Serial number question

[drew83]

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a vintage SS Datejust 1601. The serial number between lugs reads 2,403,xxx. I looked up the serial number chart online and am unsure whether its year of production is 1968 or 1969. Does the chart state first, last or random serial of each given year ? To understand my rather foolish question, 1968 was a sort of milestone in the history of my country and as such feels special to me (Russian invasion of then Czechoslovakia which threw the country back into darkness for 21 more years).

Thank you very much for your kind advice and my apologies if this has been posted before. English is not my maternal language so please pardon any imperfections here too.

Cheers, O.

[Brisman]

There are a number of charts available, some may be first, last or random so it's a hard question to answer.

Anyway, from the chart I use, your watch seems to be a very late 1968.

May be others can help.

[drew83]

Hi Brisman,

thank you very much for your quick response. I thought it too to be the second half of 1968 although more by approximation than certainity. It is my 1st Rolex and im already in love - which is going to be a lasting one as the prices of new/more popular vintage models are way beyond my reach.

Regards to the other half of the globe
Ondra

Here it is (the Hirsch heavy calf strap with white stitching makes it look awesome):

[GinGinD]

Is that a linen textured dial? Very nice. I have a gold 1601 from about the same time. We never could date it exactly (we being my watchmaker and me).

Jeannie

[drew83]

Yes it is a linen textured dial, thank you for your compliment. I dont know how special these were back then but in my humble opinion they look far better than those with plain dial. I like the watch very much even though the dial itself is not perfect (some minute markings gone, only a slight hint of patina with no serious spotting-perhaps due to the linen?), however that gives the watch a character (it's vintage after all). I wish I looked that well in 44 years (I'm 29 now) !

I also have a 1970 Cal.564 Connie and I must say that when I look at these two watches side by side, Rolex wins. I wasn't aware of the fact that Rolex also made pie-pan dials prior to purchasing this watch (not knowing which company was the first to feature them anyway)

Ondra

Here is a clearer picture of the dial with all the mentioned shortcomings visible: