Rolex Serial Numbers

The Ultimate Guide to Rolex Serial Numbers

Discovering the details behind your Rolex watch is part of the journey for any timepiece enthusiast or collector. Each Rolex has a unique serial number that tells more than just its identity; it holds a history, represents authenticity, and helps estimate its production date. This article will guide watch collectors through the process of looking up, verify, understanding, and decoding Rolex serial numbers.

Where to Find Your Rolex Serial Number

On the Watch Itself:

The easiest way to locate your Rolex serial number is directly on the watch. For models produced before 2005, the serial number can be found between the lugs at the 6 o'clock side. You'll need to remove the bracelet to see it. Since 2005, Rolex began engraving the serial number on the inner rim of the watch face, visible at the 6 o'clock position. This location is called the "rehaut" and can often be seen without having to remove any parts of the watch.

Through Documentation:

If you have access to the original documentation or the certificate of authenticity that accompanied the watch upon purchase, the serial number should also be there. This method is perfect if you'd prefer not to remove the bracelet from your timepiece to verify the serial number.

Serial Number Year

Random 2018
Random 2017
Random 2016
Random 2015
Random 2014
Random 2013
Random 2012
Random 2011
G 2010
V 2009
M OR V 2008
M OR Z 2007
D OR Z 2006
D 2005
F 2005
F 2004
F 2003
Y   2002
K OR Y 2001
K,000,001 2000
P,000,001 2000
A,000,001 1999
U,932,144 1998
U,000,001 1997
T,000,001 1996
W,000,001 1995
S,860,880 1994
S,000,001 1993
C,000,001   1992
N,000,001   1991
X,000,001   1991
E,000,001 1990
L,980,000   1989
R,598,200   1988
R,000,001 1987
9,400,000 1987
8,900,000   1986
8,614,000 1985
8,070,022   1984
7,400,000   1983
7,100,000   1982
6,520,870   1981
6,434,000   1980
5,737,030 1979
5,000,000 1978
5,008,000   1977

4,115,299 1976
3,862,196 1975
3,567,927 1974
3,200,268 1973
2,890,459 1972
2,589,295 1971
2,241,882 1970
1,900,000 1969
1,752,000 1968
1,538,435 1967
1,200,000    1966
1,100,000 1965
1,008,889    1964
824,000   1963
744,000   1962
643,153   1961
516,000   1960
399,453   1959
328,000   1958
224,000   1957
133,061   1956
97,000   1955
23,000   1954
855,726    1953
726,639 1952
709,249   1951 1950 1949
628,840   1948
529,163 1947
367,946   1946
302,459   1945
269,561 1944
230,878 1943
143,509   1942
106,047 1941
99,775   1940
71,224   1939
43,739    1938
40,920   1937
36,856   1936
34,336 1935
30,823 1934
29,562   1933
29,132 1932 1931
23,186   1930 1929
23,969   1928
20,190 1927
00,001   1926

What Rolex Serial Numbers Mean

Each Rolex serial number is unique and serves as a fingerprint for the individual watch. Typically, a Rolex serial number consists of a series of letters and/or numbers; over the years, the format has evolved.

Model Numbers:

Rolex assigns a unique 4-6 digit model number to each of its watch types, which can be found engraved between the lugs on the side of the case above 12 o'clock. This model number provides valuable information about the watch, including its model type, bezel style, and material. For instance, let's take the reference number 16234, which can be broken down into three sections: 162 | 3 | 4. The first section, 162, indicates that this watch is a Datejust. The second section, 3, tells us that the bezel is fluted. And finally, the third section, 4, signifies that the watch is made of stainless steel with 18k white gold accents.

Rolex Type

Submariner (no date) 55 & 140
Submariner 16, 166 & 168
Sea Dweller 16 & 166
GMT Master 16, 65, 167
GMT Master II 167, 1167
Day-Date (President) 65, 66, 18, 180, 182 & 183
Datejust   16 & 162
Daytona Manual Wind   62
Daytona Cosmograph   165, 1165
Explorer II 165
Oyster Perpetual 10, 140, 142
Airking   55 & 140
Date 15 & 150
Oysterquartz Datejust 170
Oysterquartz Day-Date  190
Yachtmaster 166, 686 & 696
Midsize Oyster Perp DJ 68, 682
Ladies Oyster Perp 67, 671, 672
Ladies Date   65, 69, 691 & 692
Ladies Datejust 65, 69, 691 & 692

Material Bezel

Stainless    0
Yellow Gold Filled   1
White Gold Filled    2
Stainless & Yellow Gold    3
Stainless w/ 18k White Gold    4
Gold Shell 5
Platinum      6
14k Yellow Gold 7
18k Yellow Gold   8

Polished 0
Engine Turned 1
Engine Turned 2
Fluted 3
Hand-Crafted 4
Pyramid 5
Rotating Bezel 6

Understanding the Codes:

Serial numbers were purely numeric until the 1980s but began incorporating letters in the 1990s. These alphanumeric serial numbers can help identify the approximate year of production of a Rolex watch. For instance, an "R" at the beginning of the serial number would indicate the watch was manufactured around 1987.The comprehensive charts above match the serial number range to production dates. It's important to note that these are estimates rather than exact dates due to Rolex's discretion with its manufacturing information.

Bracelet Code Year

A or VA 1976
B or VB 1977
C or VC    1978
D or VD 1979
E or VE   1980
F or VF 1981
G       1982
H       1983
I    1984
J       1985
K    1986
L 1987
M 1988
N 1989
O 1990
P 1991
Q 1992
R 1993
S 1994
T or W 1995
V 1996
Z 1997
U 1998
X 1999
AB 2000
DE          2001
DT            2002
AD        2003
CL            2004
MA        2005
OP        2006
EO 2007
PJ 2008
LT    2009
RS    2010
RANDOM    201+

Sapphire Evolution

The upgrade to the sapphire crystal occurred on the following years. This data was originally compiled from Professor Rolex Matthias.

Model Stainless   Rolessor   Gold Platinum
Quartz Beta 21 Ref 5100   —    — 1970    —
Perpetual Ref. 1530, 1630, 1831  1975 1975 — 1975
Oysterquartz 1978 1978 1978 —
Air-King 1991   — — —
Perpetual   — 1991 1991 —
Date 1989 1989 1989 —
DateJust 1989 1989 1978 —
Turn - O- Graph New Plexi Ref 16250 1989 1989 —
Day - Date — — 1978 1978
Submariner 14060 1990 — — —
Submariner Date 1981 1984 Ref. 16803 1981 —
Sea-Dweller 1981 — — —
GMT Master 1989 New Plexi Ref 1675/3, 16753 1981 —
GMT Master II 1984 1989 1989 —
Explorer 1990 — — —
Explorer II 1984 — — —
Cosmograph Daytona 1988 1988 1988 —

Conclusion:

Whether you're a timepiece aficionado or a seasoned watch collector, understanding how to find and interpret Rolex serial numbers is essential. It is not just about authenticity but also about diving into the rich history that accompanies your wristwatch. With the practical insights offered in this guide, you can now look up and decode Rolex serial numbers with confidence and appreciate your Rolex watch in a whole new dimension.