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Lubrifar · 4 February 2008, 04:16 PM

Is the actual production date based on the serial number or the code from the clasp? I know how to identify the clasp code with the two alpha/two digit characters, but how do you identify the one alpha/six digit code from the serial number?

JJ Irani · 4 February 2008, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lubrifar

Is the actual production date based on the serial number or the code from the clasp? I know how to identify the clasp code with the two alpha/two digit characters, but how do you identify the one alpha/six digit code from the serial number?

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Alcan · 4 February 2008, 04:17 PM

Neither. The serial number on the case indicates when the case was manufactured, not when the watch was assembled and shipped.

Lubrifar · 4 February 2008, 04:36 PM

I've been to that website but don't have the answer I'm seeking.

So I guess to re-phrase my question: what is more accurate in terms of the actual production date, the serial number of the clasp code? If it is the serial number, how do I break down the digits to indentify when it was produced?

Thanks.

Tools · 4 February 2008, 04:41 PM

Some folks speculate that since the bracelet is put on last, and it has the only actual manfacture date, it gives the closest approximation of when the watch was manufactured... The serial number of the watch cannot be broken down into anything meaningful - it is said to be a randomly generated number within a production run of numbers.

It certainly does nail down a "not made before date", but Rolex doesn't really release those figures.

Almost all lists of dates produced are based on estimates compiled from numbers first seen or purchased, and then approximate dates made.

In most cases, Rolex has manufactured more than one letter serial at a time, and it is not known absolutely that any ever came off the assembly line in a sequentially numbered progression.

Here's a crude way of thinking of it.... A bunch of cases are stamped out and numbered during any production run.... They are then dumped in a big bin which are then placed, in no particular order, in line for the next machining step...and so on, until they end up in their final bin to be filled with a movement..

Separately, bracelets are being made (a much more speedy and less technical process). These bracelets are waiting at the end of the process to be attached to a finished watch head.... Then off to the warehouse to await an order to ship.....

At least that's my unerstanding..

Lubrifar · 4 February 2008, 04:53 PM

Thanks. I can understand the "not made before date" code on the clasp as the closest approximation.

About the serial number, since it only has one alpha and six digit characters, is it safe to assume that the range for example is Z1xxxxx to Z9xxxxxx?

SPACE-DWELLER · 4 February 2008, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

(...)

Here's a crude way of thinking of it.... A buch of cases are stamped out and numbered during any production run.... They are then dumped in a big bin which are then placed, in no particular order, in line for the next machining step...and so on, until they end up in their final bin to be filled with a movement..

(..)

I don't like the thought of my Rolex watches having been dumped in a big bin!

Anyway, the serial number of my SS GMT IIc is M04XXXX and the clasp code is EO9 (September 2007). The watch was bought on December the 7th. 2007.

SSD · 4 February 2008, 11:51 PM

Well, I'd say Rolex doesn't pile them up into a mountain 'o movements (one would hope

), but Larry's "speculation" makes sense from just about every point of view.

My bracelet code indicates it was probably finished a couple of months before it was shipped out, too. Bo's watch (and mine) were virtually newborns when we picked them up. They will, after all, handily outlast us.

RLX-lvr · 5 February 2008, 12:37 AM

The serial number of my SS GMT IIc is M277XXX (M, I think started in Aug 07)

and the clasp code is OP12(December 2006).The watch arrived at the AD on Jan 5th 08 and the watch was bought on January 6th 2008.

Lubrifar · 5 February 2008, 07:36 AM

Great info here, thanks.

I guess there really are no other ways to exact a production day; the closest approximation is probably on the clasp code as all agreed. I am still curious if Rolex manages the range of inventory with a sequentially numbered progression.

4 February 2008, 04:16 PM	#1
Lubrifar Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Real Name: Mr. T Location: anc/sfo Watch: for the signs! Posts: 776	Actual Production Date: Serial Number or Clasp Code? Is the actual production date based on the serial number or the code from the clasp? I know how to identify the clasp code with the two alpha/two digit characters, but how do you identify the one alpha/six digit code from the serial number?

4 February 2008, 04:17 PM	#3
Alcan 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Al Location: Way Up North Watch: your P's & Q's Posts: 10,473	Neither. The serial number on the case indicates when the case was manufactured, not when the watch was assembled and shipped. __________________ Member #1,315 I don't want to get technical, but according to chemistry alcohol IS a solution!

4 February 2008, 04:41 PM	#5
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,514	Some folks speculate that since the bracelet is put on last, and it has the only actual manfacture date, it gives the closest approximation of when the watch was manufactured... The serial number of the watch cannot be broken down into anything meaningful - it is said to be a randomly generated number within a production run of numbers. It certainly does nail down a "not made before date", but Rolex doesn't really release those figures. Almost all lists of dates produced are based on estimates compiled from numbers first seen or purchased, and then approximate dates made. In most cases, Rolex has manufactured more than one letter serial at a time, and it is not known absolutely that any ever came off the assembly line in a sequentially numbered progression. Here's a crude way of thinking of it.... A bunch of cases are stamped out and numbered during any production run.... They are then dumped in a big bin which are then placed, in no particular order, in line for the next machining step...and so on, until they end up in their final bin to be filled with a movement.. Separately, bracelets are being made (a much more speedy and less technical process). These bracelets are waiting at the end of the process to be attached to a finished watch head.... Then off to the warehouse to await an order to ship..... At least that's my unerstanding.. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

4 February 2008, 11:51 PM	#8
SSD "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Jamie Location: Georgia Watch: Stainless Sub Date Posts: 3,023	Well, I'd say Rolex doesn't pile them up into a mountain 'o movements (one would hope ), but Larry's "speculation" makes sense from just about every point of view. My bracelet code indicates it was probably finished a couple of months before it was shipped out, too. Bo's watch (and mine) were virtually newborns when we picked them up. They will, after all, handily outlast us. __________________ SUBMARINER OWNERS' CLUB ESTABLISHED 1953 TRF Member # 5464

5 February 2008, 12:37 AM	#9
RLX-lvr "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Jeff Location: Toronto Posts: 1,947	Dates The serial number of my SS GMT IIc is M277XXX (M, I think started in Aug 07) and the clasp code is OP12(December 2006).The watch arrived at the AD on Jan 5th 08 and the watch was bought on January 6th 2008.

4 February 2008, 04:36 PM	#4
Lubrifar Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Real Name: Mr. T Location: anc/sfo Watch: for the signs! Posts: 776	I've been to that website but don't have the answer I'm seeking. So I guess to re-phrase my question: what is more accurate in terms of the actual production date, the serial number of the clasp code? If it is the serial number, how do I break down the digits to indentify when it was produced? Thanks.

4 February 2008, 04:53 PM	#6
Lubrifar Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Real Name: Mr. T Location: anc/sfo Watch: for the signs! Posts: 776	Thanks. I can understand the "not made before date" code on the clasp as the closest approximation. About the serial number, since it only has one alpha and six digit characters, is it safe to assume that the range for example is Z1xxxxx to Z9xxxxxx?

5 February 2008, 07:36 AM	#10
Lubrifar Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Real Name: Mr. T Location: anc/sfo Watch: for the signs! Posts: 776	Great info here, thanks. I guess there really are no other ways to exact a production day; the closest approximation is probably on the clasp code as all agreed. I am still curious if Rolex manages the range of inventory with a sequentially numbered progression.

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