Serial Number Question - Help

[BruceT]

I'm looking for a vintage birth year watch (1969, yikes) and found a Rolex 1625 with the serial number 2703xxx. Depending on the resource, the watch dates to either 1969 or 1970. Is there a definitive resource?

Thanks!

[toph]

not really but i woudl personlly be more inclined to say 1970, but its hatrd to really know exactly

[rolexpawn]

The only way you can get a Rolex with a specific date is the paperwork or the case back will have the date of manufacture until 1972-1974

[BruceT]

Thanks!

So, if its a 1969 or 1970 Rolex, it should have the date on the case back? Thanks.

[rolexpawn]

Originally Posted by BruceT

Thanks!

So, if its a 1969 or 1970 Rolex, it should have the date on the case back? Thanks.

Remember it is not 100% correct, the case back could have been replaced. Just be careful in matching the date and case back.

[Jagatai]

yes it will have the quarter of manufacture in roman numerals then the last two digits of the year in Arabic. for ex:

IV 69

means fourth quarter of 1969

[DiamondJack]

This is the best website I have come across on Rolex serial numbers and which also lists a number of other sources for comparative purposes.

http://www.oysterinfo.de/en/detailin...mern/index.php


A 2.70 would be 1970 on Oysterworld data but 1969 on the others sites posted. But as I am sure you know, and as others have posted, the caseback will be stamped during this period so reasonably easy to check. Best of luck

[marcello pisani]

2.70 is a case produced in 1971 ( according to "confidential official tablets" ).

[BruceT]

Thank you!

[DiamondJack]

Originally Posted by marcello pisani

2.70 is a case produced in 1971 ( according to "confidential official tablets" ).

I would be interested to know where you get this "confidential" information from as my 2.76m Red Sub (1680) has a caseback stamped IV.70 which fits exactly with the Oysterworld data and many other sources.

[marcello pisani]

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

I would be interested to know where you get this "confidential" information from as my 2.76m Red Sub (1680) has a caseback stamped IV.70 which fits exactly with the Oysterworld data and many other sources.

I will answer you by PM .

[DiamondJack]

Originally Posted by marcello pisani

I will answer you by PM .

Ok thanks Marcello. Much appreciated.

[pdoukas]

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

I would be interested to know where you get this "confidential" information from as my 2.76m Red Sub (1680) has a caseback stamped IV.70 which fits exactly with the Oysterworld data and many other sources.

I'd be interested to know as well. I can't count the number of arguements I have read in here regarding dating a watch using the serial number, including myself.

I mean seriously, pulling the trigger on a birth year is a shot in the dark as it is, and now you say "official". What happens to all those folks who based their decision on unofficial and best guessed data?

I feel a storm brewing.............lol

Pete

[Andad]

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

I would be interested to know where you get this "confidential" information from as my 2.76m Red Sub (1680) has a caseback stamped IV.70 which fits exactly with the Oysterworld data and many other sources.

Hi DJ
My 27670** DJ is stamped as shown.

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by marcello pisani

2.70 is a case produced in 1971 ( according to "confidential official tablets" ).

I hope these confidential tablets are not written in stone:
In the family since ~72

[marcello pisani]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

I hope these confidential tablets are not written in stone:
In the family since ~72

yes they are !
( written in stone with collectors' blood.. LLOOLL )
in any case I don't see with your watch something not consistent to what I have written :
the 2.79 case has been produced in 1971 that it's not by itself
the year of sale , which can be 1972-3-4 or even later ( for example 1019 were almost sold many after the production of the cases ).
bewteen the time of back production and the time of sale ..the "delay" may vary from a few months up to one or more years.
just for comparison the first batch of 5513 for Comex have case numbers in the
range of 2.83 and according to Rolex :
1) cases have been produced in 1971
2) watches have been sold to Comex in 1972
3) almost all of them have a back punched < IV-70 > like your.
another more recent example ??
consider a 16610 with R case and USA original paper ( with the date of sale printed in the outside of the paper ) :
a) a "low" R case ( for ex. R 250.000 ) has been produced in 1987
b) but you can find in the paper the last two digits of the 4-5 or 6 letters code printed in a different way :
--"TT" that means 1988 as year of sale ;
--"TC" that means 1989 as year of sale.
footnote : for those who are not aware of this code .. the letters are equivalent to numbers in this way :
R =1
O= 2
L= 3
E= 4
X= 5
W=6
A= 7
T= 8
C= 9
H =0
so for example : "L RA TC" means "3-17-89" ( march-the 17-1989 ).

[LI Matt]

Mine is 2.706 so I just go with "1970" as it's a nice round-decade number

[therolexguy]

This is my resourse..

http://www.vetroplastica.it/tabella-seriali-rolex.html

[marcello pisani]

Originally Posted by therolexguy

This is my resourse..

http://www.vetroplastica.it/tabella-seriali-rolex.html

I have given a quick look at this table ...
and I have found immediately a clear mistake : production case range for 1961
is stated from 680.000 up to 840.000 !!
I have in fact seen many 5512 with case numbers in the range of 818.000 ( that is a well known and big batch for 5512 ) ,
but these watches have backs punched " III-62 " ( that is correct and consistent to the real year of case production .. that is 1962 ! ).
an example ?
this is a 5512 I had in the past , arrived to the present days with dial in 100 % conditions and unpolished case :



this watch arrived in Italy from the States around the middle of the 90s and
was completely consistent to the time of production ( crown-insert-ecc. )
the movement is one of the very first with the "non-butterfly rotor ( in 1962 you can find both models of rotor ).

[therolexguy]

Originally Posted by marcello pisani

I have given a quick look at this table ...
and I have found immediately a clear mistake : production case range for 1961
is stated from 680.000 up to 840.000 !!
I have in fact seen many 5512 with case numbers in the range of 818.000 ( that is a well known and big batch for 5512 ) ,
but these watches have backs punched " III-62 " ( that is correct and consistent to the real year of case production .. that is 1962 ! ).
an example ?
this is a 5512 I had in the past , arrived to the present days with dial in 100 % conditions and unpolished case :
this watch arrived in Italy from the States around the middle of the 90s and
was completely consistent to the time of production ( crown-insert-ecc. )
the movement is one of the very first with the "non-butterfly rotor ( in 1962 you can find both models of rotor ).

I'm sorry for all of your thumbs down. I've looked at a lot of serial number charts over the years, as you know they're mostly an estimate and I have yet to find one that's perfect. One of the reasons I like this forum is people can post info and discuss things. I'm sorry my chart wasn't up you par for you, it was one I found and thought the ranges seemed more specific than many others.

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by marcello pisani

this watch arrived in Italy from the States around the middle of the 90s and
was completely consistent to the time of production ( crown-insert-ecc. )
the movement is one of the very first with the "non-butterfly rotor ( in 1962 you can find both models of rotor ).

Hi Marcello,
On the butterfly rotor: I remember reading someplace (someone (expert)) stating that “all” 1560 cals came with the butterfly. I had my suspects on this. Can you please provide information on the transition and your experience with examples of virgin watches?
Thanks a bunch
Oh, nice watch too

[marcello pisani]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

Hi Marcello,
On the butterfly rotor: I remember reading someplace (someone (expert)) stating that “all” 1560 cals came with the butterfly. I had my suspects on this. Can you please provide information on the transition and your experience with examples of virgin watches?
Thanks a bunch
Oh, nice watch too

you are perfectly right .. the idea of a "splitted" production such as :
1) 1530 with standard rotor from 1962 on
2) 1560 still with the butterfly rotor up to the end .. ( around 1966 )
is really unbelievable ..
how is it possible that they have used the new rotor for the cheaper watch ( no chronometer )
and the old rotor for the most expensive one ( with chronometer movement ) ??

[HL65]

Very nice Marcello!!!

[marcello pisani]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Very nice Marcello!!!

thanks .. it was really perfect ( hands with the same shade of indexes ecc. )
not my favourite style anymore due to the lack of valve .. LLLOOOOLLLLL

[HL65]

The valve definitely spoils!!!

[marcello pisani]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

The valve definitely spoils!!!

yep, I have in fact a dependency on "valve and delivered watches" ...
will I find a cure dear Doctor ???

[HL65]

Originally Posted by marcello pisani

yep, I have in fact a dependency on "valve and delivered watches" ...
will I find a cure dear Doctor ???

It is never ending my friend!!

[springer]

I'm starting to see a lot of "hair splitting" here regarding serial numbers, which I see quite often on another forum. As everyone knows, many factors enter into the "production" date of a Rolex. The case and caseback were not made in conjunction with each other so the dates will vary between a case number and caseback number.

The serial number from the original post is an accepted 1969 serial number, but we all know the serial number data is based on the best information available and not science. A Rolex with a circa 1970 serial number could have a caseback that does not match the production year of the case which is not unusual at all.

If I wanted a 1969, birth-year Rolex, I would find a case with a serial number that was within a year or two of the accepted serial number range for the watch, and concentrate on a correctly dated caseback.

To the original poster, Bruce T, good luck in your search.

[BruceT]

Springer and others - thank you for your thoughtful comments.

I asked the seller (who appears to be super responsive and honest) to open the caseback to look for the number but the case back is screwed on too tightly. Need to decide whether to take the jump without that info - the watch is great but I'd be a bit bummed out to later learn that it's a 1970 or 1971.

I've attached a few pics of the watch I'm considering. Any comments?

[toph]

you forgot pictures;)
Emm i have a 65 serial GMT with a 64 caseback. if its close its close and it could be exact. if something is say 69 0r 70. some will say it s 69 some will say its 70