Help - 7836 bracelet clasp stamped 74 ?

[gbear1969]

Hi all -

(newbie to the forum here)

I have a 7836 bracelet (bought from a reputable source so am quite sure its genuine) which looks like it is stamped 4-74. But I read that they stopped stamping these in 1972, and the 4 in 74 looks like someone tried scraping it in later. It looks like it may have been 71 someone wanted to convert to a 74. No idea why someone would bother though. Pics attached. (btw, it has 280 endlinks.)

Any thoughts or anyone come across this? THANKS!

[TimeToGo]

Welcome to the Forum!

Appears you have done your homework about knowing the stamping stopped around 1972. Also appears you made up your mind that you bought from a reputable source so it must be genuine..

Hopefully you can post other pictures of your genuine bracelet...

[gbear1969]

Hi - Thanks. Well, I do have my doubts... if i was 100% sure about this strap, I would not have posted this here.

This strap came on a watch I am 100% sure is genuine, but actually was from 1979/80. So that raised doubts. The shop I bought it from is very legit and has been dealing in and servicing second hand Rolexes for decades (including vintage), but they (like me!) are not huge vintage experts.

Its just strange as I cant understand why a someone would try to carve a 74 into such a clasp, whether fake or genuine! Or how Rolex would be sloppy and botch this. Anyway - here's a pic of the whole thing. Thanks!

[offrdmania]

It was probably originally a 71 and someone wanted to match it to a 74 watch in order to sell to someone who didnt know any better

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

it was probably originally a 71 and someone wanted to match it to a 74 watch in order to sell to someone who didnt know any better

x 2

[ADINVA]

But the "1" appears far longer than the "7". The print for "1" is not crisp as that typical to a genuine bracelet too. The distance between the 2 digits in "74" or "71' appears too far apart too.

Maybe this piece of the clasp could be from another bracelet with the printed "74" but was deliberately "enhanced" to appear "74"? Just guessing and I am not an expert. I would not be too concerned tho'.

[jvmartin]

I sold a 7836 band last year here on TRF (link is below)... mine was absolutely authentic in case you want to check out pics and compare. I am not sure on the 74 stamping but I do find it odd that your end links have the cut outs for a no holes case. Is yours marked 7836 on once side of the bracelet?

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=425568

[Zoran]

Hmm...the stamping does look weird.
Here is a picture of my 7836 from 71 I recently sold for reference to see if the "1 made into a 4" theory could hold up

[gbear1969]

Thanks Zoran. When I look at your bracelet and mine , I do think it's a case of "1 made it into a 4". The TOP of the 1 looks the same as well as the distance between the numbers. And the othe side of the clasp has a small bump indicating someone tried to pressure this "4" into it. "Why" will remain a mystery I Guess, as it would not be a impossible to have a 71 clasp on a bracelet with a 74 head, and the ensemble to still be original. You'd think anyone who went through the preparation and trouble of trying to pound in a 4 would know that. Especially as a genuine 71 clasp would always be worth more than a blemished "74"(which apparently does not even exist as these stamps stopped in 72.).

Oh well, it's only a clasp, and - for what it's worth - it has a strange story. And I think / hope it'll look fine on my 1016 from 1972 which I didn't have a bracelet for. :)

thanks to all for the help!

[Zoran]

You are welcome Chris!

I agree with your assessment that somebody tried to alter the 1 to a 4.
I see no need or reasoning for doing that, other than desperately to provide something that never belonged to the original watch.

Enjoy your watch regardless of that stamp. It's a minor detail

[gbear1969]

Took it to a vintage dealer who confirms its authentic ( probably 71 ) and said he's never seen a stamp later than 72 on a 7836. He also said he can't understand why anyone would want to scrape a 74 in. It shall remain a mystery and quirk on this strap. Anyway it's now on my 1972 explorer 1016 (which I always had on leather or a Nato) and they seem to like each other.

[Zoran]

Originally Posted by gbear1969

Took it to a vintage dealer who confirms its authentic ( probably 71 ) and said he's never seen a stamp later than 72 on a 7836. He also said he can't understand why anyone would want to scrape a 74 in. It shall remain a mystery and quirk on this strap. Anyway it's now on my 1972 explorer 1016 (which I always had on leather or a Nato) and they seem to like each other.

Looks great!

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by gbear1969

Took it to a vintage dealer who confirms its authentic ( probably 71 ) and said he's never seen a stamp later than 72 on a 7836. He also said he can't understand why anyone would want to scrape a 74 in. It shall remain a mystery and quirk on this strap. Anyway it's now on my 1972 explorer 1016 (which I always had on leather or a Nato) and they seem to like each other.

Perfect combo.