Newbie with serial number query

[Deaf Stan]

Hello all,

I have a question regarding the serial number between the lugs of my Oyster Perpetual (ref 6564 date: 1956)

The serial # it *looks* like it says 126xxx but that can't be right as that would give a date of 1938; there *may* be a badly worn away "1" in front of the number or it may just be a light vertical scratch or mark but is it is a "1" then 1126xxx would be 1956, which would be very right.

Does that sounds OK to you? Is this a common issue?

Thanks

[HERITAGE82]

Pictures would help, but it is common for serial #'s to wear off over time if there was bad bracelet fitment.

[andromeda160]

Rolex restarted the SNs in 1955 from 100k, your 125k SN is correct for 56

[Deaf Stan]

Thanks, very helpful.

This site https://beckertime.com/lookup-rolex-serial-by-year/ suggested it was a 1938, which I knew wasn't right (caseback is stamped 1/56 and the model / movement is clearly from the 1950's)

But this site seems more accurate and certainly more comprehensive:

http://oysterinfo.de/en/detailinfos/...mern/index.php

Thanks again

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by andromeda160

Rolex restarted the SNs in 1955 from 100k, your 125k SN is correct for 56

Once again...there are many examples of serial numbers after the reset less than 100k.

This is something that was considered at one time to be the case that has over time been discounted.

They restarted at 0 from all that I can tell.

[R.W.T.]

I owned a IV 55 watch with a 112xxx serial. So 126xxx is certainly plausible for I 56

The inside of your case back will have the correct stamp inside.

[Deaf Stan]

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

I owned a IV 55 watch with a 112xxx serial. So 126xxx is certainly plausible for I 56

The inside of your case back will have the correct stamp inside.

Datecode inside the caseback is "I.56" -- but I know backs can be swapped around. Almost certainly not in this case, though: numbers seem to match up well.

Thanks all