Is my "new" watch really 13 years old?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by msjenbowen

I looked for an engraved rehaut, but did not see a serial number (or ROLEXROLEX) engraved anywhere around the bezel. Am I looking in the right place? The appraiser did not photograph the 6 o'clock area, so I will try to take a clear picture, but it looks completely blank to me.

The number inside is the one that starts with an "A". Is that the movement's number?

Here is a picture of the model number:
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I can see the ROLEXROLEX around the rehaut in your second picture

Do you know what a rehaut is ?.. It is seen inside the crystal around the edge of the dial..

[toph]

Originally Posted by msjenbowen

From what I've read, I thought a random serial number would have letters interspersed with the numbers. I also read somewhere that "A" followed by 7 digits was typical in 1999-2000. The numbers could go up to 9,999,999. Do you know anything about this for sure?

In 1999 it would be A followed by six digits! Today use a random combination of numbers and letter with 8 digits. In theory I could start with A followed by seven digits. I have sent you a message too
Cheers

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by Rfblee

Minute hand looks short

Minute hand IS short!

[msjenbowen]

Originally Posted by Tools

I can see the ROLEXROLEX around the rehaut in your second picture

Do you know what a rehaut is ?.. It is seen inside the crystal around the edge of the dial..

Yes, I see it now, in the picture, but oddly, I can't see it by just looking at the watch, even with a magnifying glass. I tried to take a picture of it myself, but it is very blurry. I think I just need to take it to the AD and see what they can tell me. I appreciate your assistance, so much. Thank you for your time!

[Tools]

Originally Posted by msjenbowen

Yes, I see it now, in the picture, but oddly, I can't see it by just looking at the watch, even with a magnifying glass. I tried to take a picture of it myself, but it is very blurry. I think I just need to take it to the AD and see what they can tell me. I appreciate your assistance, so much. Thank you for your time!

I'm sure that you will find a proper serial number there.. If so, your watch is no more than a couple of years old at the most..

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by msjenbowen

I looked for an engraved rehaut, but did not see a serial number (or ROLEXROLEX) engraved anywhere around the bezel. Am I looking in the right place? The appraiser did not photograph the 6 o'clock area, so I will try to take a clear picture, but it looks completely blank to me.

The number inside is the one that starts with an "A". Is that the movement's number?

Here is a picture of the model number:

I promise you I can see rolexrolexrolex on the engraved rehaut!!! in the picture...you can see it! its there!

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by msjenbowen

Yes, I see it now, in the picture, but oddly, I can't see it by just looking at the watch, even with a magnifying glass. I tried to take a picture of it myself, but it is very blurry. I think I just need to take it to the AD and see what they can tell me. I appreciate your assistance, so much. Thank you for your time!

That makes zero sense. it is visible to the naked eye, both in the picture, and in reality?

[toph]

Originally Posted by A.Sharp

That makes zero sense. it is visible to the naked eye, both in the picture, and in reality?

Not everyone has perfect vision and especially in such a small watch

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by toph

Not everyone has perfect vision and especially in such a small watch

Toph is right, didn't mean to lack compassion... my apologies.

[toph]

Originally Posted by A.Sharp

Toph is right, didn't mean to lack compassion... my apologies.

I know we get a lot of fake posts about fake watches but sometimes genuine people have been duped by a watch and genuinely don't know what we are talking about. . I mean when was the last time you told Anyone about your engraved rehaut
Its like when I ask about engines in cars , people must wonder if I having a laugh

[msjenbowen]

Originally Posted by A.Sharp

Toph is right, didn't mean to lack compassion... my apologies.

No worries... I just turned 40 and my once-perfect vision is quickly deteriorating. I finally got a good picture and I can now see the serial number at the 6 o'clock position. It is "V" followed by 6 digits.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by msjenbowen

No worries... I just turned 40 and my once-perfect vision is quickly deteriorating. I finally got a good picture and I can now see the serial number at the 6 o'clock position. It is "V" followed by 6 digits.

The "V" serial prefix didn't even come out until late 2008 and is still in many Dealer cases today..

[toph]

Originally Posted by msjenbowen

No worries... I just turned 40 and my once-perfect vision is quickly deteriorating. I finally got a good picture and I can now see the serial number at the 6 o'clock position. It is "V" followed by 6 digits.

Ok that is a new watch. V serial started around late 2008 but there are still some in store being sold new today, usually slower moving models like this one. Good news is it is new. Bad new is it is 100% a 15 year old dial most likely with added diamonds I.e non original Rolex. Some sellers do this to tart the watch up. I would let the seller know this in no uncertain terms. If you sent it to Rolex they would most likely tell you this too.

[msjenbowen]

Originally Posted by Tools

The "V" serial prefix didn't even come out until late 2008 and is still in many Dealer cases today..

So is it just the dial that's old and/or fake? I'm sorry for all the questions, but the "A" number inside the watch has convinced my appraiser that it's from 1999. Also, would this coincide with the absence of a serial number between the lugs?

[A.Sharp]

Toph,

This is very true. Some can be very quick to judge, and sometimes rightfully so, but I don't want that to be me lol...Gotta give people the benefit of the doubt, especially since I expect it in return. Wouldn't want to ask my IB analyst friends how many times I respond to the conversations they have about investing with a nod or smile. I will say there are some bad seeds who tend to ruin it for the rest!

[toph]

Originally Posted by msjenbowen

So is it just the dial that's old and/or fake? I'm sorry for all the questions, but the "A" number inside the watch has convinced my appraiser that it's from 1999. Also, would this coincide with the absence of a serial number between the lugs?

Bingo. The A Inside is irrelevant for dating the case. And yes it would. Rolex starting replacing serials between lugs with it it where it is now circa 2005/6

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by msjenbowen

No worries... I just turned 40 and my once-perfect vision is quickly deteriorating. I finally got a good picture and I can now see the serial number at the 6 o'clock position. It is "V" followed by 6 digits.

Sorry to hear that, but the engraving is rather faint and small! I think it's just more obvious for me because I stare at it every day with compulsion.

[msjenbowen]

Originally Posted by toph

Bingo. The A Inside is irrelevant for dating the case. And yes it would. Rolex starting replacing serials between lugs with it it where it is now circa 2005/6

Relief! I'm much happier to be dealing with just a dial issue instead of the whole watch. Is the movement always the same date as the case, or is there a way to tell, based on the "A" number inside? That's probably a really dumb question, but I'm just trying to understand what all the different numbers mean.

[toph]

Originally Posted by msjenbowen

Relief! I'm much happier to be dealing with just a dial issue instead of the whole watch. Is the movement always the same date as the case, or is there a way to tell, based on the "A" number inside? That's probably a really dumb question, but I'm just trying to understand what all the different numbers mean.

Unfortunately I can't help with movement parts or numbers because I don't know much about them.
Yes I am glad fir you it's only a dial issue only thus far

[MonBK]

V followed by 6 digits?

Come on guys.

[toph]

Originally Posted by A.Sharp

Toph,

This is very true. Some can be very quick to judge, and sometimes rightfully so, but I don't want that to be me lol...Gotta give people the benefit of the doubt, especially since I expect it in return. Wouldn't want to ask my IB analyst friends how many times I respond to the conversations they have about investing with a nod or smile. I will say there are some bad seeds who tend to ruin it for the rest!

That's it, we can't all be experts at everything, and I try to remember that because we all have to start somewhere.

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by msjenbowen

So is it just the dial that's old and/or fake? I'm sorry for all the questions, but the "A" number inside the watch has convinced my appraiser that it's from 1999. Also, would this coincide with the absence of a serial number between the lugs?

Time for a new appraiser...

[Tools]

Originally Posted by msjenbowen

So is it just the dial that's old and/or fake? I'm sorry for all the questions, but the "A" number inside the watch has convinced my appraiser that it's from 1999. Also, would this coincide with the absence of a serial number between the lugs?

Aftermarket companies cannot get original, new dials. They use older dials that have been traded in and fit them with diamonds. This is a popular way to get a diamond dial for a couple of thousand less than Rolex charges for an authentic one.

Most Grey Market Dealers offer both on this model, usually at a difference of a thousand or two in cost.

It's no big deal unless you think that it is. Rolex may not service the watch with this dial, but there are plenty of watchmakers who can and will if the need ever arises.

As to the serial number, yes.. With the advent of the new etched rehaut in about 2007 on the Stainless Steel models (gold models got it much earlier), you could find it in both places.. A couple of years later they began to drop it completely from between the lugs.. This further confirms that your watch is a more recent (newer) watch than others may be.

[toph]

Originally Posted by MonBK

V followed by 6 digits?

Come on guys.

What? I had 2 M serials a k serial and have t serial all with six digits after the first letter? Are saying they changed it on V's but not G?

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by MonBK

V followed by 6 digits?

Come on guys.

?

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by toph

What? I had 2 M serials a k serial and have t serial all with six digits after the first letter? Are saying they changed it on V's but not G?

Originally Posted by A.Sharp

?

Sorry, just woke up.

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by toph

What? I had 2 M serials a k serial and have t serial all with six digits after the first letter? Are saying they changed it on V's but not G?

Looking at an M right now, follwed by six digits...

[A.Sharp]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Sorry, just woke up.

Good morning

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by A.Sharp

Good morning

Good morning.

[gregdolley]

As others have said, the dial is definitely after-market. Here's how you can tell:

1) The tick marks are too short and too far away from the edge of the dial.
2) I might be wrong about this, but I don't think Rolex ever made a dial where the tick marks weren't surrounded by two concentric circles.
3) The diamonds don't look like the right shape.
4) This is obvious: the surrounding edge "squares" that hold each diamond are not cleanly cut. On a genuine Rolex dial, the edges are crisp and clean, a square-ish shape with diagonal corners. See my close-up pics on one of my old DJ's.