Have I been sold the wrong watch

[Tools]

Originally Posted by mcilwain

. . . I spent many hours researching this sight for helpful ideas to making a purchase, however as soon as I started raising these questions the AD just dismissed this type of site as people who where not dealers but enthusiast.

It came with the paperwork which shows the date of purchase as 19/1/82.
The green wallet, watch case and guarantee show a serial number 0f 645****,
The model number on the guarantee is a 16800.

I queried the serial number with the AD as I thought it should be a 7.2 -7.75 million serial number , to which he replied that Rolex originally said that the 7.2 - 7.75 million was from that date but changed there mind due to unauthenticated record...

In addition the bracelet and clasp has been changed, which I was told but the only number I can see on the strap is 78360 on the clasp (no year or month marking) and 78360 on the bracelet wit 501 B on one of the ends as well.

. . .

I have to laugh at that AD comment.. In our view, Dealers are nothing but sales outlets and very few of them have any useful information or knowledge.. Like their serial number statement.. Rolex has never released any production data, and so they could not have said one thing then changed their mind..

In any event, your serial number is close enough to be late '81 or early '82, which your paperwork confirms. Dating by serial number only gets you within a couple of years and is not that precise.

If you are happy with the bracelet, don't worry about it.. It is rare that you would have an original bracelet on a 30+ year old watch. What matters most is that it is in good condition.