New serial numbers

[gt3pilot]

Rolex has been talking about this random serial number idea for a long time. They have always told their AD's that the numbers didn't really mean anything in regards to production etc. etc. Up until a few years ago in the US. the papers used to be stamped with a series of red letters that would indicate when the watch was shipped from RUSA to the AD. That code was easy ROLEX WATCH, R=1 O=2 L=3 and so forth. Example RO RW CC Shipped Dec. 16 '99.

Remember it wasn't Rolex or their AD's that compiled the serial number production list. It was a few folks that have been buying and selling Rolex watches(non AD's) for many many years and did a LOT of research to come up with the list as we know it now. We've all benefited from their hard work and have used the list to help with our watches.

Rolex doesn't really care about the resale market nor would they care if you/we could tell how old a watch is. They will know and that's really all that matters to them. To them all the watches in the AD's are all brand new until they are sold and the warranty card is filled in and dated by the AD, whether it's a A serial number or a V serial number. Good or bad that's the reality in my opinion