2023 Rolex serial number

[BubbaXuque]

Hello everyone,
I need some help. I recently and finally purchased a Submariner Kermit/Starbucks, and was so excited to finally get this watch. However, when I looked up the production year using the serial number, it came back 1988. That's because, if everyone remembers, that was the year the "R" alphabet was used. I know starting after 2010, Rolex started using random serial numbers, but why would they start with alphabets from previous years' models? My watch starts with "R," thus the problem. This watch is brand new, so is this going to be a problem when and if I decide to sell it, or am I overreacting?

[SLWoodster]

Overreacting.

[Oldfellow]

If your serial number is made up of 8 random numbers and letters you are fine.
The letter R is random in this context.

[jimcarver]

Overreacting, read back what you wrote, you know its new, you know what random means, enjoy it.

[alphadweller]

gosh...

[Old Expat Beast]

If the R is followed by seven numbers, everything should be fine.

Welcome to the forum.

[brucethemanlee]

Over reacting

[BubbaXuque]

Thanks All for your replies. This is a great-looking watch.

[Eric-London]

Over.........never mind.

[ArtNouveau]

Another common misconception is “year models,” Rolex does not have them. Yes the old alphanumeric serials can narrow down the date range it was produced and sold but even back then it was not strictly a calendar thing.
Since the introduction of random serials the only way to “date” a modern Rolex is a warranty card or sales receipt indicating when it went to its first owner.

[PenDelicate]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

Another common misconception is “year models,” Rolex does not have them. Yes the old alphanumeric serials can narrow down the date range it was produced and sold but even back then it was not strictly a calendar thing.
Since the introduction of random serials the only way to “date” a modern Rolex is a warranty card or sales receipt indicating when it went to its first owner.

I know next to nothing about serial numbers, but recently bought a "P"-serial watch, and the first thing a search threw-up was this:
https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-serial-numbers

Doesn't P map to year 2000?

And the papers I have record it as sold in 2002. Does the serial number help with date-of-sale?

[khalifam]

Overreacting

Sent from my SM-F936B using Tapatalk

[padi56]

Originally Posted by PenDelicate

I know next to nothing about serial numbers, but recently bought a "P"-serial watch, and the first thing a search threw-up was this:
https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-serial-numbers

Doesn't P map to year 2000?

And the papers I have record it as sold in 2002. Does the serial number help with date-of-sale?

All internet charts are just a approx date when the case or clasp was stamped ,this don't always mean when it was made,and most serials can overlap a year or so.

[brandrea]

Welcome aboard and congratulations

[Tools]

Originally Posted by PenDelicate

I know next to nothing about serial numbers, but recently bought a "P"-serial watch, and the first thing a search threw-up was this:
https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-serial-numbers

Doesn't P map to year 2000?

And the papers I have record it as sold in 2002. Does the serial number help with date-of-sale?

Bob's is an unreliable, or at least perhaps misleading set-up.

Rolex produced every letter prefix serial for 3 or 4 years, and they also produced 2 or more concurrently. A letter is not absolute for any year.

Their method implies otherwise, which is not correct.

To read a chart correctly, a P serial was first seen in the marketplace in mid 2000 and made it onto charts at that time. Then they produced it for a couple of more years, along with the previous A serials until those ran their course, and the along side later K serials.

[PenDelicate]

Originally Posted by Tools

Bob's is an unreliable, or at least perhaps misleading set-up.

Rolex produced every letter prefix serial for 3 or 4 years, and they also produced 2 or more concurrently. A letter is not absolute for any year.

Their method implies otherwise, which is not correct.

To read a chart correctly, a P serial was first seen in the marketplace in mid 2000 and made it onto charts at that time. Then they produced it for a couple of more years, along with the previous A serials until those ran their course, and the along side later K serials.

Ah, I see, thank you.

[koronet-kid]

You must have an Uber rare 1988 prototype ceramic sub congrats

[kb866]

Assuming you got this watch from the AD or trusted reseller, you're fine. R is part of the random serial numbers Rolex is using now.

[Seddyspaghetti]

Overreacting.