Any help highly appreciated - Rolex Oyster Perpetual

[Matilda]

Hi!

I'm new to this forum and this is my first post - apologies if this is posted in the wrong place!
My other half's 30th birthday is coming up this year, so I thought I'd treat him to a watch (his first one!) and would preferably buy one from his birth year or close to it.

I stumbled upon a Rolex Oyster Perpetual, which will be auctioned off this weekend (auction house), there is barely any information on this so I've emailed them asking if they could provide the first few numbers of the serial number so I can see how old the watch is. Unfortunately they couldn't provide me the serial number but sent me additional photos. Is there any way I can determine how old this watch is (rough number is fine) just from the bracelet number (7835019)?

Apologies, I know nothing about watches really so I thought I'd come here and ask the professionals :)

Any help is highly appreciated of course and many thanks in advance!

[Toronto Soup King]

Is that a 1018??? I'd seriously consider buying it if I were you, coincidentally I'm in the process of buying a very similar one as I type this, from one of the forum members here. If I were your SO I'd be delighted to receive and proud to wear such a charming vintage piece...I'm wearing my 1016 today, the 1018 is similar and similarly excellent IMO. Best of luck eh

[motoikkyu]

Could also be a 1002, it depends on whether 34mm or 36mm case. It might matter, depends if he likes larger or smaller watches.

[Toronto Soup King]

Aha, yes, I was looking at the history of the OP but missed that reference, 34mm is too small for this 6'2" guy whereas 36 looks great. Rolex's conservative design philosophy is great for us vintage lovers but at the same time there are quite a few very similar-looking references, not easy to see the difference in size in a photo. Thanks!