New Rolex Owner?

[dmpatri]

Greetings,

I could be the owner of a new Rolex Day-Date. Actually, it dates back to the early 1970s, but it would be new to me. I am saying that I could be the owner of a Rolex because there is a question concerning its authenticity. The watch belonged to my uncle, he received it from my aunt as a gift. My uncle passed away in the early 1980s and my aunt, who is getting on in years, decided that she would give it to me this year.

I want to have the watch serviced and I would like to have the work done exclusively by a Rolex authorized service provider. Are the three service providers listed for the USA at the Rolex web site the only ones in the USA? Are Rolex authorized retailers allowed to provide any level of service for the watches?

This is an heirloom, first and foremost, and I want to protect it as such for the connection to my father's side of the family. I would like to start by recording the watch's serial number. However, it is engraved and the inscription is all that is written on the back. Is the serial number written inside the watch that I could access by removing the back? Is this a good idea?

Any information or guidance would be appreciated.

Thank you,
- D -