Old, old stock??

[BBH]

I have a SS DateJust I bought from the Navy Exchange in Rota, Spain in 1964. I have had it serviced by ROLEX USA on a few occasions, so there is no doubt it is genuine. On my last service visit, at a local jeweler of good reputation, but not an AD, he made a comment when he returned my DateJust ... "your antique watch is ready." I just thought he was being cute and didn't ponder his remark anymore.

I just took the band off to look for the serial number. Engraved between the lugs at the 12 oclock position is "1603"; the model number. At the 6 oclock, the serial number "164808" is engraved. Here's the rub. My research suggests that is a 1940-1942 serial number.

Could my watch have been in Navy stores that long, or could they have acquired some really old watches from who ever their supplier was?

"164808" is a 1940-42 serial number, isn't it? Now I get the "antique" comment.