Explorer Mk2 confusion

[Renoire]

Hello Forum,

Newbie here!

Just purchased a pre-owned Explorer Mk2, i.e. 39mm, longer hands and lumed 3,6,9 numerals - looks gorgeous! However, I thought it was a 2016 when purchased, but upon receiving the watch, the details state date of purchase as 2011, so I'm very confused as the face-lifted mk2 did not appear until 2016.

Also, when I check the serial number (Z3Z19152) against a couple of online databases it gives the date of manufacture as 2006-7, and this doesn't figure at all, as, as far as I know, the 214270 was not introduced until 2010! So, doubly confused.

Can anyone throw any light on this confusion? I hope I've manage to attach a picture.

Really appreciate any informed comments. Thanks.

[SpeakWithMichael]

Hello, Renoire, and welcome to the Forum. First, in 2010, Rolex began to scramble the serial numbers. So because your scrambled serial number happens to begin with a Z, when you put that into the database, it says, "Oh, a Z at the beginning, those serial numbers belong to the 2006-2007 list (before they began to be scrambled)."

If you change the Z to a Y at the beginning, you'll get 2002-2003. Rest assured, your watch was not made during those years. If you have any doubts, take it to a Rolex AD for verification.

[alphasports]

I had my Mk1 recently converted to a Mk2 by the AD, so that's a possibility too.

[Jmbarrack]

Originally Posted by Renoire

Hello Forum,
the details state date of purchase as 2011

When you say "details state" are you referring to the warranty card stating the purchase date was 2011?

If so, then that likely means the watch was purchased in 2011 with an MK1 dial, and at some point, it was changed, either via service or a dealer swap.

[AEC]

Originally Posted by Jmbarrack

...purchased in 2011 with an MK1 dial, and at some point, it was changed, either via service or a dealer swap.

I'm guessing this is the case.

Welcome to TRF, and nice choice of a first Rolex

[Renoire]

Thanks to all for your kind replies.

The dealer is telling me that the watch is a 2016, but they sent me the wrong warranty card. The only problem with this explanation is that the serial number on the card matches that on my watch, and that seems an incredible coincidence that they would have two warranty cards for the same model watch with the same serial number, but two different dates of purchase. Is that possible?

Thanks for any further advice.

[Thuilln]

Your serial is not a Z serial; it is a random serial starting with a Z. It has 8 digits vs 7 for a proper Z serial from 2006-2007. End.

[Jmbarrack]

Originally Posted by Renoire

Thanks to all for your kind replies.

The dealer is telling me that the watch is a 2016, but they sent me the wrong warranty card. The only problem with this explanation is that the serial number on the card matches that on my watch, and that seems an incredible coincidence that they would have two warranty cards for the same model watch with the same serial number, but two different dates of purchase. Is that possible?

Thanks for any further advice.

Two warranty cards for the same serial number? Something seems off with this story.

[ExplorerTime]

It was born an MK1 and transitioned to a MK2 by Rolex.

If you go to a Rolex Service Center they will have service history of watch, that will be your answer, but that's my bet.

[Renoire]

Thanks again for your replies. Just been into a Rolex AD and they confirm what you are saying about serial numbers. Disappointingly, they also told me that they cannot confirm the date of manufacture from the serial number (which rather surprised me). Their suspicion is that the dial and hands have been changed. I am still waiting for a credible explanation from the shop I bought it from. They're fedexing me to take back the guarantee card on Monday, and say they'll then send me the right one which apparently they have....????

[Renoire]

I'm returning the watch and asking for a refund! Really disappointed!

[sportsmaven20]

Originally Posted by Renoire

I'm returning the watch and asking for a refund! Really disappointed!

Good choice...seems way too fishy!

Don’t worry, you’ll find another one without any baggage!

[Renoire]

Thanks, I found a brand new one for for a few hundred more. Think I'll go for it for the peace of mind!

[Saint-Tropez]

Glad it worked out for you! Your much better off now, anyhow.

[subcsteve]

Just shows how tricky this can be, think you made the right choice and ended up with a better deal :)

[Muxi]

Originally Posted by Renoire

Thanks, I found a brand new one for for a few hundred more. Think I'll go for it for the peace of mind!

Great idea. Paying a bit more for a new example you will probably keep indefinitely makes good sense. A brand new Explorer is just so crisp and untouched and price-wise very close to most preowned units in the market.

[zengineer]

Maybe just the angle but shouldn't the hour hand be exactly as long as the outer edge of the markers...yours looks almost extra long.

[matthias1975]

First post here and really enjoying this forum. Not sure if this adds anything but I purchased an Explorer in Dec '18 from an AD and the serial starts with F. So when I looked and it up it gives me production year of 2005. But it makes sense since they just recently started to scramble serials.

[flv112]

You have a random/scrambled (mix of numbers and letters) 8-character serial number, like I'm sure all Mk2 214270s have.

[ExplorerTime]

Originally Posted by flv112

You have a random/scrambled (mix of numbers and letters) 8-character serial number, like I'm sure all Mk2 214270s have.

Yes, the serial # issue is settled, Modern Rolex' have random serial numbers.

The issue is that the date of purchase is 2011, which would have been a MK1 dial as opposed to an MK2.

So the likely scenario is that it was an MK1 which had its dial and hands replaced w/ Mk2 hands & dial.

[Lumberjact]

Originally Posted by alphasports

I had my Mk1 recently converted to a Mk2 by the AD, so that's a possibility too.

Are Rolex changing dials and handsets from MkI to II during service, on request?

[cloudplay]

Originally Posted by Renoire

Thanks to all for your kind replies.

The dealer is telling me that the watch is a 2016, but they sent me the wrong warranty card. The only problem with this explanation is that the serial number on the card matches that on my watch, and that seems an incredible coincidence that they would have two warranty cards for the same model watch with the same serial number, but two different dates of purchase. Is that possible?

Thanks for any further advice.

Even if Rolex re-uses "random" serials (which seems stupid if this is supposed to be a unique identifier, and trivially avoided), the likelihood that the same grey dealer would end up with identical serial MK1 and a MK2 Explorers in inventory at the same time is in lottery winning territory. And then when he sells one of this unicorn pair of identical serial Explorers, he just happens to mix up the cards. Sure. I vote for not possible/something's wrong here.

[ancientmariner]

Originally Posted by Renoire

Thanks, I found a brand new one for for a few hundred more. Think I'll go for it for the peace of mind!

[Renoire]

Originally Posted by Lumberjact

Are Rolex changing dials and handsets from MkI to II during service, on request?

Hi, When I went into a Rolex dealer they told me it would be against their policy to alter a watch in this way, i.e. put a later dial and hands on to a watch. It's not something they would do.

Cheers