Who will buy a used Rolex if you don't know production date

[hutchman]

Does anyone else think scrambled serial numbers will negatively effect resale a few years down the road? I know I won't buy a used Rolex if I don't know the production date.

[geronimo509]

If there is no other way to find out the production year then I wouldn't buy one unless I completely trusted the seller and they were 100% sure when it was made.

[sleddog]

I would Mike...If condition is good and all axtra's are there,why not if the price is good??

I see what your saying though.....Will the scrambled serials force a higher value???
Time will tell!..

[robsteve]

It will probably make original papers and a dated warranty card even more important in valuing a used watch with the random serial numbers.

Robert

[smallcandle]

I've wondered about this also. While I don't think that the random serial numbers will negatively effect a watch's value, I wouldn't buy one for the same reason you pointed out. I absolutely want to know how old a watch is that I'm buying pre-owned.

[mjm800]

Originally Posted by robsteve

It will probably make original papers and a dated warranty card even more important in valuing a used watch with the random serial numbers.

Robert

+1

Without papers no sale for me anyway.

[JUSTROLEXES]

Mike here are few things to consider then.
The date on the warranty.
The service history of the watch.
and the condition of the watch...
It is just like buying an Omega watch or Cartier watch....

[t e x]

Originally Posted by justrolexes

Mike here are few things to consider then.
The date on the warranty.
The service history of the watch.
and the condition of the watch...
It is just like buying an Omega watch or Cartier watch....

+1

without dated papers, how will one be able to determine if the price should factor in serice that be due.

[springbar]

Originally Posted by geronimo509

If there is no other way to find out the production year then I wouldn't buy one unless I completely trusted the seller and they were 100% sure when it was made.

Wait a minute. ALL random serial-numbered watches will be newer than ALL letter-code serial-numbered watches.

If you would buy a random-numbered watch because it might be old, why would you even consider a letter-code watch, which is guaranteed to be even older?

The date on the warranty card will be a more than close enough indicator of the age of the watch. I have never seen ANY evidence correlating the time spent on the shelf at the time of purchase with a higher incidence of malfunction.

Our watches have functional lives that can span for decades if not centuries, yet we talk about them here as if they go bad like last week's egg salad.

If anything, the random serial numbers will make buyers pay more attention to condition, which they should have been doing all along.

[ParisDakarBmw]

When you buy a used watch that isn't in tip top shape, you would have to consider the movement may need a service. This would hurt the paying prices when they become 5 years into production with those numbers.

I agree that the previous method has worked just fine, and would like to know the age. Once the papers are gone it's hard to tell.

"This watch is 4 ish"

What if someone wants a vintage Rolex 35 years from now? What if they want a sentimental year, and the numbers have no meaning? I wish they never changed, but it's too late now.

[nowzen]

Originally Posted by hutchman

Does anyone else think scrambled serial numbers will negatively effect resale a few years down the road? I know I won't buy a used Rolex if I don't know the production date.

I've always been confused by Rolex's repeated attempts to hide the production date of their watches. Always seemed deceptive to me. I know some marketing genius thinks it somehow adds to the on-going value of the watch and stretches out the saleability of old stock, giving it extended shelf-life. It would be nice if the company was a little more consumer-friendly and transparent.

But in the end, the effect of the mixed code will be to create a demarcation between pre-mixed (known dates) and mixed (unknown date) - unless some brilliant TRF cryptolgists manage to break the code. I imagine we will be seeing customer created data lists like "Fatter second hand = 2015 to 2016". Down the road, it might negatively affect the value of non-mixed in the resale market - or more quickly drop them into the vintage classification?

[nowzen]

Originally Posted by springbar

Our watches have functional lives that can span for decades if not centuries, yet we talk about them here as if they go bad like last week's egg salad.

If anything, the random serial numbers will make buyers pay more attention to condition, which they should have been doing all along.

Interesting philosophy, but it seems to ignore obvious advantages of newer evolving technology as it happens, such as parachrome springs or ceramic bezels etc. etc. Why should a consumer have to be a certified watchmaker to be able to assess the age of the watch or have some assurance that he is benefiting from the latest engineering?

When I buy a car, I have immediate transparency of its dating without having to do a forensic assessment of the engine components.

[chris russell]

I don't buy it. And I doubt I am the minority in that respect. Rolex had better take this seriously. I continue to doubt that it's even legal to obscure the production date of a product like an expensive watch.

[VincentR]

At the end of the day.. if Rolex does not want to expose production dates then thats up to them! There is no hard and fast rule. They are a lot more experienced and they have a much wider perpective, so they have decided to go with random serials. I think this is a good thing because it makes it harder on the counterfeiters to sell a watch saying its genuine. because people can not authenticate it anymore without taking it to RSC or AD.

[Green Arrow]

I consider a V better than M better than Z, in much the same way I consider newer production dates in cars to be better. I won't buy a random serial number watch after 2010 unless there is some way to know the production date.

[pradeep]

Sound advice there!

[JUSTROLEXES]

Originally Posted by Green Arrow

I consider a V better than M better than Z, in much the same way I consider newer production dates in cars to be better. I won't buy a random serial number watch after 2010 unless there is some way to know the production date.

I'm sure with time we should find a way to break the code

[GregWormald]

I'm with springbar on this one.

Condition is much more important than date. If condition is in doubt--send it to Rolex to have an evaluation as a pre-condition of sale.

My 1680 has been regularly serviced and is presently accurate to 1 or 2 seconds a week--what's the problem with a 40 year old watch?

Some Rolex watches will sit in a dealer for 2 years but the warranty papers will say it's new. Is it new or old according to Rolex?

I suspect all of this is because Rolex doesn't just oil a watch--they do a complete service to bring it back to as new condition as possible, and they seem to do it well.

Greg

[springbar]

Originally Posted by nowzen

Interesting philosophy, but it seems to ignore obvious advantages of newer evolving technology as it happens, such as parachrome springs or ceramic bezels etc. etc. Why should a consumer have to be a certified watchmaker to be able to assess the age of the watch or have some assurance that he is benefiting from the latest engineering?

When I buy a car, I have immediate transparency of its dating without having to do a forensic assessment of the engine components.

Knowing when a car was manufactured is in no way a substitute for examining its condition. This only becomes MORE so as the car (or car parts) get older.

Features with "obvious advantages" are, by definition, obvious. Ceramic bezels and most other feature changes do not require forensic analysis to discover.

[mikelprz]

Just like many other codes... Someone will crack it..

[padi56]

Well with all the different brands of Swiss watches and other brands over the rest of the world that sell millions upon millions of watches yearly.Rolex is the only brand that I know of where this production code is deemed so important over the actual watch.And lets be honest here most S.steel models are not at ADs long enough to gather dust.And these codes are just a indication when a particular case was stamped.And not necessarily when a completed watch was shipped from Rolex Switzerland to the various ADs world wide.And I am 100% sure if most of you was say offered a vintage piece like say a 6263 you would not care a hoot when it might have been manufactured.Same for any other sort after model just cannot see the need to know when a case was estimated to be stamped by some Internet code.Who knows perhaps Rolex altered these code many years ago and the Internet code is wrong.

Originally Posted by springbar

Knowing when a car was manufactured is in no way a substitute for examining its condition. This only becomes MORE so as the car (or car parts) get older.

Features with "obvious advantages" are, by definition, obvious. Ceramic bezels and most other feature changes do not require forensic analysis to discover.

Completely agree with you and regarding cars they could be stood in fields for perhaps months or even years.But when sold they get a new registration plate, and full manufactures warranty.

[nowzen]

Originally Posted by GregWormald

I'm with springbar on this one.

Some Rolex watches will sit in a dealer for 2 years but the warranty papers will say it's new. Is it new or old according to Rolex?

Well that's the problem... the world doesn't operate according to Rolex's philosophy of 'its all good'. I think if you are an end-user with no intention of selling - you can buy that.

However, anyone who might want to resell will probably take into consideration the marketplace's propensity to value something newer as better. Anyone, attempting to sell a watch without a serial number is usually barraged with queries for that very information.

[RolexCat]

My AD was happy about the ser number change. He said they have lost sales because someone wanted a Z code rather then a M code. I dont like it. Rolexs keep their value in the used market because of all the collectors. Without telling the dates, IMO, will hurt the used Rolex market. Ron

[Speed]

Originally Posted by RolexCat

My AD was happy about the ser number change. He said they have lost sales because someone wanted a Z code rather then a M code. I dont like it. Rolexs keep their value in the used market because of all the collectors. Without telling the dates, IMO, will hurt the used Rolex market. Ron

Well said.

There it is lads, in a nutshell. This is for Rolex & authorized dealers benefit. They hope to avoid lost sales of new watches at retail. The secondary market impacts to them are...well, secondary at best!

[mjm800]

Am I wrong to not care about production dates?

As long as all the paperwork is in order and the watch looks and run great that's all I care about.

Until I came here I never even knew about M, Z, and other serials.

Is an M different from a V in a meaningful way? Does an M not run as well as a V?

[SLS]

Most of the watches that I buy are pre-owned, its just not worth paying $1000 or much more for the same watch. I could give a rats behind about serial numbers on a watch, condition is key for me. For those of you who have to have all the goodies, so be it, but just remember, you often pay less for a watch without them. Which means more money in my pocket for the next watch! If I am at all concerned about authenticity, it's simple, I just don't buy the watch, there are plenty to choose from. For those of you concerned about value, the modern Rolex, will be worth a fraction of what today's current vintage are, so if you are concerned about value, buy vintage.
Scott

[Serge08]

I would not do it.....

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by Green Arrow

I consider a V better than M better than Z, in much the same way I consider newer production dates in cars to be better. I won't buy a random serial number watch after 2010 unless there is some way to know the production date.

My unhandled pristine Z SD was better than the very shop worn M that I looked at when I got one last year. I think it's still in better shape now after many months of daily use. Things are not always black and white with these series dates.
Perhaps Rolex will offer a production date confirmation as a part of RSC service. It would probably increase RSC service profits with 2nd hand Rolexes.

[Edward-K]

For me if i am going to buy a watch from my AD is means i will have him special order whatever it is - thats the only way to assure your not buying a watch that has been sitting in the case for years.

[DRAWTOOL]

Originally Posted by SLS

Most of the watches that I buy are pre-owned, its just not worth paying $1000 or much more for the same watch. I could give a rats behind about serial numbers on a watch, condition is key for me. For those of you who have to have all the goodies, so be it, but just remember, you often pay less for a watch without them. Which means more money in my pocket for the next watch! If I am at all concerned about authenticity, it's simple, I just don't buy the watch, there are plenty to choose from. For those of you concerned about value, the modern Rolex, will be worth a fraction of what today's current vintage are, so if you are concerned about value, buy vintage.
Scott

+3000