Dr. Ito's thorough analysis of mechanical watches!! Vol.14 ~ A thorough explanation of Rolex warranties! ~

Good evening, everyone!

This column discusses mechanical watches from an engineer's perspective. For our 14th installment, we will be talking about:

"Rolex Warranty Cards"

as our theme.

Did you know that the specifications of a Rolex warranty differ depending on when it was issued? Broadly speaking, they are categorized into "paper type" and "card type." The paper type has many designs depending on the era and country, while the card type has three designs depending on the era. Since the way items are read and the content recorded differ for each, this time I will explain the characteristics of each warranty, as well as how the type and condition of the warranty affect the market price.

Types of Rolex Warranties

① Paper Type (～around 2006)

First, let's introduce the paper type guarantee used for older Rolex models (up to around 2006).

The serial number and model number are listed in the upper right, the country code in the upper center, and the purchaser, purchase date, and retailer are written near the center of the paper. Paper-type warranties also differ depending on the era and country of sale, so comparing them can be enjoyable.

This is the final paper-type guarantee that was circulated in the 2000s.

The three-digit number "888" in the upper right indicates the country where the warranty was issued. "888" indicates that it was shipped to Hong Kong, and it is said that Rolex Hong Kong requested this number in reference to the number "8," which is considered auspicious in Chinese-speaking regions.

Incidentally, Japan's country code for shipments is "410."

There are two types of text written on the paper: French and English. While French is primarily used, English is used for those sold in America, and there are differences such as the type of dial installed at the time of sale being listed. 

Those issued in Japan had their own unique Japanese version, didn't they?

② First Generation Card Type (around 2007-2013)

Next, we introduce the first design when it switched from paper to card, commonly known as the "old-old guarantee."

This two-generation-old warranty has a luxurious design incorporating the corporate colors of green and gold. Unlike the current warranty, various information is listed on the front.

All of them contain basic information about the purchased watch, with the following content listed from top to bottom:

① Country Code
② Model Number / Reference Number
③ Serial Number
④ Model Name

On the back, the retailer, purchaser, and purchase date are written.

③ Second Generation Card Type (around 2014 - June 2020)

This is the previous generation Rolex warranty card, commonly known as the "old guarantee."

It features an elegant design primarily in white. The serial number, which identifies the individual watch, is inscribed in the center of the front, and below it is the model number.

On the back, the purchasing store's information, the purchaser's name, and the purchase date are listed.

For first and second-generation card types, there are minor differences, such as dial information being included on cards issued in some countries like the US and Italy. However, since the standards for card-type warranties are globally consistent, the value of the card remains the same regardless of the country of issuance.

④ Current Card Type (around July 2020～)

This is the third-generation card type, commonly known as the "new guarantee," adopted since 2020.

With the "ROLEX" logo now in gold, giving it a refined impression, this warranty features a simpler design than previous ones, with a striking deep green color. Additionally, the back lists the "model number," "serial number," and "purchase date," but a distinctive feature is that only the "purchase date" is printed.

As you can see from the old type of warranty shown earlier, it included the "purchaser's name," "country code," and "retailer's name (address)," but the new type of warranty does not. This change may have been made to address privacy concerns as times have changed.

As you can see, for watches in the secondary market, it's becoming difficult to identify the country of sale, and we have to infer from whether the purchase date is printed or handwritten.

How Warranties Affect the Used Market Price

① Presence or Absence of a Warranty

Accessories such as the "original box" and "warranty" enhance the value of the main product and influence its appraisal. Especially, the presence or absence of a warranty, which cannot be replaced, significantly impacts the purchase price. Of course, the variation in price differs depending on the model, but it generally makes a difference of at least 100,000 yen.

Rolex warranties, which are not reissued, are highly reliable and serve as proof of authenticity even after the warranty period has expired, making them valuable. For a 'Daytona' "Ref.16520," it's not uncommon for there to be a price difference of over 500,000 yen depending on whether a warranty is present.

Considering this, you can probably understand how significant the asset value of a warranty is.

② Condition and Type of Warranty

If you purchase a used Rolex, the name may have been erased. This is done by the previous owner or the retailer to obscure the name for personal information protection. Even if the name is blacked out, the validity of the warranty remains unchanged, but overseas buyers and some dealers tend to dislike these blacked-out warranties.

Also, many Rolex watches imported from other countries come with blank warranty cards, and it's rare to find a card with the name erased, like those from Japan. Because blank warranties and those with erased names sell differently, the purchase and sales prices for warranties with erased names are often suppressed.

Furthermore, if we look at the 'Submariner' "Ref.116610LV," which was sold from 2010 to around September 2020, there are three generations of card-type warranties. For these, the new guarantee > old guarantee > old-old guarantee are evaluated in that order, so keep this as a piece of trivia.

As these examples show, significant price differences can occur in the used market due to whether the warranty is handwritten or the design of the card, so caution is advised.

Summary

How was that?  

Rolex warranties are all special, featuring anti-counterfeit measures. Even if the warranty period has expired, the appraisal value can vary significantly due to the difference in reliability when selling the watch.

By the way, warranties are never reissued for any reason, so please, absolutely do not lose your warranty card.

I hope this article has provided useful information and sparked some interest in luxury watches! Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask directly, and we will answer them thoroughly. We look forward to your visit and inquiries.

Stay tuned for the next installment! See you then!