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.

[theloxmyth]

Click THIS LINK for a decent serial number reference!

Yours is listed as 1963ish.

[BBH]

Originally Posted by theloxmyth

Click THIS LINK for a decent serial number reference!

Yours is listed as 1963ish.

My serial number is 6 digits... The "1963ish" numbers are 7 digits. Your referenced chart shows me as 1940.

[theloxmyth]

Originally Posted by BBH

My serial number is 6 digits... The "1963ish" numbers are 7 digits. Your referenced chart shows me as 1940.

WOW! (Sorry...)

[nikhsub1]

Very interesting, do you have any pics of the watch?

[SLS]

Could it be that one of the numbers has been worn off?
Scott

[Balboa]

The Datejust was introduced in 1945. I believe you have a 1963 watch. You might check that number again.

Mark

[Tools]

That's right.. The Datejust and it's Jubilee bracelet were introduced at Rolex 1945 Jubilee Celebration..

It's likely that either a number has been rubbed off, or it is illegible, or somewhere along the line, it was re-cased....

[BOA]

Perhaps having serviced it before, Rolex USA will have a record of the correct serial number.

[rajurama]

how about a photo?

[PHPuser]

Qualitytyme puts it around the 4th quarter of 62. Others put it in the late 50's. In 53-54 they redid the numbers starting at 10000 I beleive. hence you would see a number such as 367xxx in the 50's.
http://www.qualitytyme.net/pages/numbers.html

[Tools]

With your watch, it is likely easy to know when it was produced..

Inside the case-back Rolex stamped the manufacture date on watches from the 50's into the 70's, so it will likely have a stamp inside such as "II63" for the second quarter of 1963.

[PHPuser]

oops I misread the numbers Qualitytyme puts it at around 55 or 56

[BBH]

Originally Posted by Tools

With your watch, it is likely easy to know when it was produced..

Inside the case-back Rolex stamped the manufacture date on watches from the 50's into the 70's, so it will likely have a stamp inside such as "II63" for the second quarter of 1963.

I think I will take it in and get the case back screwed off....(or take this opportunity to buy a Bergeron Case back tool!!!!

There is no "missing" or misread digit. It says "164808".

[BBH]

Originally Posted by PHPuser

Qualitytyme puts it around the 4th quarter of 62. Others put it in the late 50's. In 53-54 they redid the numbers starting at 10000 I beleive. hence you would see a number such as 367xxx in the 50's.
http://www.qualitytyme.net/pages/numbers.html

That would make sense as I believe I bought it in 1964... but your referenced page shows "869868 ......................IV 1962", while my serial number is "164808". Not even close.

[deserted]

Can't wait to see a pic.............

[BBH]

Originally Posted by PHPuser

oops I misread the numbers Qualitytyme puts it at around 55 or 56

Oops, me too, but those Qualitytyme numbers don't make much sense. Wouldn't my number, 164808, be in between these?

143509 ...........................1942
230878 ...........................1943

I think I need to open the case. I will try to get a readable picture.

[BBH]

Originally Posted by Tools

That's right.. The Datejust and it's Jubilee bracelet were introduced at Rolex 1945 Jubilee Celebration..

It's likely that either a number has been rubbed off, or it is illegible, or somewhere along the line, it was re-cased....

Hmmmm..re-cased? Long years ago, I was told by ROLEX that the winding stem (where the cap screws onto the watch...) was "slightly stripped" and that I should have it replaced. I said "ok". I was under the impression that the "tube" that the cap screws onto was simply replaced. Is it possible that that operation required a "re-casing", and that it was done with an old case? I can't believe this, for numerous reasons, not the least of is that it would be a pretty cavalier change out of my serial number without telling me about it, but I am curious...

And, I assume if it was "re-cased", the case back may (or may not) be my original case back. Very curious.

[BBH]

I ordered a case opener... I shall let you know!!!

[Idle Swede]

Originally Posted by BBH

Oops, me too, but those Qualitytyme numbers don't make much sense. Wouldn't my number, 164808, be in between these?

143509 ...........................1942
230878 ...........................1943

I think I need to open the case. I will try to get a readable picture.

How can that be if your watch wasn't even released then?

[PHPuser]

what i referred to in my second reply was this taken from qualitytyme.com
139477 .........................I 1956
282632 .......................III 1955

[abigsecret]

Originally Posted by BBH

Hmmmm..re-cased? Long years ago, I was told by ROLEX that the winding stem (where the cap screws onto the watch...) was "slightly stripped" and that I should have it replaced. I said "ok". I was under the impression that the "tube" that the cap screws onto was simply replaced. Is it possible that that operation required a "re-casing", and that it was done with an old case? I can't believe this, for numerous reasons, not the least of is that it would be a pretty cavalier change out of my serial number without telling me about it, but I am curious...

And, I assume if it was "re-cased", the case back may (or may not) be my original case back. Very curious.

Nah, the case tube is replaced with almost every service on every oyster service. They wouldn't replace the case for that.
I'm curious to see the case back too!!

[Cato]

The Nex used to carry Rolex? Wow!

[padi56]

The 1603 started into production around 1959 but just have a look at bottom of dial at 6 oclock in vintage watches if it says Swiss its the old Radium type dial pre 1960.If it says Swiss T <25, or T SWISS T its from 1960 on till around 1998.

[Lol-x]

The cases for 1603s were not made in the 1940s or 1950s so you can be safe knowing that your watch is not old stock.

Any Rolex made in the 1960s is now called 'vintage' so don't worry about that.

Either it is a Rolex renumbering anomoly, or one of the numbers, either at the start or end has rubbed off (this sometimes happens due to the movement of the endlink rubbing against the case).

[BBH]

Originally Posted by abigsecret

Nah, the case tube is replaced with almost every service on every oyster service. They wouldn't replace the case for that.
I'm curious to see the case back too!!

A "case cracker" is on order !!! And, I learned a new term, "case tube".

[BBH]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

The cases for 1603s were not made in the 1940s or 1950s so you can be safe knowing that your watch is not old stock.

Any Rolex made in the 1960s is now called 'vintage' so don't worry about that.

Either it is a Rolex renumbering anomoly, or one of the numbers, either at the start or end has rubbed off (this sometimes happens due to the movement of the endlink rubbing against the case).

As I just posted, a "case cracker" is on order. I just broke out the loupe again and the only thing I can figure out is that the initial digit, what I believe is a "1", is a scratch. That, however, would only complicate things. Hopefully, the case back will "tell the tale".

[BBH]

Originally Posted by padi56

The 1603 started into production around 1959 but just have a look at bottom of dial at 6 oclock in vintage watches if it says Swiss its the old Radium type dial pre 1960.If it says Swiss T <25, or T SWISS T its from 1960 on till around 1998.

The dial has "T SWISS T" at the 6 oclock position. As I said, I bought it from the Navy Exchange in Rota, Spain in the 1964 time frame.

[BBH]

Originally Posted by Cato

The Nex used to carry Rolex? Wow!

Well, it was 45 years ago.

[diverdick]

My 1965 watch is a 1280531 so I'd guess there is a missing 7th digit (probably a 1) which preceeds your serial number. 1164808 would be around 1964.