Vintage - H.Upmann Magnum 46 - ZTV JUN 05

The ZTV tells Habano's what factory those particular sticks came from.Supposedly only they have the decoder ring to identify the factory.......and the codes change randomly IIRC.

Ron

Also your factory code checks out....it was in use in the year 2005.

Factory Codes

Cuban Cigar Boxes produced since 1985 contain a coded factory of origin stamp. Prior to 1985, there was no factory identification on boxes.

These codes are ink stamped onto the bottom of the timber box or the cardboard outer packing, sometimes both. The imprinted factory code (and the date) are applied before leaving the factory, either for warehousing or for immediate export.

These codes are used for quality control purposes as in different years, several factories may make a particular brand or vitola.

The codes keep changing to deter buyers from demanding or rejecting a particular factory as it went in or out of favour, as this causes stock problems for Habanos and their distributors.

Factory codes normally comprise three capital letters, although some two & four letter codes exist. Up until about 2001, they were sometimes enclosed with a rectangle.

There have been four code systems used since 1985, coinciding with the box date code changes, with the fourth (and still unbreakable) code introduced in 2003.

CURRENT SYSTEM-2003 to present

With this system of factory codes, all factories have a unique three capital letter code that can be changed monthly and yearly. With this system there are a substantial number of unique codes available, which means there need not be a duplicate code for many years.

Consequently identifying and tracking them is virtually impossible. Only those with access to the code generator program would know codes in advance.

Occasionally a code may be reported but even if correct, it is of limited use as it may only be valid for short time.

Given the much improved quality control from 2005/6 on, the difference between factory output is reduced, making it less important to "chase factories". In addition, the rationalisation, improvement, and replacement of factories means that individual brands are now more likely to be made in a single factory, rather than in multiple factories.

Ron

Ron

DED

Z TV

I am livin' on Channel Z

Gettin' nothin' but static

(Static)

Gettin' nothin' but static

(Static)

Static in my attic from Channel Z

Gettin' nothin' but static

(Static)

Gettin' nothin' but static

(Static)

Static fillin' my attic from Channel Z

I don't know, I feel like somethin's happenin'

Somethin' good is happenin'

I feel love has gotta come on, and I want it

Somethin' big and lovely

And I want the world to change for me

Gotta get away, away from Z

Livin' on the edge of Z

Space junk, laser bombs, ozone holes

Better put up my umbrella

Giant stacks blowin' smoke

Politicrits pushin' dope

All I know, we've got to change what's happenin'

Somethin' good could happen

I feel light has gotta come through and I need it

Somethin' big and lovely

I want the world to change for me

Gotta get away, away from Z

Livin' on the edge of Z

Waste dumps, toxic fog

Irradiate and keep it fresh forever

Good old boys tellin' lies

'Bout time I got wise

Gettin' nothin' but static

(Static)

Gettin' nothin' but static

(Static)

Static in my attic from Channel Z

Gettin' nothin' but static

(Static)

Gettin' nothin' but static

(Static)

Static fillin' my attic from Channel Z

Gotta tune in

(Pico waves)

Gotta tune out

(PCB's)

Gotta tune in

(Market crash)

Gotta tune out

(Polar shift)

Gotta tune in

(Narrow minds)

Gotta tune out

(Space junk)

Gotta tune in

(Bombs)

Gotta turn out

(Atomic lasers falling from the sky)

Where's my umbrella?

(Gonna shoot that static down the drain)

(Gonna put that static out of my brain)

Where's my umbrella?

(Gonna put up my antennae free)

Hamburger ads pop up in my head

On the edge of Aquarius

(Secret wars)

I'm livin' on the edge

(Take my money away)

I know I feel a change is happenin'

Somethin' good will happen

I feel love is comin' on strong, and I want it

We can make it happen

I want the world to change for me

Gotta get away, away from Z

Livin' on the edge of Z

Channel Z, all static, all day forever

Time to open up your windows

Let in better weather

Channel Z, all static, all day forever

Time to take this information

And shove it in a shredder

Market crash, polar shift

Space junk, narrow minds

Bombs!