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Harrya · 19 August 2011, 12:13 AM

As the title says can an AD order a randon serial number watch from Rolex? I ask because the last Rolex I got from an AD a month or so ago as a TT DJII with ivory stick dial and it was a "V" serial number....not the latest. A decade from now that watch will appear to be a 2008 model not a 2011 model....not that I ever sell anything.....Just curious so I can specify on my next purchase. Thanks

Puffy · 19 August 2011, 12:14 AM

doubt an AD can, they have to take whatever serial Rolex gives them

Speed · 19 August 2011, 12:16 AM

Oh boy.

Duck.

Numismatist · 19 August 2011, 12:21 AM

Let's just say there are differing opinions on the importance of this.

I doubt ADs can order what they want, I think Rolex given ADs what Rolex wants.

Danand · 19 August 2011, 12:41 AM

Doesn't necessarily mean it is from 2008. Many of the watch lines seem to have random and non random coming from rolex at the same time. I wouldn't be concerned-your watch will still have value in ten years. Condition is more important than exact serial no anyway.

texex91 · 19 August 2011, 12:59 AM

Uh oh, random question.

But, no Rolex sends whatever they want. No choice.

Tools · 19 August 2011, 01:26 AM

It is yet another point in the proof that TT and non-common (i.e., non Sub/GMT) models lag the common myth of serial number dating by enthusiasts by a couple of years...

We've been saying it for years.. The "charts" that abound on the Internet are guesses and approximations based on sales, and should only be used for research when you do not know when the watch was sold; not to contradict a known sales date...

(that's right.. the charts have never actually been a "manufacture" date, but only a known sales date of certain known serial numbers)

hennabav · 19 August 2011, 02:06 AM

Don't think AD has a say in serial number.

Chipmunk · 19 August 2011, 02:11 AM

I was told NO.

The GMT Master · 19 August 2011, 02:11 AM

Rolex don't care what serial number a watch has, and why should they? The watch isn't made better or worse from whether it has a letter or is random, the internet community has gone way too far on the whole serial number business. It was supposed to be a rough guideline, not a concrete certainty, and even then, it only really works with steel sports models. Anything else, and the system doesn't work. Having the original guarantee signed and dated by an AD is far more important, in my view, as that shows when the watch was first worn. Rolex cases don't go off sitting waiting for a movement to be placed inside them, but wear and tear begins as soon as its on someone's wrist.

My advice would be to stop worrying, hold on to your guarantee, and hope the serial number insanity has died down by the time you're ready to sell your watch. And, to answer your question more directly, no, an AD cannot specify the serial number. In Rolex's eyes, anything they send out is new, and an AD will take what they are given

esm · 19 August 2011, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harrya

As the title says can an AD order a randon serial number watch from Rolex? I ask because the last Rolex I got from an AD a month or so ago as a TT DJII with ivory stick dial and it was a "V" serial number....not the latest. A decade from now that watch will appear to be a 2008 model not a 2011 model....not that I ever sell anything.....Just curious so I can specify on my next purchase. Thanks

That's impossible.. DJII was officially released towards the back end of 2009, so a V serial DJII can not be a 2008 watch

(my V serial TT DJII was ordered in September 2009 and arrived in late October 2009...)

dddrees · 19 August 2011, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esm

That's impossible.. DJII was officially released towards the back end of 2009, so a V serial DJII can not be a 2008 watch

(my V serial TT DJII was ordered in September 2009 and arrived in late October 2009...)

Mine was:

my V serial TT DJII was ordered in July 2010 and arrived in August 2010...

By the way it still works and I think it still looks amazing.

TheVTCGuy · 19 August 2011, 02:18 AM

OK... Time for my stupid question. Now don't harp... I'm entitled to one a week...

Can someone please explain the term: "Random Serial number?"

esm · 19 August 2011, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

OK... Time for my stupid question. Now don't harp... I'm entitled to one a week...

Can someone please explain the term: "Random Serial number?"

Well... Paul, It's "random" instead of "sequential".... Yeah?

The GMT Master · 19 August 2011, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

OK... Time for my stupid question. Now don't harp... I'm entitled to one a week...

Can someone please explain the term: "Random Serial number?"

Rolex serial numbers used to consist of one letter followed by 6 numbers, for example V123456. They've been used for quite some time, and there are only so many numbers in the alphabet, and they're also pretty easy to imitate. So, about 12/18 months ago, Rolex started a system where the serial number is made up of 8 characters, any of which can be a letter or a number. The potential number of serial numbers is pretty much limitless, so I expect this system will remain for a long, long time

Chipmunk · 19 August 2011, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

OK... Time for my stupid question. Now don't harp... I'm entitled to one a week...

Can someone please explain the term: "Random Serial number?"

Random like quick pick......no?

TheVTCGuy · 19 August 2011, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Rolex serial numbers used to consist of one letter followed by 6 numbers, for example V123456. They've been used for quite some time, and there are only so many numbers in the alphabet, and they're also pretty easy to imitate. So, about 12/18 months ago, Rolex started a system where the serial number is made up of 8 characters, any of which can be a letter or a number. The potential number of serial numbers is pretty much limitless, so I expect this system will remain for a long, long time

Thank you Chris

Maybe a different topic, are these random serial numbers sought after? Will they be collector's items or something?

TheVTCGuy · 19 August 2011, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esm

Well... Paul, It's "random" instead of "sequential".... Yeah?

Eric ------------ Paul

esm · 19 August 2011, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Thank you Chris

Maybe a different topic, are these random serial numbers sought after? Will they be collector's items or something?

Umm... Paul, you have just gone past your weekly quota... Can you ask this question next week?

Okay, I kid, I kid (please don't ban me...)

TheVTCGuy · 19 August 2011, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esm

Umm... Paul, you have just gone past your weekly quota... Can you ask this question next week?

Okay, I kid, I kid (please don't ban me...)

Darn it!

He's right.... Sigh....

OK, I'll ask next Thursday.....

dddrees · 19 August 2011, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esm

Umm... Paul, you have just gone past your weekly quota... Can you ask this question next week?

Okay, I kid, I kid (please don't ban me...)

Paul can ban people?

Oops, I better start being nicer to Paul.

TheVTCGuy · 19 August 2011, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dddrees

Paul can ban people?

Oops, I better start being nicer to Paul.

Yeah! Bout time people started being nicer to me around here! You can be the first Dan!

Harrya · 19 August 2011, 04:36 AM

Sorry I asked the question

gwalker · 19 August 2011, 04:47 AM

I don't think they can request what serial the watch has. I think the only thing that's guaranteed on a new watch is the engraving on the rehaut. I know that there have been people that purchased new watches that had D, Z and M serials. This is common especially with the all gold watches that don't exactly fly off the shelf. I saw a D serial gold DD at an AD not too long ago.

chicfarmer1 · 19 August 2011, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harrya

A decade from now that watch will appear to be a 2008 model not a 2011 model....

That is the fallacy of your question. A series letter can only show the earliest something was created, not the latest. Also, several series are sold at any given time (simultaneously), hence there is no clean cutoff point.

bayerische · 19 August 2011, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed

Oh boy.

Duck.

X2,

renfield33 · 19 August 2011, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicfarmer1

That is the fallacy of your question. A series letter can only show the earliest something was created, not the latest. Also, several series are sold at any given time (simultaneously), hence there is no clean cutoff point.

not to mention it is a TT date just... wouldn't worry much about the value in the future. they depreciate a lot more than the sport watches.

GradyPhilpott · 19 August 2011, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Can someone please explain the term: "Random Serial number?"

Random and serial are mutually exclusive.

Serial numbers are issues serially or sequentially, while random numbers are lacking any readily identifiable pattern.

The truth is that nothing is really random, if all the variable can be known, which often they cannot be known, and in the digital world, what we call random is the result of some algorithm.

But, I guess everyone already knew that.

This is what my watchmaker has to say on the matter. He likes the term "Random Unique Identifier."

I believe that Rolex is in fact using a system to generate these numbers. I would like to prove it and be able to provide a reference to watch enthusiasts in the future. In order to “break the code” I need the help of the entire Internet Watch Loving Community. If you have a Rolex with an apparently random serial number please register it at The Rolex Registry. You can also access the registry by clicking on the Rolex tab at the top of any page on this blog. If you participate in watchmaking forums on the Internet in any language please help to spread the word. The more serial numbers I get registered the sooner we can break the code.

Since I work with Rolexes all the time whenever I encounter a Random Unique Identifier I will register it in the database as well. If you work with watches I ask you to do the same. Nobody will see the see these serial numbers except for myself and a dedicated team of mathematicians which I may employ to help me break the code.

http://watchmakingblog.com/2010/08/2...gs-are-random/

mrbill2mrbill2 · 19 August 2011, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

OK... Time for my stupid question. Now don't harp... I'm entitled to one a week...

Can someone please explain the term: "Random Serial number?"

About a month ago I said I won't bring this up. But, since the question was asked a random serial number an oxymoron. It is a random ID number, serial numbers are sequential.

skyedog · 19 August 2011, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Rolex don't care what serial number a watch has, and why should they? The watch isn't made better or worse from whether it has a letter or is random, the internet community has gone way too far on the whole serial number business. It was supposed to be a rough guideline, not a concrete certainty, and even then, it only really works with steel sports models. Anything else, and the system doesn't work. Having the original guarantee signed and dated by an AD is far more important, in my view, as that shows when the watch was first worn. Rolex cases don't go off sitting waiting for a movement to be placed inside them, but wear and tear begins as soon as its on someone's wrist.

My advice would be to stop worrying, hold on to your guarantee, and hope the serial number insanity has died down by the time you're ready to sell your watch. And, to answer your question more directly, no, an AD cannot specify the serial number. In Rolex's eyes, anything they send out is new, and an AD will take what they are given

Well said Chris

19 August 2011, 12:13 AM	#1
Harrya Banned Join Date: Jun 2011 Real Name: Harry Location: Texas Watch: Rolex Posts: 74	Can AD order randon serial number watches? As the title says can an AD order a randon serial number watch from Rolex? I ask because the last Rolex I got from an AD a month or so ago as a TT DJII with ivory stick dial and it was a "V" serial number....not the latest. A decade from now that watch will appear to be a 2008 model not a 2011 model....not that I ever sell anything.....Just curious so I can specify on my next purchase. Thanks

19 August 2011, 12:14 AM	#2
Puffy "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Here and there Posts: 12,485	doubt an AD can, they have to take whatever serial Rolex gives them __________________ Fine Quality is Long Remembered After the Pain of Spending Money is Forgotten

19 August 2011, 12:21 AM	#4
Numismatist "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Chris Location: Camden ME & STT Watch: 116600 Posts: 6,350	Let's just say there are differing opinions on the importance of this. I doubt ADs can order what they want, I think Rolex given ADs what Rolex wants. __________________ Rolex 116600 Sea-dweller Montblanc Solitaire Doué Black & White Legrand FP Montblanc Solitaire Doué Black & White RB Montblanc Meisterstück Diamond Mozart BP Montblanc Meisterstück Mozart BP

19 August 2011, 01:26 AM	#7
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,514	It is yet another point in the proof that TT and non-common (i.e., non Sub/GMT) models lag the common myth of serial number dating by enthusiasts by a couple of years... We've been saying it for years.. The "charts" that abound on the Internet are guesses and approximations based on sales, and should only be used for research when you do not know when the watch was sold; not to contradict a known sales date... (that's right.. the charts have never actually been a "manufacture" date, but only a known sales date of certain known serial numbers) __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

19 August 2011, 02:11 AM	#9
Chipmunk "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Alvin Location: So Cal Watch: ROLEXES Posts: 5,390	I was told NO. __________________ "A thing of beauty is a joy forever"............John Keats

19 August 2011, 12:16 AM	#3
Speed "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 19,706	Oh boy. Duck.

19 August 2011, 12:41 AM	#5
Danand "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Jonathan Location: Ottawa Watch: 116610LN Posts: 1,246	Doesn't necessarily mean it is from 2008. Many of the watch lines seem to have random and non random coming from rolex at the same time. I wouldn't be concerned-your watch will still have value in ten years. Condition is more important than exact serial no anyway.

19 August 2011, 12:59 AM	#6
texex91 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: . Posts: 17,898	Uh oh, random question. But, no Rolex sends whatever they want. No choice.

19 August 2011, 02:06 AM	#8
hennabav Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Jon Location: New England Watch: --Rolex-- Posts: 2,391	Don't think AD has a say in serial number.

19 August 2011, 02:11 AM	#10
The GMT Master "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Chris Location: England Posts: 8,150	Rolex don't care what serial number a watch has, and why should they? The watch isn't made better or worse from whether it has a letter or is random, the internet community has gone way too far on the whole serial number business. It was supposed to be a rough guideline, not a concrete certainty, and even then, it only really works with steel sports models. Anything else, and the system doesn't work. Having the original guarantee signed and dated by an AD is far more important, in my view, as that shows when the watch was first worn. Rolex cases don't go off sitting waiting for a movement to be placed inside them, but wear and tear begins as soon as its on someone's wrist. My advice would be to stop worrying, hold on to your guarantee, and hope the serial number insanity has died down by the time you're ready to sell your watch. And, to answer your question more directly, no, an AD cannot specify the serial number. In Rolex's eyes, anything they send out is new, and an AD will take what they are given

19 August 2011, 02:18 AM	#13
TheVTCGuy Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Paul Location: San Diego Watch: 126619LB Posts: 21,540	OK... Time for my stupid question. Now don't harp... I'm entitled to one a week... Can someone please explain the term: "Random Serial number?"

19 August 2011, 04:36 AM	#23
Harrya Banned Join Date: Jun 2011 Real Name: Harry Location: Texas Watch: Rolex Posts: 74	Sorry I asked the question

19 August 2011, 04:47 AM	#24
gwalker "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Real Name: Gunter Location: AL/NJ Watch: DSSD; 116610LN Posts: 5,509	I don't think they can request what serial the watch has. I think the only thing that's guaranteed on a new watch is the engraving on the rehaut. I know that there have been people that purchased new watches that had D, Z and M serials. This is common especially with the all gold watches that don't exactly fly off the shelf. I saw a D serial gold DD at an AD not too long ago.

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