Clasp code matching case serial number

[Daniel23456]

Hey all,

Just wondering, if you were to buy a watch and the clasp code would be different by 2 years from the case serial number (per the internet).
Would you think that the bracelet was originally fitted with the watch or suspect a foul play?

[TimeToGo]

.
Too many variables here.

Which serial reference guide are you using?

Post the example..

[Daniel23456]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

.
Too many variables here.

Which serial reference guide are you using?

Post the example..

Y87**** case with a CL4 bracelet.

[TimeToGo]

.
If I recall correctly, this is an anomally that spanned the Y-serial over a couple of years of production.

This was discussed by @Tools in another thread. I will try to find it.

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by Daniel23456

Hey all,

Just wondering, if you were to buy a watch and the clasp code would be different by 2 years from the case serial number (per the internet).
Would you think that the bracelet was originally fitted with the watch or suspect a foul play?

Do you have papers? Serial case numbers and clasp code dating are approximations and only Rolex knows. I would allow for +/- 2 years in either direction.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Daniel23456

Hey all,

Just wondering, if you were to buy a watch and the clasp code would be different by 2 years from the case serial number (per the internet).
Would you think that the bracelet was originally fitted with the watch or suspect a foul play?

Case and clasp codes are all a approx date when the parts were stamped between X&Y years which is not always when any completed watch was made.Y serials ran from 2002 into 2003 possibly longer and clasps are made separate to the bracelets.

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by Daniel23456

Hey all,

Just wondering, if you were to buy a watch and the clasp code would be different by 2 years from the case serial number (per the internet).
Would you think that the bracelet was originally fitted with the watch or suspect a foul play?

2 years isn’t much. I’ve seen watches where the serial and clasp code were off by 4 years and bracelet had not been replaced. These are just estimates anyway as nobody knows the exact production date of the parts and when watch was assembled etc.

If the dates were like 10+ years off yes that points to a replacement bracelet.

[Daniel23456]

Thanks everyone!

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Daniel23456

Hey all,

Just wondering, if you were to buy a watch and the clasp code would be different by 2 years from the case serial number (per the internet).
Would you think that the bracelet was originally fitted with the watch or suspect a foul play?

Y serials were first seen in 2002 and easily carried over into '04. Internet sites would have you believe that every serial prefix was suddenly minted on a single date and year, a completely impossible task. They all overlapped the prefixes on each side and they each ran for 2 or 3 years - perhaps more if they were released late into the first year.

A Y serial would span 02-04, easily; and a CL bracelet code is usually accepted to be '04. Even those who believe that they came out sequentially would agree that a Y87xxx would be at the latest date. They are a match, not "different by 2 years".

[Daniel23456]

Originally Posted by Tools

Y serials were first seen in 2002 and easily carried over into '04. Internet sites would have you believe that every serial prefix was suddenly minted on a single date and year, a completely impossible task. They all overlapped the prefixes on each side and they each ran for 2 or 3 years - perhaps more if they were released late into the first year.

A Y serial would span 02-04, easily; and a CL bracelet code is usually accepted to be '04. Even those who believe that they came out sequentially would agree that a Y87xxx would be at the latest date. They are a match, not "different by 2 years".