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Fishrus · 17 September 2018, 12:08 AM

How much leeway do you give a watch's serial number for it to truly be a birthyear watch?

I'm looking to get a 1988 sub and found a 5513 that looks pretty decent. However it's a series L instead of R. Which means on paper its a 1989(if im not wrong) watch. However it was probably manufactured in 1988.

Thoughts and opinions?

BlackOnyx · 17 September 2018, 12:40 AM

Although very nice to have a birthyear watch, my top 3 criteria would be quality, quality and quality.

Maybe the day I get kids, I'll buy a great watch and put the exact date on the registercard.

springer · 17 September 2018, 04:17 AM

I would not consider an "L" serial a birth year watch for 1988. Personally, I'd find a decent watch that I like and worry less about this "birth year" hype.

Tom1675 · 17 September 2018, 04:58 AM

Vintage is attractive to all of us on this forum in large part because of the life the watch has lived... I have a 2.1m piece which puts it to late 68-69, I was born in 71 and I like that we've been around a similar amount of time... I didn't buy it as a birthyear piece, I bought it b/c the piece was great and I trusted the seller without question.

Tools · 17 September 2018, 06:41 AM

R serials first came out in '87 and L was the next prefix release in late '88.

I don't really see the appeal of "birth year" watches, but how much closer do you think that you can get?

Fishrus · 17 September 2018, 11:50 AM

I see, thanks for all the inputs. May pull the trigger on it since i was born on Sep 88.

tekno · 17 September 2018, 01:53 PM

Let it be a bonus rather than a stipulation. When I was looking for a GMT the only one that fit what I wanted, yet was in my price range just happened to be an 83. If You narrow your search to that specific year you probably will pass up some nice watches.

Your better off moving to the earlier 80’s and finding a matte dial Sub. I would assume they are going to be more collectible down the line. I bet if you are patient you could pick it up for a similar price too.

You would want to get this checked out, but look at this There are cheaper ones but they all are at a Jeweler in NYC. This seems to have papers.

https://www.chrono24.com/en/rolex/ra...US&SETCURR=USD

17 September 2018, 12:08 AM	#1
Fishrus "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Real Name: Goh Location: Singapore Watch: 116622 Posts: 438	Serial Number for Birth Year watch. How much leeway do you give a watch's serial number for it to truly be a birthyear watch? I'm looking to get a 1988 sub and found a 5513 that looks pretty decent. However it's a series L instead of R. Which means on paper its a 1989(if im not wrong) watch. However it was probably manufactured in 1988. Thoughts and opinions? __________________ Watches owned: Rolex GMT II 126710BLRO \| Patek Philippe 5205G \| Audemars Piguet 15500ST \| Rolex DJ 16233 \| Tudor BBBBB 79250BB \| Ball DM1036A

17 September 2018, 04:17 AM	#3
springer 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: jP Location: Texas Watch: GMT-MASTER Posts: 17,197	I would not consider an "L" serial a birth year watch for 1988. Personally, I'd find a decent watch that I like and worry less about this "birth year" hype. __________________ Member of NAWCC since 1990. INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.

17 September 2018, 06:41 AM	#5
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,049	R serials first came out in '87 and L was the next prefix release in late '88. I don't really see the appeal of "birth year" watches, but how much closer do you think that you can get? __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

17 September 2018, 11:50 AM	#6
Fishrus "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Real Name: Goh Location: Singapore Watch: 116622 Posts: 438	I see, thanks for all the inputs. May pull the trigger on it since i was born on Sep 88. __________________ Watches owned: Rolex GMT II 126710BLRO \| Patek Philippe 5205G \| Audemars Piguet 15500ST \| Rolex DJ 16233 \| Tudor BBBBB 79250BB \| Ball DM1036A

17 September 2018, 01:53 PM	#7
tekno 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Texas Watch: Tudor Snowflake Posts: 1,044	Serial Number for Birth Year watch. Let it be a bonus rather than a stipulation. When I was looking for a GMT the only one that fit what I wanted, yet was in my price range just happened to be an 83. If You narrow your search to that specific year you probably will pass up some nice watches. Your better off moving to the earlier 80’s and finding a matte dial Sub. I would assume they are going to be more collectible down the line. I bet if you are patient you could pick it up for a similar price too. You would want to get this checked out, but look at this There are cheaper ones but they all are at a Jeweler in NYC. This seems to have papers. https://www.chrono24.com/en/rolex/ra...US&SETCURR=USD

17 September 2018, 12:40 AM	#2
BlackOnyx "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 51	Although very nice to have a birthyear watch, my top 3 criteria would be quality, quality and quality. Maybe the day I get kids, I'll buy a great watch and put the exact date on the registercard.

17 September 2018, 04:58 AM	#4
Tom1675 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Real Name: Tom Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,172	Vintage is attractive to all of us on this forum in large part because of the life the watch has lived... I have a 2.1m piece which puts it to late 68-69, I was born in 71 and I like that we've been around a similar amount of time... I didn't buy it as a birthyear piece, I bought it b/c the piece was great and I trusted the seller without question.

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