How To Use Rolex Warranty Card Certificate
All new Rolex watches are sold with a warranty card, also known as a certificate of authenticity. Your brand new Rolex is covered by a 5 years international warranty, but have you ever wondered how the certificate works and how any AD will handle the matter?
Purchasing a Rolex watch can be one of the biggest purchases in your life, apart from a house and car, and because of this, it usually is a very memorable experience, no matter if it is the first or fifth Rolex watch.
When purchasing a Rolex watch directly from an authorized dealer (AD), besides the watch there are a few accessories that come with the watch such as a booklet that explains how the watch works, a hangtag, a box, but most importantly, a warranty card. The warranty card is unique for each Rolex watch and is only made once, meaning there is no possibility for Rolex to replace it, in case anything would happen to it such as losing or breaking it.
The warranty card is much more than just a plastic card, the card is electronically activated in the store when you purchase your Rolex watch, and once this is done your Rolex is ready to be handed over to you.
What Information Can I Read On My Warranty Card?
In the fourth quarter of 2020, Rolex decided to change the layout of the warranty card and removed a few details on the card which previously were visible, such as the purchaser’s name and the place of purchase. The new style warranty card from Rolex does only tell which date the watch was purchased, or which date the warranty card was activated if the watch was purchased, but collected at a later date.
The date of purchase is the date from which the 5-year international warranty is activated. It is therefore crucial that the date of purchase which is handwritten on the warranty card is the same as the date on which the warranty card was electronically activated. Rolex might think that a warranty card that has a different date written on the card from when it was electronically activated has been tampered with, and can therefore refuse a warranty reparation, or what might be necessary.
How To Use Rolex Warranty Card Certificate
The Rolex warranty card is a guarantee from Rolex during a 5 year period, that the watch fulfills the requirements Rolex has on their watches, such as timekeeping variation, water-resistance, or imperfections that might have slipped through the Rolex factory, which is being observed at a later state after the date of sale.
In the event that your Rolex has any type of factory default, such as any issues mentioned above, not caused by wearing the watch normally, you would have to visit a Rolex Service Center, or an Authorized Dealer, with your watch explaining the problem, but most importantly also with your unique warranty card.
You are not able to handle any type of factory issues, free of charge if your watch is still under warranty unless you have the physical warranty card with you. This means, that a picture of the card would be accepted in case you would hand in your watch to Rolex for a factory repair. This is why the certificate should be handled with care, and kept safely, as it is a document of value.
I Lost My Warranty Card, What Can I Do?
Unfortunately, Rolex is not yet able to replace any missing or lost warranty cards. This means, that your unique warranty card will only be handed over to the first owner who purchases the watch in store once. It is therefore extremely important to store to warranty card safely, and not lose it, as it is a document of value, and is necessary to have in case you would need to hand in your Rolex for any type of issue caused by wearing the watch normally.
Is My Rolex Worth Less Without My Warranty Card?
The short answer is yes. Typically, watches that are sold without a warranty card are considered to be valued lower than the same watch but with a warranty card. Even though the warranty card only gives you a warranty of 5 years with Rolex, and in theory is useless to keep once the warranty has expired, it is easier to sell a watch for a higher price if it is a complete set with everything that was given at the point of purchase, also known as a “Fullset Rolex”.
Is My Warranty Card Transferable?
The Rolex warranty card offers a warranty that is connected to the watch, and not a person. This means, that if you are a buyer which purchases the watch second-hand from a previous owner, the warranty still remains. The warranty card has the serial number, model number, and date of purchase written on it, which is unique and should match the watch. No other information, of what is known, is stored with the card electronically either, meaning that any owner, no matter if you are the second or fifth, will have the right to use the warranty card, shall it be necessary.
