Sub serial number question

[BlackBay]

Hello fellows,

I bought myself a 16610 Submariner date today. Absolute gorgeous piece from one of the latest batches (late 2010).

It features an engraved rehaut and AR coated cyclops which refers to a V serial. However, my Sub doesn't begin with a letter but a digit!

600XX000

I'm really curious now how to tell what serie this is? The 6 serie? :smoking:


Thanks :)

[Keith1]

The 8 digit is the new random serial number.

[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by Keith1

The 8 digit is the new random serial number.

Thanks for your quick reply :)

Can you tell me more about that random serial number? Is this even after V serial? Why didn't Rolex continue using the V serial?

I will post a picture of my Sub tomorrow at daylight!

[Keith1]

Here is an approximate reference. The random came after the "G". There is still new old stock V & G serial numbers out there for sale. I hope Padi or someone else chimes in here about the case stampings.


Rxxxxxxx 1987 - 1989
Lxxxxxxx 1988 - 1990
Exxxxxxx 1990 – 1992
X-N 1991 - 1993
C 1992 – 1993
S 1993 - 1994
W 1994 - 1996
T 1996 - 1997
U 1997 - 1998
U 1998
A 1998 – 1999
P 1999 - 2000
K Series (intro mid-2001) 2001- 2002
Y Series (intro mid-2002) 2002 - 2003
F Series 2003
D April 2005
Z May 2006
M October 2007
V August 2008
G Spring 2010 (and the start of random serial numbers)

[BlackBay]

Very useful ! Thanks a lot

[pinkelle21]

Wow this is great! Thanks


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[Keith1]

Here is the link to Minus4Plus6 website. They have a lot of great information like Rolex Price Lists, and Rolex Price Evolution. It's fellow TRF member Sheldon site. Enjoy!

http://www.minus4plus6.com/numbers.htm

[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by Keith1

Here is the link to Minus4Plus6 website. They have a lot of great information like Rolex Price Lists, and Rolex Price Evolution. It's fellow TRF member Sheldon site. Enjoy!

http://www.minus4plus6.com/numbers.htm

Thanks

[padi56]

Originally Posted by BlackBay

Hello fellows,

I bought myself a 16610 Submariner date today. Absolute gorgeous piece from one of the latest batches (late 2010).

It features an engraved rehaut and AR coated cyclops which refers to a V serial. However, my Sub doesn't begin with a letter but a digit!

600XX000

I'm really curious now how to tell what serie this is? The 6 serie? :smoking:


Thanks :)

All any case serial could ever tell you was a approx date when a case or clasp was stamped and not a exact date when any watch was made.Now the single letter with 6 numbers started in 1987,but around latter part of 2010 Rolex had made that many millions of watches they just ran out of single letter and number combinations.Hence a new type of serial which is a combination of letters numbers but a total now of 8 digits instead of 7.And from the latter part of 2010 we had the G single letter 6 numbers, plus the random serials 8 digits all running in the same time frame till present time.Now on the slow selling models like say TT watches and all precious metal or diamond type watches no chart can give a reliable date of production except between X&Y years.

[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by padi56

All any case serial could ever tell you was a approx date when a case or clasp was stamped and not a exact date when any watch was made.Now the single letter with 6 numbers started in 1987,but around latter part of 2010 Rolex had made that many millions of watches they just ran out of single letter and number combinations.Hence a new type of serial which is a combination of letters numbers but a total now of 8 digits instead of 7.And from the latter part of 2010 we had the G single letter 6 numbers, plus the random serials 8 digits all running in the same time frame till present time.Now on the slow selling models like say TT watches and all precious metal or diamond type watches no chart can give a reliable date of production except between X&Y years.

Many thanks for this great explanation !!

[Johny]

the a/r cyclops crystal started to appear on the very last of the 16610 and 16610lv. I think the g and random serial.

[BlackBay]

Originally Posted by Johny

the a/r cyclops crystal started to appear on the very last of the 16610 and 16610lv. I think the g and random serial.

Then I think I got a very special piece Don't you?

[b06tmm]

My 16610 is from the same time frame.

I spent almost a year trying to decide if I wanted a 116610 or a 16610. As you can see I opted for the latest model 16610 I could find.