Finding Rolex's made during a specific year

[s4rest]

My son is graduating from college next year and I'm thinking of buying a birth year Rolex (1989). Where would I find the Rolex's made during a specific year?

Thanks!


Steve

[Keeperoftime]

A Google search or specific serial range search on the forums in the FS section.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by s4rest

My son is graduating from college next year and I'm thinking of buying a birth year Rolex (1989). Where would I find the Rolex's made during a specific year?

Thanks!


Steve

Well its almost impossible to get a exact year either a L serial ran from 1988 to 1990 then E started .Now this is when the cases were stamped and not always when a watch was made.From 1988/9 the cal 3135 was introduced to most of the Rolex line up like DJ,OPdate,Date Subs, SD etc,and with the cal 3185 in the GMT 11 and Explorer 11.Around this time you could find the last of the 5513 subs 1988/9 that would be a good all round watch to get..

[azguy]

http://www.messinajewelers.com/blog/...erial-numbers/

[HERITAGE82]

A nice last production run 5513 would be a realy cool Sub to have...

[gwalker]

Impossible. You can get close but but no way to get it on the head. An L or E serial would prob do it. IMHO I'd just try to find papers with it purchased that year. The serials are just good guesses.

[krlyuzh]

Originally Posted by s4rest

My son is graduating from college next year and I'm thinking of buying a birth year Rolex (1989). Where would I find the Rolex's made during a specific year?

Thanks!


Steve

Steve,

There is no way to exactly pinpoint the year. My suggestion would be to try and find a used watch with original paperwork which will have the date signed or stamped on it.

[sdwtchlvr]

Originally Posted by padi56

well its almost impossible to get a exact year either a l serial ran from 1988 to 1990 then e started .now this is when the cases were stamped and not always when a watch was made.from 1988/9 the cal 3135 was introduced to most of the rolex line up like dj,opdate,date subs, sd etc,and with the cal 3185 in the gmt 11 and explorer 11.around this time you could find the last of the 5513 subs 1988/9 that would be a good all round watch to get..

+1

[snowbird]

As noted above it's not possible to know for sure when a Rolex was made (maybe Rolex knows but they're not telling). You might be able to find a watch with original papers that was first sold in 1989 though.

[s4rest]

Thanks for your feedback everyone! Since this will be a gift (a very nice one in my opinion...) I would hope there would be minimal auditing of the date.

"The watch was made in your birthyear, 1989." Full stop.

Thanks again


Steve

[gwalker]

Originally Posted by s4rest

Thanks for your feedback everyone! Since this will be a gift (a very nice one in my opinion...) I would hope there would be minimal auditing of the date.

"The watch was made in your birthyear, 1989." Full stop.

Thanks again


Steve

That's very nice of you. I was gifted a Rolex for graduation as well and it means more to me than any of my other possessions (Corvette and Boat included). It marks a very important part of my life and my parents knew how hard I worked in college. I think watches for that kind of life changing point is a great gift that will last a lifetime. Im having to buy my fiance a DJ for a wedding gift and I just put a down payment on an AP but after that a watch from around 1984 will be purchased (30th bday maybe). What I'm doing is just guessing by the serials. If the watch was really made from 1983-1985 is really not going to change the fact that it is a "birth year" watch to ME. You can never be positive so get as close as you can. Buy the best watch you can find and I promise your son will be very happy and it will be his "birth year" watch. Keep us posted and let us know what you find. I think if you can find a watch with sale date on the paper would be better than guessing at the serials. Even if the watch was made earlier the date on the paper actually gives me a date.

[Speed]

Does your son wear a watch?

If not, it may not be a gift he would appreciate.

[s4rest]

Originally Posted by Speed

Does your son wear a watch?

If not, it may not be a gift he would appreciate.

Well....not now. You bring up a good question!!!

However, he's an industrial engineering major aiming for a position in a consulting firm and has expressed an interest in a nice watch.

For some reason, my wife thinks this is another excuse to go watch shopping. Can you believe that???




Steve

[Welshwatchman]

An L serial 5513 would be a good choice.

It's as near as damnit close to the 1989 manufacture date as you'll likely get and it's also a great watch at a reasonable (for Rolex) price.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by s4rest

Well....not now. You bring up a good question!!!

However, he's an industrial engineering major aiming for a position in a consulting firm and has expressed an interest in a nice watch.

For some reason, my wife thinks this is another excuse to go watch shopping. Can you believe that???




Steve

Well...if he's interested. That's great!