Binocular age based on serial (1 Viewer)

[Brumfield5026]

Can someone help me out with the year of this binocular please. I cant quite figure it out based on Swarovski website. Thanks

 

[tenex]

This does not fit either known pattern so the advice on the Swarovski site is to contact them:
[email protected]
800 426 3089

 

[Brumfield5026]

What I was thinking but wasn’t sure. thanks

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi Brumfield,

If during servicing SONA (Swarovski Optik North America) replace the part with the original serial number, then they assign a new number.
The new number has a different form than the original one - which explains the number on your unit.
(For details of the regular numbering that was in use until September 2020, see: Swarovski's Alpha-Numeric Numbering Explained )

In relation to the replacement number on your SLC, the components are:
D - the same prefix as used for most of the original SLC production (excepting the early x30’s)
A - for SONA (A for America?)
90 - indicating that the work was done in 2020 (add 1930, as also with the original serial numbering)
12095 - the new sequential number

- - - -
In September 2020, new numbering patterns were adopted on all product lines, see: Swarovski serialnumbers changed
Post #12 explains the new pattern used on regular production.

There is also a new form of replacement serial numbering.
An original production 7x42 SLC that’s been serviced since September 2020, has the new number DA12 11816C:
D - as before
A - (I’m not yet clear on this in terms of replacement numbering)
12 - indicating the year 2022 (add 2010, as with regular production from September 2020 on)
11816 - the new sequential number
C - for SONA (perhaps C for Cranston in Rhode Island where SONA is located?)
[C is also used for new production assembled by SONA i.e. some telescopic sights. In contrast, new production from Absam in Austria has an A suffix]


John

 

[Brumfield5026]

Hi Brumfield,

If during servicing SONA (Swarovski Optik North America) replace the part with the original serial number, they assign a new number.
The new number has a different form than the original one - which explains the number on your unit.
(For details of the regular numbering that was in use until September 2020, see: Swarovski's Alpha-Numeric Numbering Explained )

In relation to the replacement number on your SLC, the components are:
D - the same prefix as used for most of the original SLC production (excepting the early x30’s)
A - for SONA (A for America?)
90 - indicating that the work was done in 2020 (add 1930, as also with the original serial numbering)
12095 - the new sequential number

- - - -
In September 2020, new numbering patterns were adopted on all product lines, see: Swarovski serialnumbers changed
Post #12 explains the new pattern used on regular production.

There is also a new form of replacement serial numbering.
An original production 7x42 SLC that’s been serviced since September 2020, has the new number DA12 11816C:
D - as before
A - (I’m not yet clear on this in terms of replacement numbering)
12 - indicating the year 2022 (add 2010, as with regular production from September 2020 on)
11816 - the new sequential number
C - for SONA (perhaps C for Cranston in Rhode Island where SONA is located?)
[C is also used for new production assembled by SONA i.e. some telescopic sights. In contrast, new production from Absam in Austria has an A suffix]


John

Awesome. Thanks for the info. Im lookin at maybe buying these so just trying to make sure everything is legit.

 

[Brumfield5026]

I kept getting 2020 but knew they wasn’t made then so it was confusing me. I wonder if they can tell me what work was done if I contact them?

 

[tenex]

Probably, or just ask the seller. But SONA are very thorough so you can assume they adjusted/replaced anything necessary, if not everything possible! Someone recently sold a refurbished 7x42 in classifieds here and the extent of work was impressive. Good find.

 

[Brumfield5026]

I sent an email to Swarovski and they replied in one day and told me the repairs that had been done on this bin. Was very pleased with their quick response.

 

[Foss]

Excellent. Are you moving forward with the purchase? And did the new serial number jibe with the repair date?

 

[Brumfield5026]

It lined up with the 2020 year when you added the dates up. 2020 was when work was done. I actually went with an 8x32 el instead of the 7x42.