Close-up of the serial number reported by officials at Rolex Service Center for Ian Fleming's 1016 Explorer: Same watch, same work order (service) number, but indicating a different serial number
As I wrote on this James Bond Watches Blog last Friday, there’s no question that you wouldn’t want to rely solely upon serial number (case number) listings to definitively identify a vintage Rolex wristwatch.
No less than Ian Fleming’s own Rolex 1016 Explorer, circa 1960 — the literary James Bond watch — proves it.
A few years ago, within the same week, 2 different Rolex Service technicians looked at that same watch.
Each verified it as having a different serial number, based on physical examination of the markings between its lugs.
The first said that 596351 was its serial number.
The second said that 596851 was its serial number.
Above-left is a close-up of the case number reference on the first, “Acknowledgement” paperwork. My December 9, 2011, blog posting here shows a close-up on the later, “Estimate” documentation.
At this point, all experts who’ve examined Ian Fleming’s Rolex agree on one thing: It’s impossible to tell from what we have which is case number is correct.
If this were an episode of MythBusters, I supposed we’d say that “the myth that a matching serial number proves Rolex watch authentication” has been busted.
But, like I’ve said before: This specific evidence, related to both James Bond watches and vintage Rolex, was presented at an annual conference of the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors well-over two years ago.
Image courtesy Ian Fleming family estate
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