Numbers stamped on what part of the movement?

[Blubarb]

Just looking at movement numbers and notice all the 186 and 1861s have the movement number stamped/engraved on the same particular part. Can you tell me what this part is called? Is it the wheel Bridge?

I know it seems an odd question, but for my own education, isn't this part made and stamped independently and then most likely thrown into a parts bin to be pulled out at some point in the future when the movement is being assembled - if this is so then a 33.XXX.XXX movement may be in stock a year or two before say a 29.XXX.XXX which is finally pulled from the parts bin. Just throwing it out there. So, on this basis, an Omega movement number is no real guarantee of year just a range of production within a range of years. Yes? No? Like to hear your thoughts on this small distraction?

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by 4mat

Just looking at movement numbers and notice all the 186 and 1861s have the movement number stamped/engraved on the same particular part. Can you tell me what this part is called? Is it the wheel Bridge?

I know it seems an odd question, but for my own education, isn't this part made and stamped independently and then most likely thrown into a parts bin to be pulled out at some point in the future when the movement is being assembled - if this is so then a 33.XXX.XXX movement may be in stock a year or two before say a 29.XXX.XXX which is finally pulled from the parts bin. Just throwing it out there. So, on this basis, an Omega movement number is no real guarantee of year just a range of production within a range of years. Yes? No? Like to hear your thoughts on this small distraction?

Escape wheel bridge.

[SearChart]

Can't answer the other question, but I think it would be odd if stamped parts would lay around for years, I think they just end up at a batch and will be finished and assembled soon after production.

[Blubarb]

The Rolex Forums search bar is truly a friend. I found this by jmsrolls tucked under a Sticky (http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=48380)

"Every Speedy Pro has a unique number on the escape wheel bridge. (On later model Speedy Pros, this number is also engraved on the back of the 7:00 lug.) Most refer to this as the movement number but more accurately, this number should be called the "escape wheel bridge" number. As they are machined and engraved, these individually numbered bridges are collectively placed in parts bins awaiting assembly into the movements.

During the assembly process, these numbered bridges are randomly selected from the bins and installed along with the other parts. No one takes the time to remove them from the bins in order; i.e., first in, first out. Note that this selection process might permit a bridge to sit in a bin for years before being used.

Once assembled, the movements are "put on the shelf" for later installation in the cases. Again these movements are randomly pulled for installation in the cases. No one takes the time or the effort to insure "first in, first out". It may be some time (even years) before an assembled movement is installed in a case.

Obviously, the parts bin may contain a mixture of bridges produced over the years a particular movement was produced. For example, the cal. 1863 has been in production since the mid-1990s. The parts bin could conceivably contain bridges manufactured and numbered in 1996, or any year since, creating the possibility that a movement assembled in 2008 might have a bridge number dating from 1996. Likewise, a movement assembled in 1996 could sit on the shelf for years until being installed in a case in 2008.

I'm not a mathematician but the probability of the movement/bridge numbers providing any useful (i.e., accurate) information regarding date of manufacture is negligible in my opinion..."