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tkc324 · 14 June 2011, 08:18 AM

This question prob been asked before, but i couldnt find it while searching the forum. I was just wondering if Rolex serial numbers indicates when a watch is made chronologically. For example a V000001 will be made earlier then V000002. Or does Rolex randomly pick out the cases and make watches with them. I thought I remember reading somewhere that its all random, but want to confirm. Thanks~

The GMT Master · 14 June 2011, 08:20 AM

The cases are stamped chronologically, but that bears no resemblance to when they're actually constructed into a watch. The whole serial number as a way of dating a watch, as a result, is highly flawed for anything but the fastest selling steel sports models

Tools · 14 June 2011, 10:33 AM

The whole mystery of serial numbers may never be known.

As mentioned, it is likely that they are stamped chronologically, but that is really unknown.. However:

. The serial numbers are spread throughout the line, so you do not know what serial goes to what model, or case..
> Does 0000001 go to a Sub, and then 0000002 go to a Ladies DJ, then 0000003 go to something else ??
> Or, does 0000001 through 0000999 go to Subs, then 0001000 start another model, and so forth - or not? and then when they go through all the models, do they start over again to finish out all numbers..
> Or, do they stamp 2,000 Day Dates, then stamp 10,000 Subs, then stamp 10,000 GMT's, then stamp 4 Deep Seas..

and so on..

. After stamping they all go into a bin to be drawn at random (or by robot) to be made into a full model, however:
> Does a binned watch only get pulled when there is an order to be filled.
> If so, that would explain why Gold models lag SS by a year or two - those models are pulled and built at a slower pace, but many cases are stamped ahead of time..

Or

..... Do serial numbers simply get allocated each year based on expected sales.. Then, from that allocation, do they make and stamp a watch (or box of watches) from stock and ship them out...
> Using this method, an "allocation" of serial numbers for a single model could be stretched out over several years based wholly on how many of that model are ordered each year..

I suppose we could go on speculating for days...........

tkc324 · 14 June 2011, 10:43 AM

This is very interesting. Thanks for the insight guys~

14 June 2011, 08:18 AM	#1
tkc324 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Tom Location: Chi town Watch: Daytona AP DD Sub Posts: 3,717	Serial number question This question prob been asked before, but i couldnt find it while searching the forum. I was just wondering if Rolex serial numbers indicates when a watch is made chronologically. For example a V000001 will be made earlier then V000002. Or does Rolex randomly pick out the cases and make watches with them. I thought I remember reading somewhere that its all random, but want to confirm. Thanks~

14 June 2011, 10:33 AM	#3
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,084	The whole mystery of serial numbers may never be known. As mentioned, it is likely that they are stamped chronologically, but that is really unknown.. However: . The serial numbers are spread throughout the line, so you do not know what serial goes to what model, or case.. > Does 0000001 go to a Sub, and then 0000002 go to a Ladies DJ, then 0000003 go to something else ?? > Or, does 0000001 through 0000999 go to Subs, then 0001000 start another model, and so forth - or not? and then when they go through all the models, do they start over again to finish out all numbers.. > Or, do they stamp 2,000 Day Dates, then stamp 10,000 Subs, then stamp 10,000 GMT's, then stamp 4 Deep Seas.. and so on.. . After stamping they all go into a bin to be drawn at random (or by robot) to be made into a full model, however: > Does a binned watch only get pulled when there is an order to be filled. > If so, that would explain why Gold models lag SS by a year or two - those models are pulled and built at a slower pace, but many cases are stamped ahead of time.. Or ..... Do serial numbers simply get allocated each year based on expected sales.. Then, from that allocation, do they make and stamp a watch (or box of watches) from stock and ship them out... > Using this method, an "allocation" of serial numbers for a single model could be stretched out over several years based wholly on how many of that model are ordered each year.. I suppose we could go on speculating for days........... __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

14 June 2011, 08:20 AM	#2
The GMT Master "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Chris Location: England Posts: 8,149	The cases are stamped chronologically, but that bears no resemblance to when they're actually constructed into a watch. The whole serial number as a way of dating a watch, as a result, is highly flawed for anything but the fastest selling steel sports models

14 June 2011, 10:43 AM	#4
tkc324 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Tom Location: Chi town Watch: Daytona AP DD Sub Posts: 3,717	This is very interesting. Thanks for the insight guys~

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