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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Serial-number guide

Certina Serial Numbers

Needs research

What a Certina serial number can establish, what it cannot, and how to record a date estimate another researcher could check.

Diagram

maker or gradeserialcase hallmarksimport and assay marks
Schematic: where markings are found. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Method

Reading the number, step by step

  1. 1. Find the movement number

    Swiss case and movement numbers are usually separate sequences by different makers; only the movement serial, where one exists, is relevant to movement dating.

  2. 2. Understand what it encodes

    Case-back reference numbers identify the model; serial numbers exist but public chronological tables are not comprehensively published.

  3. 3. Judge how precise the date can be

    Moderate via factory contact; public self-dating is approximate and better approached through calibre and reference identification.

  4. 4. Check the records behind the tables

    Certina maintains company archives; published public serial tables are limited, and dating often relies on calibre and case reference.

Quick facts

Manufacturer
Certina
Dating confidence
Estimate only — see notes
Editorial status
Needs research

Sources & references

  1. Certina company archive (direct enquiry)
  2. Period Certina catalogues

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.

Limits

What the number does not prove

Questions

Frequently asked

Where is the serial number on a Certina watch?
Swiss case and movement numbers are usually separate sequences by different makers; only the movement serial, where one exists, is relevant to movement dating.
What do Certina serial numbers mean?
Case-back reference numbers identify the model; serial numbers exist but public chronological tables are not comprehensively published.
How accurate is dating a Certina watch by serial number?
Moderate via factory contact; public self-dating is approximate and better approached through calibre and reference identification.
Where are Certina production records held?
Certina maintains company archives; published public serial tables are limited, and dating often relies on calibre and case reference.

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