Help with serial number please

[kizerman]

I'm looking at a piece where I feel the date on the warranty could have been altered. It's a random serial number and with this particular reference it could be much older the the 2018 date on the card.

My question is that how can I verify production year and if the warranty card was electronically activated at the time of purchase?

The seller has given me access to the serial number. He says Rolex USA in NY told him they don't have access to that info.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[BLM2]

I think the only way to be certain is to ask for a sales receipt from the AD where the watch was purchased.

Lee

[N2theCAPE]

Altered in what way? Can you provide some more information on what you mean by this.

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[kizerman]

Originally Posted by N2theCAPE

Altered in what way? Can you provide some more information on what you mean by this.

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The warranty card was originally filled out in Pen but someone traced over the name and date with a wide sharpie and the 2018 could be any date from when the random serials began, which was about 2008? You can see still see the pen in areas but the old date is completely blocked out by the sharpied "2018".

Just knowing the production year would help properly put the proper value on the watch.

[Tools]

If the warranty card has been altered, it is void. That is pretty standard with any legal contract/document.

[vintagewatch]

Originally Posted by Tools

If the warranty card has been altered, it is void. That is pretty standard with any legal contract/document.

+1
Rolex authorized dealers can not re-sell a returned watch with factory warranty. I've been offered "like new" watches from AD's that were returned by original purchaser. The dealer can only offer an in-house warranty and will not give the new purchaser the original warranty card. My understanding as far as a private party sales the warranty follows the watch, not the name on the card, however if the warranty card has been altered the warranty is null and void.

[kizerman]

Originally Posted by Tools

If the warranty card has been altered, it is void. That is pretty standard with any legal contract/document.

The seller bought it from the original owner who says he traced over the pen with a sharpie because the pen was fading.
Could be the truth but it's a great way to chance a date and pass it off as newer.

[N2theCAPE]

Originally Posted by kizerman

The warranty card was originally filled out in Pen but someone traced over the name and date with a wide sharpie and the 2018 could be any date from when the random serials began, which was about 2008? You can see still see the pen in areas but the old date is completely blocked out by the sharpied "2018".



Just knowing the production year would help properly put the proper value on the watch.

On certain model watches there are certain characteristics that corresponde with the years that they were released. But if you can clearly see the date alterations then just pass on the watch. If the deal is too good to be true it often is.

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[kizerman]

Originally Posted by N2theCAPE

On certain model watches there are certain characteristics that corresponde with the years that they were released. But if you can clearly see the date alterations then just pass on the watch. If the deal is too good to be true it often is.

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Thare are no characteristics to tip off the age of this reference.

The deal is not to good to be true, it's price is pending us finding the actual age of the watch.

[ZOOK]

Originally Posted by kizerman

Thare are no characteristics to tip off the age of this reference.

The deal is not to good to be true, it's price is pending us finding the actual age of the watch.

The warranty card should have the name of the selling AD. Try contacting them and see if they will confirm when the watch was originally sold. I've read posts here where people have had luck doing this.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by kizerman

The warranty card was originally filled out in Pen but someone traced over the name and date with a wide sharpie and the 2018 could be any date from when the random serials began, which was about 2008? You can see still see the pen in areas but the old date is completely blocked out by the sharpied "2018".

Just knowing the production year would help properly put the proper value on the watch.

Random serials did not start to the latter part of 2010,and you never date when any Rolex was made only a approx date when the case or clasp was stamped between X&Y years.

[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by padi56

Random serials did not start to the latter part of 2010,and you never date when any Rolex was made only a approx date when the case or clasp was stamped between X&Y years.

I would suggest random numbers started in the early part of 2010 not the latter.

The Submariner 116610LV ‘Hulk’ for example was released at Basel 2010 which was held in late March to early April that year.

The predecessor to that watch, as we all know, is the iconic 16610LV ‘Kermit’ which was discontinued with the release of the Hulk.

There are a few examples in existence of the Kermit that have random numbers.

By default these must have been purchased in January or February prior to Basel and also by default could have been manufactured by Rolex as early as December 2009 allowing for distribution from Switzerland to the receiving countries AD network.

Regards


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by Swiss Mad!

I would suggest random numbers started in the early part of 2010 not the latter.

The Submariner 116610LV ‘Hulk’ for example was released at Basel 2010 which was held in late March to early April that year.

The predecessor to that watch, as we all know, is the iconic 16610LV ‘Kermit’ which was discontinued with the release of the Hulk.

There are a few examples in existence of the Kermit that have random numbers.

By default these must have been purchased in January or February prior to Basel and also by default could have been manufactured by Rolex as early as December 2009 allowing for distribution from Switzerland to the receiving countries AD network.

Regards


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Dont forget G single letter serials were running in the same time frame, if I remember random serial watches bought were first reported around August time on forum.

[Swiss Mad!]

If you have any doubts or suspicions things aren’t as they should be just walk away & find another watch.


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[Old Geezer]

Originally Posted by Swiss Mad!

If you have any doubts or suspicions things aren’t as they should be just walk away & find another watch.
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Yep, The seller might have had the piece polished and is trying to pass it off as LNIB when in reality it might not be.

[Wck88]

Ask for a sale receipt.

[MAINEZX10]

Originally Posted by kizerman

I'm looking at a piece where I feel the date on the warranty could have been altered. It's a random serial number and with this particular reference it could be much older the the 2018 date on the card.

My question is that how can I verify production year and if the warranty card was electronically activated at the time of purchase?

The seller has given me access to the serial number. He says Rolex USA in NY told him they don't have access to that info.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

What does the serial number begin with. Around 2008 serial numbers begun with M or V

[kizerman]

The point here is that the seller is willing to adjust the price based on the true age of the watch. We just need to find out how to do that.

[Al1969]

Pics?

[kizerman]

Originally Posted by Al1969

Pics?

https://i.imgur.com/14JI0vp.jpg

[Andad]

I don't think that card is of much use now.

[Swiss Mad!]

I’m sorry, but there are clearly parts where you can see the original writing underneath where the seller has gone over it with the Sharpie.

The original doesn’t look look very faded to me as the seller is using as an excuse for going over it - walk away from this deal.


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[gmtln]

Doubt the story regarding the fading ink is true.
Firstly, you can still see some of the ink clearly beyond the sharpie, secondly, why go over it with a thick sharpie as opposed to just using a biro

[kizerman]

Originally Posted by gmtln

Doubt the story regarding the fading ink is true.
Firstly, you can still see some of the ink clearly beyond the sharpie, secondly, why go over it with a thick sharpie as opposed to just using a biro

Agree 100% and who handles a warranty card enough to wear ink off of it?

The only reason to trace over it with a sharpie is to alter the date.

[brandrea]

Forget the card, let’s see a picture of the watch

[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Forget the card, let’s see a picture of the watch

Lol - agreed, every thread needs a good watch pic or 2!

Hope your well & managing to stay safe Brian

Take care my friend




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[mikkolopez]

To me, if the intact warranty card, be it active warranty or past warranty, is important, then a “faded” writing on the card is better than an overwrited one moreso with a “thick” sharpie.

Something not right here.


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[365DAS]

That booklet to the top right of the warranty card doesn’t seem to correspond to anything you’d receive with a 2018 watch...unless I’m mistaken here?


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[Cryten]

It seems someone is trying to make it look like the warranty is still valid, at this point I think its pretty clear it isn't, so negotiate the price accordingly.

[danipan]

What is the watch in question ?