Advise plz - Z serial # new watch - Would you consider buying now?

[Rosanna_Taylor]

Hi all,

Today i was at an AD and i was looking at a brand new Rolex DateJust watch that has a Z serial #. Z serial # represent a manufacture date of May 2006. Would anyone of u consider buying it since it's been sitting in its inventory for about a bit more than 4 years now? would there be a difference in its resell value and its function?

So my main quesition is: Would u buy a new watch which was manufactured 4 years ago in 2006 now?

Please help me decide whether i should get it or not. Thanks a lot for your advise in advance. I really appreciate it.

[snowbird]

If you want the watch, I wouldn't personally consider it a big issue. Anyway those serial number charts are only approxmate and from what I understand some Z serials were produced as late as 2009.

[Speed]

You could ask the AD for a discount or some service check up. If it has in fact been sitting for 4 years...

Is it a ladies watch? I did not want to assume...In any event, see if the AD will address your concerns. They probably really want to see it go

[SCD]

The serial # only indicates when the case was forged.

But in any case I just bought a P series watch presumably from 2000 or 2001. I noted the serial number to the AD, and that I'd need to get it serviced, and I got a very sweet deal.

[Tools]

A Z serial does NOT represent a date of May 2006 ...

The first Z serial was seen, someplace in the world, in mid 2006 and they were continually manufactured for years until all the allotted numbers for each model became used up.. For some rare references, a "new" Z may come off the line tomorrow...

[Ebruner]

Who cares, it is a new watch. TOO many people get hung up for no reason on the serial number.

Go for it!!!!

-Eddie

[andrew79]

why not ? it's still a new watch nevertheless.

[Lion]

Do you like the watch and if so...go ahead and buy it. I'm sure you will not be disappointed!!!

[FremStar]

Rosanna I would not worry... Surprisingly I was at Wempe and Tourneau (Time machine) in NYC over the weekend just browsing around for the DSSD and they both had Z serial 18k GMT's for sale. I was surprised, however, was told the same thing that Tools (Larry) stated. I am glad I got my 116718 from a trusted member/seller here

[swatty]

Now I understand why rolex changed their serial numbering

[Speed]

...but why shouldn't she try to use this as an excuse for a discount? If they say no...she can still buy it if she likes it enough.

I'll be the AD will be glad when all they have is random serial #s.

[Rosanna_Taylor]

Thanks a lot for all of the input. I didn't mention what watch it was in my initial post. The watch I was looking at is the SS Datejust turnograph (white dial with oyster bracelet). Retail is $6,775 and now the AD is selling for $5,450 with tax and insurance included. It's about 19% off retail. Do u guys think it is a decent deal? Pls advise. Thx again !

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by Speed

...but why shouldn't she try to use this as an excuse for a discount? If they say no...she can still buy it if she likes it enough.

I'll be the AD will be glad when all they have is random serial #s.

Bill, I agree Rosanna should definitely try and seek a discount.

Originally Posted by Rosanna_Taylor

Thanks a lot for all of the input. I didn't mention what watch it was in my initial post. The watch I was looking at is the SS Datejust turnograph (white dial with oyster bracelet). Retail is $6,775 and now the AD is selling for $5,450 with tax and insurance included. It's about 19% off retail. Do u guys think it is a decent deal? Pls advise. Thx again !

Hmmm $5,450? Could be a good deal, however, I as well I am sure other members here would advise you to view the for sale section here, you may be able to garner an even greater discount! Good Luck!

[sond86]

Hmm for that model DJ
My opinion is it is a bit dated
As those should sell faster
Among DJ. My Z serial
Has a rare MOP diamonds
And Is a Z and I bought it
In fall 08 and it was sitting
In the dealer for a year or
More. I got 25% or so off

Originally Posted by sfirempong

Bill, I agree Rosanna should definitely try and seek a discount.



Hmmm $5,450? Could be a good deal, however, I as well I am sure other members here would advise you to view the for sale section here, you may be able to garner an even greater discount! Good Luck!

[snowbird]

That seems like a good deal to me especially since the AD is paying the tax. Depending on the tax rate in your area it's probably more like 25% off really.

[sea-dweller]

I would ask for a discount...

[Rosanna_Taylor]

I'm from new york and we have a 8.875% tax. but i'm shipping the watch to a NJ address so that's why the tax is waived, not that the AD is paying for me.

[TopNotchChach]

You could ask the AD for a discount or some service check up

ditto

[Brit78]

I wouldn't worry about the serial letter at all. I'm pretty sure that you could do better than 19% off though. Ask for more!

[SSD]

I purchased my Z-serial Sub in July of 2007: right in the middle of the "Z" run. If it is any consolation, I have used it every day since and it runs like new. This one has been in an AD (probably) for much of this time. I see no reason to frown upon it.

Tools and the others are right. Rolex manufactures and stamps cases with their serial numbers, then finishes them with movements & braclets etc. until the series is complete. It is actually more accurate to examine the bracelet codes in order to guess the "manufacture" date, but that method is not perfect, either. The watch is, in fact, genuinely new. If you want to ask for a discount, the worst they can do is say "no", and you have lost nothing.

[Evan614]

I passed on a watch for that exact reason.

Why not say I will buy that model for that price but I won't accept the display case watch. Tell them you want one out of the safe with all the clear stickers on it.
The display case one will have hairline scratches and signs of in&out of the display case wear. Makes it seem more used that new.

[SSD]

Originally Posted by Evan614

I passed on a watch for that exact reason.

Why not say I will buy that model for that price but I won't accept the display case watch. Tell them you want one out of the safe with all the clear stickers on it.
The display case one will have hairline scratches and signs of in&out of the display case wear. Makes it seem more used that new.

Now there is a good point!

I have no problem with a watch that has been in stock for a while. But there is just no way I would buy one, paying "new" prices, if it were scratched up. Nope! A deal breaker.

I didn't have a loupe when I made my purchase (sorry JJ), but taking the stickers off was such a delicious pleasure!!!

[mkmk]

The problem as I see it is if it was manufactured in 2006 then it will need a service 4 years sooner then a "V" serial or one manufact. in 2010. Surely an older serial is worth less then new just because of the sooner service need. Sitting in the AD case would not extend the service time any more then having it sit in your safe. Rolex says 5-6 years after purchase without consideration for wear time.

[mcubed]

Originally Posted by mkmk

The problem as I see it is if it was manufactured in 2006 then it will need a service 4 years sooner then a "V" serial or one manufact. in 2010. Surely an older serial is worth less then new just because of the sooner service need. Sitting in the AD case would not extend the service time any more then having it sit in your safe. Rolex says 5-6 years after purchase without consideration for wear time.

I don't think that is actually true. Rolex has never indicated that a watch needs to be serviced sooner based on serial. The recommended service interval is 5-6 years from date of purchase. Modern oils don't migrate much or dry out for a very long time, and the watch parts and seals don't see much degradation sitting in a case. If you store a watch, you do indeed extend the service interval, if the parts are not moving, the are not wearing. Even the manual says service intervals are based on wear. A new watch is a new watch.

Everyone loves the car analogy, so when you buy a car that is a year old, but you are the first owner, you don't need to change the oil or do the first tune up any sooner.

As Indiana Jones said "It's not the years honey, it's the mileage"

[TimeToGo]

WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

Great answers here, let us know what you decide!

[Rosanna_Taylor]

I've already asked if i would be getting a futher discount but they said no (it's already their lowest price with 19% off with no tax). So right now i'm still trying to decide whether i should get it or not.

but thanks a lot for all of u guys' advises and comments.

[CoopJr]

Does it have the engraved Rehaut ring? In other words "ROLEXROLEXROLEX" all the way around? If it does than it could be much newer than 2006.

[Art 1]

Sure, if I wanted it.

[Lion]

I know everyone has their own opinion but 19% off is a good discount on a new watch even if it was made a few years ago. Just check the watch for any scratches or marks since it was a display model. But ultimately the choice is yours to make and as long as you are happy that's all that counts!!!

[nauticajoe]

It's new/old stock (NOS). I'm sure you can negotiate a few $, making the argument that its not an M or V serial.

Go for it!

Good Luck!!