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Reference:Serial-numbers: Difference between revisions

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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.
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.
Early chronograph catalogues also show why an individual case number needs its own evidence. Christie’s dated Rolex ref. 2021 case 12'010 to circa 1925; Phillips later catalogued the same case as a 1934 watch. These are conflicting auction estimates, not a serial-chart date or a confirmed production year. [[https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4596639 Christie’s, case 12'010]] [[https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/115419 Phillips, case 12'010]]
For early Oyster ref. 2081, Antiquorum links case 599744 to its 1947 catalogue date and case 63715 to its 1948 date; Christie’s records case 37'271 with a Glasgow import letter for 1937. Toovey’s transcribes “5557 CH” over “2081” on another caseback. These remain individual object records rather than entries in a year chart. [[https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-226 Antiquorum, case 599744]] [[https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-203-675 Antiquorum, case 63715]] [[https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5130485 Christie’s, case 37'271]] [[https://www.tooveys.com/lots/536665/a-rolex-oyster-chrome-plated-cushion-cased-gentlemans-wristwatch Toovey’s, caseback inscription]]


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== Early references and hallmark dating ==
== Early references and hallmark dating ==


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. Antiquorum dates [[Reference:1573|case 57,605 on ref. 1573]] to the 1930s. Its photographs show a crowned SAR stamp inside the back, but the lot does not assign it a date. Vintage Watch Straps notes that the mark appears on some Rolex casebacks; it is not used here as a year code. [https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/myrolexpage.php Vintage Watch Straps] For an imported pre-1948 case, use a Glasgow or Edinburgh assay mark only when the office and date letter can be read, then compare the case number with examples of the same reference.
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.


Sotheby’s dates [[Reference:1645|Prince Imperial case 1,003,765]] to circa 1945; its caseback photograph shows 1,003,765 beside the 1645 stamp. A separate movement number, 1,000,823, appears on the movement. The inner caseback also carries a crowned SAR mark, but the catalogue assigns it no date. Compare the case number with examples of the same reference; no Glasgow or Edinburgh assay date is reported for this steel case. [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2023/important-watches-online/prince-imperial-reference-1645-a-rolesium-steel Sotheby’s lot 331]
Ref. [[Reference:1925|1925]] shows why patent marks and case numbers need separate treatment. Christie’s lists case 25658 with Glasgow import marks dated 1928. Bonhams records a Dublin import mark for 1928 and labels 260554 a case number. The British Museum transcribes 260554/1925 below “Great Britain Patents” on another early Oyster case; that object is not identified as ref. 1925. Christie’s separately prints “20302/260554” as its circa-1925 lot number. The museum’s patent inscription shows why catalogue numbers should stay attached to their recorded markings rather than being normalized as serials. The import marks provide dates for the individual cases.
 
Ref. [[Reference:6094|6094]] shows how catalogue estimates can conflict even for the same watch. Antiquorum dated case 744253 to 1961 in 2010, then to 1951 when the watch returned as lot 291 in 2012; 1951 also falls near the published serial table's 710,776 (1951) and 840,396 (1952) entries. Nearby 88x,xxx cases carry three different lot dates: Bonhams gives circa 1952 for 881574 and records IV.52 inside its caseback, Antiquorum assigns 1962 to 882812, and Christie's gives circa 1954 for 882963. Treat IV.52 as a caseback date and each year as a catalogue estimate for its lot. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-242-134 Antiquorum, 2010, lot 134]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6094-tropical-lot-262-291 Antiquorum, 2012, lot 291]; [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/29893/lot/85/ Bonhams, lot 85]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6094-oysterdate-precision-lot-313-138 Antiquorum, lot 138]; [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-4970197 Christie's, lot 313].


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]
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]
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For [[Reference:6074|ref. 6074]], Antiquorum and John Goldberger date a two-piece platinum commission to 1950, but publish no case serials for those watches. Antiquorum's 1990 gold lot gives a 1950s estimate without a case number; its 2025 gold lot says the case number was no longer visible. Henrik Korpela's restored gold example had 6030 and 6031 scratched out on the caseback before 6074 was stamped over them. These records do not form a serial sequence. Compare the individual case and movement marks; the 1-50 code in Goldberger's image dates the bracelet component. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-146-67 Antiquorum 1992]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-155-397 Antiquorum 1990]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6074-datejust-ovettone-lot-381-223 Antiquorum 2025]; [https://watchesbysjx.com/2015/05/explained-restoring-a-1950s-rolex-oyster-perpetual-ref-6074.html Korpela, 2015].
For [[Reference:6074|ref. 6074]], Antiquorum and John Goldberger date a two-piece platinum commission to 1950, but publish no case serials for those watches. Antiquorum's 1990 gold lot gives a 1950s estimate without a case number; its 2025 gold lot says the case number was no longer visible. Henrik Korpela's restored gold example had 6030 and 6031 scratched out on the caseback before 6074 was stamped over them. These records do not form a serial sequence. Compare the individual case and movement marks; the 1-50 code in Goldberger's image dates the bracelet component. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-146-67 Antiquorum 1992]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-155-397 Antiquorum 1990]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6074-datejust-ovettone-lot-381-223 Antiquorum 2025]; [https://watchesbysjx.com/2015/05/explained-restoring-a-1950s-rolex-oyster-perpetual-ref-6074.html Korpela, 2015].
=== Oyster Perpetual 6567 dated examples ===
Five catalogued 6567 case numbers can be compared with Pergola's chart bands. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6567-lot-272-420 Antiquorum] dates case 118,945 to 1955; it falls in the 63,425–139,166 band labeled 1955. [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6424370 Christie's] dates case 65,560 to circa 1954, within the same band. [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-63 Antiquorum] dates case 147,691 to 1956, the first number in its next band, and case [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6567-oyster-perpetual-lot-336-263 422,647] to circa 1959, within a band labeled 1958. [https://www.gazette-drouot.com/lots/33816816-rolex-oyster-perpetual-ref---- Gazette Drouot] dates case 358,531 to circa 1958, while Pergola's band containing it is labeled 1957. Pergola's chart is unofficial and auction dates are estimates; these comparisons offer case-level checks, not a 6567 serial range.


=== Oyster Perpetual 1005 dated examples ===
=== Oyster Perpetual 1005 dated examples ===
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|-
|-
| [[Reference:1862|1862]] || 280,124 || 18K yellow (1862A variant) || c.1930 || Sotheby's NY 2018 n09911 lot 53
| [[Reference:1862|1862]] || 280,124 || 18K yellow (1862A variant) || c.1930 || Sotheby's NY 2018 n09911 lot 53
|-
| [[Reference:1880|1880]] || 032’871 || stainless steel || c.1935, as catalogued by Sotheby’s || [https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/important-watches-ge1901/lot.166.html Sotheby’s Geneva, May 2019, lot 166]
|-
| [[Reference:1880|1880]] || 012043; caseback also marked 1880 || steel with yellow-metal stepped sides and lugs || c.1930, as catalogued by Sworder || [https://www.sworder.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-339---a-gentlemens-stainless-steel-rolex-mechanical-strap-watch-c1930/?lot=509695&sd=1 Sworder, November 2024, lot 339]
|-
|-
| [[Reference:1491|1491]] || not given || 18K yellow gold jump-hour Brancard || Glasgow Import mark 1930 || Bonhams sale 29152 lot 23
| [[Reference:1491|1491]] || not given || 18K yellow gold jump-hour Brancard || Glasgow Import mark 1930 || Bonhams sale 29152 lot 23
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| 6222 (Eaton presentation) || not given || automatic Oyster || presentation inscription 1929–1954 || Antiquorum Hong Kong 2005, sale 86, lot 19
| 6222 (Eaton presentation) || not given || automatic Oyster || presentation inscription 1929–1954 || Antiquorum Hong Kong 2005, sale 86, lot 19
|}
|}
Christie’s gives “No. 015759 1880” on a steel caseback and “no. 1880 8829” in the title of a pink-gold watch. The title does not identify 1880 as a reference. Christie’s dates the latter watch’s Glasgow import mark to 1932.


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.
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.
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== Sources ==
== Sources ==
* [https://www.gazette-drouot.com/lots/33816816-rolex-oyster-perpetual-ref---- Gazette Drouot, ref. 6567, case 358,531]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6567-lot-272-420 Antiquorum, ref. 6567, case 118,945]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6424370 Christie's, ref. 6567, case 65,560]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-63 Antiquorum, ref. 6567, case 147,691]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6567-oyster-perpetual-lot-336-263 Antiquorum, ref. 6567, case 422,647]


* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080115/50 Phillips 2015, ref. 6611 case 214,124, dated 1956]
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080115/50 Phillips 2015, ref. 6611 case 214,124, dated 1956]
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* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6075-oyster-perpetual-officially-certified-chronometer-lot-351-147 Antiquorum, 2022, ref. 6075 case 715511]
* [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]
* [https://www.cambiaste.com/uploads/auctions/807-cambi_orologi_719_2022_05_eb.pdf Cambi Aste, 2022, ref. 6075 case 715.xxx]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-203-530 Antiquorum, ref. 6094/6294, case 745061]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-242-134 Antiquorum, ref. 6094, case 744253, 2010 date]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6094-tropical-lot-262-291 Antiquorum, ref. 6094, case 744253, 2012 date]
* [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/29893/lot/85/ Bonhams, ref. 6094, case 881574 and IV.52 stamp]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-6094-oysterdate-precision-lot-313-138 Antiquorum, ref. 6094, case 882812]
* [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-4970197 Christie's, ref. 6094, case 882963]
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