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Old 29 June 2020, 12:28 AM   #1
shiftf7
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Rolex 1655 serial number font.

I just got a 1655 Explorer,
7.4M serial, when i look at the serial number engraving it looks a bit sloppy, anyone with the same serial number range familiar with this?
Everything else checkes out ok with this watch.
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File Type: jpeg 1655 - 1 (3).jpeg (165.3 KB, 250 views)
File Type: jpeg 1655 - 1 (2).jpeg (132.6 KB, 246 views)
File Type: jpeg 1655 - 1.jpeg (127.7 KB, 249 views)
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Old 29 June 2020, 05:34 AM   #2
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Old 29 June 2020, 06:05 AM   #3
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Here are a few for you for comparison. I don't see any issues with your serial number engraving. I believe Rolex was still using pantograph engravers during the 1960s. This type of engraving is not exact and while the numbers appear similar in appearance they are never exact since it is done by hand.
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File Type: jpg Img_3232.jpg (33.2 KB, 222 views)
File Type: jpg serial.no.smallest.jpg (56.9 KB, 221 views)
File Type: jpg serial number.smallest.jpg (17.5 KB, 218 views)
File Type: jpg model.sm.jpg (57.0 KB, 218 views)
File Type: jpg Img_2831sm.jpg (78.4 KB, 224 views)
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Old 29 June 2020, 06:44 AM   #4
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Quote:
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Here are a few for you for comparison. I don't see any issues with your serial number engraving. I believe Rolex was still using pantograph engravers during the 1960s. This type of engraving is not exact and while the numbers appear similar in appearance they are never exact since it is done by hand.
Thank you, I also checked some 1655’s on MQ Milton, its not uncommon these sloppy engraving in this period.
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Old 29 June 2020, 06:45 AM   #5
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Wow that was really helpful...
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Old 29 June 2020, 06:51 AM   #6
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[QUOTE=214270Explorer;10710222][/
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Old 29 June 2020, 08:37 AM   #7
springer
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I missed an edit on my post above. It should have read ... I believe Rolex was still using pantograph engravers during the 1980s. I mistakenly wrote 1960s instead of 1980s.
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Old 29 June 2020, 10:06 AM   #8
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I’m with John, the engravings look fine, consistent with other engravings from the early ‘80s. Just look at some sold watches in the archives of dealers (HQ Milton, for example), and you’ll see plenty of 7 million serial numbers that look similar.

The perfection of modern engravings didn’t really exist 40 years ago, not with Rolex anyway.
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Old 29 June 2020, 10:24 AM   #9
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Very informative replies. I had a Rolex 1501 that looked like the last two digits were hand written, and no one fakes a 1501.
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Old 29 June 2020, 10:28 AM   #10
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Very informative replies. I had a Rolex 1501 that looked like the last two digits were hand written, and no one fakes a 1501.
I have to agree. I’ve learned a few thing today.
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Old 29 June 2020, 10:28 AM   #11
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I caught this as well. Lol
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Old 29 June 2020, 10:31 AM   #12
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Wow that was really helpful...
I think that was a “display of actual int....”
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Old 29 June 2020, 10:42 AM   #13
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I think that was a “display of actual int....”
Possible
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Old 29 June 2020, 09:09 PM   #14
shiftf7
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Its known as "drunk engraver" apparantly.
I saw someone with a 1680 that had the same.
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Old 1 July 2020, 12:23 AM   #15
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To expand on the knowledge base......

Has anyone ever seem font like this on a service case?
Ive never seen the round 3’s.....usually flat 3’s.

Any input is appreciated
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Old 1 July 2020, 01:05 AM   #16
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I have an old pantograph engraving machine. Over time the brass letters tend to get worn on the edges and can lead to sloppy lettering.
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