Vinatage Rolex due dligence advice please

[phelix_da_kat]

Morning fellow TRFers,

I am preparing myself for taking the vintage plunge.. :-)

Am doing research and learning about a few pieces - trying collate advice about due diligence.

So here's my query please..

1) Serial number vs Date stamp
Do serials always match the date stamp on the inside of the case?
Is it acceptable they are sometimes a couple of years out?
If they are out of sync, what is more common, the serial or the stamping being "older"?

2) case date stamp.
Are these always in the format of [roman numerals representing the month][arabic numbers for the year].
Or can they be all arabic numbers?

3) Sometimes I see scratchings or writen numbers on the inside of the caseback.
Does this refer to when the watch was serviced?


Thank you for your advice.. Promise to share pictures once I find somthing special..




(PS apologies for my spelling mistake..)

[LI Matt]

1. Those serial-number charts you see online are as close to accurate as they can be, but they aren't perfect. I'd allow for about a year off the case stamp, but no more than that.

2. I've never seen one that wasn't Roman-Arabic.

3. Yes. Whenever the service techs go in, they leave a memento on the caseback.

Happy hunting!

[Passionata]

Originally Posted by phelix_da_kat

Morning fellow TRFers,

I am preparing myself for taking the vintage plunge.. :-)

Am doing research and learning about a few pieces - trying collate advice about due diligence.

So here's my query please..

1) Serial number vs Date stamp
Do serials always match the date stamp on the inside of the case?
Is it acceptable they are sometimes a couple of years out?
If they are out of sync, what is more common, the serial or the stamping being "older"?

2) case date stamp.
Are these always in the format of [roman numerals representing the month][arabic nuimbers for the year].
Or can they be all arabic numbers?

3) Sometimes I see scratchings or wrriten numbers on the inside of the caseback.
Does this refer to when the watch was serviced?


Thank you for your advice.. Promise to share pictures once I find somthing special..




(PS apologies for my spelling mistake..)

if you want to be sure go and bring the watch to Bexley


Rolex Watch Co Ltd
Heath End Road
Bexley
Kent DA5 2AA
Telephone:
01322 521436 fax 01322 521436

Fax:
01322 559434

[phelix_da_kat]

Thank you Matt.. much appreciated.

Do you have any other general recommendations or tell tail signs, not necessarily model specific, please?

FYI:
I have been looking specifically at a 1680 Red Sub. I know Mark Larman has a great page and DoubleRedSeaDweller is a great resource.

And maybe an old Explorer.

[phelix_da_kat]

Thank you George!
- I have added the Bexley details to my address book, as I was wondering where the best place would be for those of us in the UK.

Btw, do you work for Bexley?

[Passionata]

FYI:
I have been looking specifically at a 1680 Red Sub. I know Mark Larman has a great page and DoubleRedSeaDweller is a great resource.

And maybe an old Explorer.[/QUOTE]


in case you want a red sub , bexley has to be on your list first ,there are many converted ones/from white->red/that we passionate users cannot judge at first sight.

[LI Matt]

Originally Posted by phelix_da_kat

Do you have any other general recommendations or tell tail signs, not necessarily model specific, please?

BUY THE SELLER. Don't give money to anyone unless you have confidence they will deliver.

When you settle on a model, do a Google Image search and look at lots of pictures to familiarize yourself with what the watch should look like, and then see if your target matches up.

Always get a look at the movement. Rolex movements don't look like anyone else's. Also, you can see if the service has been kept up.