"New" Sea-dweller???

[Letsgodiving]

Hey folks, I'm new to this forum and as of last weekend a new Sea-Dweller owner. There are a lot of knowledgable people here and I have a question for you.

I bought a "new" SD from my local AD but it is an F series. I didn't realize this until I got it home and started looking at the paperwork. I called them and s/w the manager about my disappointment that I hadn't received the new Z series and explained my concern that I may have watch that is possibly 4 years old as an F series watch.

He told me that it is a myth that the first letter in the serial# denotes the year of manufacture. He was aware of the various lists on the internet but said they were false. I wasn't buying it and he said he could order another if I really wasn't happy with this one but he could not guarantee it would be a Z. He also encouraged me to call Rolex directly to confirm what he was saying.

I called Rolex and they weren't very helpful b/c of their policy of not revealing anything about a serial # of a watch w/out having the watch in their possession. But thier rep did confirm that the fact that my serail # has an F in the front of it has nothing to do with the year it was made. She also stated these lists are false.

I see these lists all over and all the "new" Rolex watches on Ebay etc. are the Z series. Who is correct here? Did I get stuck with a watch which is potentially already 4 years? Which, by the way, I paid the 2007 retail price for. Any feedback would be much appreciated!

[Brushpup]

Sorry I'm no help here, but it would bug the hell out of me If I thought I paid new price for old stock, even if it were NEW old stock.

Someone will be here to answer you. This is a great board with a lot of knowledge.

P

[Lol-x]

Z is definitely the latest serial number in the series and watches leaving the Rolex factory now all have Z to my knowledge.
If the retailer has offered to give you a Z series then I would get it, no questions, no further discussion.
The "F" isn't a "bad" watch by any means, but I think that despite whatever the retailer or Rolex tell you (or not tell you) the "Z" serial is commonly known as the most recent, "D" was prior to that and "F" prior to that.
If you have the offer to change for a "Z" no harm in going for that.

[fquiroga]

a friend had exactly the same "problem", but at last he bought his serie F because the F means that the CASE was stored four years ago, don't worry, be happy

[roadcarver]

Its still a new stock from the AD so I wouldn't be upset about it, however if the dealer offered you the Z series with no extra $$ (which they shouldn't), go for it.

Bottom line is that you still have a new watch, and correct me if I'm wrong... the AD filled out the paperwork in front of you right?

[Ragu]

I would return it and get the "Z" as I believe in the serial letters.
If for some unknown reason you wanted to sell it by being an "F" serial letter would not get you the premium that a "Z" would. Mind you I'm no watch dealer but just sayin..

[Letsgodiving]

Man, I need to proof read next time. Spell check stupid here.

The AD said they could not guarantee a Z if they ordered another one.

It kind of makes sense that it is the CASE designation and not necessarily the overall date of manufacture. That would be in line with what the AD and Rolex said. If the case was made during the F cycle and stored and later used for a new manufacture I would not be concerned.

I never plan to sell the watch but I was worried that I may have a watch that could have 4 years of wear on the movement and they recommend a 5 year service.

Thanks to all who respond.

[MG11]

Unless it was a display model in the case it probably hasn't ran more then a few hours since it was made.

Mike

[Andad]

IMO.

Without doubt get a Z if available.

If not a then a D if not a D take a Y, a K, or a P.
Eventually you might find a NOS vintage model then that would be worth paying the same money for.

If you accept an F then in 10 years time when you might want to trade it that watch will be 13 years old.

Would you buy a 'new' three year old car at the current new price just because it was the same shape as a 2007 model - no?

If you do buy the F make sure you get a service included as it is just about due for one and after all it has been sitting around for a long time.

[John685]

Go for the Z.

The dealer doesn't think it's a big deal because he wants to sell old stock and Rolex isn't going to confirm anything regarding the serial numbers, which is their policy.

Regardless of what they claim (AD and Rolex), the Z series is the latest release!

If your paying 2007 prices, get as new a watch as possible.

[Blue Bull]

Originally Posted by Letsgodiving

Hey folks, I'm new to this forum and as of last weekend a new Sea-Dweller owner. There are a lot of knowledgible here and I have a qustion for you.

I bought a "new" SD from my local AD but it is an F series. I didn't relaize this until I got it home and started looking at the paperwork. I called them and s/w the manager about my disappointment that I hadn't received the new Z series and explained my concern that I may have watch that is possibly 4 years old as an F series watch.

He told me that it is a myth that the first letter in the serial# denotes the year of manufacture. He was aware of the various lists on the internet but said they were false. I wasn't buying it and he said he could order another if I really wasn't happy with this one but he could not guarantee it would be a Z. He also encouraged me to call Rolex directly to confirm what he was saying.

I called Rolex and they weren't very helpful b/c of their policy of not revealing anything about a serial # of a watch w/out having the watch in their possession. But thier rep did confirm that the fax that my serail # has an F in the front of it has nothing to do with the year it was made. She also stated these lists are false.

I see these lists all over and all the "new" Rolex watches on Ebay ect. are the Z series. Who is correct here? Did I get stuck with a watch which is potentially already 4 years? WHich, by the way, I paid the 2007 retail proce for. Any feedback wouyd be much appreciated!

The F serial is not so much the problem,although they did sell you old stock,its still new.The problem I have is paying MSRP for it.I get huge discount on every single one .Paid $4400 for my D serial SD.

"I hate paying retail and I cringe when I see other people doing it" ~ Donald Trump

Next time you know,thats the good news.Life is a learning curve and the best sight is hindsight

[rolexsubuk]

Hi mike like yourself iam new to buying a Rolex watch and to TRF but what I do know if I was you and I was not 100% happy with the watch I would get the AD to exchange for a z series if he say's he can't guarantee take the chance he is probably trying it on to get rid of old stock. Good luck let us know how you go on.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Letsgodiving

He told me that it is a myth that the first letter in the serial# denotes the year of manufacture. He was aware of the various lists on the internet but said they were false.

ANOTHER AD who sucks!

[TNRonin]

While Rolex may not intentionally intend for the letters to indicate the year of manufacture, they do as a consequence. Simple as that IMHO. I'm not a Rolex expert, just my thoughts from dealing with the firearms I play with. They (Rolex) have a serial number series and this year of manufacture just falls for that year. I've heard that there are a couple letters that may apply to a particular year FWIW.

I understand you bought new you WANT new, not NOS. If it bothers you then return the watch and handle and check the watch on the next purchase.

[Taurus75]

Hi,

Juz my humble opinion, but though a NOS F series SD is technically a new watch and has no cosmetic differences to a Z series one, its year of manufacture still date back to approximately 2004 to mid 2005. Considering future servicing time frame, that may not be worthwhile if you had paid MRSP for it as compare to having attained a Z series one. Juz my 2 cents....

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Letsgodiving

I see these lists all over and all the "new" Rolex watches on Ebay etc. are the Z series. Who is correct here? Did I get stuck with a watch which is potentially already 4 years? Which, by the way, I paid the 2007 retail price for. Any feedback would be much appreciated!

I'd demand a FREE service when it is due!

[fquiroga]

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=19663

Originally Posted by Letsgodiving

Man, I need to proof read next time. Spell check stupid here.

The AD said they could not guarantee a Z if they ordered another one.

It kind of makes sense that it is the CASE designation and not necessarily the overall date of manufacture. That would be in line with what the AD and Rolex said. If the case was made during the F cycle and stored and later used for a new manufacture I would not be concerned.

I never plan to sell the watch but I was worried that I may have a watch that could have 4 years of wear on the movement and they recommend a 5 year service.

Thanks to all who respond.

[Letsgodiving]

Thanks to all. I feel much better now.

[fquiroga]

Originally Posted by Letsgodiving

Thanks to all. I feel much better now.

look, a friend had (as I tell you before) the same "problem" and is not a person "obsessive", just a collector who does the service of his watches every 5 years

at last, when I've readen him the messages by paddi and others, I made him the reflexion: rolex and seiko (saving distances of course) are in my opinion two brands that makes exactly that they promesse

if you know people who does the service of watch every 10 years, or never (Iknow rolex's users in spain that never made the service of watches, and working perfectly) that means, in my opinion, that paddi is right when he writes that oils and seals in rolex are for 10 years in use

don't worry, be happy, and enjoy your SD, it is a very beatifull watch, I have it !!! and I never look this details because I trust in rolex