Reference:Serial-numbers: Difference between revisions

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Catalogues date individual [[Reference:3134|3134]] cases: 126947 to circa 1941, 529380 to circa 1946, and 104396 to the 1950s. These lot-level estimates leave no reliable serial sequence for the reference. For another 3134, compare its number with the movement, case details and dated papers; an assay mark can provide a separate date clue. [https://uhren-muser.de/en/archives/101/50620 Dr. Crott, case 126947]; [https://uhren-muser.de/catalogues/en/Crott_91_US.pdf Dr. Crott, case 529380]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-3134-lot-272-143 Antiquorum, case 104396].

Catalogue dates for three [[Reference:4643|ref. 4643]] watches show why each estimate belongs to its case: Antiquorum dates case 641390 to 1948 ([https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-5 2006 Geneva lot 5]); Christie’s dates case 568342 to circa 1950 ([https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4211171 2003 London lot 97]); another Christie’s watch, case 824707, is dated 1952 ([https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5612415 2012 Geneva lot 204]). These catalogue estimates do not form a continuous serial sequence. A Glasgow or Edinburgh assay mark on an example that may predate 1948 can help date the case; it remains separate from the watch’s assembly or delivery.

The 3525 records show why dates should stay attached to individual watches. Antiquorum dates the [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-163-311 Nutting case 185,983] to 1941; Sotheby’s dates [https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/important-watches-n10082/lot.183.html case 186,144] to circa 1942 and [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/important-watches-part-ii/monoblocco-ref-3525-stainless-steel-chronograph case 372,822] to circa 1945. Sotheby’s describes an earlier group with the reference and serial on the outer caseback, and a later group with the reference inside and the serial between the lugs. These are auction-house estimates, not a Rolex production ledger. A serial alone does not establish when a watch was made or delivered.

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 Catalogues date individual [[Reference:3134|3134]] cases: 126947 to circa 1941, 529380 to circa 1946, and 104396 to the 1950s. These lot-level estimates leave no reliable serial sequence for the reference. For another 3134, compare its number with the movement, case details and dated papers; an assay mark can provide a separate date clue. [https://uhren-muser.de/en/archives/101/50620 Dr. Crott, case 126947]; [https://uhren-muser.de/catalogues/en/Crott_91_US.pdf Dr. Crott, case 529380]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-3134-lot-272-143 Antiquorum, case 104396].
+Catalogue dates for three [[Reference:4643|ref. 4643]] watches show why each estimate belongs to its case: Antiquorum dates case 641390 to 1948 ([https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-108-5 2006 Geneva lot 5]); Christie’s dates case 568342 to circa 1950 ([https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4211171 2003 London lot 97]); another Christie’s watch, case 824707, is dated 1952 ([https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5612415 2012 Geneva lot 204]). These catalogue estimates do not form a continuous serial sequence. A Glasgow or Edinburgh assay mark on an example that may predate 1948 can help date the case; it remains separate from the watch’s assembly or delivery.
 The 3525 records show why dates should stay attached to individual watches. Antiquorum dates the [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-163-311 Nutting case 185,983] to 1941; Sotheby’s dates [https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/important-watches-n10082/lot.183.html case 186,144] to circa 1942 and [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/important-watches-part-ii/monoblocco-ref-3525-stainless-steel-chronograph case 372,822] to circa 1945. Sotheby’s describes an earlier group with the reference and serial on the outer caseback, and a later group with the reference inside and the serial between the lugs. These are auction-house estimates, not a Rolex production ledger. A serial alone does not establish when a watch was made or delivered.