Rolex

Bill
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Rolex Vintage: Advertising Models and Dates - Questions

We are always obsessing about validating the dates of vintage Rolex. 

There are several ways of validating the date of your vintage Rolex but the biggest discrepancy always occurs when you have  validated date of sale.  That is to say we can reliably use a combination of the physical attributes like pointed crown guard are usually 1963 and earlier, Swiss only chapter ring seem also to be around the 1963 era, Chapter rings late 1950's to about 1962.  Then we have serial numbers and case backs that give another indication of the born on date. One more not to be overlooked are the chronometer certificates.  These certificates indicate when the watch was certified and these dates are generally around the model date.  But even those certificates can be a year or two out either direction but at least dates the watch to with a reasonable period.

Now you throw into the mix the date of sale which is also generally within a year or two of the other dating mechanisms.  Of course we have all seen watches sold new five six or even ten years later but those are outliers.

Ad for today's post and subject in question we have Rolex Advertising.  Just look at these ads.  The Brochure is copyright 1965 as seen on the last image but the two models shown are at best models from around 1961-1962 both the Submariner and the GMT are chapter ring models.  So the question is was Rolex simply lazy and their agency just used stock photos or was Rolex actively marketing these models as watch available for sale in stores in 1965.

Never a dull moment with Rolex and so much more to learn.

Any thoughts to share.

Bill