Accuracy of serial number charts.

[tms48]

I have a watch with the serial number 1734996 and was curious to find out when it was manufactured, one list show 1967 and another 1964. Is there a definitive list.

[Darlinboy]

Originally Posted by tms48

I have a watch with the serial number 1734996 and was curious to find out when it was manufactured, one list show 1967 and another 1964. Is there a definitive list.

There is no definitive list. There is one posed in the reference section here that's as good as any.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by tms48

I have a watch with the serial number 1734996 and was curious to find out when it was manufactured, one list show 1967 and another 1964. Is there a definitive list.

No its that simple all lists are purely based on pure supposition as Rolex them selves have never gave this information.And by all the Internet charts all you can find by the serial is a approx date when the case/clasp was stamped nothing more.Now this is not always when a completed watch was made as a rough guide your watch case was stamped around 1967/8

[Speed]

And now you've published your serial #.

Not a huge deal, but no need to post the entire sequence.

[financeman]

You bring up a good point Speed. I have noticed that no one publishes there serial number and I have wondered why but did not want to start a thread just for that. Could you give me the simple answer because I am sure that it is something I am just overlooking.
Thanks

[padi56]

Originally Posted by financeman

You bring up a good point Speed. I have noticed that no one publishes there serial number and I have wondered why but did not want to start a thread just for that. Could you give me the simple answer because I am sure that it is something I am just overlooking.
Thanks

Well in modern Rolex especially the serial could be used on say a fake watch.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by tms48

I have a watch with the serial number 1734996 and was curious to find out when it was manufactured, one list show 1967 and another 1964. Is there a definitive list.

The nice thing about watches in te 60's is that the manufactur date was stamped inside the caseback..

That is the source of the serial ranges used by most charts.. Any case with a date stamp inside is a data point used to more accurately refine any research chart. So, don't use a chart to guess on yours, open the back up and know.. ;)

[financeman]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well in modern Rolex especially the serial could be used on say a fake watch.

Got you. I figured is was something like that but just wanted to know for sure. I appreciate the answer

[Fredrik]

My take on the serial number thing:

Remember also that the serial numbers are also across the entire range. They apparently make the cases in batches and just stamp the serials when they leave the case factory to be stored until used for making a new watch. On some slow selling models the cases are most likely several years old before the watch is assembled.

There has been some recent new models that had "old" serial ranges when they started showing up at stores.

You can not really date a watch more than within a few years just by looking at the serial number, you need more circumstantial evidence like a stamped caseback, paperwork with a date etc.