rare vintage Submariner. Value ?

[James_5513]

I hope this link works:

https://i.imgur.com/abGMCSc.jpg

[James_5513]

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Info: Watch seems to be very worn and ugly. Thats not true. No deep scratches on glas and metal. What you see is skin scoring, dust and other human crud. Can be rubbed of with a tissue

Is it normal that this model has no code/number graved in the case behind the bracelet end ?

[Kingface66]

Is it normal that this model has no code/number graved in the case behind the bracelet end ?

No. It is not normal. Do you have the watch in your possession? If so it would help immensely if you could clean it up a bit and post some clear...that is, in- focus...photos of the case between the lugs (behind the bracelet end). Both sides. A lot of old watches can get worn down there making the number engravings hard to see.

[JohnnyM]

If he wants to sell it, then go together to your local jewelry district and get two offers for it. Tell him you will give him $500 more than the highest one. You will obviously get a deal and he will be happy too. Everyone wins, and you will also confirm its authenticity in the process.

[dhknola]

^ I wish they were all that easy!
Jewelry stores seem to not pay extra for vintage models. I always laugh when someone post something here to the effect of "They offered me $3500/$5,000/etc" on a PCG, tropical sub or gmt.

[James_5513]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

No. It is not normal. Do you have the watch in your possession? If so it would help immensely if you could clean it up a bit and post some clear...that is, in- focus...photos of the case between the lugs (behind the bracelet end). Both sides. A lot of old watches can get worn down there making the number engravings hard to see.

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Hi Kingface66:

I checked again. Had to clean it. But the numbers where barely not readable with a magnifier. -> 8332XX

Does somebody know what these numbers mean exactly?
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[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by James_5513

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Hi Kingface66: I checked again. Had to clean it. But the numbers where barely not readable with a magnifier. -> 8332XX

Does somebody know what these numbers mean exactly?
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Are you certain there isn't one more digit? Maybe in front of the 8? An 833,2XX would put it at 1962, and the case would have pointed crown guards (this one does not), not to mention a very different dial.

[dbhak22]

Originally Posted by James_5513

astonishing that a simple insert costs 2K ....
I did't expect that

If you continue to research and dive into (pun intended) the world of vintage Rolex, you will be astonished over and over until you become desensitized to the point where it seems logical to pay thousands more for the same reference just because the depth rating has meters before feet, :)

[dhknola]

hahaha^^^
Oh, this one says submariner in red...

[James_5513]

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just found an other number engraved by hand on the backside: CH83490
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[James_5513]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Are you certain there isn't one more digit? Maybe in front of the 8? An 833,2XX would put it at 1962, and the case would have pointed crown guards (this one does not), not to mention a very different dial.

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YES, you are right: It says 28332XX
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[James_5513]

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So: 28332XX and CH83490

any idea what both numbers mean? Especially CH83490
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[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by James_5513

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So: 28332XX and CH83490
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CH83490 means nothing. It was probably scratched in by an owner once upon a time.
28332XX places the case to around 1970/71

[James_5513]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

CH83490 means nothing. It was probably scratched in by an owner once upon a time.
28332XX places the case to around 1970/71

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who scratches in a strange number beginning with CH ???
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[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by James_5513

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who scratches in a strange number beginning with CH ???
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Old telephone exchanges in the US used two letters denoting a longer word. Like, GR(amercy)5-2772, or, my old number, EM(erson)2-9729.

You gotta remember, when these watches were new they were only a couple hundred bucks, not thousands of dollars. I've seen plenty of old guitars with serial numbers, phone numbers, names, etc. engraved and carved into them. Not unusual.

[Sherbie]

I,ve also read on forums that these strange numbers could also be either dealers stock numbers or service marks ( not all watchmakers marked the inside of the case back, apparently)

Not sure if there is any truth in either of these “so called facts”


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[James_5513]

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Hi,
I just came back from the Rolex dealer.
The number CH83490 is a dealer number which was hand engraved after a past service. Anybody a dealer list which shows which dealer used this number?

The clockmaker at Rolex opened the watch. Everything as it should like. Case, movement, model have matching numbers. Movement in good shape. Dial original ! Clockmaker literally said "a very nice piece".

[offrdmania]

There are no lists of watchmaker/dealer marks. Each one has their own internal code and would be near impossible to document who is who. There will probably be more of them scratched in on the inner side of the case back. A lot of time the letters are the watchmakers initials and the numbers will signify the date that the service was done.

[baumare]

Some watchmaker or dealer used to mark the watch like that, Astrua in Italy for example engraved every Rolex they sold or service:

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