Curious...Why do some refer to serial numbers, for example, as "99xxxx"?

[Kim G.]

I've been wondering...

I have noticed that some people, when referring to a pocket watch's serial number, only put the first couple of numbers, then a bunch of x's.

Is there a reason or general rule about not revealing the serial number of a pocket watch? Or, is there any reason not to reveal a serial number?

Isn't it actually helpful to state the serial number in case there is somebody out there establishing a database of that particular company?

Kim Gerard
onlinedeals-2008

[pocwatjim]

I agree with you that the information should be complete, for many reasons.
On the other hand I have been guilty of doing this at times. I usually was to lazy to go get the watch and just used xxx's to fill in the number when I could remember the first few digits.

[Kent]

Others are a bit reluctant to give the last two or three digits, fearing that somebody may claim that it's a stolen watch or some such problem. As a gatherer of data, I find this frustrating, but I can understand it.

[Jon Hanson]

Generally, it is done for speed. For old guys a glass and pen and paper are necessary to see and copy the entire number.