Rolex FAQ:
Where are the model and serial numbers engraved?
The model number is engraved between the lugs at 12 o'clock. You have to remove the strap to see it.
The serial number is engraved between the lugs at 6 o'clock. You also need to remove the strap to see it.
The numbers on the strap and joints are part numbers not serial numbers.
Rolex watch straps
Rolex has long used metal watch straps on men’s watches, and the strap style has changed very little since the mid-20th century. Changes include changing from hollow to solid straps, adding Jubilee straps, and more recently, the introduction of solid end-links (SEL) straps. A common criticism is that while other watches have adopted sleeker deployant style clasps and machine-cast components, Rolex straps are still stamped. Rolex buckles are very strong - indeed as strong as most other buckles. Compared with the hidden folding buckle, one of the advantages of the Rolex buckle is that it is very easy to adjust and can change a small length - most folding buckles can only increase or decrease the length of the entire bracelet, while the Rolex buckle can be adjusted along the strap. The small hole in the buckle moves the connecting core in or out to change the strap length.
What does T Swiss Made T mean? What does Swiss Made T-25 mean? What does Tritium mean?
"T" means that the watch uses tritium as a luminous material. Tritium is weakly radioactive, allowing luminescent materials to continue to glow for many years. Its half-life is 12.5 years. If the watch is not broken, its radioactivity is not harmful. In fact, it may only be harmful to a large number of contacts (such as watchmakers and workers who make dials). The "T" designation indicates that the tritium is confined to a closed space (such as a kelpie). “T Swiss Made T” was the first tritium mark to appear on the dial. Rolex limits the amount of radioactive material to less than 25 millicuries, and such watches are labeled "Swiss Made T-25." Watches marked "Swiss Made" use Luminova, which is non-radioactive, but it must glow for several hours after being exposed to bright light. During the transition from tritium to Luminova, Rolex marked T-25 on dials that only used Luminova.
What is the difference between DateJust and Date?
Dimensions. Excluding the crown, the diameter of DateJust is 36mm and the diameter of Date is 34mm. Dates are all equipped with Oyster straps, while DateJust uses Oyster or Jubilee straps. DateJust is more expensive. They use the same movement.
Accoutrements
Laser holographic logo
What is this? What does it look like?
The laser holographic logo is a circular anti-counterfeiting logo affixed to the back of the watch. Its function is to initially indicate that the watch is a brand new genuine Rolex. The word Rolex is printed criss-cross on it, with small dots between the two words. It is a laser hologram, so it can display a three-dimensional image under the illumination of a point light source. The model number of the watch is printed in the center of the disc. There is a transparent plastic sheet with red lines attached to the surface. The red line is easily worn when the watch is worn. It is used to protect the laser holographic logo and can indicate how many times the watch has been worn. Before Rolex used laser holographic logos, they used green round pieces of paper with model numbers printed on them.
If anyone can share their experience on how to remove adhesive from laser holographic markings, this FAQ would be greatly appreciated.
Should I tear it off?
There are two views on this issue. But there is no most appropriate statement. If you want to tear it off, then please; if not, just leave it on. Either way is fine.
Yes
It is a piece of evidence that the watch is genuine - and now that you know this - you no longer need it. It is of no use, but may absorb moisture and cause corrosion on the back of the watch.
No
It can increase the resale price to a certain extent. It will soften and become blurry over time.
How do I remove that laser holographic logo?
You can tear it off and rub it for a while to remove the adhesive. The logo will be damaged, leaving some marks on the case back. This is to ensure that the logo cannot be reused. Some people also say that if you use a blade and work carefully, you can still completely remove the laser holographic logo.
The sign has been removed, what should I do with it?
Adhere it to the paper and place it with the pledge. You can also throw it away. Or stick it on a photo of your child in your wallet. Of course, you can handle it however you like. Keeping it may or may not affect the collectability of the watch - I'm not sure about that.
Will this laser holographic logo affect the resale price of the watch?
Yes
If the watch is in stock (NIB, New In Box) or brand new (NM, Near Mint), leaving the laser holographic logo can indeed increase the selling price. People who intend to invest in this watch for the long term or plan to sell it in the short term need to pay attention to this. One piece of evidence is that a friend on the forum sold the laser holographic logo that he carefully removed for $100 on eBay. Doesn't this mean that if you keep it, you can sell it for at least $100 more (in early 2003)?
No
If you plan to keep this watch and pass it on to your children, then there is no need to think about the selling price. Or if you plan to wear it, then wear it and forget about it. When you buy a new car, you definitely won’t keep the plastic covering on the seats, right?
What kind of things will the new Rolex come with?
Oyster 6?1 Outer carton 6?1 Inner box 6?1 Small pillow or clip to support the watch 6?1 COSC paint label 6?1 Waterproof label (Swimpruf hang tag) 6?1 Certificate/COSC Certificate 6.1 Instructions 6.1 Oyster Manual
Submariner also has 6.1 Anchors
Sea-Dweller (Sea-Dweller) also There are also 6?1 anchors and 6?1 strap tools
What is the use of that anchor?
Useless
What is the Sea-Dweller strap tool used for? Why do only sea dwellers have it?
This tool is used to add or remove the extra longer diver's extension clasp unique to this model of watch. An extension clasp is included to allow the watch to be worn outside a wetsuit. The tool has two instrument heads and a carbon fiber (aka fiber) that secures the diver's extension buckle.
What is the polishing cloth used for?
Most Rolex WIS do not require a polishing cloth.
Where can I buy these things?
You can post WTB on SalesCorner, eBay, or look for it online. These attachments are relatively common, but more expensive than regular watch tools.
What does the warranty paper look like? Are there any new styles?
The background of the new certificate is a diamond-shaped pattern.
Condition problem
The points on the crown of my watch are not in a straight line.
Don’t be nervous. This is normal. Don't be too harsh on this.
Oh my God! I got scratches on the watch case! Can I remove it?
Yes, but not necessary
Most people recommend that you wait until it is time to service your watch. When an original Rolex or qualified watchmaker maintains a watch, they will polish the case and strap to make it look like new. I mean, it looks like a new watch.
Yes
Jocke has an excellent guide on how to polish a stainless steel Rolex. Of course, you can also take the risk and try it yourself.
Not recommended
If your watch is made of K gold, this is bad advice. Because it will wear off when polished.
How do I polish the case?
You can check out the amazing photos Jocke posted in the TimeZone Classics section. He also has a great guide on how to create a mirror effect on an Oyster strap center link.
How do I clean my Rolex?
If your watch is an Oyster watch, you can use water to clean it. Before washing, you must first confirm that the water resistance of the watch is intact (that is, the watch has been maintained regularly within the appropriate time, the crown has been tightened, etc.). Of course, if your watch is a Cellini or other non-waterproof watch, please don’t do this. Also be careful to avoid using solvents and detergents to avoid corrosion of the gasket over time.
What is the use of laser-etched logos on watch mirrors?
Rolex began etching a small logo on sapphire crystals in 2002. The mark is located at 6 o'clock and requires a 10x eyepiece or good eyesight to see it. It is another anti-counterfeiting measure. Not all watches have this mark, manufacturers introduced it into production gradually (as with all changes). The logo with the letter "S" below indicates that the watch mirror has been replaced during maintenance. The general opinion on the forum is that first of all, it looks good, and secondly, the impact on collectability and resale price is not very important.
What is the relationship between Tudor and Rolex?
Trademark:
Rolex owns the Tudor brand and positions it as a second-tier brand. In the past, Tudor imitated the design of Rolex, from Submariner to Day-Date (called Tudor Day-Date), and Oyster Prince DateJust (Oyster Prince DateJust). Tudor also has some unique models such as the Mini-Sub and Tiger Chronograph, but they are exceptions. Recently they have begun to break away from Rolex's traditional style and make completely different watches. Tudor is currently not very well known in the United States. Tiger Woods (Tiger Woods) was its image spokesperson in the late 1990s (hence the Tiger Chronograph).
Case:
Tudor uses a Rolex Oyster case. Tudor has the word Rolex engraved on the back of the watch, which is different from Rolex (Sea Dweller is an exception). In addition, many Tudor watches also have the Rolex crown logo on their crowns. Tudor uses 316L stainless steel, while Rolex uses 904 steel.
Movement:
Tudor does not use Rolex movements (at least not for a long time). Tudor uses ETA movement.
Collectability:
As a member of the Rolex family, they are more expensive than other brand watches with similar ETA movements. Some Tudor watches were used as military watches, and these special watches have collectible value. The old Tudor with the rose logo is more collectible than the new Tudor with the shield logo. Military style hands are more collectible than Mercedes Benz hands.
Dispute:
"California dial" and "Rolex Tudor" are refurbished dials, and the prices on eBay are very low. There has never been a Tudor watch with the obvious Rolex wording and crown logo - these watches are all refurbished and attempted to be sold on eBay for about twice the price before refurbishing.
As for the Tudor Sub, there is nothing to argue about, except that some people think that the Mercedes-Benz needles of some Submariners may be replaced with military-style hands to increase the price. I've seen at least one completely fake Tudor Sub, so be careful.
Can I determine the year of production of my Tudor from the serial number?
Chris (Melbourne, Australia) said: "Apparently the Rolex manufacturer did not leave a record of the Tudor serial number as they did with Rolex. The only way to know its exact age is to open the back cover and look for it. The date stamp inside is in the form: I/78, II/88, III/79 and IV/71. The first Roman numeral represents the quarter of the watch's production year, and the Arabic numeral is the year of production. The best thing is... (original text - translator's note)"
What does the punched number in front of the serial number on the certificate mean (non-US watches)?
They are country codes that indicate the country and region to which this watch was originally shipped by Rolex in Geneva.
010-Switzerland
100-Germany
110-France
120-Austria
130-Belgium
138-Netherlands
150-Spain
160-United Kingdom
265-Sweden
283-Finland
400-Hong Kong
413-South Korea
430-Singapore
440-Taiwan
700-Canada
720-Mexico
741-Bahamas
752-Jamaica
768-Panama
810-Australia
900-Japan
Not sure:
527-Middle East (?)
828-China (?)
What kind of stainless steel does Rolex use?
Most watch manufacturers use 1.4435 or 316L stainless steel. Rolex uses 1.4439 or 904L stainless steel, which is slightly different from 1.4435. The hardness of 904L steel and 316L steel is the same. However, 904L steel has a slightly higher nickel content, which may cause skin allergies in wearers who are sensitive to nickel. Technically speaking, 904L steel is more resistant to corrosion, and it is often used to manufacture industrial equipment that comes into contact with chloride, sulfur dioxide gas, and other toxic materials. Considering that the price of 904L steel is almost three times that of 316L steel, almost no other watch factory except Rolex considers using 904 steel.
There are different types of straps and buckles, such as Jubilee, Oyster, Oysterlock, Oyster Fliplock and Presidential (President) What are they like?
Oyster:
A basic folding buckle that closes with pressure.
OysterLock:
Similar to the Oyster mentioned above, but with a safety buckle attached to the buckle to prevent Accidental fall off. To open it, you first have to pull the safety buckle to the left and then open the buckle to the right.
FlipLock:
Similar to OysterLock, but with a diver's extension. Fliplock buckles are also longer to cover the extension buckle.
President:
The "President" strap is named in honor of Dwight D. Eisenhower ), he wore one of these straps when they first appeared in 1956.
In order to celebrate the victory of World War II (WWII), Rolex gave DDE an 18K DateJust in 1946 (Winster?6?1 Churchill also had one). In 1956, the watch was returned to the factory for maintenance and replaced with a new strap. , which is why this strap is called President. The Day-Date watch is often called the "President's watch," but objectively speaking the name refers to the strap. Ike's watch is actually a DateJust! (Excerpted from Richard Carver's post)
(Stala suggested, JTG assisted in answering)
How do I open the diver's extension of the Oyster strap?
The diver's extension is on the Oyster Fliplock strap. It is an additional folding buckle that can be extended to extend the length of the strap to meet the requirements of wearing it outside a diving suit. Both Submariner and Sea-Dweller use Oyster Fliplock straps. If you cannot use it correctly, please contact your Rolex dealer.
SEL watch strap
There is an O-shaped button next to the buckle. Press it down to release the extension buckle. The extension buckle may be stiff and require some movement. You can try to fiddle with it yourself carefully.
Non-SEL straps
Pull the strap upward to open the buckle until the extension buckle releases. It may take some force the first few times, but it will open easily after a few movements. (Thanks AG)
What is the gas (or helium) escape valve on the Sea-Dweller used for?
Please note: I am not a diver, so I know nothing about this. During a saturation dive, the diver is under extreme pressure and can therefore dive for extended periods of time. They can stay in deep water for longer periods of time without going through the decompression process. Because helium molecules are so small, high-pressure gas (usually mixed with helium) can penetrate into the watch from the unscrewed crown. The watch is designed to withstand external pressure, not internal pressure, so the high-pressure gas inside the watch may burst the watch crystal during decompression. The Sea-Dweller case has an elastic valve that can automatically open if the internal pressure is too high. The Omega Seamaster also has a helium escape valve at 10 o'clock, but it needs to be manually unscrewed.
The date conversion at midnight takes 5 and a half minutes. Is there something wrong with it?
No problem. If it takes more than an hour to convert the date display, you should ask Rolex or another competent watchmaker to adjust it for you.
What is dial refurbishment (re-dial)?
When the scale coating on an old dial cracks and peels off, it is cleaned and repainted for writing, which is called dial refurbishment. If your watch face has been damaged (for example, by water damage), watch dial refurbishment can repair it. Experts can often detect traces of refurbishment, because the writing on the refurbishment is still different from the Rolex factory. If your dial is old and looks old, it is recommended not to refurbish it, as refurbishment will reduce the value of the antique watch - collectors prefer original and old timepieces to watches that look new. Above is a refurbished clock. Of course, if you don't plan to sell your watch again but want the dial to look new, you can opt for refurbishment. The general advice is not to skimp too much - a cheap and shoddy renovation can go very badly.
You can also ask Rolex to replace the old dial of your watch and/or provide a new dial for you. This will certainly keep your watch looking like new. For vintage watch collectors, refurbishment may be a bad idea. Please note: they usually prefer to keep the old dial.
Why does Rolex retain its value better than other watches?
There are two common reasons for speculation. First of all, the brand recognition is very high, which creates a large second-hand watch market. Secondly, the design of Rolex watches changes very slowly, and old watches are less likely to become obsolete.
Comparison between Rolex and fakes?
There are many fake watches on the market. Some don't even run, while others use Swiss ETA movements in well-made cases (which cost almost as much as making a Rolex). Please don't buy them.
Members of the Rolex Forum can identify the vast majority of fake watches based on their rough quality or differences from the real watch. The only foolproof way to confirm that a Rolex is genuine is to have a watchmaker examine its movement - a Rolex movement is unlike any other, and it doesn't take long to spot a fake. No fake watch can fool a watchmaker who is very familiar with Rolex. Many fake watches also come with watch boxes, certificates, paint plates and other accessories. James Dowling reminds, “Buy and sell houses, not watches.” If you don't trust the seller, leave him. If the terms of a sale are too good to be true, it probably isn't true.