President bracelets; 83206 v. 83856

[golfball123]

Originally Posted by Triple Black 88

Golfball, the new style (polished) clasp was introduced in 2003 with the "F" Series.

Thanks fr the clarification. I wish i knew abt this site years ago as never bothered to talk watch until recently.
What abt 18238 or ygdd with clasps with no. 8385 ? When were these changed to 5 numbers ?

[gtwatson]

My 1981 YGDD has no numbers on it like the ones pictured on the newer bracelets. It has Rolex 18kt and a 750 on the under side of the clasp.

[nhdblfan]

Originally Posted by Triple Black 88

Golfball, the new style (polished) clasp was introduced in 2003 with the "F" Series.

Steve I have seen one,maybe two late "Y" series with the new style clasp's but they where in full production for the "F" 's I think.

here is an example of a late Y with new clasp;
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rolex-18k-YG-Cha...QQcmdZViewItem

[Triple Black 88]

Originally Posted by golfball123

Thanks fr the clarification. I wish i knew abt this site years ago as never bothered to talk watch until recently.
What abt 18238 or ygdd with clasps with no. 8385 ? When were these changed to 5 numbers ?

I believe the extra digit was introduced in 2000 with the "K" Series (Model 118238). This was the year/series that included all of the Day-Date updates.

I believe that "8385" is the code for the older bracelet and the "83856" is the code for the newer bracelet. The updates include:
-Solid center links and end links (overall 35% heavier then 18238 models)
-Re-designed "End Links" that fit completely flush against case
-Polished lugs (Sides of the links are polished)

[Markg]

Originally Posted by nhdblfan

Steve I have seen one,maybe two late "Y" series with the new style clasp's but they where in full production for the "F" 's I think.

here is an example of a late Y with new clasp;
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rolex-18k-YG-Cha...QQcmdZViewItem

i have one that is a K55xxxx series with the very latest bracelet/clasp.

it all depends on what metal/model you get. some were introduced earlier, some later. which is why this thread got started...

[nhdblfan]

Originally Posted by Markg

i have one that is a K55xxxx series with the very latest bracelet/clasp.

it all depends on what metal/model you get. some were introduced earlier, some later. which is why this thread got started...

Wow I never saw a K one with it when I was looking thats suprising.I guess for 18K YG only they started late Y and forward.What is your W/G or Platy?

[Markg]

Originally Posted by nhdblfan

Wow I never saw a K one with it when I was looking thats suprising.I guess for 18K YG only they started late Y and forward.What is your W/G or Platy?

platinum.

the problem is the series numbers vs. dates tables you see are not exact, but just guesses based on anecdotal evidence. Mine was purchased in 04 from a large AD, with the K55xxxx serial. They had another one with a diamond dial, same serial range, with the same new heavy band but OLD version clasp. The bracelet date on mine shows it was made in june 03, much later than the charts claim a K version watch was made (august 02 at the latest).

speculation is that rolex runs off a bunch of cases, then builds them out as they need them. the gold/platinum ones dont sell as fast, so they stick around longer. my example seems to bear that out.

[nhdblfan]

speculation is that rolex runs off a bunch of cases, then builds them out as they need them. the gold/platinum ones dont sell as fast, so they stick around longer. my example seems to bear that out.

I suspect thats waht happens too.Mine,18k with the F has a late 2005 warranty paper so it sat in the AD or at the Factory.I always figure Date as a range and was buying the series so as to be sure I got the new bracelet and new clasp.

[Markg]

Originally Posted by nhdblfan

I suspect thats waht happens too.Mine,18k with the F has a late 2005 warranty paper so it sat in the AD or at the Factory.I always figure Date as a range and was buying the series so as to be sure I got the new bracelet and new clasp.

whats the clasp code on your watch? that may help decode when your watch was shipped to AD.

[nhdblfan]

I went a dug it out,
it says 83208 on the clasp.The AD was a three store chain in Ohio.I even googled the former owner-lawyer and his estate looks pretty nice on Goog earth (no worries info is safe with me-makes you wonder about putting your name/addy on a warranty thou)

[Markg]

Originally Posted by nhdblfan

I went a dug it out,
it says 83208 on the clasp.The AD was a three store chain in Ohio.I even googled the former owner-lawyer and his estate looks pretty nice on Goog earth (no worries info is safe with me-makes you wonder about putting your name/addy on a warranty thou)

the "83208" shows it is the latest heavy bracelet with the latest clasp, with the last number showing what metal it is; 8 for yellow gold, 6 for platinum, 5 for pink gold, 9 for white gold.

there should be another code on the clasp; like "ab" or "cl" or something like that, likely with a single digit number at the end. this will tell you when the bracelet was made, and on gold/plat watches can be quite a bit later than the series number indicates.

for example, my K series watch has a bracelet code of AD6, which says it was manufactured in june, 2003, quite a bit later than the series would infer.

[nhdblfan]

Hi Mark,
man between you and Steve I am going to be an expert on these DD's !
Got it out of safe again,this time I am going to wear it
It says CL1 above the 83208 on my bracelet so that would be?
That Plat one must feel great I love the weight on mine and yours is even heavier.I have to try one on next time I see one at a dealer.
great thread

[Markg]

Originally Posted by nhdblfan

Hi Mark,
man between you and Steve I am going to be an expert on these DD's !
Got it out of safe again,this time I am going to wear it
It says CL1 above the 83208 on my bracelet so that would be?
That Plat one must feel great I love the weight on mine and yours is even heavier.I have to try one on next time I see one at a dealer.
great thread

CL=2004, 1=January

the platinum watch is a LOT heavier than gold because the platinum is 95% while the gold is only 75% on an 18K watch like rolex. so you get the heavier metal AND more of it!

[lars-118206]

have a Day-Date 118206 from November 2005. The serial number on the wach is a “K”

But it has the new conceal claps with the code “MA9”

The only expiation I can come up with are that the my watch “House” is produced in 2002 and because Rolex is not selling a lot of Day.Dates in Platinum it was assembled with the bracelet in September 2005

I asked my AD afterwards and he said that I cant count on that the serial number would give me the production date?

Regards

Lars

[nhdblfan]

Originally Posted by lars-118206

have a Day-Date 118206 from November 2005. The serial number on the wach is a “K”

But it has the new conceal claps with the code “MA9”

The only expiation I can come up with are that the my watch “House” is produced in 2002 and because Rolex is not selling a lot of Day.Dates in Platinum it was assembled with the bracelet in September 2005

I asked my AD afterwards and he said that I cant count on that the serial number would give me the production date?

Regards

Lars

Sept 05 according to this chart;
http://www.oysterinfo.de/en/detailin...mern/index.php

[Markg]

Originally Posted by lars-118206

have a Day-Date 118206 from November 2005. The serial number on the wach is a “K”

But it has the new conceal claps with the code “MA9”

The only expiation I can come up with are that the my watch “House” is produced in 2002 and because Rolex is not selling a lot of Day.Dates in Platinum it was assembled with the bracelet in September 2005

I asked my AD afterwards and he said that I cant count on that the serial number would give me the production date?

Regards

Lars

did you purchase it new?

i ask because i have a 118206 also, a K series also which indicates 2001/2002, but with a bracelet code of AD6 which indicates June 2003. i guess for a platinum its possible to go another two years, but that seems kind of long...

and i dont think you can count on the series letter to tell you when it was built for the gold/platinum watches. they seem to make a lot of cases, then fit them out over time. which bracelet number do you have? is it the 83206? if so that is the latest and i wouldnt worry about it.

in any event you have one GREAT watch!! which face did you get? mine is the glacier blue dial.

[lars-118206]

Hi Mark

I dint purchase my watch from new, but the certificate says November 2005

The watch have the new concealed claps (83206) with the code “MA9”

MA9 indicates that the bracelet was produced in September 2005

Mine has also the Glacier blue dial

Love to se some pictures of your watch

Regards

Lars

[DDUCPHAMM1]

Originally Posted by Triple Black 88

Golfball, do you have the new style or old style clasp?

Please post pics so we can see what your talking about. Something doesn't sound right

hi Triple

my too, the clasp is like tridor clasp but in the card said 2017 (oyster bracelet), some thing, must be something wrong there

thanks