Vintage Box Model Number Distinctions

[Jaltaire]

I see online what visually appear to be identical models of box but with slight variations in model numbers... For example, 68.00.02 and 68.00.08 look to be the same, albeit with 02 versus 08 inscribed on the bottom of each.

What do these small differences in model numbers indicate?

[springer]

Originally Posted by Jaltaire

I see online what visually appear to be identical models of box but with slight variations in model numbers... For example, 68.00.02 and 68.00.08 look to be the same, albeit with 02 versus 08 inscribed on the bottom of each.

What do these small differences in model numbers indicate?

Probably printer codes.

[Jaltaire]

Originally Posted by springer

Probably printer codes.

Any thoughts on whether these distinctions could be regional, e.g., printer in the USA vs. printer in Switzerland?

I figure you may have some insight as to what demarcates boxes used in some countries and not others.

[offrdmania]

Back then, the AD would just grab a box off of the shelf when a watch sold. Sometimes its hard to tell 100% which box went with a particular model. We can guess based off of owner account and which box they received with their new watch, but nothing is set in stone.
We dont know differences in the numbers, Only Rolex knows. They do not release the information to the public. It is only a guess by enthusiasts as to what it all means.

[TuRo]

No idea but two things I go by and has saved me buying a fake or two :

1) The middle two digits are always .00. I think I'm right in saying. One that had .11. in middle when I checked it over carefully was fake.

2) They don't have to be 6 digit boxes. Five fig boxes are legitime eg say 78.00.6

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Jaltaire

. . .
What do these small differences in model numbers indicate?

Those are not model numbers, they are likely production run identifiers for quality control.

One run has the initial contract identifier, then the final number would be each run of the product, and so on. There wouldn't be any real difference, but the tech would have reloaded production materials or changed equipment after each run.