Random Serial Numbers? Significance?

[Axelay2003]

Been eyeing the EXP II Polar for quite some time now and I always see that some listed as random serial numbers.

When do you want a non-random serial number or vice versa and is this important to consider when purchasing?

Is this also true for Panerai watches?

[jeckyll]

Good question. I've wondered about this myself.

[JP Chestnut]

It gives you, very generally speaking, an idea of when the watch was produced. However, IIRC later G serials were produced at the same time as randoms. There's nothing that matters to me associated with random serials (it's not like Y serial where many watches stopped having lug holes).

I'm not sure about Panerai, but since it's a Rolex thing... I don't know why it would matter.

[blkgsl]

Random is the latest production watches, started around late 2011. Thus far, no one has determined how to decipher the production date to a randomized serial. G and random coincided, but generally it is accepted that G serials are slightly older.

Of course, all this is hearsay and speculation - no one actually knows outside of Rolex, and Rolex ain't telling nobody.

[JBZ]

I think with certain models, Rolex is still issuing G serials (maybe the DSSD?). As stated, in general, the randoms are newer. In a few years, assuming Rolex continues to do randoms with no rhyme or reason that can be determined, it's going to be hard to tell the year of manufacture.

[JP Chestnut]

I think with certain models, Rolex is still issuing G serials (maybe the DSSD?). As stated, in general, the randoms are newer. In a few years, assuming Rolex continues to do randoms with no rhyme or reason that can be determined, it's going to be hard to tell the year of manufacture.

The other thing is that Rolex produces (and stamps) cases in large batches. There are probably G serial cases sitting on some shelf waiting to get built into watches.

[Jeep99dad]

http://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-serial-numbers

There are other sites

[Panerai7]

I think with certain models, Rolex is still issuing G serials (maybe the DSSD?). As stated, in general, the randoms are newer. In a few years, assuming Rolex continues to do randoms with no rhyme or reason that can be determined, it's going to be hard to tell the year of manufacture.

The other thing is that Rolex produces (and stamps) cases in large batches. There are probably G serial cases sitting on some shelf waiting to get built into watches.

^^This is actually what I've learned as well, the case could have been stamped in 2011 but the whole watch put together in 2013.

[blkgsl]

Good point on the batch stamping.

Also, this is not true on Panerais, at least post-1997. All modern Panearis follow a very sequential, alphabetical system. And Panerai will happily tell you what year each serial maps to. Latest is P for 2013.

[dukerules]

Plenty of G serials still unsold. I don't think this makes a lick of difference.