New GMT BLNR Random Serial

[krattzz]

How do I know when the watch was manufactured if they are random serial numbers? Dosent seem to make sense these new systems by Rolex.

[cwieb]

You dont. Unless you have the purchase date on the warranty card or can figure out the purchase date otherwise. That may give you an idea on when it was likely manufactured.

[Cryten]

They never wanted you to know when the watch was made. The old serial number vs date lists were compiled by enthusiasts and that clearly bugged Rolex.

The problem has now been fixed (as far as Rolex are concerned).

[krattzz]

So the purchase date was a few months ago but that really tells me nothing about when the watch was made. What gives with mystery surrounding when this GMT was made? Dosent make sense you can drop $10k on a watch but can't get clarity on manufacturer date.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by krattzz

So the purchase date was a few months ago but that really tells me nothing about when the watch was made. What gives with mystery surrounding when this GMT was made? Dosent make sense you can drop $10k on a watch but can't get clarity on manufacturer date.

You wouldn't anyway, even if you knew when the watch left the factory. The movements are assembled separately from the watch that it is dropped into. So the movement theoretically could be sitting around for a year or more before it finds its way off the shelf into a case.

[cwieb]

It is a rather smart business technique. Instead of being able to say 2006, 2007, 2008, etc. Now you can assume the watch is "New" or "Current" with a range of 2010, 2011, +...

[cwieb]

So essentially all random serials are worth no more or less than other randoms.

[krattzz]

Good point but if vintage watches increase in value how is a watch suppose to be vintage if vintage can't be verified?

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by cwieb

You dont. Unless you have the purchase date on the warranty card or can figure out the purchase date otherwise. That may give you an idea on when it was likely manufactured.

Exactly; Rolex did it to avoid people telling the approximate year they were built.

[fungo]

Originally Posted by cwieb

You dont. Unless you have the purchase date on the warranty card or can figure out the purchase date otherwise. That may give you an idea on when it was likely manufactured.

Purchase date is not helpful. Watch may sit at AD for a long while before sold.

[krattzz]

So the GMT BLNR which I don't plan on selling will probably grow in value since Rolex will eventually increase pricing which will make mine and others follow suit. Can't be a bad thing I guess.

[cwieb]

Originally Posted by fungo

Purchase date is not helpful. Watch may sit at AD for a long while before sold.

Right, which is why I said likely. With a BLNR, I doubt it sat there long in his case.

[kromdom]

buhbye to "birth year" watches with the random serials?

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by krattzz

So the GMT BLNR which I don't plan on selling will probably grow in value since Rolex will eventually increase pricing which will make mine and others follow suit. Can't be a bad thing I guess.

Well, this has been true for Rolex watches for decades before randoms came. A rising tide floats all boats and one major reason for the solid resale value of a Rolex is the long successful track record the company has of being able to raise prices.

Also, as far as never being able to identify how old a watch is, that is not exactly true. Rolex will eventually redesign the model, just has it has before. And even during a production run various changes have almost always occurred that narrow down how old a watch is. Tritium to Luminova, SELs, permanent links, dial changes, laser etched crystals...yada yada.

Originally Posted by kromdom

buhbye to "birth year" watches with the random serials?

The myth is that there ever was a "birth year" by serial number. Rolex serial number changes do not correspond with the start or end of any particular year, even well before randoms.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by krattzz

So the purchase date was a few months ago but that really tells me nothing about when the watch was made. What gives with mystery surrounding when this GMT was made? Dosent make sense you can drop $10k on a watch but can't get clarity on manufacturer date.

So, it's just like every other watch on the planet..

[Chalet]

Originally Posted by kromdom

buhbye to "birth year" watches with the random serials?

Luckily I am already born!

[Chalet]

On a serious note, the tag might yield some information. I think there was a 0001 model and the latest 0002 model has the revised polished bracelet clasp (previous one was matt).

Either way little updates, now easily documented on the Internet, will give solid indication of age. That said good paperwork and Rolex database could also provide a more definitive answer.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by krattzz

How do I know when the watch was manufactured if they are random serial numbers? Dosent seem to make sense these new systems by Rolex.

Does it really matter when it was manufactured you could never tell when any Rolex watch was manufactured any serial.Only a approx date when the case was stamped between X&Y years.And no matter the serial when bought new they all get the same warranty.And in general most all of the sports line up watches are not at any AD long enough to gather dust.But as for the movement inside the case in any new watch well that could be weeks, months, or even a year plus old before its match to any serial case.Movements are made thousands at a time some down being tested at the COSC thousands upon thousands stored at the Rolex factory in plastic boxes waiting to be matched to a case.Then shipped around the world for sale then sold,watches dont go off like a loaf of bread and have no sell by date.And in general just with a little care from its owner and just general service all Rolex watches no matter the case stamp will last 50 plus years and many will outlast there owner.

[ratty]

In the UK, when a watch goes in for service the watch's final assembly date is given on the paperwork the owner is sent from Rolex.

The last watch I had service work done on had been a specific order by me. When I checked the assembly date on the paperwork it was after the watch was ordered and not long before it was delivered.

As others have said, no one knows when the individual parts were made, or when the case was stamped, but the assembly date can sometimes be found. I have no doubt that my watch's case was made and probably stamped long before I ordered my watch and the parts could have been waiting on a shelf for years, but the assembly date I was given did tally with my order date.

I hope this helps but I suspect that some will find flaws with my thinking.

[henry333]

This is not milk... I don't think watch expires

[krattzz]

So if your "vintage" 1960's Sub was not proven nor seriald so you could sell it as such then how could you? My point is twenty or fifty years from now when I sell my GMT, BTW my Sub has a serial number that shows it was around the year 2000, then how do you push the "vintage" connotation? Yea it may be evident by the style, the clasp, or something that will show its age but Rolex is being pretentious is their thinking the date or time frame a watch was made is not important.

[Rashid.bk]

Rolex is way smart. There's a method to the madness, for them, it's a great business plan but for watch nerds it's "not".
It really helps second hand sales of a current gen watch....five year old watches are the same as a one year old as far as identification. The papers will help(unless the card is blank) but condition will be the new overwhelming factor.

Imagine the 16610LV was a random serial....none of this baloney gouging for M serials or F serials, the condition and or bezel color would sell the watch. However, as Ferguson pointed out, true WISs will always be able to discern via the details....polished vs brushed clasps...etc

[Watchgeek5000]

There are still other hints when you have all the original boxes and tags. A random serial number Rolex purchased after July 2015 will have a green hang tag (indicating 5 year warranty). Every now and then subtle changes will occur on a particular model ( larger hands on the new explorer I) Those of us who follow subtle changes in design of the watch and change in the style of paperwork and tags will usually be able to estimate pretty closely the year of manufacture or at least around when it was purchased.

[Jim Smyth]

This will make full sets even more important and demand a premium in the future regarding sales. Keep all your boxes, tags and warranty paperwork.

[krattzz]

So your referring to the green COSC hang tag? Yes, I do have that along with bezel protector, etc.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Jim Smyth

This will make full sets even more important and demand a premium in the future regarding sales. Keep all your boxes, tags and warranty paperwork.

But only to those willing to pay for such items myself not one of them,as I buy condition and whether any service history not not packaging or a out dated warranty.Plus boxes and warranty either paper or plastic card are the easiest to fake. Only one thing would be the official receipt from the AD as that can be checked, but that would only be a date when it was bought and not when it was made as always it was no matter the serial case stamp..

[masyv6]

Originally Posted by kromdom

buhbye to "birth year" watches with the random serials?

Yep! The only indiction you have is when the watch is sold and named/dated. But as others have said, it doesn't necessarily mean when the movement was placed into the watch, etc.