Odd engraving on DJ 1601

[southtexas]

I bought a DJ 1601 with the following:

Non-hacking Non-quickset 1570 movement
'69 stamped caseback
4.34 mil serial number
NO "stainless steel" above serial
"1601" between lugs looks standard for late 60's/early 70's

My research shows me the late 60's-early 70's 1601 cases didn't have "stainless steel" script above the serial number, while later cases (4 mil, for example) did have it.

The serial on this watch is extremely cleanly done and looks 100% "Rolex" to me, but does not have "stainless steel" above serial (looking through loupe, there is no remnant of any marking in its place at all).

Thoughts on this--if a serial was completely decimated for some reason, would RSC assign it a "new" one for it while not replacing the entire case? This serial is close to the known service case numbers...is it a "service serial" put on the original case?

See pics please:








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