Birth year Sub for 1974, what should I expect?

[Martylaa]

Having just purchased a Sub 14060M I now want to get another Rolex for my birth year 1974.
I would love another Sub or maybe a GMT?
What can I expect and should I look out for then if I get the chance to buy one?

[Yeager]

It was a down year for production if I recall. I have found and owned one 1680 from 1974.

[Martylaa]

Down year?
Typical haha....

[Rolexis]

Originally Posted by Yeager

It was a down year for production if I recall. I have found and owned one 1680 from 1974.

Its hard to get the exact year I watch. Even if you bought the thing in 1974 new it probably was a 71 or 73 model back then. I would look for a era CORRECT watch like a 70's 1680, 5512, 5513, 1675, or even maybe a 1016. I would think a 60s watch will be of better collecting value but any vintage you find will make you happy. There is something special abt vintage sports watches and the way they look and feel. I would trade any new watch for an old Daytona or exp or red seadweller. If you want something special go for a red 1680. Worry more abt era correct than actual birth year

[cruvon]

A 74 sub will be a ref.1680 MK6 red sub(depending on serial number some MK6's can be from 73 too), you will need to go by the serial numbers and not the purchase date since a watch could have been purchased a few years after it was produced. Since these serial charts are not set in stone you might be off by a year or at the most two.

I have used these serial charts here, note that some have access to private internal Rolex charts that could cause these serial numbers to be off by a year. Judging the exact year is not an exact science thanks to Rolex,so allow a years leeway.

James Dowlings serial chart here
http://www.timezone.com/library/archives/archives0104
and
http://www.oysterworld.de/production-dates.html

[madkimchee]

check this thread out!

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...Serial+numbers

[springer]

1974 was somewhat transitional for the red Submariners. White dialed Subs were also being transitioned in then also, that is if you go by the accepted dates for case stampings. 39xxxxx case stampings are considered the tail-end of production for red Submariners which would place that around 1974.

[cruvon]

Also I noticed James Dowling's chart (he's the co author of http://www.amazon.com/dp/0764324373?...D7YHZXRYPTAQD&) is slightly different and got me confused
http://www.timezone.com/library/archives/archives0104

Are these end numbers or beginning numbers for each year. I am guessing end numbers. Either way the two chart links don't match exactly in boundary reference numbers.

3478400 1972
3741300 1973
4004200 1974
4267100 1975

So 3741301 - 4004199 will be 1974 or does it mean(more unlikely comparing to the other link) 4004200-4267099 is 1974 ?

Also James Dowling lists this watch with serial number 3745857 as 1973 though Oysterworld doesn't even have that number in their charts
http://www.ukwatches.com/6025.html

On Oysterworld it says
http://www.oysterworld.de/production-dates.html

1972 305XXXX 3478400
1973 3523678 3741300
1974 3761535 4194183
1975 3886050 4267100 (Note the overlaps on this one with the previous year, starts with 388X though the previous year has ended with 4194183)

So 1974 according to this chart will be
3761535- 4194183 but note the overlaps in 1975!

Serial 3745857 is not listed in any of the bounds on Oysterworld.
As also 3761517 http://www.ukwatches.com/6032.html when they probably should be listed.

So as seen, navigating these various charts can be quite a nightmare for me atleast. Add to that the private Rolex charts some have access to and there is even more fun;) to be had, I need a drink now!

[lupus]

it's always plus or minus 18 months...

[paddy_crow]

I bought a 5513 new in 1976, the S/N was 322xxxx.

[tuonor]

I tend to agree with Yeager; '74 appears to have been a slow year for production. Could be my own selection bias (I've also been looking pieces produced that year) or some reaction by Rolex to the oil crisis.

While a 5513 may be easiest to find, I'd consider tracking down a radial dial 1675. Rarer (more collectible) and a pretty neat dial variation that is unique to the mid-70s. There also seem to be alot of DRSDs from that serial range (in fact, three I currently see listed on other sites). Probably just random, but its the reference that I've seen listed the most in the early 4mm serial range over the last 6 months.

Best of luck with your search.