As I understand it, when previous model cases were/are changed on service (usually because bracelets have to be updated), they were replaced with the then current reference case. So, depending on when the service was carried out, a 3500 case might have been replaced with a 3504 or a 3524 case (the reference 3524 was after 1995).
The watch kept its original case back with its serial number on the outside while the old reference 3500 or 3504 was "dashed" and the new reference was stamped/engraved inside. The references 3500, 3504, 3524 refer to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation bracelet designs respectively.