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Old 11 December 2018, 01:47 AM   #1
koz123
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Noob Questions

Hi all,

I am looking at a 1984 16660.

I have a few questions.

1. It states it has a service case, what does that mean?
2. The serial number starts with 8,4XX,XXX but the case is 4490644, is that normal?


Watch is for sale at HQmilton.

Thank you all!
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Old 11 December 2018, 02:40 AM   #2
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#1: "Service case" means the case has been replaced. The 'most likely' cause being physically damaged.

#2: I do not know about.
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Old 11 December 2018, 03:23 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by koz123 View Post
Hi all,

I am looking at a 1984 16660.

I have a few questions.

1. It states it has a service case, what does that mean?
2. The serial number starts with 8,4XX,XXX but the case is 4490644, is that normal?


Watch is for sale at HQmilton.

Thank you all!

Yes, service cases are in the 4.4 serial range, so that's correct.

Nothing wrong with a service case, as long as the watch is priced accordingly. It's not original to the watch, of course, so it takes a hit value-wise. However, the good news is that it should be a super nice fat case, so if complete originality isn't mandatory for you, it shouldn't be an issue.
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Old 11 December 2018, 04:07 AM   #4
koz123
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price is $7,350.00
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Old 11 December 2018, 04:56 AM   #5
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Gloss dial?
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Old 11 December 2018, 05:09 AM   #6
koz123
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Gloss dial?
Yes
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Old 11 December 2018, 06:01 AM   #7
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1. As stated above, completely new case which means new serial number as well (to designate that it's a service case). As long as the price reflects it, up to you whether you "accept" it. Some folks prefer to have all original watches, some don't.

2. Serial on case is different to designate that it's a service case. They start with "44XXXXX".
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Old 11 December 2018, 06:13 AM   #8
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Noob Questions

As you are new to vintage, and I can’t predict how long you might keep a vintage SD, my suggestion is to find one without issues that require explaining.

Now if the seller is providing the original Rolex Warranty certificate, the Itemized RSC Service Order noting the new service case and it’s own serial number, and you can’t wait...then you could ask for a bit better pricing IMHO.

(Edit) Just checked his listing - a J3 clasp code means the bracelet may not be original either - that dates to a 1985 issue. Again, maybe fairly close to original but do you need to be explaining this to some future buyer?

Also he has a 1999 SD for $6750 that will become vintage in 10 years if you’re thinking of holding onto it that long.


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Old 11 December 2018, 06:22 AM   #9
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thanks all, I've moved on from it. I am looking at a 168000. Not much information on the watch.

R388XXX serial number dating production to approximately 1987.
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Old 11 December 2018, 06:55 AM   #10
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This thread has me confused. In the original post, it reads it has a, "serial number of 8,4XX,XXX but the case is 4490644, is that normal?"

First off, if the original case was replaced with a service case with a 4.4 million serial number, how would you know what the old serial number was 8.4 million? Is there something from Rolex documenting this case replacement?
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Old 11 December 2018, 07:04 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 77T View Post
As you are new to vintage, and I can’t predict how long you might keep a vintage SD, my suggestion is to find one without issues that require explaining.

Now if the seller is providing the original Rolex Warranty certificate, the Itemized RSC Service Order noting the new service case and it’s own serial number, and you can’t wait...then you could ask for a bit better pricing IMHO.

(Edit) Just checked his listing - a J3 clasp code means the bracelet may not be original either - that dates to a 1985 issue. Again, maybe fairly close to original but do you need to be explaining this to some future buyer?


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Relatively minor point, but that bracelet could definitely be original to the watch, which was an 8.4 million serial, correct for the 1984-85 range.
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Old 11 December 2018, 07:12 AM   #12
koz123
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Sorry my brain tends to go a million miles a minute. I am looking at a 168000 now due to the fact I am not comfortable with a service case.
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Old 11 December 2018, 07:18 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by springer View Post
This thread has me confused. In the original post, it reads it has a, "serial number of 8,4XX,XXX but the case is 4490644, is that normal?"

First off, if the original case was replaced with a service case with a 4.4 million serial number, how would you know what the old serial number was 8.4 million? Is there something from Rolex documenting this case replacement?
Don’t they enscribe it on the caseback?
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Old 11 December 2018, 08:52 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by springer View Post
This thread has me confused. In the original post, it reads it has a, "serial number of 8,4XX,XXX but the case is 4490644, is that normal?"

First off, if the original case was replaced with a service case with a 4.4 million serial number, how would you know what the old serial number was 8.4 million? Is there something from Rolex documenting this case replacement?
Rolex stamps the old serial number on the inside of the new service case back, or they did with vintage/older watches.
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Old 11 December 2018, 09:01 AM   #15
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Go for a matte dial :-)
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Old 11 December 2018, 10:03 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by swish77 View Post
Rolex stamps the old serial number on the inside of the new service case back, or they did with vintage/older watches.
I had a red Sub at one time with the original dial and hands with a service case (4.4 million) and RSC paperwork which contained the original serial number but nothing on the case back with the original number. Interesting about the case backs being engraved as you mentioned. That's a new one on me.
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Old 11 December 2018, 11:36 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by springer View Post
I had a red Sub at one time with the original dial and hands with a service case (4.4 million) and RSC paperwork which contained the original serial number but nothing on the case back with the original number. Interesting about the case backs being engraved as you mentioned. That's a new one on me.
This 1968 1625 got a new case at a service in '06. The original number is engraved in the case back with a line through it and the new number engraved immediately below it. I will get off my lazy a** and get a pic for you.

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Old 11 December 2018, 11:57 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by springer View Post
I had a red Sub at one time with the original dial and hands with a service case (4.4 million) and RSC paperwork which contained the original serial number but nothing on the case back with the original number. Interesting about the case backs being engraved as you mentioned. That's a new one on me.
Yeah, but it's a flawed system, because case backs can be swapped, of course. So technically who knows if a specific case back is actually correct for the replacement/service case to which it's attached. I'd prefer Rolex paperwork that confirms the old serial number and the new one.
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Old 11 December 2018, 12:07 PM   #19
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Yeah, but it's a flawed system, because case backs can be swapped, of course. So technically who knows if a specific case back is actually correct for the replacement/service case to which it's attached. I'd prefer Rolex paperwork that confirms the old serial number and the new one.
The new number is also on the new case, no problems.
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Old 11 December 2018, 01:14 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 77T View Post
As you are new to vintage, and I can’t predict how long you might keep a vintage SD, my suggestion is to find one without issues that require explaining.

Now if the seller is providing the original Rolex Warranty certificate, the Itemized RSC Service Order noting the new service case and it’s own serial number, and you can’t wait...then you could ask for a bit better pricing IMHO.

(Edit) Just checked his listing - a J3 clasp code means the bracelet may not be original either - that dates to a 1985 issue. Again, maybe fairly close to original but do you need to be explaining this to some future buyer?

Also he has a 1999 SD for $6750 that will become vintage in 10 years if you’re thinking of holding onto it that long.


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A 1985 Bracelet on a 1984 Watch is completely acceptable.
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Old 11 December 2018, 01:18 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by Richard Carver View Post
This 1968 1625 got a new case at a service in '06. The original number is engraved in the case back with a line through it and the new number engraved immediately below it. I will get off my lazy a** and get a pic for you.

Wow, is that gorgeous. Nice photography, too.
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Old 11 December 2018, 09:07 PM   #22
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Relatively minor point, but that bracelet could definitely be original to the watch, which was an 8.4 million serial, correct for the 1984-85 range.


Yes, that is true - these internet databases we use aren’t accurate enough to say either way.


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Old 13 December 2018, 01:39 AM   #23
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The new number is also on the new case, no problems.
Yes, but my point was that the old serial number is only inside the case back, which can be easily swapped.
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