Vinyl pressings
by Enya · 1988
Watermark was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 13 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-Axx 87Runout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-Bx 72Runout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-Axx 71Runout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-Bx 79Runout side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 234875-1-A TesT <T> 4Runout A Side, Variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 234875-1-B TesT <T> IV 0Runout B Side, Variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 234875-1-A TesT <T> 6 VRunout A Side, Variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 234875-1-B TesT <T> 7 VRunout B Side, Variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-A TesT <T> 14 IVSide A runout, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-B TesT <T> 39Side B runout, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-A TesT <T> 46Side A runout, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-B TesT <T> 29Side B runout, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-A X 11Runout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-B X 16Runout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-A 82Runout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-B XRunout side B, variant 2
WX 199 A-4 DAMONTSide A runout
WX 199 B 4 DAMONTSide B runout
R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-A 59Side A runout
R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-B 67Side B runout
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | WEA 80128First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | WEA W1 43875LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | Canada | WEA 24 38751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | WEA W1 43875LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA 243875-1 / WEA WX 199First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA 243875-1 / WEA WX 199First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA 243875-1 / WEA WX 199First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA 243875-1 / WEA WX 199First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA 243875-1 / WEA WX 199First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | WEA 243875-1 / WEA WX 199First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | WEA 243 875-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | WEA 243 875-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Greece | WEA 246006-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | WEA 246006-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1988 | Hungary | Gong SLPXL 37269First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | South Korea | WEA OLW-579LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | South Korea | WEA 243875-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24233LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1993 | South Korea | WEA 2292-46006-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1998 | Japan | WEA WPJR-2005 / WEA 243875-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Reprise Records 43875-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 022924387517LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Argentina | Warner Records 2292-43875-1 / Plaza Independencia Música 9789878903477LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | WEA 24 38751LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Warner Records 0022924387517LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
43 vinyl pressings of Watermark are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1988 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, UK, Australia, Argentina and more. One of them is WEA 243875-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 243875-1, WX 199, 80128, 24 38751) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-Axx 87 and R/S Alsdorf 243875-1-Bx 72. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
