Novice question - Production years and serial numbers

[104peterb]

Hi all,

Would somebody mind explaining how to read the production year numbers in the back of a rolex caseback, i.e. When you see III.66 or IV.66 for example engraved underneath the model number number?

Also, anyone know how I can match a serial number with the production year to make sure it's all correct? Just want to make sure it all matches up, and can't work out how you all do it.

Many thanks in advance.

[Vincent65]

Inside the case-back, the stamps tell you in which quarter of the year the watch was produced (or case, at least).

Here's a useful link to a site which I use to approximate serial no.s/dates of production. There are lots available, and they are not definitive, but a pretty good guide.

http://www.oysterworld.de/production-dates.html

[Paul]

The caseback date inscription refers to the calendar quarter when the case-back was produced.
So for instance, a caseback stamped I.66 was produced sometime January / February / March in 1966.

And the VI.66 case-back inscription is a quirky one cos. there are of course only 4 quarters in a year.
A rare mistake by Rolex some say - along with the Pateted (sic) bracelet clasp.

The case-back date code should be a reasonably close match to where the serial number fits in on the manufacturing date records.
Never a perfect science with Rolex though.

Pic. poached from VRF annals ......

[104peterb]

Thanks all, very helpful

[Mark020]

What do you mean?

[springer]

Originally Posted by 104peterb

Hi all,

Would somebody mind explaining how to read the production year numbers in the back of a rolex caseback, i.e. When you see III.66 or IV.66 for example engraved underneath the model number number?

Also, anyone know how I can match a serial number with the production year to make sure it's all correct? Just want to make sure it all matches up, and can't work out how you all do it.

Many thanks in advance.

From my experience, the serial number charts are not very accurate, at least through the 1970s. Most prefer the case back stampings to more accurately date a Rolex. I have found that beginning in the early 1980s, the serial number charts seem to be much more accurate to date a Rolex.

Below is a thread I posted in the Reference section comparing various case back numbers to their serial numbers.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=350245