Please help date and Validate this hang tag Serial # - TT sub

[njexpress]

Hello,
I saw a Sub TT at an AD and the serial number is 309Y98F4. Dealer claims that watch is manufactured 2014. We landed on the purchase price based on that...
A quick online search says this is manufactured in 2011.
I thought I read that the idea of a random serail # is to mask the year of manufacture...
How to I ensure what is accurate?
Additionally, I have a question on the protective sticker on teh bracelet - Does it cover the entire bracelet or just the bottom portion?
Any input would be appreciated.

Cheers!
--njexpress

[njexpress]

So, I guess it is impossible to finf year of manyfactur ed based on random serials? Not sure where bobswatches got their info from... they pobaby tagged this number based on the starting year of manufacture...

[MTROIS]

Looks like a TT GMT 2c ref, not Sub.

[sleddog]

Random serials is just that, random. No way to date from the serial, and the AD is just saying 2014 as that is current and new for now. Ask him next year, and he'll tell you 2015!!
No online search-able database can validate a random serial, so not sure where you found the year of 2011??

As for the sticker. The whole bracelet is not factory covered. Only the clasp (inside and out), where the clasp and bracelet meet, and on the SEL's next to the case....

The model number on the green tag is from a TT GMTIIc, and not a Sub.

Hope that helps!

[azguy]

You'll never know...random serials changed the game

[77T]

Originally Posted by njexpress

Hello,
I saw a Sub TT at an AD and the serial number is 309Y98F4.

That tag did not come off a Sub as others noted - flee that AD right away if they insist that it did.

Originally Posted by njexpress

Dealer claims that watch is manufactured 2014. We landed on the purchase price based on that...

Another reason that the AD is not for you - they have sales reps who are dolts. No way to know mfr. date from the s/n.

Originally Posted by njexpress

A quick online search says this is manufactured in 2011.

Your search should have yielded the date that Random s/n's began to be seen - sometime in the 2010-2011 timeframe.

Originally Posted by njexpress

I thought I read that the idea of a random serail # is to mask the year of manufacture...

While it does accomplish that, it was an inevitable step Rolex had to take to avoid exhausting all combinations of numbers under the old s/n system.

Originally Posted by njexpress

How to I ensure what is accurate?

Find a better AD and be sure you're dealing with a rep who has years of experience. Or do a lot more reading here when you have new questions.

Originally Posted by njexpress

Additionally, I have a question on the protective sticker on teh bracelet - Does it cover the entire bracelet or just the bottom portion?

There should be stickers on the clasp.

Originally Posted by njexpress

Any input would be appreciated.

Cheers!
--njexpress

Welcome to TRF and Happy Hunting

[njexpress]

Beg everyone's pardon - It is indeed a GMT - I goofed with the title! MY BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!


That said, everythiung changes, correct? :-D

[njexpress]

Othere open q:
How much of the bracelet is covered with the aticker?
Just the bottom part and about one third or the whole chain?
Cheers.
njexpress

[Brushpup]

Just another saying WTheck is that tag doing on a Sub? WRONG reference....

And...randoms did us in on choosing a "model year"

That said it DOES NOT matter. The watch is considered new from date of sale from the AD by Rolex. Six months, a year or six. The watch is new and warranted from the day the AD dates the card.

EDIT: You posted while I was writing. Ok its a GMT then. So about the bottom third or so. May I ask why this is such a concern? It's a sticker, only meant to protect the most likely scratched areas on the bracelet.

Also, curious, were you negotiating on a Sub, or GMT??

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by njexpress

Othere open q:
How much of the bracelet is covered with the aticker?
Just the bottom part and about one third or the whole chain?
Cheers.
njexpress

I already answered that above... Post #4

[njexpress]

Originally Posted by sleddog

I already answered that above... Post #4

Yes, I see it now, thank you!!

[Andad]

You had it all covered Rob.

[ronricks]

crap like this is why I refuse to buy from AD's.

[njexpress]

Originally Posted by Brushpup

May I ask why this is such a concern? It's a sticker, only meant to protect the most likely scratched areas on the bracelet.

Also, curious, were you negotiating on a Sub, or GMT??

Thanks for the response

1) One of the gray market dealers insisted that the stickers cannot be emoved if I was going to return as they will take a hit in the resale - It got me thinking hy and how the sticker must be a big deal that's all!
2) I was negotiating on both and I had landed on a GMT last week already. I must have typed this in as a GMT inadvertently...

Cheers!
--njexpress

[njexpress]

Again, thank you everyone!! This forum truely rocks, thanks to you all!!
I have never seen such enthusiastic response - Kudos!!

Cheers.
--njexpress