Random serial number issue

[iLLGT2]

Originally Posted by FNFZ4

But his argument does makes sense I believe. The random has a higher resale by about $100 or so if i am not mistaken based on what I have seen in pricing.

I also notice that....

In all honesty doesn't matter! I had a g serial gmt ii c I bought last April, just got another random which was purchased a month after mine in 11'... I always though non serial was less desirable, come to see it doesn't mean anything!

[iLLGT2]

Originally Posted by FNFZ4

But his argument does makes sense I believe. The random has a higher resale by about $100 or so if i am not mistaken based on what I have seen in pricing.

I also notice that....

In all honesty doesn't matter! I had a g serial gmt ii c I bought last April, just got another random which was purchased a month after mine in 11'... I always though non serial was less desirable, come to see it doesn't mean anything!

[nowzen]

In the world of Rolex 'serial' has no meaning.

By purposely hiding the date of manufacture, dated stock can be marketed as new.

If you buy into this culture, it would suggest that there are no refinements or changes or improvements from year-to-year, its all good.

Judging by the responses of our fellow forum members, Rolex has been outstandingly successful in altering the usual consumer perception that a newer product is improved or a better one or has any significance.

In the past, TRF's have spent great efforts to decode Rolex's previous "serial" numbers to try and gain a little insight into an estimated production date and document product changes. If this is irrelevant, why did they bother?

Bucking the trend of increased corporate disclosure, Rolex's new strategy of "random serial" numbers evidences a new attempt at increased non-disclosure. By making "post-random" watches non-dateable, they have (perhaps unwittingly) established a new benchmark of "pre-random" and they have to face the consequences.

Consumers spending thousands for a watch should have the right to know when it was made and a right to want the most recently made product.
The effects of this decision is not sorted-out yet and I think the OP is prudent in rejecting a "pre-random watch" if he is at all concerned about future resale value.

[astrazen]

Originally Posted by rc604

Get it. Plus, its not like the 14060M's where the difference between a G and Random could mean Parachrom hairspring. But even in that case the watches are essentially the same.

Its not only the random that have the parachrom hairspring btw

[padi56]

Today the Internet based hysteria about serials is becoming quite laughable now.As all these Internet codes are only based on pure assumption via the various forums when a letter code was seen and reported.They are not official from Rolex and by these Internet codes we WIS types could get a rough approximation when a case or clasp was stamped.Now these codes are not 100% accurate to the exact month or year.And these Internet codes can only be used on the faster selling Rolex even then not guaranteed 100% accurate date.Now with the slow selling watches these codes cannot be relied on to give a true indication when a watch was made or not made.And its only basically since the Internet has anyone even cared about serials, minor font changes, flat four fonts, big O, and all the rest of the lupe mania today.

Originally Posted by astrazen

Its not only the random that have the parachrom hairspring btw

Quite true there is nothing written in stone by Rolex when they put there in-house spring in a 14060M or any other watch.The Parchrom is just the name of the metal its a hairspring and will perform very much like any other hairspring its not something magical

[nowzen]

Originally Posted by padi56

Today the Internet based hysteria about serials is becoming quite laughable now.As all these Internet codes are only based on pure assumption via the various forums when a letter code was seen and reported.They are not official from Rolex and by these Internet codes we WIS types could get a rough approximation when a case or clasp was stamped.Now these codes are not 100% accurate to the exact month or year.And these Internet codes can only be used on the faster selling Rolex even then not guaranteed 100% accurate date.Now with the slow selling watches these codes cannot be relied on to give a true indication when a watch was made or not made.And its only basically since the Internet has anyone even cared about serials, minor font changes, flat four fonts, big O, and all the rest of the lupe mania today.

Peter, what you say is true, but it sounds a little strange coming from a moderator of an internet forum on which all of these characteristics are agonized over in great detail.

However, while all of this dating speculation about clasp codes does not deliver an accurate build date, it at least, offers a realistic estimate and can suggest which of 2 watches might be newer - in the absence of viable information from the builder.

It could also be argued that the desire to know this information existed prior to the internet - but no vehicle was available to deliver it. Please don't shoot the messenger for making this data available - it seems relevant to your members, and I'm sure they (and I) are thankful for it.

[Spunga]

Originally Posted by padi56

its only basically since the Internet has anyone even cared about serials, minor font changes, flat four fonts, big O, and all the rest of the lupe mania today.

LOL, your picking on me again.

[Howie]

Originally Posted by 77T

This does matter if you resell to an idiot next year. An idiot will claim it is 3 years old in 2013.

I have had it happen to me on eBay sales. But I agree with others that it should not matter. The dated card shows when it entered service.

If you don't sell for next 10 years it wouldn't even matter to an idiot...

Damn idiots!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by nowzen

Peter, what you say is true, but it sounds a little strange coming from a moderator of an internet forum on which all of these characteristics are agonized over in great detail.

However, while all of this dating speculation about clasp codes does not deliver an accurate build date, it at least, offers a realistic estimate and can suggest which of 2 watches might be newer - in the absence of viable information from the builder.

It could also be argued that the desire to know this information existed prior to the internet - but no vehicle was available to deliver it. Please don't shoot the messenger for making this data available - it seems relevant to your members, and I'm sure they (and I) are thankful for it.

Afraid they are not like you say agonized by all on every watch forum I can assure you.And can you tell me if one particular serial/clasp code will last any longer than any other serial clasp code will.And myself always buy condition of the watch and not a serial or clasp code.Now if buying used and if no service history then its always wise to perform a service.And then that watch will be as good as any serial and last as long.Rolex watches in general with just a little care from its owner are good for 50 years whether the serial is called G,V Random or Tom Dick or Harry.The trouble today Rolex watches are just seen by many as just $$$$$$££££££ is this or that serial more collectible, or will it go up more in value etc.In my Rolex buying years we bought Rolex watches hopefully to wear and last a life time and beyond.

[dpkong]

Originally Posted by caryyee

I'd be happy with any brand new watch that was a G or Random as they are both current in production right now. When I bought my RG Daytona, I also looked at a WG Daytona but that was a V serial so I knew that had been sitting around for quite a while, they probably would have offered me a greater discount on that one though. But G or Random, I'd be happy with either, it's the date on the warranty stamp that matters most.

from what i have gathered, the relation between serial numbers and dates of production were derived from sales of the watches and the date sold. and the data used is mostly from SS models. now it is well known that the TT and solid gold models and some other models like the TOG are slow sellers so the "list" is not conclusive. for eg. why do TOG with F serials have engraved rehaut but then Subs and Explorer 2 of the same F serials do not have the engraving? in fact, the engraving came much much later in some of the M serials.

for all we know, the V serial WG Daytona could have been assembled much later than a random serial SS submariner.

10 years from now, this argument about serial number would seem ridiculous since everything would be random and the only people who know when the watch was made is Rolex.

another example would be my V serial TT Daytona with a purchase date on the warranty card dated in Jan 2012. can anyone dare to tell me exactly when it was made/shipped?

also, i have a P serial TT Daytona sold in 2002 as on the warranty papers. it came with a Zenith movement, Tritium dial and SEL. now, lists indicate that a P serial should be a Luminova dial, SEL and newer 4130 movement and made in 2000. i believe that would only be a good approximation for SS models but not the TT or solid gold models.

[azguy]

Originally Posted by Benomos

Thanks for the great responses..called AD and picking it up tomorrow..........

yea, congratulations

[mannyv11]

congrats enjoy it and wear it in great health

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by nowzen

In the world of Rolex 'serial' has no meaning.

By purposely hiding the date of manufacture, dated stock can be marketed as new.

If you buy into this culture, it would suggest that there are no refinements or changes or improvements from year-to-year, its all good.

Judging by the responses of our fellow forum members, Rolex has been outstandingly successful in altering the usual consumer perception that a newer product is improved or a better one or has any significance.

In the past, TRF's have spent great efforts to decode Rolex's previous "serial" numbers to try and gain a little insight into an estimated production date and document product changes. If this is irrelevant, why did they bother?

Bucking the trend of increased corporate disclosure, Rolex's new strategy of "random serial" numbers evidences a new attempt at increased non-disclosure. By making "post-random" watches non-dateable, they have (perhaps unwittingly) established a new benchmark of "pre-random" and they have to face the consequences.

Consumers spending thousands for a watch should have the right to know when it was made and a right to want the most recently made product.
The effects of this decision is not sorted-out yet and I think the OP is prudent in rejecting a "pre-random watch" if he is at all concerned about future resale value.

I never thought about it this way and you know what it makes perfect sense to not "date" your stock.... Rolex knows that some items sit on AD's for months even years at a times, but now no purchaser will be the wiser since all watches are "new".

Just like earlier when a forum member was scrutinized over wanting a specific serial #, we should not say things of this nature do not matter. Why you may ask....for the future WIS (perhaps some of own kids) will want to know this information about there Rolex's when their interest peaks as ours all have at one point or another.

[scarab007]

Originally Posted by 77T

This does matter if you resell to an idiot next year. An idiot will claim it is 3 years old in 2013.

I have had it happen to me on eBay sales. But I agree with others that it should not matter. The dated card shows when it entered service.

If you don't sell for next 10 years it wouldn't even matter to an idiot...

That's a lot of idiots HAHAHA....

[nowzen]

Originally Posted by QCASANOVA

I never thought about it this way and you know what it makes perfect sense to not "date" your stock.... Rolex knows that some items sit on AD's for months even years at a times, but now no purchaser will be the wiser since all watches are "new".

Just like earlier when a forum member was scrutinized over wanting a specific serial #, we should not say things of this nature do not matter. Why you may ask....for the future WIS (perhaps some of own kids) will want to know this information about there Rolex's when their interest peaks as ours all have at one point or another.

Well said.

If the age of the watch doesn't matter, it would suggest that there is no improvement from year to year... which (sadly) may well be true.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by nowzen

Well said.

If the age of the watch doesn't matter, it would suggest that there is no improvement from year to year... which (sadly) may well be true.

Well even today since the introduction of the cal 3135 and its clones in 1988/9 most models have changed very little.Except around 1998 the change from Tritium dials to Luminover introduction of the SEL on most of the range.A LEC crystal and a few minor fonts introduction of ceramic inserts re-styled cases and a few different clasps plus a few new and homage models.Being around mechanical watches for around 30 years its mainly Rolex and perhaps today Panerai and Omega where this case serial is deemed of any importance.The higher brands like say Patek AP etc the serials are not even mentioned a lot.And today the only Rolex watches to perhaps be at a AD for longer than a few months will be the slow sellers like the gold diamond models etc.And no matter what the serial is when bought new will have a two year warranty.And if bought used if no service history then it would be wise to budget for a service.You guys should know by now that Rolex watches are one of the most reliable and long lasting watches on this planet today whatever the serial is.Myself always buy condition of watch and not a serial or a perceived notion when it was made.But today Rolex watches are seen by many as just $$$$$$£££££ as the different years command different prices. And that's simply down to the Internet and in general today Rolex watch buyer, afraid some of you guys have made a rod for your own back and perhaps some forums are to blame for the serial stuff we have today.Just cannot see the importance of knowing when a watch was made or not made, only the fact that now modern Rolex watches are just a price marked by perceived year of manufacture instead of condition of watch.