Most accurate serial number lookup?

[daOnlyBG]

I just realized Bob's Watches isn't necessarily the only serial number reference out there; that is to say, other websites (i.e., this one) yield different results.

I have an older Datejust listed for sale elsewhere, and after looking up its 5.8million serial number on Bob's Watches, someone asked if I was sure it's from 1979 and not 1980 (prob for birth year reasons). Naturally I searched for different sources and realized the discrepancies.

May I ask where the knowledgeable folk on this fine forum go to find reliable serial number years?

Thanks in advance!

[Kingface66]

Sadly, there is no perfect chart, as no one outside of Rolex knows for sure.
This one on our own forum here, is pretty solid...plus, it’s got bracelet date codes, too

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=54362

[Dan S]

There's no way to know for sure, and IMO as a seller you should not be in the business of providing speculative information. Give the buyer the serial number and let him figure it out. If the watch has the original bracelet, give him the date code on the clasp as well.

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Sadly, there is no perfect chart, as no one outside of Rolex knows for sure.
This one on our own forum here, is pretty solid...plus, it’s got bracelet date codes, too

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=54362

Hey, a big thanks to you and to the mod Tools for helping me out. I think I'll just tell any prospective buyers it was made between '78 and '79, but most likely in '78, and show them the chart you linked.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by daOnlyBG

I just realized Bob's Watches isn't necessarily the only serial number reference out there; that is to say, other websites (i.e., this one) yield different results.

I have an older Datejust listed for sale elsewhere, and after looking up its 5.8million serial number on Bob's Watches, someone asked if I was sure it's from 1979 and not 1980 (prob for birth year reasons). Naturally I searched for different sources and realized the discrepancies.

May I ask where the knowledgeable folk on this fine forum go to find reliable serial number years?

Thanks in advance!

I go by this one. It's as accurate as any out there, but like all of the lists, it's a guide, not gospel.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=54362

For a 5.8 million case, I'd say closer to 1978. Keep in mind that a birth-year watch quest often needs to have some flexibility of a year or two. What is it being based on ... the year the case was made and/or engraved, year the watch was assembled, year the watch left the factory, year the watch was sold? So many variables.

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by Dan S

There's no way to know for sure, and IMO as a seller you should not be in the business of providing speculative information.

Up until a couple hours ago, I didn't think this was "speculative information." Alas, yes, I will just provide the serial range.

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by swish77

Keep in mind that a birth-year watch quest often needs to have some flexibility of a year or two. What is it being based on ... the year the case was made, year the watch was assembled, year the watch left the factory, year the watch was sold? So many variables.

That's a really good point. I have the papers with the watch and the calendar card included is for 1982, which leads me to personally think it was sold in '81-'82 (but I am not stating that in the listing). It'd be nice if the warranty paper was filled out (location, date, etc.) but it's only hole-punched with the watch's serial number in the corner.

All this to say that yes, the timing is hard to pin down.

[springer]

Originally Posted by daOnlyBG

I just realized Bob's Watches isn't necessarily the only serial number reference out there; that is to say, other websites (i.e., this one) yield different results.

I have an older Datejust listed for sale elsewhere, and after looking up its 5.8million serial number on Bob's Watches, someone asked if I was sure it's from 1979 and not 1980 (prob for birth year reasons). Naturally I searched for different sources and realized the discrepancies.

May I ask where the knowledgeable folk on this fine forum go to find reliable serial number years?

Thanks in advance!

It could be considered late 1978 or early 1979

[carl5]

Nice post, been willing to ask similar question.

[DialGuys]

Rolexserial.com does it

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by DialGuys

Rolex_____l.com does it

This sounds like a scam ($199 to receive information from Rolex's records), and blatant advertising in the signature line.