Selling Your Rolex
Selling your pre-owned Rolex has become a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. It may seem daunting to sell your valued timepiece with all of the information or misinformation out there. Your initial search for information has lead you here and you have made the right choice because the first step is research, the second step is research, and the third step is research. Below are a few helpful tips to help you along the way.
Research your Rolex
Research your watch. Know what you are selling, know your watch. Knowledge is power in the watch world. This is especially true with Rolex. Everything you need to know to sell your Rolex is located on the actual timepiece. Do you know the model name or serial number of your Rolex? These two pieces of information can go a long way on informing you about your timepiece. Both of these pieces of information are located on the case of a Rolex watch with few exceptions. In most cases the model number and serial number is located at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock where the bracelet attaches to the case. However do not try to remove the bracelet yourself; you could do more harm than good.
Once you know the model and serial numbers, research again. Is your particular model still being manufactured? What does it sell for on average in the pre-owned market? Research price points for the most recent 10 watches of that model sold. Next observe your watch with an eye for detail. Is it working? What condition are the Dial, Bracelet, and Bezel in? Are there scuffs, scratches dents? Are there engravings? Is it an automatic, manual, or quartz movement? Try to know your watch as much and with as much detail as you can. However do not open the watch, leave that to professionals.
These few knowledgeable observations will set you on the right path. All you need is a quick checklist or guide to help you along the way. These bullet points and characteristics are the exact same details every knowledgeable professional will use when purchasing your timepiece. Not only will this checklist help you sell your Rolex it will give you a knowledge base to use when you are speaking with the buyer. A seller who is knowledgeable at the point of sale will not be able to be taken advantage of.
How Will You Sell Your Rolex
How will you sell your Rolex with all your new found knowledge? EBay charges many fees and there are countless horror stories. Many buyers will not purchase from sellers on EBay without established reputations. These reputations can take years. Although it can be done, EBay is time consuming and there is a risk financially. Craigslist is the same but can also have risk physically as you are meeting strangers and exchanging valuable items with no protection. Your best answer is most likely a reputable dealer online or locally. Again when deciding on which online or local buyer to use research is key.
Who is Buying Your Rolex
You have decided to sell your Rolex, whether you need the money for a trip to Paris, a present for that special someone, or you just want to upgrade to a newer model, why you are selling your Rolex is of little relevance. Who you are selling to is relevant in the extreme. Again, research is the answer. Research the company that is buying your timepiece. Research the company’s reputation. Are they in good standing locally? Do they have a good reputation nationally? Reputations are hard to hide and harder to fake. If the company has a good reputation they will without question have numerous testimonials from past clients available for new clients to read.
One factor that is extremely important is experience. Has the company that is buying your timepiece been around for more than a few years? Do they in fact have a master watchmaker? The best companies online and locally will have a master watchmaker on staff. This is a fact many first time sellers overlook. Most importantly try to limit your choices to those that deal with watches and watches only. Jewelry stores are often the worst place to go, simply because their focus is jewelry not watches. Watches are an ancillary product to them.
Become an Informed Consumer
The most important aspect of this information is to be as knowledgeable a consumer and seller as possible. An informed knowledge base will instill confidence with all of your future interactions concerning your present and future luxury watches. If you are still unsure about a certain aspect of the process, or there are questions you have that were not addressed, especially if you still feel a bit overwhelmed, feel free to contact us. We are here to help you. Even if you do not sell to us or buy from us, we want your undertaking with our company to be an outstanding experience.
The following is a Rolex check list as well as a searchable Rolex serial number and model number list. Using these lists will give you a strong foundation in any future transactions you will experience. We at Swiss Watch Expo hope we have shared some advice and experience that you have and will find helpful. If you encounter any trouble at any time, feel free to call or email with any questions or concerns. We look forward to speaking with you soon and wish you the best of luck.
Rolex Checklist:
- Identify Model name – The name of the Rolex model will often be listed on the dial for example: Oyster Perpetual Datejust, Submariner, GMT, Seadweller, Cellini, Etc..
- Identify model number and serial number. You can find both items on your original Rolex paperwork, warranty card, or watch appraisal. You can also find the model number between the case lugs at 12 o’clock and the serial number between the lugs at 6 o’clock. Lugs are what attach the bracelet to the case. The bracelet must be removed to see the numbers but do not try to remove the bracelet yourself.
- Model number determines model name. See Model # chart below.
- Serial number determines year of production. See Serial # chart below.
- Describe the material of the case, bezel and the bracelet. Most common material are: stainless steel, steel and 14K gold, steel and 18K gold, 9K gold, 14K gold or 18K gold (white, yellow or rose), and platinum.
- Identify the type of the bracelet – The three most common types of Rolex bracelets are Oyster, Jubilee, and Presidential.
- Identify characteristics of the dial or face of the Rolex – The two most important aspects of any Rolex dial are the color of the dial and style or type of hour markers. Typical or most common examples of hour markers are: Arabic numerals, roman numerals, index markers, luminous index markers, arrowhead, diamond markers etc…
- Identify the type of crystal. Common Rolex crystals are Sapphire and Acrylic.
- Does your Rolex have the date?
- Identify the type of Bezel. The Bezel is the metal band around the dial of the Rolex, Typical examples of a Rolex Bezel: smooth, engine-turned, fluted or diamond.
- Determine the condition of the dial, bezel, case, and crystal – are there scuffs, scratches, or dents?
- Condition of Bracelet – This is known as stretch. Hold the watch by the case. A perfect bracelet will be perpendicular to the ground. The more the bracelet bends towards ground the worse the bracelet. Stretch in a bracelet cannot be repaired.
Men’s Rolex Model Names:
- Air King
- Cellini
- Date
- Datejust
- Daytona
- Explorer I
- Explorer II
- GMT Master
- GMT Master II
- Millgousse
- Non-date / Oyster Perpetual
- Oysterquartz
- Pearlmaster Masterpiece
- President
- Seadweller
- Submariner
- Turnograph
- Yachtmaster
Ladies Rolex Model Names:
- Cellini
- Date
- Datejust
- Midsize datejust
- Non-date (oyster perpetual)
- Pearlmaster
- President
- Yachtmaster
Men’s Rolex Models Numbers:
Airking: 1002, 1005, 5500, 5570, 14000, 14010, 114000, 114010, 114234
Cellini: 4014, 4017, 4112, 5122, 5115. 5116, 5117, 4223, 5230, 5330
Date: 1500, 1501, 1503, 15000, 15010, 15037, 15200, 15210, 15223, 15237, 115200, 115210
Datejust: 166201, 116244, 116243, 116238, 116234, 116233, 116231, 116208, 116203, 116201, 116200, 116199, 116189, 116188, 116139, 116138, 16248, 16238, 16234, 16233, 16220, 16203, 16200, 16078, 16030, 16018, 16014, 16013, 16000, 6827, 6605, 6604, 6518, 6305, 1630, 1607, 1603, 1601, 1600
Daytona (Cosmograph): 116599, 116598, 116589, 116528, 116523, 116520, 116519, 116518, 116515, 116509, 116505, 16528, 16523, 16520, 16519, 16518, 16515, 6265, 6264, 6263, 6262, 6241, 6240, 6239
Explorer: 114270, 14270, 6610, 6350, 6298, 6150, 6098, 5504, 1038, 1016
Explorer II: 216570, 16570, 16550, 1655
GMT-Master: 16758, 16753, 16750, 16713, 16700, 6542, 1675
GMT-Master II: 116758, 116718, 116713, 116710, 16760, 16718, 16710
Milgauss: 116400V, 116400, 6451, 1019
Non Date / Oyster Perpetual: 14233M, 14208M, 14203M, 14238, 14208, 14203, 6634, 6623, 6605, 6590, 6584, 6582, 6580, 6569, 6567, 6565, 6564, 6556, 6552, 6551, 6549, 6548, 6546, 6532, 6518, 6284, 6202, 6177, 6103, 6085, 5500, 1038, 1030, 1025, 1024, 1023, 1018, 1014, 1010, 1008, 1007, 1006, 1005, 1004, 1003, 1002
OysterQuartz: 17014, 17013, 17000, 19018
Pearlmaster Masterpiece: 81318, 18948, 18946
President – Day/Date: 118399, 118398, 118388, 118366, 118348, 118346, 118339, 118338, 118296, 118239, 118238, 118235, 118209, 118208, 118206, 118205, 18958, 18956, 18948, 18946, 18346, 18308, 18248, 18239, 18238, 18078, 18048, 18039, 18038, 18026, 6611, 6511, 1807, 1804, 1803
Sea-Dweller: 116660, 16660, 16600, 1665
Submariner: 14060M, 114060, 14060, 6538, 6536, 6205, 6204, 6200, 5517, 5514, 5513, 5512, 5508
Submariner Date: 168000, 116619, 116618, 116613, 116610, 16808, 16803, 16800, 16618, 16613, 16610, 1680
Turn-O-Graph / Datejust / Thunderbird: 116264, 116263, 116261, 16268, 16264, 16263, 16253, 6309, 1625
Yacht-Master: 166233, 116689, 116688, 16628, 16623, 16622
Women’s Rolex Models Numbers:
Cellini:
Ladies Date: 79240, 79240, 79190, 79160, 69240, 69190, 69174, 69173, 69163, 69160, 6919, 6917, 6916, 6519, 6517, 6516
Ladies Datejust: 179173, 179313, 179174, 179173, 179171, 179163, 179161, 179160, 79174, 79173, 79163, 69190, 69174, 69173, 69163, 69160, 69136, 6927, 6917, 6916, 6517
Datejust Mid-Size: 178383, 178313, 178288, 178286, 178279, 178278, 178275, 178274, 178273, 178269, 178248, 178246, 178245, 178243, 178240, 178239, 178238, 178159, 178158, 81339, 81338, 81308, 81209, 81208, 81158, 78288, 78286, 78279, 78278, 78274, 78273, 78266, 78248, 78246, 78243, 78240, 77438, 77080, 77014, 68278, 68274, 68273, 68248, 68243, 68240, 17824, 7518, 6824
Ladies Oyster Perpetual: 761833, 176210, 176200, 79193, 77518, 76243, 76198, 76193, 76188, 76183, 76180, 76094, 76080, 76030, 67243, 67230, 67198, 67197, 67194, 67193, 67180, 6724, 6723, 6719, 6718
Ladies Pearlmaster: 80359, 80328, 80319, 80318, 80309, 80299, 80298, 69299, 69298
Ladies President: 179459, 179368, 179298, 179239, 179179, 179178, 179175, 179168, 179166, 179165, 179159, 179158, 179138, 179136, 79288, 79238, 79179, 79178, 79168, 79166, 79159, 79158, 79138, 79136, 79126, 79089, 79088, 79079, 79078, 79068, 69278, 69179, 69178
Ladies Yacht-Master: 169628, 169623, 169622, 168628, 168623, 168622, 69628, 69623, 68628, 68623, 18622
DATING ROLEX'S BY SERIAL NUMBER
| Random |
2010 - present |
| G000,001 |
2009 - 2010 |
| V000,001 |
2008 - 2009 |
| M000,001 |
2007 - 2008 |
| Z000,001 |
2006 - 2007 |
| D000,001 |
2005 - 2006 |
| F000,001 |
2004 - 2005 |
| Y000,001 |
2003 - 2004 |
| K000,001 |
2001 - 2002 |
| P000,001 |
2000 - 2001 |
| A000,001 |
1999 - 2000 |
| U000,001 |
1998 - 1999 |
| T000,001 |
1996 - 1997 |
| W000,001 |
1995 |
| S000,001 |
1993 |
| C000,001 |
1992 |
| N000,001 |
1991 |
| X000,001 |
1991 |
| E000,001 |
1990 |
| L000,001 |
1989 |
| R000,000 |
1987 |
| 9,999,999 |
1987 |
| 9,290,000 |
1986 |
| 8,814,000 |
1985 |
| 8,338,000 |
1984 |
| 7,862,000 |
1983 |
| 7,386,000 |
1982 |
| 6,910,000 |
1981 |
| 6,434,000 |
1980 |
| 5,958,000 |
1979 |
| 5,482,000 |
1978 |
| 5,006,000 |
1977 |
| 4,539,000 |
|
| 4,267,100 |
1975 |
| 4,004,200 |
1974 |
| 3,741,300 |
1973 |
| 3,478,400 |
1972 |
| 3,215,500 |
1971 |
| 2,952,600 |
1970 |
| 2,689,700 |
1969 |
| 2,426,800 |
1968 |
| 2,163,900 |
1967 |
| 1,871,000 |
1966 |
| 1,792,000 |
1965 |
| 1,714,000 |
1964 |
| 1,636,000 |
1963 |
| 1,558,000 |
1962 |
| 1,480,000 |
1961 |
| 1,402,000 |
1960 |
| 1,100,000 |
1959 |
| 600,000 |
1957 |
| 400,000 |
1956 |
| 200,000 |
1955 |
| 999,000 |
1954 |
| 950,000 |
1953 |
| 803,800 |
1952 |
| 738,700 |
1951 |
| 673,600 |
1950 |
| 608,500 |
1949 |
| 543,400 |
1948 |
| 478,300 |
1947 |
| 413,200 |
1946 |
| 348,100 |
1945 |
| 283,000 |
1944 |
| 253,400 |
1943 |
| 223,800 |
1942 |
| 194,200 |
1941 |
| 164,600 |
1940 |
| 135,000 |
1939 |
| 117,000 |
1938 |
| 99,000 |
1937 |
| 81,000 |
1936 |
| 63,000 |
1935 |
| 45,000 |
1934 |
| 42,680 |
1932 |
| 40,250 |
1931 |
| 37,820 |
1930 |
| 35,390 |
1929 |
| 32,960 |
1928 |
| 30,430 |
1927 |
| 28,000 |
1926 |