Question about inventory from Rolex AD

[ultrarush]

Hello everyone! I'm new to the forum and look forward to discussing and learning more about of Rolex watches. I'm curious to know how long a Rolex AD keeps their inventory of Rolexes that don't sell. I ask this because I was shopping for a Rolex for my wife at an AD and noticed that the Datejust watches (both men & women) were mixed with regards to age/serial number. There were some that had a F serial number (perhaps circa 2005-2006) and others had a more recent serial number like a V. Granted, all were brand new as well the fact that the Rolex look doesn't change but I was just curious if there's a time frame these ADs have to move a certain serial number/year the Rolex was manufactured (like a car dealership trying to move out all their 2011 models to make room for the 2012 models) or they just keep them until they sell them?

[Fifth Ave Rolex Man]

They are there until they sell.
Rolex does NOT take product back or exchange for new models.

[MortgageGuy]

Originally Posted by Fifth Ave Rolex Man

They are there until they sell.
Rolex does NOT take product back or exchange for new models.

You got it! The less popular models will hang around for quite a bit longer even years at times... Remember the serial is just an approximate date of when the case was stamped and not when the watch was delivered to the AD

I certainly would try to buy the most recent as well but it is certainly not a deal breaker if you find what you want and it is a keeper

[77T]

The other folks have answered your question. But to the deeper concern I perceive you have, all of the unsold pieces in an AD's inventory are just waiting for that moment when a case, dial, bracelet and price meet your aspirations.

Perhaps the knowledge you'll get here will help on negotiating that last parameter, price. Look around the "for sale" section for BNIB pieces offered by trusted TRF sellers - you may find a great piece for your wife and lower price, too.

[Tools]

A Rolex does not "go bad", like a loaf of bread, and there is no such thing as a "model year" as with the reference to automobiles...

New is new, regardless of the serial number, and Two tone and gold models will almost always have serials that are "older" than the faster moving Stainless Steel models, such as F's being still in cases for gold models..

It does not really mean that the F has been sitting in a Dealer case since 2006... it means that a certain bloc of F serials were allotted to that model when the F serials were being allocated throughout the entire line..

That allocated F serial may not have been actually put together for quite some time; until there was a generated demand for that build.... It could have been built last week..... nobody will ever know...

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Tools

A Rolex does not "go bad", like a loaf of bread, and there is no such thing as a "model year" as with the reference to automobiles...

New is new, regardless of the serial number, and Two tone and gold models will almost always have serials that are "older" than the faster moving Stainless Steel models, such as F's being still in cases for gold models..

It does not really mean that the F has been sitting in a Dealer case since 2006... it means that a certain bloc of F serials were allotted to that model when the F serials were being allocated throughout the entire line..

That allocated F serial may not have been actually put together for quite some time; until there was a generated demand for that build.... It could have been built last week..... nobody will ever know...

X2 Larry this obsession about case stamps today,and all by some not 100% reliable Internet code is getting out of hand.Nothing today is written in stone with Rolex or the various Internet case codes its all a appoximation.

[azguy]

You'd think these "older" watches would be priced to move but they are not I was at an AD about 3 months ago 3 BNIB 16710's with coke bezels and would not budge on the price

[MortgageGuy]

Originally Posted by azguy

You'd think these "older" watches would be priced to move but they are not I was at an AD about 3 months ago 3 BNIB 16710's with coke bezels and would not budge on the price

I would get in line to pay list for a BNIB 16710 Coke depending on the watch itself and if they are using the last known price for this model or have adjusted the pricing to be the same as the 116710

[seand442]

Originally Posted by azguy

You'd think these "older" watches would be priced to move but they are not I was at an AD about 3 months ago 3 BNIB 16710's with coke bezels and would not budge on the price

I think the fact the 16710 is discontinued may be why they won't move in price. The age is the reason for the price.

[Crazy Canuck]

Originally Posted by azguy

I was at an AD about 3 months ago 3 BNIB 16710's with coke bezels and would not budge on the price

Can you PM me the name of the dealer. I am looking for 1.

[MoBe]

Buying from an AD is like gambling in Vegas,the house always wins,how do you think they stay in business?

[Freelance]

Originally Posted by Tools

A Rolex does not "go bad", like a loaf of bread, and there is no such thing as a "model year" as with the reference to automobiles...

New is new, regardless of the serial number, and Two tone and gold models will almost always have serials that are "older" than the faster moving Stainless Steel models, such as F's being still in cases for gold models..

It does not really mean that the F has been sitting in a Dealer case since 2006... it means that a certain bloc of F serials were allotted to that model when the F serials were being allocated throughout the entire line..

That allocated F serial may not have been actually put together for quite some time; until there was a generated demand for that build.... It could have been built last week..... nobody will ever know...

Originally Posted by padi56

X2 Larry this obsession about case stamps today,and all by some not 100% reliable Internet code is getting out of hand.Nothing today is written in stone with Rolex or the various Internet case codes its all a appoximation.

While I largely agree with what was said here, especially the part about an F not actually being assembled until demanded, there is a flip side to this.

IF in fact a watch has been sitting in a case at the AD since 2006 (6 years), bathed in the bright case lights (hoping they use UV filters), things like Lume & Lube & Paint could be aging. Back in the old Tritium days, if this were true and it sat around for 6 years that is 6 less years YOU will get to enjoy the glow, and who knows what effect it had on the tritium patina. Even Luminova dies over time.

I guess the smart thing to do as an educated consumer is express your concern based on "estimated" case age. Ask the AD when THEY took delivery. IF it really has been around >5 years, try and negotiate extra cash off for a sooner service.

Side note, proof that watches laying around for years can go bad- I have purchased two NOS (New Old Stock) watches this year with ETA movements. One from 1998 and one 2002. Both had lube issues, requiring a full service. Never worn, straight to the bench for full tear down. Also, the watch from 1998 had a leather strap that was dried and cracking... Time kills.

[krlyuzh]

I think some of you already covered this as I did not read through the whole thread, but when buying from AD, new is new.

It does not matter what the serial is, you know you are getting a new watch and Rolex warranty for yourself. Also, I can confirm someone's claim stating that just because the case was stamped D for example, does not mean AD actually received it in 2005. When I used to work at an AD and being a "watch manager", I would receive brand new Z serial models straight from Rolex in 2008, though "Z" is 2006 production year.

When this does matter, is when you buy with intend to sell in the future. Used market does not recognize the date of purchase in most cases, but rather looks at the serial as one of the factors to determine the value of the watch.

I can also confirm, like someone mentioned above, that Rolex will NOT take product back or exchange for newer. AD has to sit on them until they are sold. This is the reason why in some smaller AD's you do not see a good "variety".

All this being said, it could potentially work out in your favor to find an "older" serial number. Most of the time, the annual or semi-annual Rolex price increase does not effect these older models and some can be negotiated further than the exact watch with newer. Again, this would depend on AD and how motivated they are to move it.

[Omega 1120]

Originally Posted by Freelance

While I largely agree with what was said here, especially the part about an F not actually being assembled until demanded, there is a flip side to this.

IF in fact a watch has been sitting in a case at the AD since 2006 (6 years), bathed in the bright case lights (hoping they use UV filters), things like Lume & Lube & Paint could be aging. Back in the old Tritium days, if this were true and it sat around for 6 years that is 6 less years YOU will get to enjoy the glow, and who knows what effect it had on the tritium patina. Even Luminova dies over time.

I guess the smart thing to do as an educated consumer is express your concern based on "estimated" case age. Ask the AD when THEY took delivery. IF it really has been around >5 years, try and negotiate extra cash off for a sooner service.

Side note, proof that watches laying around for years can go bad- I have purchased two NOS (New Old Stock) watches this year with ETA movements. One from 1998 and one 2002. Both had lube issues, requiring a full service. Never worn, straight to the bench for full tear down. Also, the watch from 1998 had a leather strap that was dried and cracking... Time kills.

X2.