ant1 Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 in short, bought the watch several years ago as a franken, in the original listing had one serial number, and in the process of gathering info for potential resale yesterday, realized the actual serial is different than advertised. it has been to modders since arrival so this is in no way a call out or accusation, could be a simple misstep and if not gen I'll accept my loss. but don't want to pass it off as gen if it isn't. the case is a 4.39 serial. ORIG ROLEX DESIGN on opposite end. from short reading, it sounds like there are RSC Service Cases from the 4-3-4.9 million range , allowing it to possible match the ORIG ROLEX DESIGN designation that is typical of newer serials. but it could all be crap and wanted to double check before I sold something as gen, that isn't. as it is franken, case was acquired seperate from the bezel, etc, per the sale ad thanks y'all for any input Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mymanmatt Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 looks gen to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droptopman Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 Matt would be the best source. If he says it is gen, it is gen... Nice looking watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant1 Posted July 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 thanks fellas Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 From the research I've done trying to get my S/N engraving as close as I can that serial is from 1975 and the case should be marked "REGISTERED DESIGN." Cases marked with "ORIG ROLEX DESIGN" started around 1982 unless my research is totally wrong... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant1 Posted July 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 From the research I've done trying to get my S/N engraving as close as I can that serial is from 1975 and the case should be marked "REGISTERED DESIGN." Cases marked with "ORIG ROLEX DESIGN" started around 1982 unless my research is totally wrong... I am nearly 100% ignorant in the knowledge of all this, but that is most definitely correct. The thing that complicates it is according to some sources, there are apparently service cases from the RSC and those actually come inscribed with ORIG ROLEX DESIGN and those serials run from the high 4.3-4.7 range. Causes quite a stir with owners as they get their watch back and the serials now don't match, but yet are associated. Who knows. I will likely withdraw the watch, it is currently for sale, but if it's debatable, don't really want to take the chance of hosing someone and rather just keep the watch if it's gonna take a 2-300 hit in value. Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 I suppose a service replacement case would be a possibility, hadn't considered that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automatico Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 "I suppose a service replacement case would be a possibility..." I have seen quite a few of these acrylic quick set cases that were badly corroded so there might be some replacements floating around. The replacement cases are 44----- and 47----- iirc. Since it is a 'Frankenstein' the origin of the case (original or replacement) does not have a whole lot of effect on the value and if the bezel is solid white gold as this type of bezel on a steel watch should be, it will boost the value. I have a high mileage 16014 and I just now looked at it but the serial number is worn off. It still has ORIG ROLEX DESIGN showing on the other end though. Looks like it had a hard life but not much corrosion, I guess that is why I saved it. Since Frankensteins have no papers or history, this type of watch is basically what the seller says it is within reason and the case looks Ok to me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 I did some web crawling and this S/N range is in that which was dedicated to replacement cases. I love it when I can learn new stuffs... Here's a quote from a Mod at TRF: All replacement cases known have started with 4,4xxxxx until exhaustion; then they started with 4,7xxxxx. This also confuses me as this example is a 4,3xxxxx S/N. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 A 16030 case would have originally had a SN in the 5.8mil range to the 9 mil range. But the engravings on that case look good so I'd figure 4.39mil is close enough to be a Rolex replacement case. As automatico says, the case in a DJ franken isn't that big a deal, the WG bezel looks good , dial is original, DWO is correct and if it's got a good eta movement, it's still an excellent watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted July 13, 2016 Report Share Posted July 13, 2016 You're right, I'm just trying to keep my serial number "trivia" straight so I can do better at engraving... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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