July 06, 2006, 12:20
Lindell V. Riddle"Matching" Case Numbers
Let's discuss "Matching" Case Numbers...
One of the more interesting questions we received recently in an eMail involved exactly what is meant by the term "matching numbers" on a watch case. I felt this was worthy of exploration.
Some time back I used the image you'll see below. In it the "matching numbers" are shown on one particular case. On that example the inside of the case-back is stamped with the complete number. With the merged image you see the inside case-back on top, the frame is at lower-left and inside the bezel at lower-right.
On the frame and bezel the final five digits appear in the representation shown. Sometimes these may be as few as three digits, or they may be preceded by an alphabetic letter. On still other cases the references inside the bezel and on the frame will very commonly be expressed in hand-scratched roman numerals.
This was intended simply as a way to keep all the properly fit pieces and parts together during the manufacturing process. Some cases we find will have very close numbers, or just one digit will differ on them. Many cases probably started out without exact matching numbers, in those instances they will be a close match.
Non-matching numbers may have innocently occurred at the case makers, the watch factory or the retail jeweler. One I recall as having a "re-struck" case number, that in all likelihood took place at the factory. In the situation of only one digit being different or being a fairly close match and the case fitting properly I would tend to accept it.
However, today we see cases that have been literally "put together" from left-overs in an attempt to sell them off, those are something we would probably be wise to avoid. A mis-match can also happen when a cases are repaired by the use of non-matching components. Each situation we find must be evaluated on its individual merits.
For all these reasons and more a correctly "matching numbers" case is worthy of mention and something we should be looking for whenever practical. Perhaps others can share descriptions or images of different style markings, maybe even a "horror-story" or two of what has turned up in the marketplace of trading and collecting.
Matching numbers on all three components...
