MY ROLEX SERIAL NUMBER

[GMTmaster]

Hi, dear all,

I took the dear decision to purchase a ROLEX GMT MASTER II C (Two Tone). Believe me it is the most expensive watch I have ever purchased.

I came across a minor issue arising from the Serial Number of the watch. The seller said the watch is a 2012 watch. i.e. newly manufactured. But when I compared with the Serial Number and those listed by Rolex Website. My Serial number starts with Z------ corresponces to a 2006-7 manufactured Rolex.

It is possible that with Serial Number Starting with Z------, actually manufactured in 2012. I don't mind it was made in 2011.

The seller told me the randomized number used today, could mean that the Z in front was generated randomly.....

Should I be over concern over this issue. Thanks for any advice.

[TheHobbit]

Hi, dear all,

I took the dear decision to purchase a ROLEX GMT MASTER II C (Two Tone). Believe me it is the most expensive watch I have ever purchased.

I came across a minor issue arising from the Serial Number of the watch. The seller said the watch is a 2012 watch. i.e. newly manufactured. But when I compared with the Serial Number and those listed by Rolex Website. My Serial number starts with Z------ corresponces to a 2006-7 manufactured Rolex.

It is possible that with Serial Number Starting with Z------, actually manufactured in 2012. I don't mind it was made in 2011.

The seller told me the randomized number used today, could mean that the Z in front was generated randomly.....

Should I be over concern over this issue. Thanks for any advice.

I could be wrong but the old Traditional serial number is 7 characters, i.e. alphabet followed by 6 digits - ZXXXXXX, while the newer random serial number is 8 characters, a mix of alphabets and numbers.

[GMTmaster]

Okay, let's say the watch was manufactured in 2006/7, should I be over concern whether it is 2012 or 2006/7. Remember, I specifically asked for a new watch.

[nwsiah]

You are right that if it is Z serial, it should be manufactured in year 2006-2007 and it is not engrave on the inner ring of the watch.

2012 watch should come with random serial no and not Z serial.

As 2 tone Rolex GMT Master II could be display for few year (which is rather common) before it is sold later thus possibly it is dated 2012.

Hope it help.

[Plankton-IkanBilis]

"Okay, let's say the watch was manufactured in 2006/7, should I be over concern whether it is 2012 or 2006/7. Remember, I specifically asked for a new watch."


Yes, you should...if you specifically said it has to be a 2011 or 2012 watch. However if you just said "new"...I guess the seller did no wrong...NOS (New Old Stock).

One of the reason is that if you decide to sell your watch, it can be an issue to the potential buyer (private or dealers) and that may see you lose few hundred to a thousand RM.

[TheHobbit]

Where did you buy the watch from? AD? Boutique? Also what is your definition of 'new'?

[nwsiah]

that is up to individual.  If they are offering you a good price and you are aware and OK with it, then it is fine.

If you do mind and feels uncomfortable as you asked for manufactured 2012 stock, you may want to check with them and see what they can do to make you feel better.

Agreed with Hans that if you just said new, then New Old Stock is new.

[scooticus]

Good Day,

There has been reputable websites that mentioned specifically that Rolex serial numbers would have been random, such a case of my Sub Hulk which is alpha numeric therefore it's not surprising that your GMT Master II by coincidence would have started with Z serial. However, should you be concerned about your investment. It would not hurt to drop by Menara Dion to have it checked out.

My humble 2 cents
Cheers
Scooticus

[Enkidu]

Okay, let's say the watch was manufactured in 2006/7, should I be over concern whether it is 2012 or 2006/7. Remember, I specifically asked for a new watch.

Since you would probably have spent around RM 35K for this watch, I guess it will be worthwhile to get RSC to confirm its date of manufacture so that you'll have a peace of mind. If the watch was indeed manufactured in 2006/2007, then I believe there also arises a question of storage for the past 5-6 years (which sounds rather long). But I think Hobbit is correct. The new alpha-numeric randon serial number has 8 digits altogether. So if yours have an 8-digit serial nuber, then should be OK.

[GMTmaster]

"Okay, let's say the watch was manufactured in 2006/7, should I be over concern whether it is 2012 or 2006/7. Remember, I specifically asked for a new watch."


Yes, you should...if you specifically said it has to be a 2011 or 2012 watch. However if you just said "new"...I guess the seller did no wrong...NOS (New Old Stock).

One of the reason is that if you decide to sell your watch, it can be an issue to the potential buyer (private or dealers) and that may see you lose few hundred to a thousand RM.

Yes, I did mention I wanted a 2012 watch. After I took home and checked the serial number did I found out that it is a 2006/7 stock. I called the seller, specifically asked if it was manufactured in 2006/7 given the Serial Number says so. But the seller said no, claiming that it is dued to the randomized numbering system that there is a Z in front of the serial number, followed by 6 digits of numbers. (Was I being cheated or what?)

[GMTmaster]

Since you would probably have spent around RM 35K for this watch, I guess it will be worthwhile to get RSC to confirm its date of manufacture so that you'll have a peace of mind. If the watch was indeed manufactured in 2006/2007, then I believe there also arises a question of storage for the past 5-6 years (which sounds rather long).

No, I was offered at a lower price than that. What is RSC?

I am quite confidence that it wasn't a 2011/2012 model since there is only one letter Z followed by six numbers, not 8 digits of alpha-numeric random numbers as posted by Hobbit.

Thanks guys. I will call the seller, see what he will propose for me...

[GMTmaster]

Where did you buy the watch from? AD? Boutique? Also what is your definition of 'new'?

Bought from a "grey seller", I think that is what you guys call them. Definitely not an AD or Boutique. Got his stock from Europe.

[besview]

Sounds like a 2006/7 model.When this was introduced,they always come out with the two tone versions then after comes the SS version.This has been their marketing strategy all along.

[gloomis]

Where did you buy the watch from? AD? Boutique? Also what is your definition of 'new'?

Bought from a "grey seller", I think that is what you guys call them. Definitely not an AD or Boutique. Got his stock from Europe.

my advise is bring it to RSC for verify. it might be a old stock. I owned a submariner with zxxxxxx but any model before M series are without the chapter ring. wondering y your 2 tone has a chapter ring. really scratching my head

[takashi78]

If in black and white you asked for a 2012 and you found out its not then there is grounds.

If he said its a new watch, means you are first owner then nothing to argue.

When was the warranty card dated?

Lots of NOS watches around.

Almost 2 yrs ago a friend of mine bought a NOS Tudor sub.

[G.MAC]

Does it truly matter if it is from 2012? I think it is quite difficult to get a 2012 watch even at the boutique. Inevitably the model you sought after does not have a fantastic turnover rate as compared to the stainless steel version so it is difficult to truly obtain a 2012 model. Like takashi said, there are lots of NOS stock around.

[hanz079]

Total digits including Z = 7 digits = Z serial (2006-2007) Late Z serial does have rehaut. As for GMTIIc TT, surely will come with rehaut.
Total digits including Z = 8 digits = Random Serial (Late 2011-Present)

[rusminag]

GMTmaster, may I provoke you?

It is a fake one... Get it inspected by RSC.......

[GMTmaster]

GMTmaster, may I provoke you?

It is a fake one... Get it inspected by RSC.......

Why, you don't provoke me, you just provoked the seller... If he sold me a fake one, he is in a lot of troublesssss...... 

Mind explaining how to get RSC inspection. I am a newbie in owning expensive watches.

Thanks.

[gloomis]

bring your watch to rolex service center located in ground floor menara dion, jalan sultan ismail. tell them you want to certified the watch but offcoz there will be a certain charges impost

[ck77]

Address here,

The Rolex Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
Menara Dion Level 32 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50540 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
03-2072 2709

[takashi78]

Pretty sure they dont do this service.

[rusminag]

GMTmaster, may I provoke you?

It is a fake one... Get it inspected by RSC.......

Why, you don't provoke me, you just provoked the seller... If he sold me a fake one, he is in a lot of troublesssss...... 

Mind explaining how to get RSC inspection. I am a newbie in owning expensive watches.

Thanks.

By the way, do have the warranty card? If you have it, then it should be original.

Please post the photo of the watch, the box and the warranty card for us to verify it.

[GMTmaster]

Guys, a little update on my issue here.

I went to see the seller this afternoon. I told him I am not comfortable with the Serial Number. First he tried to show me a watch he just sold this morning with a Randomise Serial Number, he took a picture of the warranty card for me to see. 

I told him there is only 7 digits of alpha-numerical on my watch's serial number, the 2012 serial number consists of 8 digits of alpha-numerical number. He told me he did not know that???

But later he agrees for an exchange. He will get a new one with randomized serial number as I requested. He will exchange the watch but my bracelet will have to stay with me, since he already altered the length. (I still haven't removed any of the protective stickers on the watch). I agreed. He told me if not tomorrow, he will go traveling at the end of the month and definitely get one for me. Mean time I can keep this watch but he advised not to wear them. I agreed.

Then I stayed on for about 1 hour and talk about general things, from watches to friends that we both know.

What do you guys think? Will it be a fair deal.

[GMTmaster]

bring your watch to rolex service center located in ground floor menara dion, jalan sultan ismail. tell them you want to certified the watch but offcoz there will be a certain charges impost

Address here,

The Rolex Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
Menara Dion Level 32 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50540 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
03-2072 2709

Very useful information indeed. Thanks. Will definitely do the RSC verification when I am in KL. Any indication on the fees of verification...