm probably just being paranoid as it almost appears too good to be true with as great of condition as this bracelet is. Initially I kind of thought maybe this is a 1999 and someone replaced the original bracelet with one of the solid end links once they came out.

Sorry for the rambling. Guess I was just wondering if any of you may have had experience with the serial numbers from those years.

I know they have the 10 day period where you can get it authenticated by a Rolex dealer which I plan on doing but I thought I'd reach out here first.

Thank you!
Don

[RJRJRJ]

The date on the papers is the date it was sold, not manufactured. Also, those numbers regarding production dates are just estimates based on years of people compiling data.

[Don D.]

Originally Posted by RJRJRJ

The date on the papers is the date it was sold, not manufactured. Also, those numbers regarding production dates are just estimates based on years of people compiling data.

Right, I knew about the sold date being on the papers.

So, with both Beckertime and Millenary showing that serial number could be in 2000 would that likely be because they have some type of official documentation (history) of that being the case?

Just wonder why some sites show different information.

[Bladeshot]

No one knows when it was produced but Rolex. Everything is an estimate. Use the date on the papers, and enjoy your watch!
Welcome and Congrats!

[Don D.]

Originally Posted by Bladeshot

No one knows when it was produced but Rolex. Everything is an estimate. Use the date on the papers, and enjoy your watch!
Welcome and Congrats!

I pretty much had just come to this realization before I read your post. lol. Thanks for the response!

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by Don D.

I pretty much had just come to this realization before I read your post. lol. Thanks for the response!

I got my first Rolex from Swiss Watch Expo. Traded a Seamaster for a polar 16570. I enjoyed that Rolex so much. It was the on-ramp to my current illness (hobby).
Cheers.

[Don D.]

Originally Posted by Bladeshot

I got my first Rolex from Swiss Watch Expo. Traded a Seamaster for a polar 16570. I enjoyed that Rolex so much. It was the on-ramp to my current illness (hobby).
Cheers.

Nice.

I hear you man. I was in the corporate world for 15 years, from 1990 to 2005. The last ten or so years of that run I was fortunate enough to make pretty good money. I was a "watch guy" but not a real WIS. Coworkers and friends were getting Rolex's and I grabbed a few through the years. But, the industry I was in (pawn shops) gave me the opportunity to pick them up pre-owned at a nice "employee discount" lol.

It was the "cool thing to do" but I didn't enjoy them for the right reasons.

All these years later, as a small business owner (and not making nearly what I did back then lol) I've somehow got bit by the bug again. Starting a couple of months ago.

I started learning more about watches and appreciating the right things about them. It got me going again.

Last month I traded in a 1968ish two tone DateJust with an aftermarket jubilee that wasn't running (the 1st Rolex I ever bought back in 1990) and a 1985 stainless DateJust w/an aftermarket diamond dial and bezel and also an aftermarket (actually fake Rolex) oyster bracelet and some cash for a 2002 Yacht Master in excellent condition. I THOUGHT I was done lol.

But, I'd always wanted that blue 16613. I don't like the new super cases so I went to looking for an older one. I knew I wasn't going to just buy one. There was no way I was going to drop that kind of cash. So I started looking at things I wasn't using I could "trade" - actually sell then just buy the 16613 lol. I'm selling a 1982 two tone blue & gold DateJust, a 1999 bass boat I haven't used in FOUR years and 3 lower end watches (on ebay) to get the money I dropped on this one. :)

My Rolex "collection" went from 4 DateJust's (two with aftermarket bracelets) to a 2000 DateJust w/oyster bracelet & the roman number textured dial, a 2002 Yacht Master and a 2000 blue 16613. As my wife says now... "I'm done".

My little 12 slot watch box is full now and I do actually think I'm finished though.

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by Don D.

Nice.

I hear you man. I was in the corporate world for 15 years, from 1990 to 2005. The last ten or so years of that run I was fortunate enough to make pretty good money. I was a "watch guy" but not a real WIS. Coworkers and friends were getting Rolex's and I grabbed a few through the years. But, the industry I was in (pawn shops) gave me the opportunity to pick them up pre-owned at a nice "employee discount" lol.

It was the "cool thing to do" but I didn't enjoy them for the right reasons.

All these years later, as a small business owner (and not making nearly what I did back then lol) I've somehow got bit by the bug again. Starting a couple of months ago.

I started learning more about watches and appreciating the right things about them. It got me going again.

Last month I traded in a 1968ish two tone DateJust with an aftermarket jubilee that wasn't running (the 1st Rolex I ever bought back in 1990) and a 1985 stainless DateJust w/an aftermarket diamond dial and bezel and also an aftermarket (actually fake Rolex) oyster bracelet and some cash for a 2002 Yacht Master in excellent condition. I THOUGHT I was done lol.

But, I'd always wanted that blue 16613. I don't like the new super cases so I went to looking for an older one. I knew I wasn't going to just buy one. There was no way I was going to drop that kind of cash. So I started looking at things I wasn't using I could "trade" - actually sell then just buy the 16613 lol. I'm selling a 1982 two tone blue & gold DateJust, a 1999 bass boat I haven't used in FOUR years and 3 lower end watches (on ebay) to get the money I dropped on this one. :)

My Rolex "collection" went from 4 DateJust's (two with aftermarket bracelets) to a 2000 DateJust w/oyster bracelet & the roman number textured dial, a 2002 Yacht Master and a 2000 blue 16613. As my wife says now... "I'm done".

My little 12 slot watch box is full now and I do actually think I'm finished though.

Great story! Lots of us have some interesting histories. Sounds like fun trading in the past and a renewed appreciation, now .

[Don D.]

Originally Posted by Bladeshot

Great story! Lots of us have some interesting histories. Sounds like fun trading in the past and a renewed appreciation, now .

I bet.

I can imagine some of the stories and histories you Rolex/watch vets have.

Thanks again for the response.

[Orangeface]

That 1999-2000 era - marking the full entry into the internet age - is a bit murky in the world of Rolex info. Transitions in tritium/luminova, the “Swiss” only/service dial, SEL’s...that touched most all of the Rolexes. Might have also been a y2k thing.

The SELs on yours are interesting, though. Enjoy you Bluesy!

[Don D.]

Add a 3rd site to the list that shows the A serial number runs in both 1999 and 2000.

Swiss Watch Expo! lol.

Why I didn't see if they offered a Rolex serial number lookup I have no idea. Brain cramp, I guess.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Don D.

Add a 3rd site to the list that shows the A serial number runs in both 1999 and 2000.

Swiss Watch Expo! lol.

Why I didn't see if they offered a Rolex serial number lookup I have no idea. Brain cramp, I guess.

All this information is already on this site all most got to do is look on forum, and no internet chart is 100% accurate to date any Rolex watch. As all charts can only give a approx date when the case/clasp was stamped and not when it was made.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=8478

[Don D.]

Originally Posted by padi56

All this information is already on this site all most got to do is look on forum, and no internet chart is 100% accurate to date any Rolex watch. As all charts can only give a approx date when the case/clasp was stamped and not when it was made.

Yes sir, I actually came back here to post that if I'd have searched a little harder I'd have found a post from a Rolex Forum member back in November 2014 that stated his A9 serial number Explorer II was part of the change from no SEL to SEL during the A series run.

My bad. Newbie mistake. :)

Thanks again to those who responded.

[Don D.]

Originally Posted by Orangeface

That 1999-2000 era - marking the full entry into the internet age - is a bit murky in the world of Rolex info. Transitions in tritium/luminova, the “Swiss” only/service dial, SEL’s...that touched most all of the Rolexes. Might have also been a y2k thing.

The SELs on yours are interesting, though. Enjoy you Bluesy!

Thanks, man!

Yeah, its got the luminova dial as well.

I asked the salesman if it was all original and he was adamant it was. Also states on their site that's the case unless otherwise specified.

But, I know there's no way to guarantee any of that. I plan on having my Rolex guy (who I've dealt with for many years as far as servicing... and who I bought the Yacht Master from) look at it Wednesday just to make sure nothing jumps out at him as far as out of the ordinary.

[uhren917]

I too have an A series 16613 Blue Submariner with holes case.

However my clasp is stainless. It is interesting that yours has the gold thru the clasp.

I don't think the gold clasp version came until a few years later.

[SN13]

So,

1992 - Rolex Releases the 16628 Yachtmaster.

But earliest Serial Numbers are X and N --- which date to Late 1991.

Why?

Well because the CASES are made and serialized before they are assembled. And, Guess what? a 16628 Mid-case is the EXACT same architecture as a 16618 or a 16758 mid-case. They can be made, Serialized and then later the Model Number etched on the other side.

Sometimes an "N" serial watch goes out and is bought right away in late 1991, sometimes they go out and sit and are purchased in mid 1992.

The issue is that all of those "Serial Number" age dating, is estimated based on compiled data.

Reality is that my 16628 is a 1991 production of a 1992 release.

[WBaileyii]

The clasp has a date code too. If the clasp/bracelet is original to the watch it could help.

http://thegreengmthand.com/about/use...lex_clasp_code

I got my DJ Turn-O-Graph from Swiss Watch Expo. Great watch. Great store.

Enjoy your new watch!

[Tools]

Rolex enthusiasts dwell too much on date of manufacture.

The truth is that we are all wrong. Charts were made from enthusiasts who saw what was in the market place, and purchase receipts, none of them are based on any actual "manufacturing" data. Case back date stamps have helped fill in the gaps.

No chart can get you better than within a couple of years. Anybody who says that an Internet Chart is an absolute dating method is blowing hot air.

[Don D.]

Originally Posted by WBaileyii

The clasp has a date code too. If the clasp/bracelet is original to the watch it could help.

I got my DJ Turn-O-Graph from Swiss Watch Expo. Great watch. Great store.

Enjoy your new watch!

That was very helpful!

According to the chart the date for the bracelet is March 2000. (the same month I was married lol).

Thanks for that info, man!

[Don D.]

Originally Posted by uhren917

I too have an A series 16613 Blue Submariner with holes case.

However my clasp is stainless. It is interesting that yours has the gold thru the clasp.

I don't think the gold clasp version came until a few years later.

Does yours have SEL? Pretty sure the SEL made their debut in 2000.

[WBaileyii]

Originally Posted by Don D.

That was very helpful!

According to the chart the date for the bracelet is March 2000. (the same month I was married lol).

Thanks for that info, man!

Glad it was helpful. I stumbled across that website and thought it was just chock full of useful Rolex info.

[uhren917]

Originally Posted by Don D.

Does yours have SEL? Pretty sure the SEL made their debut in 2000.

My A series 16613 has non-SEL.

The reference below states the SEL bracelet was introduced in early 2000s.

https://millenarywatches.com/rolex-solid-end-links/

For your A serial watch (evening allowing for time variance of +/-1 to +/-2 years) to have SEL bracelet seems quite unique or not original to the watch.

Anyways I would prefer the SEL bracelet myself.

[uhren917]

Please see the 16613 A series.

[Don D.]

Originally Posted by uhren917

My A series 16613 has non-SEL.

The reference below states the SEL bracelet was introduced in early 2000s.

https://millenarywatches.com/rolex-solid-end-links/

For your A serial watch (evening allowing for time variance of +/-1 to +/-2 years) to have SEL bracelet seems quite unique or not original to the watch.

Anyways I would prefer the SEL bracelet myself.

Yeah, I'd read that one too before I came across this one (I can't post links yet as a new forum member). Google this from Bob's Watches...

The History and Evolution of the Two-Tone Rolex Submariner

It states the SEL made their debut in 2000. With the bracelet being a March 2000 and the papers being May of 2000....I feel pretty good about it. Also, being an A9 serial leads me to believe it'd likely have been made or at least pushed out to sell towards the end of that cycle.

(Who are your Dolphins taking at 6? Lol...I'm hoping Surtain is there at 10 for the Cowboys) :)

Edit : I think with 11 posts now I may be able to share a link... let's try...

https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-bl...ubmariner.html

Finally, here's the link to the post I found in an old thread from 2014 where a guy states his A9 serial Explorer II has the SEL. (post #10)

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=380826

[uhren917]

Originally Posted by Don D.

Yeah, I'd read that one too before I came across this one (I can't post links yet as a new forum member). Google this from Bob's Watches...

The History and Evolution of the Two-Tone Rolex Submariner

It states the SEL made their debut in 2000. With the bracelet being a March 2000 and the papers being May of 2000....I feel pretty good about it. Also, being an A9 serial leads me to believe it'd likely have been made or at least pushed out to sell towards the end of that cycle.

(Who are your Dolphins taking at 6? Lol...I'm hoping Surtain is there at 10 for the Cowboys) :)

Edit : I think with 11 posts now I may be able to share a link... let's try...

https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-bl...ubmariner.html

Thanks for the Bob's watch info. Coincidentally I was talking with them about my 16613 after I put my serial number into their site,

As I said, I would prefer your SEL bracelet over mine.

As for the Dolphins, I'm an old school fan and not keeping up with the post Shula team.

Surttain? Patrick 's kid? Man I feel old.

Have fun with your new Sub!

[Don D.]

Originally Posted by uhren917

Thanks for the Bob's watch info. Coincidentally I was talking with them about my 16613 after I put my serial number into their site,

As I said, I would prefer your SEL bracelet over mine.

As for the Dolphins, I'm an old school fan and not keeping up with the post Shula team.

Surttain? Patrick 's kid? Man I feel old.

Have fun with your new Sub!

Thanks!

lol yes, Patrick's kid. I hear you, I feel it, too... big time.

But, man... I'll be 53 in May and I still play Madden smh.