I need the manufacture date (the year, at least) of a particular wristwatch:  
Rolex Tudor Chronograph, Serial Number H100331.  It was manufactured sometime 
in the 1990s; the serial number is specific to the manufacture date.  (Note: 
Although Tudor watches are manufactured by Rolex, the customary Rolex serial 
numbers will not work in this case -- Tudor watches have their own serial 
number sequence.)

Thanks!

Dear Arjay,

Thank you for your inquiry.

In a follow up to Waggawa’s Comment, I called Rolex customer service
on your behalf.

It seems that the serial number is not enough to determine a
manufacture date.  The customer service person said they would have to
open the watch and examine the movements inside to give you an
**approximate** manufacture date. Since Tudor USA is located in New
York, I did ask to see if perhaps an authorized dealer might be able
to determine the date.  She gave an affirmative.  I had the customer
service person give the phone number of someone in the SF Bay Area but
call (212) 758-7700 if you do not live in the SF Bay Area.

Ben Bridge Jewelers
415-564-4455

Not all Ben Bridge stores have an authorized Rolex/Tudor technician.

I think this gives you a definitive direction to seek out your answer!

Well, I haven't found an answer yet, but I'm posting this quickly before the 
article is locked.  http://www.tcjj.com/rolex/ advertises a book which seems to 
have the information you seek. If I find more info, I'll (try to) post it here.

I have not successfully found any Tudor-Rolex (or other Rolex) watches with a H 
serial numbers. 
There are many models of Tudor Chronograph watches, often designated as Pre-
Tiger (typically vintage, with strictly numerical serial numbers or B-serial 
numbers, such as in the Tudor "Oysterdate" Automatic Chrono watches) and models 
promoted by Tiger Woods -- the "new look" of Tudor watches. Tudor announced its 
contract with Tiger Woods in May 1997 and proceeded to promote its Tiger Woods 
models. (see http://www.tigertales.com/tiger/rolex052897.html, 
http://luxuryin.com/watches/Tudor_watches.html, and 
http://www.watchnet.com/community/news_071800.cfm "despite news of its demise, 
the Tudor line continues and even expands...contrary to rumors that had been 
swirling around the Internet, the Air King, Explorer 1 and Tudor lines are not 
being discontinued.")

The Rolex Reference Guide (book) 3rd Edition, Revision A claims to have "more 
than 250 references for the Tudor [watch] line." It can be ordered through the 
Web site http://www.tcjj.com/f-rrg-3rdedition.html.

I would otherwise suggest you contact the manufacturer, who keeps information 
regarding the serial numbers of watches sent to its distributors.

MONTRES TUDOR SA 
Case Postale 430
1211 GENEVE 24
Switzerland
Tel : +41 22.308.22.00
Fax : +41 22.300.22.55
http://www.tudorwatch.com/ (also lists phone numbers worldwide)

ROLEX WATCH USA, INC. 
  (TUDOR USA)
665 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10022-5383
Tel: (212) 758-7700
Fax: (212) 371-0371 


OF NOTE: 
Jonathan Walden Halliwell points out on his Rare Rolex web site 
(http://www.rarerolex.bizland.com) that
"Serial numbers are usually found between the lugs of an oyster case. Contrary 
to popular belief, however - this is NOT always an accurate reflection of the 
date the watch was produced. [...]
"For a time, Rolex and Tudor shared numerous parts, advertising companies, etc. 
Tudor is (was) kind of an "off" brand Rolex, with the Oyster Case, and many 
shared designs - some watches are even dialed both Rolex and Tudor (esp. 
presentation watches). Generally speaking, Tudor watches are somewhat cheaper 
than their Rolex counterparts, but in some circumstances this is not the case. 
Some Tudor watches are quite valuable, even though their movements are not made 
by Rolex. [...] When someone is selling a Tudor, they will usually term it 
a "Rolex-Tudor" to emphasize the close relationship between the two, and to add 
the name recognition."

Watchnet.com's entry on Rolex Tudor Chronographs 
(http://www.watchnet.com/store/item_detail.cfm?itemid=111) confirms that "these 
watches were manufactured by Rolex using ETA ebauches which is the only reason 
they are not full-blown Rolexes."

Swiss Watch Co is one of many sites that has a helpful list to identify a Rolex 
watch's year of manufacture by it's Serial No. Unfortunately it is much more 
difficult finding such a list for Tudor watches in particular.
http://www.watches.co.uk/serials.html

Neither the second nor third editions of the Jarman guide have information on 
Tudor manufacture dates.  Therefore, you may wish to forego the prior 
suggestions to obtain the guides advertised at http://www.tcjj.com/rolex/.