Reference:Serial-numbers: Difference between revisions

The table is selective, with gaps between some entries. For a number outside it, compare documented examples of the reference. A matching row supplies an estimate, not proof of manufacture, assembly or sale in that year.

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Catalogue dates differ even for nearby case numbers on the [[Reference:6244|Oyster Royal 6244]]. [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/96544 Phillips dates case 834,991 to 1952]. Christie's gives [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5731475 circa 1959 for case 836,438] and [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5158176 1962 for case 836,447], only nine numbers apart. These catalogue dates do not establish a continuous production sequence. The reference page lists further examples.

== Letter serials (1987–2010) ==

For early [[Reference:prince|Prince]], [[Reference:bubbleback|Bubbleback]] and manual Oyster references such as [[Reference:3478|3478]], compare the case number with examples of the same reference and material. A chart covering later Oyster production may not describe an earlier case-number sequence. British hallmarks on precious-metal cases provide a separate assay date. Steel cases need other evidence.

A photographed [[Reference:1069|ref. 1069]] caseback carries 21,836 below the reference. The dealer dates it to the 1940s, while the serial reconstruction's first listed point is 23,969 for 1928. That comparison does not give 21,836 an exact year. An auction archive also reproduces a Bonhams description for case 21,431 with a 1940s date; it is the same watch listed twice, not an independent dating sequence. Neither record supplies a British assay mark. [https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/watches/wrist-watches/rolex-nickel-silver-cushion-shaped-oyster-original-dial/id-j_18189072/ 1stDibs caseback photographs]; [https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster/ref-rolex-1069/lpi Bonhams entries]

Christie's catalogues three circa-1940 [[Reference:3064|ref. 3064]] cases: 56'924, 269'204, and 282'453. These are catalogue associations with individual watches, not a serial-year chart or production boundary. The records are [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5758921 New York lot 63], [https://www.christies.com/zh/lot/lot-5674834 Geneva lot 341], and [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5790151 Geneva lot 240].

For [[Reference:6075|ref. 6075]], Antiquorum dates cases 685,082 and 714,441 to 1950, while Phillips dates case 714,440 to 1951. Antiquorum gives circa 1951 for case 715,511; Cambi Aste assigns circa 1961 to an incomplete case number 715.xxx. The catalogues conflict, and their estimates do not establish a serial range or prove a production end year. Compare the engraved case number, movement and any independent date evidence on the individual watch. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-122 Antiquorum 2006, lot 122]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6075-lot-283-107 Antiquorum 2014, lot 107]; [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080515/284 Phillips 2015, lot 284]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6075-oyster-perpetual-officially-certified-chronometer-lot-351-147 Antiquorum 2022, lot 147]; [https://www.cambiaste.com/uploads/auctions/807-cambi_orologi_719_2022_05_eb.pdf Cambi Aste 2022, lot 96].

=== Oyster Perpetual 1005 dated examples ===

Auction catalogues date 1003 case 512,833 to circa 1960 and case 573,835 to circa 1960; the certificate accompanying case 573,835 is dated 22 December 1960, which dates the certificate rather than proving the case’s production date. Other catalogued examples include case 531,734 (circa 1966), case 1,197,501 (1964), case 3,044,042 (1972), case 3,960,865 (circa 1975), and case 5,426,177 (1977). A Glasgow import mark dates a 9K case to 1961, while a 1966 receipt accompanies a separate 9ct example. These individual records do not form a serial-year chart or establish production limits. [https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2014/important-watches-ge1401/lot.216.html Sotheby’s, case 5,426,177]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-171-486 Antiquorum, case 3,044,042]; [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/fine-watches-3/oyster-perpetual-ref-1003-stainless-steel Sotheby’s, case 3,960,865].

=== Day-Date 6511 case examples ===

|-

| [[Reference:1862|1862]] || 280,124 || 18K yellow (1862A variant) || c.1930 || Sotheby's NY 2018 n09911 lot 53

|-

| [[Reference:1491|1491]] || not given || 18K yellow gold jump-hour Brancard || Glasgow Import mark 1930 || Bonhams sale 29152 lot 23

| 6222 (Eaton presentation) || not given || automatic Oyster || presentation inscription 1929–1954 || Antiquorum Hong Kong 2005, sale 86, lot 19

|}

These examples use several case-number ranges across different materials and references. A high number does not establish a later production date across the whole Prince family. Antiquorum dates the two 3361 cases numbered 899,568 and 899,677 to 1952; the presentation dates on Eaton watches record later events in their ownership. None of these observations establishes a family-wide production endpoint.

* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6075-oyster-perpetual-officially-certified-chronometer-lot-351-147 Antiquorum, 2022, ref. 6075 case 715511]

* [https://www.cambiaste.com/uploads/auctions/807-cambi_orologi_719_2022_05_eb.pdf Cambi Aste, 2022, ref. 6075 case 715.xxx]