Rolex Date 1550

[Fortian]

Dear all,

I just got my first Rolex watch. Don't know about you guys, but I'm ecstatic about it! But I'm still a total newbie, so would like to seek advice from experienced Rolex owners here.

As attached below, my watch is a Rolex Date.
Model no: 1550
Serial no: 3,1XX,XXX
With a "Gold Shell Smooth Bezel".
Read online about it and mine seems to be manufactured in 1971 - 1972?

I'm curious about what material is the "Gold Shell" made of. Some say it's solid gold, but others say it's just plated on with a very thick micron.

And the ones I saw online have only T SWISS T at the bottom of the dial, but mine states T SWISS MADE T. Is there any difference?

And is this watch considered vintage?

Kindly enlighten.. Thank you!

[tilbrich]

Hi bro capped gold is not solid gold . Should be plated

[taxico]

gold shell is not the same as plating. it is much thicker and more similar to rolled gold. it is not possible to achieve such thickness of gold on a base metal by a plating process.