Buying new advice - Serial Numbers, should I care?

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Racerdj

I agree

Please reread posts #25 and 27 and get back to us on this.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by Racerdj

I agree

What? Then you too would be wrong.

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

Please reread posts #25 and 27 and get back to us on this.

[JB7]

The expertise of staff working at Mappin and Webb in Bond Street, London

Do you have a Submariner no date in stock?
Erm, No
Oh, OK, Do any of your other branches have one?
Which model do you want?
Sorry?
Which model, which style, you know?
Didn't you just ask me that and tell me you didn't have one in stock?
Yes, but we need to check with the other stores and ask which colour do you want, and what colour dial?

So ladies and gents, apparently the Sub ND now comes in a variety of colours. Who knew? So if you would like the ND in different colours then they're exclusive to Mappin and Webb, Rolex experts, Old Bond St.

Stunningly, I believe they are the same chain as Goldsmiths. You remember them, the ones who's 'Rolex Expert' said you have to wait 2 years for a Submariner.

Tell me people, is it just London who have these magnificent meeting of minds?

Sigh

[JB7]

Thanks for all your answers people, as for 'dwelling too much on a number', that was kind of the purpose of the thread, I was questioning why this forum has so much talk of serials when I'd never given it a thought in my life on any other watch brand?

The accuracy issue while I agree with you in part, and it certainly rings true for the Omegas I have now, (I don't really take much notice years later, although when I have checked they're pretty good) my point was I'd spent over £4000 on a COSC watch that ran 20 plus seconds fast on some nights, and then 3 on another. Whether that doesn't bother you or not is fine. But if I picked up a Rolex that did the same, I would be pretty unhappy, and to then start messing with a brand new watch and have it regulated wouldn't be acceptable.

Am surprised to hear that +6 is 99.995% accuracy though?

As for G/Random, I agree that the watch hasn't sat long in the jeweller because they are still pretty rare finds, although the ND is showing far more these last few weeks.

To those who have just bought a Sub, what's in the box with new models?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by JB7

Thanks for all your answers people, as for 'dwelling too much on a number', that was kind of the purpose of the thread, I was questioning why this forum has so much talk of serials when I'd never given it a thought in my life on any other watch brand?

The accuracy issue while I agree with you in part, and it certainly rings true for the Omegas I have now, (I don't really take much notice years later, although when I have checked they're pretty good) my point was I'd spent over £4000 on a COSC watch that ran 20 plus seconds fast on some nights, and then 3 on another. Whether that doesn't bother you or not is fine. But if I picked up a Rolex that did the same, I would be pretty unhappy, and to then start messing with a brand new watch and have it regulated wouldn't be acceptable.

Am surprised to hear that +6 is 99.995% accuracy though?

As for G/Random, I agree that the watch hasn't sat long in the jeweller because they are still pretty rare finds, although the ND is showing far more these last few weeks.

To those who have just bought a Sub, what's in the box with new models?

Many thing effect the accuracy of any watch state of power reserve in mainspring wearing habits etc.Now there are 86400 seconds in a day so if a watch is +6 seconds a day its 99.994% accurate.And no matter the movement brand its accuracy is only as good as what its been regulated too.Now the COSC spec is that the movement should perform to a AVERAGE of between -4 to + 6 seconds over any 24 hour period.Now in the first 10 days of testing the bare uncased movement at the COSC the movement could vary by up to 15 seconds over 24 hours and still pass the COSC test.

[Eradicator]

Originally Posted by JB7

.To those who have just bought a Sub, what's in the box with new models?

Seemed like nobody was touching on this so here you go:

Your new sub comes in a cardboard white box with a white cardboard outer sleeve. Inside the white box is a the plastic green box with your watch on its cushion.

Also:

Micro fiber cloth

Red circular plastic COSC tag. Most people like to keep this, others treat it as packaging and pitch it. I would save it in case you resell. "Nice to have"

Retangular green price tag: typically left with the AD.

Plastic bezel guard: Usually thrown out. You may receive this or maybe not. I don't think it matters.

You also receive:

A folio: It contains your warranty card, owners manual, Warranty Booklet, Factory Service booklet

Also when you get sized, make sure you get your links back.

Good luck

[DennisJ]

Originally Posted by JB7

Going to buy Sub this week and wondered if I should be at all bothered about the s/n?

Only reason I ask is because the Rolex forums are the ONLY watch brand that ever talks about it, L or V or X or Y or random? Is random worse than an 'X' or a 'Y'? Does it make ANY difference to me, the resale or anything at all to anyone?

On other forums they give you a date and age of the watch but on here we seem to get a serial number. Is that purely for the age of watch. I'm more interested in when someone bought it, as opposed to if it was made the year before, I want to know how long it's been out the shop firstly, then I'll worry about when it was made.

But to cut a long boring story short.... sorry, should I care?

Also, what should be in the box with a new Sub these days, so I can see what's what. Local dealers aren't forthcoming with cards and cloths in my non Rolex experiences. For Londoners do you buy in the big expensive stores in London as opposed to locally out in suburbs when there's no price difference whatsoever. You're kind of frowned upon asking for discounts on Rolex by all and everyone.

Thanks for help all.

Never mind the serial or year of production, a Rolex will not pass the best before date soon.

I'm not British, but I live in Surrey for a few years so I think I know where this concern comes from. You are not buying a car, so R-reg or S-reg will not make a difference....

[Reu]

Originally Posted by DennisJ

I'm not British, but I live in Surrey for a few years so I think I know where this concern comes from.

Really? Is the serial number concern something that people from Surrey are more bothered about?

[JB7]

I think, other than that one off, all the watches I've ever owned have been +3 which is fine, +6 sounds alot so weird to think it's still a 99%er. My current every day PO is a +0/+1 which is great, and unexpected. If the Sub is a +3 I would say that's average.

Does the actual person determine if they make them + or -?
I've never had a minus, always a gain

[padi56]

Originally Posted by JB7

I think, other than that one off, all the watches I've ever owned have been +3 which is fine, +6 sounds alot so weird to think it's still a 99%er. My current every day PO is a +0/+1 which is great, and unexpected. If the Sub is a +3 I would say that's average.

Does the actual person determine if they make them + or -?
I've never had a minus, always a gain

I think you are reading just to much into a few seconds out of 86400 in a day.No mechanical watch at any price or brand will keep perfect time, close yes but perfect no.And all Rolex watches no matter the case serial with just a little care and normal routine service will in most case outlast there owners.

[Jim Smyth]

I bought mine used and tried to get the newest one date wise for the money. I just figure it has less wear that way. Other than that condition, warranty and who your buying it from is more important than serial number IMO.

[JB7]

Originally Posted by padi56

I think you are reading just to much into a few seconds out of 86400 in a day.No mechanical watch at any price or brand will keep perfect time, close yes but perfect no.And all Rolex watches no matter the case serial with just a little care and normal routine service will in most case outlast there owners.

Totally agree with what you're saying and I'm not overly fussed about it. Was just saying that if a half the price Omega is a better time keeper then it's not right really?

[gwozhog]

If buying a TT Sub C the V serial was the first of the run 2009 circa. If buying new you will probably not run into one though.

[JB7]

I did try and buy from this forum but all in the US didn't really want to deal with UK or I never heard back from them, which is fair enough. It's probably easier, although a lot more expensive to get here

[JB7]

Now I'm really confused, how is this new Sub an 'L' serial?
L, I thought was 1988, and current ones are G and randoms?

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=324993

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by JB7

Now I'm really confused, how is this new Sub an 'L' serial?
L, I thought was 1988, and current ones are G and randoms?

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=324993

It's not an "L" serial, it's a random serial number. The random number just happens to start with a letter rather than a number. Note the "L" is followed by 7 digits and not 6.

[JB7]

Ahh. Thank you.

[Reu]

On Friday their Regent St branch had a date, and prior to that they had a no date. They called me to see if I had found one yet (which I said I had).

Are you still looking for one?

[Reu]

They're freaks. Don't worry about it.

[JB7]

Are you still in love with yours?

[Reu]

Originally Posted by JB7

Are you still in love with yours?

I love it. Have it on now in fact whilst writing this.

So whilst you found some AD's who had them did you buy one?