Hi all.
Just looking inside my DateJust case back and noticed these numbers, nothing to do with the serial between the lugs so what else could they be? The watch is a factory diamond dial, could it be anything to do with that?
Thanks, Michael

 

OK, I am going to take a stab at it. I think the bottom number (16000) refers to the reference number and the top number (9166724) might be the serial number. According to various sites I looked up a serial number starting at 8614000 was made in 1985 and a serial number starting with 9290000 was made in 1986. So that watch was made towards the end of 1985. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

 

Thanks, you are correct about the reference number (16000) but the other number is not the serial number, it does not tally with what is between the lugs but is original to this watch, the Rolex service paperwork tallies with the Rolex service marks inside too so it is not a case back from another watch.
I have never seen numbers like this in a DJ only a double red Seadweller
I was wondering if it might relate to the diamond dial maybe?

Thanks, Michael.

 

Ohh ok i got ya. Then I have no idea what that number might be. Interesting. I am going to do some more digging.

 

I'm absolutely not into RLX, but I don't think so.

I have seen other diamond dialed watches with just "16000" inside the caseback.

But it looks like the caseback has been polished/brushed inside. The factory stampings don't seem so sharp and crisp as usual, while the digits must have been engraved later.

My 2c...

 

It's common to have a 16000 case-back on any 160xx SS datejust. I don't know what the 7-digit number is. I haven't seen that before on a DJ.

 

@michael e I am curious about something. Where did you get the watch? If you purchased the watch at a reseller maybe it's just some number that the store/distributor put on the back? I say that only because the 16000 looks different then the other number. That 7 digit number looks like it was put on at a later date like it almost looks new and not original?

 

Hi.

The number looks very much like Rolex serial numbers that are usually in between lugs but Rolex Djs never had serial numbers inside the case backs, I spoke to the original owner myself who bought the watch from new, I have never heard of ADs putting their own serial numbers inside the case back but anything is possible.

 

If there were two more digits, I would have guessed that someone stamped their SS number inside. That's been known to happen.

 

Hey Dan, What is an SS Number? Is it like a serial number?

 

Sorry, in the US, people used to use their social security number as an ID number. At one point, the police recommended marking your valuables with that number so they could be identified if stolen. They are 9 digits, however, and usually they aren't marked so professionally.

 

Oh a social security number. I thought it was some Rolex watch code for Special Security number or something lol.

 

I sold a President for an friend of a friend with the dead husbands SS number neatly engraved inside the back. Nobody wanted it even though it was immaculate, they all thought it was stolen.

 

Could be SS# with 2 digits left off. If that is the case, I think it is the first two. SS# don't start with 9 yet, if I am not mistaken.

 

The engraving of the digits looks like done by pantograph and in RLX font, as @michael e mentioned above.

 

They look too perfect to have been done after the fact, perfectly done and correctly aligned with the other lettering. Most likely done by Rolex at time of manufacture. In the past some retailers (Tiffany for one) would engrave their own identification number on their items, and some countries would require the same for import regulations. How they got there and what their exact purpose was is probably lost to history.

 

One could also consider the different spacings of the stampings, but I'm not experienced enough to tell what is right or wrong (meaning different, so regular tolerance or not...):

 

Isn’t it a case band swap at Rolex, and then they engrave the original serial in the case back ?

 

Could be the movement number? Rolex watches have a serial numer (between the lugs) and also a different movement number engraved on the base plate:

 

Hi.
Case band swaps do not carry a normal serial number, replacement Rolex cases are in the 44xxxxx range or 47xxxxx range.
The watch also has two Rolex service dates in the inner case back and I have both receipts with the correct Rxxxxx serial written on them, I also have the original tag too. So that number doesn’t relate to a mid case swap.
Cheers, Michael