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a continuation from alphabet series vs alphanumeric series (click here)
when rolex switch from alphabet to alphanumeric, was it to increase production because with alphabet series has a finite number 6 numbers follow by the alphabet. with alphanumeric, the numbers technically become "infinite" in the long run because 8 alphanumeric can be permutated to ........(do the maths)
another problem rolex resolved is having different alphabet series in the same range on display. it was possible to walk into an authorized dealer shop in 2009 to see v series(2008-2010) stainless steel submariner date with a z series (2006-2007) yellow gold submariner date on display. customers maybe puzzled knowing that the current alphabet series is v series and yet spot a z series watch. to customers, it is "old" watch and possible ask for hefty discount thus eroding "profit" by authorized dealer
by switching to alphanumeric, there is no way a customer know when watch was exactly produced by rolex. this eliminates the "old" watch from the customer's perspective. it would also allow rolex to produce the case in batches in terms of material to increase production efficiency rather than changing the material during a period aka alphabet era.
about 2-3 years ago (~2016) the authorized dealers in singapore started to implement dated and named warranty cards. when it was initially started, many were unhappy because this would mean "harder" to get sell their preown watches at a higher value. another common cited reason was buying as a gift for someone else but i am not sure what how the person want their name to be written.
now, some authorised dealers will tell the customer that they will keep the warranty card and give a photocopy of the warranty card to the buyer to be passed to the new owner of the watch. the new onwer of the watch will then go to the dealer and write their name on the card and collect it. however, when a person buys the watch, everything belongs to the customer and by keeping the card, it starts a logistical situation.
the insistence by rolex to insist the dealer to date the card is a great move because it eliminates the issue of someone dating the card at a later date from purchase. in the past when authorized dealer leave it blank, it "extends" the warranty from the initial purchase date. it also allows a potential higher resale value of the watch in concern. another problem resolved is there is no need to produced different color rolex tag to identify whether it was a 3 year warranty (red tag) or 5 year warranty (rolex switch to 5 year warranty in jul 2015 identified by the green tag)
when rolex switch from alphabet to alphanumeric, was it to increase production because with alphabet series has a finite number 6 numbers follow by the alphabet. with alphanumeric, the numbers technically become "infinite" in the long run because 8 alphanumeric can be permutated to ........(do the maths)
another problem rolex resolved is having different alphabet series in the same range on display. it was possible to walk into an authorized dealer shop in 2009 to see v series(2008-2010) stainless steel submariner date with a z series (2006-2007) yellow gold submariner date on display. customers maybe puzzled knowing that the current alphabet series is v series and yet spot a z series watch. to customers, it is "old" watch and possible ask for hefty discount thus eroding "profit" by authorized dealer
by switching to alphanumeric, there is no way a customer know when watch was exactly produced by rolex. this eliminates the "old" watch from the customer's perspective. it would also allow rolex to produce the case in batches in terms of material to increase production efficiency rather than changing the material during a period aka alphabet era.
about 2-3 years ago (~2016) the authorized dealers in singapore started to implement dated and named warranty cards. when it was initially started, many were unhappy because this would mean "harder" to get sell their preown watches at a higher value. another common cited reason was buying as a gift for someone else but i am not sure what how the person want their name to be written.
now, some authorised dealers will tell the customer that they will keep the warranty card and give a photocopy of the warranty card to the buyer to be passed to the new owner of the watch. the new onwer of the watch will then go to the dealer and write their name on the card and collect it. however, when a person buys the watch, everything belongs to the customer and by keeping the card, it starts a logistical situation.
the insistence by rolex to insist the dealer to date the card is a great move because it eliminates the issue of someone dating the card at a later date from purchase. in the past when authorized dealer leave it blank, it "extends" the warranty from the initial purchase date. it also allows a potential higher resale value of the watch in concern. another problem resolved is there is no need to produced different color rolex tag to identify whether it was a 3 year warranty (red tag) or 5 year warranty (rolex switch to 5 year warranty in jul 2015 identified by the green tag)