Rolex service timing question

[Klenow]

I just bought a pre-owned rolex with a warranty card dated 2014. I checked the random serial number online and it looks like it might have been produced in 2011. So in the future if I were to take it in for the routine 5 year service, should I use the 2011 production date or the 2014 sale date?

[Punishher7]

My understanding is that the best estimate you can get searching online for a manufactured date on the new watches with random serial numbers is 2011+. They cannot be referenced to a specific year anymore. If you have a warranty card that looks legit and says 2014 I'd think it's safe to say that at a minimum it was serviced in 2014.

[Old Expat Beast]

Those online Rolex serial checkers like the one at Bob's Watches (which I'm guessing is what you used) are worse than useless. Any random-serial entered will come up with 2011. Your watch could have been made in the last 12 months.

[watchwatcher]

2014.

[Robert Cross]

If it was an AD service/warrantee card....go with 2014.

Bob

[tkerrmd]

you have a good 5-7 years unless it doesnt run right

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Klenow

I just bought a pre-owned rolex with a warranty card dated 2014. I checked the random serial number online and it looks like it might have been produced in 2011. So in the future if I were to take it in for the routine 5 year service, should I use the 2011 production date or the 2014 sale date?

You have fallen into the "Internet Chart" trap. Charts are not for you to "date" your watch when you have actual paper in your hand; they are to give you an estimate (yes charts are guesses) when you know nothing about your watch. They are a research tool.

As mentioned though, randoms began in 2011 and so all charts stop there. If we were to build a "random" chart (remember, all charts were made by enthusiasts as Rolex has never released any data), your serial and 2014 date would be a data point to try to establish a pattern, not the other way around..

[Klenow]

Thanks. I did use the search box on Bob's watches to get the 2011 date and thought that meant my watch sat in some AD display case for 4 years. So this is good to know.

[brandrea]

Very informative Larry, thanks