Why did Rolex randomize serials?

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by cpl

Methinks it's more to do with making it harder to date a watch.

If that was the reason and this "problem" having existed ever since Rolex watches were first serialized, which was from the beginning, they certainly waited a very long time to arrive at a solution.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

If that was the reason and this "problem" having existed ever since Rolex watches were first serialized, which was from the beginning, they certainly waited a very long time to arrive at a solution.

Yeah, but when you think about it the issue is not that old. This whole serial number paranoia thing on the part of the consumer is really an internet phenomenon of recent years.

[MonBK]

It existed in the 60's and 70's so don't know about recent years.

[Tombstone]

Originally Posted by sierra11b

Handled a V serial milgauss at an AD the other week.

It'll be a real shame if Rolex never divulges watches age only for those that have purchased a watch. I'd love to be able to ask for a letter much like Colt issues letter of provenance based on serials dating back to their first production runs in the twentieth century. Would be interesting to know if the couple random serial watches I own were rolled off the factory floor the same year as my kids were born.

It may not be information available to an RSC but Rolex random serial generator must know when it stamped a particular serial.

Great idea it does shine a light on Rolex and their crappy at best customer service. It's very disheartening to me when I (like many here) have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars buying and collecting Rolex. Colt who I have dealt with and paid far less money too has done right by me and could actually teach Rolex much about basic customer service.

I quit dealing with Rolex in NYC for a thousand reasons, rude telephone practices, giving incorrect information, lying/or just not knowing the correct answer, and yes loosing a package with my Rolex inside of it (they found it but first advised they never received the package(strange as they had to sign for it to get in the first place).

In my view Rolex acts like they as a company are doing me a favor by allowing me to buy their product. The random serial number is in my view for ease of production but also to cloak how long the watch has sat. I don't buy it for one second in this day computers running businesses an employee could not type in the serial number and tell you anything you wanted to know, bottom line Rolex does not want you to know and is annoyed your even asking them.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by MonBK

It existed in the 60's and 70's so don't know about recent years.

Afraid that's not quite true this serial OCD mainly started with the introduction of the internet.When I bought my first Rolex watch I just bought a Rolex watch and not a serial.Now when my Father bought his Rolex back in the early 1980s after saving for many years and taking a few other jobs as well as his regular down the coal mine job to get the cash..Now he went to the AD to buy a sub but came away with a different watch a Daytona because AD offered him a discount and Daytona was much cheaper.Serial OCD in now almost getting to epidemic proportion perhaps almost like the Hologram case sticker a few years back.Still I have a few vintage 1920s Rolex have no idea what the serials are, but guess they will still be ticking when my own ticker stops.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by padi56

Afraid that's not quite true this serial OCD mainly started with the introduction of the internet.When I bought my first Rolex watch I just bought a Rolex watch and not a serial.Now when my Father bought his Rolex back in the early 1980s after saving for many years and taking a few other jobs as well as his regular down the coal mine job to get the cash..Now he went to the AD to buy a sub but came away with a different watch a Daytona because AD offered him a discount and Daytona was much cheaper.Serial OCD in now almost getting to epidemic proportion perhaps almost like the Hologram case sticker a few years back.Still I have a few vintage 1920s Rolex have no idea what the serials are, but guess they will still be ticking when my own ticker stops.

I'm afraid it's quite true.

[HogwldFLTR]

I'm also wondering if asside from assisting their distribution network, it also hinders the ability of their competition to gauge there manufacturing volume.

[springbar]

The new scheme makes it easier for Rolex validate ID numbers and harder for them to be forged, because the code space is unpredictable and very sparse.

8 alphanumeric digits provides 2.82 trillion combinations.

If Rolex assigns the codes at random, then nobody can predict which codes are valid, or which code will come next.

A full decade of watch production will only use up about 1/300,000th of the available codes. So even after ten years under the new system, a counterfeiter will have only a 1 in 300,000 chance of guessing any valid code - and an even worse chance of guessing a valid code that was assigned to a particular model.

For example, if Submariners make up 5% of production, the chance of correctly guessing any code assigned to any Submariner in the last ten years is one in six million.

Against these odds, scammers will have to either re-use a small sample of known codes or just make up bogus ones. Either will be easier to detect by Rolex, who are the only ones in possession of the master list of assigned codes.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Danex

The warranty card, with the date sold (put into the wild) will become more important when the watch reaches the resale market.

Probably will be the closest thing most buyers/sellers will have to denote the operating age of a Random S/N Rolex.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by MonBK

I'm afraid it's quite true.

Rolex has never given out any information about year of manufacture of any watch. All the Internet charts are all based on forums like ours sharing information and pure guess work.Yes the charts in general are fairly accurate to date what a case/clasp was stamped on the SS models but not 100% when a watch was made.Now back in the 1950s60s when on some models the inner case back was marked with the year and month quarter.Then we could get a more accurate assumption when that watch was made or again when the case back was stamped.Today far to much in read into serials by some, as Rolex watches are no longer watches but seen by many as nothing more than £££££££$$$$$$$.

[77T]

Originally Posted by padi56

Today far to much in read into serials by some, as Rolex watches are no longer watches but seen by many as nothing more than £££££££$$$$$$$.

Agree 100% - and they are also used in sizing up someone's financial status at a glance...

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by padi56

Rolex has never given out any information about year of manufacture of any watch. All the Internet charts are all based on forums like ours sharing information and pure guess work.Yes the charts in general are fairly accurate to date what a case/clasp was stamped on the SS models but not 100% when a watch was made.Now back in the 1950s60s when on some models the inner case back was marked with the year and month quarter.Then we could get a more accurate assumption when that watch was made or again when the case back was stamped.Today far to much in read into serials by some, as Rolex watches are no longer watches but seen by many as nothing more than £££££££$$$$$$$.

Let's agree to disagree Peter, all I'm saying is that those lists existed way before the internet.

I was buying lots of Rolex in the 60's 70's and was using them.

[Submarinerman1971]

Originally Posted by gerrya

I stopped by RSC Dallas one day and asked them if they could tell me when my random Explorer II was manufactured. I thought it would be neat to know the born on date. I just figured they would put the S/N in the computer and it would spit out month and year. Well no such luck. Basically told me it must be current year and now there is no easy way to tell due to random serials.

My experience is that Rolex can tell exactly when and where it was sold. I have had my dealer call in serial numbers twice and they have given me details on the purchase. This of course only tells me when it was sold and not when it was manufactured. Google Albert Walker's story as well. I'm sure it is well know by Rolex enthusiasts.
Regards. Joe

[gunsuka]

There are a lot of random serial number watches out there with no paperwork. I personally think dating the watches is going to be an issue. Might even drive the old serial numbers up in price for collectors because they can be dated.

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

But that simply means the papers or warranty card will be needed to document the age of the watch. But these days most people save that stuff so it shouldn't be that much of a problem..

[ksh977]

Originally Posted by springbar

The new scheme makes it easier for Rolex validate ID numbers and harder for them to be forged, because the code space is unpredictable and very sparse.

8 alphanumeric digits provides 2.82 trillion combinations.

If Rolex assigns the codes at random, then nobody can predict which codes are valid, or which code will come next.

A full decade of watch production will only use up about 1/300,000th of the available codes. So even after ten years under the new system, a counterfeiter will have only a 1 in 300,000 chance of guessing any valid code - and an even worse chance of guessing a valid code that was assigned to a particular model.

For example, if Submariners make up 5% of production, the chance of correctly guessing any code assigned to any Submariner in the last ten years is one in six million.

Against these odds, scammers will have to either re-use a small sample of known codes or just make up bogus ones. Either will be easier to detect by Rolex, who are the only ones in possession of the master list of assigned codes.

This makes a lot of sense and comes closest to answering the OP's question in my opinion.

[mrecho]

Originally Posted by padi56

Afraid that's not quite true this serial OCD mainly started with the introduction of the internet.When I bought my first Rolex watch I just bought a Rolex watch and not a serial.Now when my Father bought his Rolex back in the early 1980s after saving for many years and taking a few other jobs as well as his regular down the coal mine job to get the cash..Now he went to the AD to buy a sub but came away with a different watch a Daytona because AD offered him a discount and Daytona was much cheaper.Serial OCD in now almost getting to epidemic proportion perhaps almost like the Hologram case sticker a few years back.Still I have a few vintage 1920s Rolex have no idea what the serials are, but guess they will still be ticking when my own ticker stops.

I remember the Hologram craze...

[padi56]

Originally Posted by mrecho

I remember the Hologram craze...

Yes like today's OCD with the case serials there used to be more questions about a useless sticky bit of plastic than the actual watch.And lets be honest does one serial last longer than any other serial.Myself when buying watches condition and whether any service history that's my priority and not a case serial.No matter the case stamp if serviced correctly all the oyster range has a life beyond 50 years. After we are talking about one of the finest mechanical watches made today and guess what its Rolex.Case serials humbug.

[eightbore]

Another reason to randomize serial numbers (at least in other industries) is to ensure that you have not made your exact annual production numbers publicly available to the competition. Better to keep everyone guessing if your numbers are up or down in response to the actions of other firms in the industry.

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

I doubt Rolex was trying to screw with collectors. But going to 8 digits a letters simply gives them decades before they have to worry about it again. And making them random (if that's what it really is) if anything helps AD's out because they don't have to deal with being stuck with a G serial on their shelf because some doofus read on the internet that the "G" serial is old and only wants a random.

.

This.

But don't we still have the clasp code to see when the clasp was married to the watch? That would give a ballpark figure, right?

[HogwldFLTR]

Well at least in my industry some critical laser marking equipment is restricted as to the number of digits that can be scribed. Some times putting off retooling by changing procedure is a cost effective way to contain costs.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Mr. K

This.

But don't we still have the clasp code to see when the clasp was married to the watch? That would give a ballpark figure, right?

No they are now random too,but again they were just a rough estimate when the clasp was stamped and not when it was put on a completed watch.