Production year lookup?

[Faustomiami]

Hi all, searched online and on the forum and I know it's hard to pinpoint but is there a site or chart you guys use more than not to lookup production year by serial?
I've used Bobs and Becker and they give different years.

Looking for a birth year model hence why it's more important than most, usually I wouldn't care much.

Thanks

[365DAS]

Hi there,

I’ve used this site before but can’t confirm how accurate it is but gives you a broad idea however I can’t post links yet due to being a newbie but if you google est1987 then it may come up

[pickettt]

https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-serial-numbers

[Faustomiami]

Thanks, but yea bob gives me 1983 and est1897 and Becker give me 1982. Lol. Never thought I would care so much but yea given birth year I don't want to spend 10k then it's wrong year. Smh..

[Faustomiami]

Is there a Gold standard vintage or collectors use? Don't know why Rolex doesn't just put one out.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Faustomiami

Thanks, but yea bob gives me 1983 and est1897 and Becker give me 1982. Lol. Never thought I would care so much but yea given birth year I don't want to spend 10k then it's wrong year. Smh..

That calculator is one of the worst for dating a watch, it seems..

The real point is that there is no actual production date database that is published by Rolex. Almost all dates are observations and purchases by enthusiasts over the years, those knowns are plugged into a list of other known dates, and Internet charts are populated.

The best you can do is have a guess that is within a year or two. If you must have as close as possible, you need to do your research and pick a block of numbers that are most likely to meet your criteria.

[Faustomiami]

thanks guys, ive checked 6 lookup lists 3 say 1983 and 3 say 1982.. so im gonna have to just trick my mind into thinking its 82.. lol thanks again

[goldenpauls]

Again it isn't a guarantee but if you find a watch you think may be in the right serial number range you could ask for the clasp code (or look at it)...... most sources say that 1982 is G and 1983 is H...... there will then be a number between 1 & 12 being the month (ie clasp code G7 is July 1982 etc).
Cheers Paul

[77T]

Any watch over 25 years old will be difficult to date based on a clasp code since the bracelet or clasp might not be original.

When databases differ there is a good reason - less reliable reporting.

If you know the year you’re seeking, then limit yourself to full sets with original paperwork fully completed.

Still not perfect but you’ll be more certain when all 3 indicators line up: serial number, clasp code and dated papers.

The one resource I use the most (to at least get in the right neighborhood) are the lists on the minus4plus6.com website.


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