I need some Rolex experts to help me on this one!

[thewatchguy1]

Hi everyone,
So I had this watch for a while now, its most been sitting in my safe and from time to time I take it out and I did so for service 2 weeks ago.

It went through a full service at a Rolex center and when I looked closer at the watch I found some things I want to know more about.

First of all, the watch is an L series, so 1989-1990, and its the third time I service it and everything with the watch and movement it self is in order.
But I have some concerns about the bracelet. (On vacation now and im using my iPhone so sorry for the bad pics)

The watch was purchased in SWEDEN and there is a 18k gold stamp on the bracelet followed by a three small crowns which symbolizes Swedish gold.

Please look at the pictures and let me know what you guys think.

The watch is L series, and one side of bracelet it says;
401B and under that 93153
On other side it says;
493 and under that 93153 then and 18k gold stamped followed by a hall mark followed by MET.

[Micha]

you just posted this a couple of days ago

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=377703

[bayerische]

What's the problem?

[thewatchguy1]

The problem is the bracelet. Im not familiar with the bracelets having a gold stamp and the MET stamp, want to know what that is

[bondtoys]

some countries recquire these extra hallmarks when an item in precious metal is imported.
It seems to me that sweden has a kind of national gouvernmental control for precious metal where all imported items are checked and accordingly hallmarked

I used to live in Austria and until 2001, every imported precious metal item had to be presented, checked and hallmarked at a national office.

Edit: you can read a bit more about the swedish catspaw hallmark here:

http://www.thomas-skipton.co.uk/Hallmarks.htm

[crowncollection]

Originally Posted by bondtoys

some countries recquire these extra hallmarks when an item in precious metal is imported.
It seems to me that sweden has a kind of national gouvernmental control for precious metal where all imported items are checked and accordingly hallmarked

I used to live in Austria and until 2001, every imported precious metal item had to be presented, checked and hallmarked at a national office.

Edit: you can read a bit more about the swedish catspaw hallmark here:

http://www.thomas-skipton.co.uk/Hallmarks.htm

X 2 this correct

[thewatchguy1]

Very very nice! Thank you guys for this amazing information!

[thewatchguy1]

By the way, since the government required these stamps.
Does that make the price less or more for those watches since government only required that for a short period.

[locutus49]

If this is genuine like everyone believes, why is it in the Watch Out sub-forum? Just curious.

[crowncollection]

Originally Posted by locutus49

If this is genuine like everyone believes, why is it in the Watch Out sub-forum? Just curious.

All authenticity questions and scams are threaded in this section. This section was set up to help members

[locutus49]

Thanks, that makes sense.

Originally Posted by crowncollection

All authenticity questions and scams are threaded in this section. This section was set up to help members

[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by thewatchguy1

By the way, since the government required these stamps.
Does that make the price less or more for those watches since government only required that for a short period.

Short period? It was required by the Swedish government between 1752 and 1986. Before that it was required by the guilds from 1473. 500 years isn't exactly short.

Also, you could only call it gold if it was at least about 18-19k. This was changed in 1988 and since then you may sell stuff with lower gold content and still call it gold. So any Rolex sold as being made of gold before 1988 has to be at least 18k.

I reckon the stamp has no impact on the price.