Dating papers?

[Brian Burrows]

Hi guys,

Hope everyone is well

Do any of you know how to 'date' papers?

I just bought (an expensive) watch and the serial number (bottom right hand corner) on the papers is: 572.02.100

I'm sure Rolex have some complicated way of arriving at these numbers . . . but based on looking at Guarantee Certificates on my other watches . . . I make that ^ a 2002 Certificate? Am I correct?

Mike?

Tools?

Anyone?

Help please

Bri

[toph]

whats the serial number of the watch, then we can date it instantly?.
Actually i am sure you know that, why do you want do date the papers?

[Brian Burrows]

Originally Posted by toph

whats the serial number of the watch, then we can date it instantly?.
Actually i am sure you know that, why do you want do date the papers?

Hi,

The watch is an '82 Daytona that I bought from a well-known vintage dealer (over the 'phone) . . . I've bought from him before and it's always been OK

However the watch turned up with handwritten (not punched) papers (with that ^ '572.02.100' print run number) and my alarm bells started ringing was all . . . I just wanted to check that I wasn't being 'paranoid'

As you can imagine, it wasn't a cheap watch . . . I want to make sure it's 'right' is all

I do realise some watches did have handwritten papers (I have a couple of others that I KNOW are 'correct') . . . but I just want to be sure.

Any advice/info would be gratefully received

Thanks in advance

Bri

[springer]

First printed around 1972 would be my guess (definately not 2002) and several years thereafter. What language, English or French?

Is it just a warranty paper, or the paper that contains both the chronometer certificate and warranty? It should be the version that is a warranty paper only. What do the boxes look like, and if you have booklets, what numbers are on the booklet pages in the back which would help date them?

I have two watches I purchased from the original owners, the 1975 Datejust is punched and reads 570 at the beginning, the other is a 1981GMT two tone, type written which reads 570 at the beginning of the number sequence.

[Brian Burrows]

Originally Posted by springer

First printed around 1972 would be my guess (definately not 2002) and several years thereafter. What language, English or French?

Is it just a warranty paper, or the paper that contains both the chronometer certificate and warranty? It should be the version that is a warranty paper only. What do the boxes look like, and if you have booklets, what numbers are on the booklet pages in the back which would help date them?

I have two watches I purchased from the original owners, the 1975 Datejust is punched and reads 570 at the beginning, the other is a 1981GMT two tone, type written which reads 570 at the beginning of the number sequence.

Thanks for that

It has BOTH the Guarantee and the extra Chronometer part too . . .

I'm beginning to think there were no hard and fast rules with dealers back then . . . they seemed to just write up certs willy nilly . . . I have earlier watches with punched papers and later watches with hand written certs (with original invoices dated and written in the same handwriting)

I find it difficult to get a handle on how things were done back then - as I say, it seems there were no 'rules' . . . and then when you factor different countries in - it just becomes a mess

I'm gonna trust the dealer - he's always been good before

Thanks for the help guys

Brian

[Brian Burrows]

Originally Posted by springer

First printed around 1972 would be my guess (definately not 2002) and several years thereafter. What language, English or French?

Is it just a warranty paper, or the paper that contains both the chronometer certificate and warranty? It should be the version that is a warranty paper only. What do the boxes look like, and if you have booklets, what numbers are on the booklet pages in the back which would help date them?

I have two watches I purchased from the original owners, the 1975 Datejust is punched and reads 570 at the beginning, the other is a 1981GMT two tone, type written which reads 570 at the beginning of the number sequence.

I have a 1969 5513 Maxi that has a 'small certificate' (no Chronometer part) that has 572.01.250 bottom right . . . but the border is like the 'hashing' on a bank note - not the crowns - it's watermarked and everything, but I've not seen one without the crowns before - my head's starting to hurt

[springer]

Originally Posted by Brian Burrows

Thanks for that

It has BOTH the Guarantee and the extra Chronometer part too . . .

I'm beginning to think there were no hard and fast rules with dealers back then . . . they seemed to just write up certs willy nilly . . . I have earlier watches with punched papers and later watches with hand written certs (with original invoices dated and written in the same handwriting)

I find it difficult to get a handle on how things were done back then - as I say, it seems there were no 'rules' . . . and then when you factor different countries in - it just becomes a mess

I'm gonna trust the dealer - he's always been good before

Thanks for the help guys

Brian

Well, the Daytona is not a chronometer, and although a dealer could have filled out a chronometer/warranty certificate for a Daytona, it should just have been the warranty. I'm curious, about the other items that came with the watch. What else came with it? I.E. which box, booklets, tags etc. Maybe you can post a pic of the whole watch and accessories.

I'd need a pic of the 5513 warranty to see exactly what it looks like and to what you are referring.

[Brian Burrows]

Thanks again for the reply . . .

Yeah . . . I realise the Daytona is a 'non-chron' . . . that's what set my alarm bells ringing in the first place . . . it came with very little else . . . some service papers/bills from a later period (90s) in the same name as the original buyer's name on the cert . . . it is in a green leather look box (the 'c' ring type) inside a 'moon crater' cardboard outer . . . I don't have pics I'm afraid . . . I've returned to France . . . I left the watch with a buddy in the UK . . . in case I wanted him to 'return' it to the dealer.

I've spoken to the dealer this morning who insists 'back then' shops didn't seem to follow any hard and fast rules . . . I dunno?

My '79 5513's paper has this kind of 'hashing' around the edge . . . and these numbers . . .

[stevemulholland3]

they didnt,I have seen legit papers from the same year ,same watch -look very different according to where they where sold..

[springer]

Originally Posted by Brian Burrows

Thanks again for the reply . . .

Yeah . . . I realise the Daytona is a 'non-chron' . . . that's what set my alarm bells ringing in the first place . . . it came with very little else . . . some service papers/bills from a later period (90s) in the same name as the original buyer's name on the cert . . . it is in a green leather look box (the 'c' ring type) inside a 'moon crater' cardboard outer . . . I don't have pics I'm afraid . . . I've returned to France . . . I left the watch with a buddy in the UK . . . in case I wanted him to 'return' it to the dealer.

I've spoken to the dealer this morning who insists 'back then' shops didn't seem to follow any hard and fast rules . . . I dunno?

My '79 5513's paper has this kind of 'hashing' around the edge . . . and these numbers . . .

I have a few of those also with the scrollwork edging. One reads 570.01.300 with a punched number of 347XXXX (circa 1972) another reads 571.01.971-250 with a punched serial number of 217XXXX (circa 1967).

Here are some garanties I have with the crowns around the edges (newer style rom 1970's - 1990's)

I have a Garantie/chronometer certificate in French which reads 570.02.200 and the date of purchase written in is 5/29/80, and serial number of 583XXXX (circa 1978).

Garantie/chronometer certificate which reads 570.000 (that's it) punched serial number of 750XXXX (circa 1982) country code of 748, date of purchase is blank.

Garantie in French reads 572.02.145, punched serial number 591XXXX (circa 1979) date of purchase is blank.

Here is one I have close to yours but guarantee only:
Garantie in French, reads 572.02.100 date of purchase 12/24/1982


Hope this helps.

John

[Brian Burrows]

Thanks guys . . . top fellahs

With regard to the first paper I mentioned (Daytona) . . . I got a number for the purchaser (his address was on the cert) and called tonight . . . he's now retired . . . he did indeed buy the watch brand new back in '82 (for £800/$1200) and the dealer did write the (Chrono) certificate out in front of him . . . he sold it five years ago and was horrified to find out how much they had increased in value.

It has really put my mind at rest.

I've asked him to write me a short letter that I can include with the watch.

[Brian Burrows]

Ooops!

Double post

[Brian Burrows]

On the same subject . . . I have punched papers for two 'Orange Hands' . . . one a '79 . . . the other an '82 . . . one is just the Guarantee . . . the other has the 'Chronometer' part as well . . . Explorers weren't 'Chronometer Rated' were they? ????

[toph]

very interesting guys. I for one have learned a lot