Serial number look-up example: Let's say you have a Waltham watch with serial number 21,607,210 as shown in the photo below. Note that we're using the serial number from the watch movement, not from the watch case. No serial number-No mark on the inside of the clip (it should at least say 'pix')-Trim ring letters are too close together and obviously off center-Trim ring is not flush with the section point-Trim ring lettering is not the correct font I will say with 99.9% certainty that it is a fake. Albeit a very good fake (overall), but a fake none the less.
In the late 1930’s Montblanc introduced their new numbering system for pen models. This consisted of a three-digit number, sometimes with an additional letter at the end. This model number can be “read” if you know how to decode it.
The first number is the price category
1: Meisterstück or Masterpiece
2: Medium priced
3: Economy Model
The second number indicated the filling system
0: Safety
2: Button
4: Piston
The third number is the size of the nib.
Occasionally, a letter would follow, indicating the finish and colour
G: Smooth
S: Chased
E: Chased rose pattern
PL: Silver grey / Black
P: Pearl
The above info excerpted from Fountain Pens of the World, by Andreas Lambrou, published by Classic Pens Ltd. If you are interested in fountain pens, you should own this book!
There was an additional discussion at the fountainpennetwork.com forum regarding the meanings behind the last letter. The discussion started as a debate as to whether “G” stood for “Gold nib” or “Glatt (Smooth) finish”. Reading this discussion, it seems that it can be concluded that the meanings of at least some of these letters were different in different time periods – and that there was no fixed system.
The following was posted to the forum on this page:
Mont Blanc Serial Number
According to the 1936 MB catalogue:
G = Glatte Ausfuerung (High Gloss)
S = Schraffiert (Hatched / guilloche chased pattern)
E = Rosenmuster (Engraved rose pattern)
PL = Platinschwarz (Black & silver striated)
P = Perle (Black & Pearl)
K = Kurz (Short version)
One additional interesting piece of information from that forum discussion is the mention of a “JB” imprint on some vintage Montblanc pens. This stands for Jawahiri Brothers, who were the exclusive importers of Montblanc to India in the 1950’s.
This page will enable you to track down the production year of your vintage watch.
If you want to know which year your vintage watch was produced?– Then take a closer look at ” Serial numbers by year”.
While Omega keeps the serial number on the inside of the backcase Certina leaves the serial number visible on the out site of the watch back case accompanied with a reference. The two numbers serves the same pourposes as explained in the Omega chapter above-written. Though in the periode dating from 1958 to 1974 the reference number on Certina watch carried an encrypted message giving away, which calibre the watch was equipped with, which material the case was made from and which watch model you are dealing with.
Together with a reference number, the brand Omega placed their serial numbers on the inside of the backcase. One serial number indicates in which year or periode the watch was produced while the other number (the reference number) indicates which model or serie the specific watch belongs to.
In some cases, such as the watches produced by the brand Eterna, serial numbers were not used as markers to know the year of origin. Instead Eterna made sure we can date watches since their calibers were only used in short periods of time.
To put a date of production on your vintag Longines watch you have to locate the serial number which most often is found on the in- & out-site of the back case. When you have got the serial number then look it up in our Longines serial number matrix. While seaching for the serial number please remember to enjoy the sight of your Longines watch movement.
The very early Tissot watches had the serial number engraved on the back site of the dial. Later on the serial numbers were made easier to locate. On most vintag Tissot watches you will be able to find the serial number engraved into the watch movement. While your are at it remember to note the calibre number of your watch it may come in handy some day.
