Rolex Serial # Tracking

[vesnyder]

Who knows what level of tracking Rolex does with the serial numbers?

[ArtNouveau]

Certainly they know which pieces go to the distributer in each country. The distributer in turn would know what dealer received which pieces. The dealer most likely retains which customer they sold it to and advises the distributer it’s sold but not to whom, at least for a few years. I doubt if customer info is passed back up the line as privacy laws can vary between different states and countries. So the Mothership doesn’t know who bought each watch, nor do they care to.

[garyk]

I have heard they have lists

[HK_Expat]

The watches have microchips in the movement and track your every move by GPS…..

[Gab27]

Do they have QR codes on the outer boxes and/or affixed to the watch itself?

[TexEd]

Originally Posted by Xyza0722

The watches have microchips in the movement and track your every move by GPS…..

Yeah just like the anti-vaxers believe the gov't. puts secret stuff in the vaccines.

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by Gab27

Do they have QR codes on the outer boxes and/or affixed to the watch itself?

I believe there is a sticker with a QR code on the case side opposite the crown on new watches. You occasionally see it on LNIB watches for sale, I’ve seen it on my new watches but it’s peeled off before delivery. The outer boxes are not shipped with the watches, they come in formally plastic, now cardboard “coffins.” My new watches were first presented to me right out of those, then delivered in their fancier presentation box.

[joejet]

So I was speaking to my AD about this when I picked up my latest piece, He actually showed me what he fills in….. Just scans the warrantee card (RFID) It so reads number of watch + serial number, He had to login so it knows the sales person and the AD location. Rolex do not get any names or other purchase history.

I actually downloaded the app on my phone I can’t login of course but I do get notifications telling me of new sales literature (can read them though). I am waiting to see if i get notifications of new models etc.

[Tim Plains]

Tapping the new warranty cards with your cell opens Rolex's website. I wonder if that transmits your IMEI and/or location.

[Gab27]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

I believe there is a sticker with a QR code on the case side opposite the crown on new watches. You occasionally see it on LNIB watches for sale, I’ve seen it on my new watches but it’s peeled off before delivery. The outer boxes are not shipped with the watches, they come in formally plastic, now cardboard “coffins.” My new watches were first presented to me right out of those, then delivered in their fancier presentation box.

Interesting!

I assume it is scanned through the manufacturing, storage, and/or shipping process?...do the new boxes (that replaced the coffin) have a window that allows access to the code without opening the box?

If this sticker is still on the watch when it arrives at the AD, that would make me think it must still have some purpose after it leaves the Rolex factory? Perhaps ADs have their own scanner where they can scan it when receiving or selling the watch so that it automatically loads the correct SN to a networked system? (I would think this would be much more ideal to manually keying SNs or looking them up from a list given potential data entry errors of a human, and even potentially better than only swiping/scanning a warranty card given they could get crossed since they are not attached to the watch.)

(Logistics fascinate me.)

[Tools]

Originally Posted by vesnyder

Who knows what level of tracking Rolex does with the serial numbers?

They don't really "track" anything beyond their own shipping obligation to the Dealer.

They do keep archive records, where, if you send it in to them, they will note any service information on those records.