Rolex

 Based on empirical research to date, what serial number range would you put this watch configuration in, possibly R thru to L2 maybe?

Beyond L2 would people start to question, feeling its too late! 

So mine at L424 would raise a few eyebrows and raise a few question marks in some quarters. I can understand that even though I had prior to buying the watch, seen over the years, two original 16528 with L5 serial numbers with the 200mph bezel and floating cosmograph dial, which would certainly not tie in with the L5 steel version configuration. I could just kick myself for not copying the pictures of the L5 16528s for reference purposes at the time.

 So for the last 7 years I've been searching the net to find another and with absolutely no luck.That is until yesterday, when I came across another exact same specification ie white floating cosmograph dial and 200 mph bezel 16523 piece for sale at Time in Motion with a L424 serial number quite close to mine. I remember well my discussions at the time with Gatsby, who at the end of the exchange put it simply 'why would anyone put such an expensive dial and bezel on such a late serial number watch, if it wasn't original to the piece?' So now, some 7 years on I know of 2 L424 floating cosmograph 16523's both white dials, so maybe a small batch of watches.

 So for me, the moral of the story is do your own research,stick at it no matter how long it takes, question empirical research and accepted norms, and apply commonsense and seek advice from well respected members of the community who have a good understanding of those particular pieces. Shorten the odds by buying from respected dealers and network with knowledgeable members. As more research is done on the less popular pieces we will find over time that the accepted conventions will come under greater scrutiny and change as more examples come to light. On this occasion from my research to-date, the bi-metal and gold pieces do not follow the steel serial number range for floating cosmograph conventions and can be found in much later pieces.

 kind regards 

 John

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