What does “New Style Card” mean?

A new style card is the latest generation of a brand's warranty card. For Rolex, it usually means the card introduced around 2020, which contains an NFC chip; holding a phone to it opens Rolex's website. Earlier Rolex generations include the paper certificates used until the mid-2000s, the first plastic cards that replaced them, and the card that came with the five-year warranty introduced in 2015.

Card style is a quick check on whether papers fit the watch: the card design should match the period in which the watch was sold. A new style card with an older reference, or an old-style card with a recently sold watch, is a reason to look more closely. Dealers also mention the card style because some buyers simply prefer the latest design. The NFC chip links to the brand's site and doesn't replace checking the serial number and the watch itself.

Example: 'New style card, dated 2024, serial matching.'