Rolex Serial Numbers..
Rolex watches feature two sets of identification numbers..
a Serial Number and a Case Reference Number.
Rolex watches feature two sets of identification numbers..
a Serial Number and a Case Reference Number.
On modern Oyster cases (excluding the OysterQuartz),
these numbers are engraved between the lugs,
hidden behind the end pieces (as shown in the images below).
these numbers are engraved between the lugs,
hidden behind the end pieces (as shown in the images below).
Stolen Rolex Serial Number Search
Find The Rolex Model Number The model number is found on the side of the watch case at the 12 o' clock position. As with the serial number, the bracelet must be detached from the 12 o' clock side of the case. For instructions on removing the bracelet, email us or call 855-256-0100 to speak with a Rolex expert. Rolex serial number is an identifying code engraved in every Rolex between the lugs or in the rehaut at 6 o'clock. If you don't know where, take a look to where is Rolex Serial Number?. With the following table and the Rolex serial number you can know the year of production of your watch. On traditional Rolex models, the serial number can provide you with the year of manufacturing for your Rolex watch. However, towards the end of 2010 Rolex began scrambling or randomizing their serial numbers. You cannot tell the year of manufacturing with the serial number on Rolex items with scrambled serial numbers. The serial number of a Rolex watch is used to date the watch and establish its market value and authenticity. In the case of vintage watches, the older the watch, the higher the price. Some collectors.
ABOVE: Around 2005, Rolex started engraving the Case's Serial Number into the inside edge of the case (at the 6 o'clock position, under the crystal and below the bezel), also known as the rehaut, as shown in these images, which were taken at BASELWORLD 2005, in Switzerland in early April. BELOW: A close-up view of the same watch, you can clearly see the Serial Number 'F982176', engraved into the case at the 6 o'clock position, with 'ROLEX' engraved repetitiously around the dial in a circular fashion. |
A Brief Explanation of the Rolex Serial Numbering System.. In 1927, Rolex began issuing every Rolex Oyster case a unique serial number to distinguish them from one another. This numbering system was originally believed to have started at 20,000, however earlier numbers have surfaced shooting holes in this theory. Around 1953, the numbers reached the 999,999 mark, at which time Rolex decided against adding a 7th digit, thus continuing into the 'millions'--Instead, they started the sequence over. While it was originally believed that this resequence started over at 100,000, or even 20,000, but evidence suggests that it actually restarted at 10,000 or possibly lower. Around this same time, Rolex had initiated another dating system--They stamped the inside of the case back with a code consisting of a Roman numeral and two numbers. The Roman numerals were I, II, III, IV, which represented which quarter of the year the watch was produced. The numbers simply represented the two-digit year in which the watch was produced. Therefore, the code 'III 53' would represent the 3rd quarter (i.e. July-September) of 1953--this code continued until around 1970. Please note, some examples (primarily from around 1959), did feature the Roman Numeral and a 4-digit year (i.e. 'ii 1959'). In the early 1960s, Rolex once again reached the 999,999 mark, but this time added a 7th digit and continued into the 'millions' until mid 1987, when the numbering reached 9,999,999. At this time, Rolex elected to start numbering with a letter prefix (e.g. R000001). The system started with the letter 'R', whcih was then subsequently followed by L-E-X. Thus spelling out the word 'ROLEX' with the 'O' being omitted, to help avert any possible confusion with the number '0'. This sequence continued through November 1991, when a new numbering system was introduced utilizing the letters N, C and S, which took them through 1993. In 1994, Rolex started yet another sequence with the letters: W, T and U, then A, P, and K in subsequent years, followed by Y, F, D, Z, M, V and then G in 2010. Please note, during the 1990s and 2000s, it is estimated that Rolex produced around around 1 million watches per year. Coincidentally, the numbering sequence of any particular Letter from this system (e.g. V000001 to V999999), would in fact also be 1 million serial numbers, and worked well with this system. It is worth mentioning that Rolex would not cease a letter prefix run at the end of a given calendar year, but would continue a letter run until all numbers were used before changing the prefix code. Therefore, letter prefixes could end at random times of the year, and did not start or stop at the beginning or end of a calendar year. Then, later in 2010, they scrapped the entire system and implemented a brand new 'Random' numbering system, in which each watch is issued a (unique) 8-digit 'Random' number consisting of numbers and letters. An example of this number would be something like '16G9L7F4' and could start with either a letter or number. This offers them a seemingly endless numbering system by which they could continue indefinitely. Figuring 8 digits with a possible 36 characters (26 letters and 10 numbers) per digit, gives them over 2 Trillion (2,821,109,907,456 to be exact) possible serial numbers. Even if they were to omit the letters 'O' and 'I', to help avert any possible confusion with the numbers '0' and '1' (as they did in the previous numbering system), that would still give them 1,785,793,904,896 possible combinations. While this This also offers Rolex an opportunity to keep the exact year of manufacture for any particular watch a secret. Something that has come back to haunt them for some time now. Therefore, only Rolex knows exactly when any particular watch was made and they aren't talking. The following 'Round Numbers' Serial Number List has been comprised of known serial number ranges for the years listed. By checking a particular serial number against this list you should be able to date a watch with reasonable accuracy. However, it is no quarantee as to when your watch was shipped from the factory. Furthermore, this list only applies to Rolex Oyster-cased watches, and should NOT be used for Tudor, or vintage non-Oyster Rolex watches. A Tudor (work in progress) Serial Number List is included at the bottom of this page.. The numbers listed (particularly those preceding the letter prefix system) are a 'middle number' for the given year. As an example, the year 1944 listed below shows a serial number range of 270000, but this year could include serial numbers below and above this number (i.e. 260000-280000). This is simply the median number represented for that year. Please Note: John E. Brozek, InfoQuest Publishing, Inc. and this website are in no way associated with Rolex USA, nor any of its associated companies. John E. Brozek does not now, nor has he EVER worked for the Rolex Watch Company or any of its subsidiaries. The information provided on this page is solely the work of the author and has not been reviewed or authorized by Rolex USA. Furthermore, the publishers have received no help from Rolex USA, nor any of its associated companies or any serving employees. |
ROLEX
20000 ...............1927 |
22500 ...............1928 |
25000 ...............1929 |
26500 ...............1930 |
28000 ...............1931 |
28500 ...............1932 |
29000 ...............1933 |
32000 ...............1934 |
35000 ...............1935 |
37000 ...............1936 |
40000 ...............1937 |
55000 ...............1938 |
71000 ...............1939 |
90000 ...............1940 |
106000 ...............1941 |
150000 ...............1942 |
230000 ...............1943 |
270000 ...............1944 |
302000 ...............1945 |
400000 ...............1946 |
529000 ...............1947 |
570000 ...............1948 |
600000 ...............1949 |
650000 ...............1950 |
700000 ...............1951 |
800000 ...............1952 |
900000 ..............1953 |
10000 to 300000 .....1953 to 1957 (At this time Rolex started the numbering system back at 10000. This time period also saw the start of the 'Roman Numeral' dating system explained above.) |
350000 ...............1958 |
400000 ..............1959 |
550000 ...............1960 |
700000 ..............1961 |
800000 ...............1962 |
900000 ..............1963 |
1000000 ...............1964 |
1200000 ..............1965 |
1400000 ...............1966 |
1600000 ..............1967 |
1850000 ...............1968 |
2300000 ..............1969 |
2500000 ...............1970 |
2900000 ..............1971 |
3300000 ...............1972 |
3750000 ..............1973 |
3900000 ...............1974 |
4250000 ..............1975 |
4500000 ...............1976 |
5000000 .............1977 |
5400000 ...............1978 |
5950000 .............1979 |
6400000 ...............1980 |
7000000 .............1981 |
7350000 ...............1982 |
7750000 .............1983 |
8100000 ...............1984 |
8600000 .............1985 |
9000000 ...............1986 |
9500000 .............1987 (Start of the letter prefix system.) R000001 .............1987 |
L000001 .............1989 |
E000001 .............1990 |
X000001 .............1991 |
N000001 .............1991 |
C000001 .............1992 |
S000001 .............1993 |
W000001 .............1994 |
T000001 .............1996 |
U000001 .............1997 |
A000001 .............1998 |
P000001 .............2000 |
K000001 .............2001 |
Y000001 .............2002 |
F000001 .............2003 Also started engraving the serial number inside the bezel (under the crystal) |
D000001 .............2005 |
Z000001 .............2006 |
M000001 .............2007 |
V000001 .............2008 |
G000001 ..........Mid 2010 |
Random Numbers ..Late 2010 to present (Now features 8-digits instead of 7) |
TUDOR
240000 ...............1956 |
250000 ...............1957 |
260000 ...............1958 |
270000 ...............1959 |
280000 ...............1960 |
340000 ...............1961 |
340000 ...............1962 |
390000 ...............1963 |
430000 ...............1964 |
430000 ...............1965 |
560000 ...............1966 |
590000 ...............1967 |
620000 ...............1968 |
680000 ...............1969 |
740000 ...............1970 |
750000 ...............1971 |
770000 ...............1972 |
790000 ...............1973 |
810000 ...............1974 |
830000 ...............1975 |
840000 ...............1976 |
860000 ...............1977 |
880000 ...............1978 |
900000 ...............1979 |
930000 ...............1980 |
950000 ...............1981 |
970000 ..............1982 |
980000 ..............1983 |
990000 ...............1984 |
140000 ..............1985 |
170000 ...............1986 |
190000 ..............1987 |
210000 ...............1988 |
260000 ..............1989 |
B330000 ...............1990 |
B360000 ..............1991 |
B390000 ...............1992 |
B500000 ..............1993 |
B560000 ...............1994 |
B590000 ..............1995 |
B790000 ...............1996 |
B850000 ..............1997 |
B990000 ...............1998 |
H130000 ..............1999 |
H170000 ...............2000 |
H240000 ..............2001 |
H300000 ...............2002 |
ROLEX PRODUCTION DATES BY SERIAL NUMBER…
The serial number is traditionally located at 6 o’clock between the lugs and under the bracelet. In 2005, Rolex began engraving the serial number on the rehaut (French for ‘flange’) between the dial and the crystal as well as the 6′ o’clock location. Starting in 2008, Rolex stopped engraving the serial number at the case 6 o’clock location, using only the rehaut location. By 2010 this practice had gradually transitioned to all models.
Rolex Watch Serial Number Search
In 2010, Rolex mostly abandoned their conventional numbering sequence in favor for a mixed (aka random aka scrambled) serial. They will be 8 digits, opposed to 7 in the past. Random examples of these indecipherable numbers are “OT23Q257”, “12345J78”, and “345X29VN”.
Serial Number | Production Date |
G000,001* | 2009 (Fall) to Present |
V000,001 | 2008 (Fall) |
M000,001 | 2007 (Fall) |
Z000,001 | 2006 (Summer) |
D000,001 | 2005 (Summer) |
F000,001 | 2003 |
Y000,001 | 2002 |
K000,001 | 2001 |
P000,001 | 2000 |
A00,001 | 1999 |
U000,001 | 1997 |
00,001 | 1995 |
S000,001 | 1993 |
C000,001 | 1992 |
N000,001 | 1991 |
X000,001 | 1991 (fall) |
E000,001 | 1990 |
L000,001 | 1989 |
R000,000 | 1987 (summer) |
9,999,999 | 1987 |
9,290,000 | 1986 |
8,814,000 | 1985 |
8,338,000 | 1984 |
7,862,000 | 1983 |
7,386,000 | 1982 |
6,910,000 | 1981 |
6,434,000 | 1980 |
5,958,000 | 1979 |
5,482,000 | 1978 |
5,006,000 | 1977 |
4,539,000 | 1976 |
4,267,100 | 1975 |
4,004,200 | 1974 |
3,741,300 | 1963 |
Serial Number | Production Date |
1,558,000 | 1962 |
1,480,000 | 1961 |
1,402,000 | 1960 |
1,100,000 | 1959 |
400,000 | 1956 |
200,000 | 1955 |
999,000 | 1954 |
950,000 | 1953 |
803,800 | 1952 |
738,700 | 1951 |
673,600 | 1950 |
608,500 | 1949 |
543,400 | 1948 |
478,300 | 1947 |
413,200 | 1946 |
348,100 | 1945 |
283,000 | 1944 |
253,400 | 1943 |
223,800 | 1942 |
194,200 | 1941 |
164,600 | 1940 |
135,000 | 1939 |
117,000 | 1938 |
99,000 | 1937 |
81,000 | 1936 |
63,000 | 1935 |
45,000 | 1934 |
42,680 | 1933 |
40,250 | 1932 |
37,820 | 1931 |
35,390 | 1930 |
32,960 | 1929 |
30,430 | 1928 |
28,000 | 1927 |
* We have seen G serialed watches that were produced in 2012, so Rolex is using both the mixed and the G at the same time.
![Serial Serial](/uploads/1/1/9/4/119499609/431359600.jpg)
** In 1987, rather than begin an 8 digit production serial, Rolex instead began their serials with a letter prefix such as R, then L, E & X. (ROLEX without the O) N, C, & S came out during the early to mid 1990’s, W, T & U a little later. The latest letter prefixes are all running concurrently…as Rolex wishes! Only Rolex knows the exact date that any watch was actually produced. Confused…contact Rolex with the exact serial number of your watch…don’t expect a reply with an answer!
*** When Rolex reached the 999,999 production serial in the early 1950’s…they restarted the production serial at 100,000 rather than begin a 7 digit number at 1,000,000. During this period Rolex was also putting the date code on the inside of the case backs…so confusing production serials can sometimes have their production date determined. Look for the Roman number I, II, III or IV for the quarter & two arabic digits for the year.
In the late 1950’s, Rolex again reached the 999,999 production serial & they started their 7 digit numeric numbering system at 1,000,000 for production serials, this continued until the 1990’s until production serials reached 9,999,999.
How Does Rolex Assign Serial Numbers?
Last Updated: December 2007
Model Numbers: Rolex model numbers range from four to six numbers. The number is located at 12 o’clock between the lugs and under the bracelet. The first two or three digits describes the type of watch.
If the watch has five digits, the second from the last describes (some exceptions) the type of bezel and the last describes the material that the watch is made from.
Around 2000, Rolex began adding a 1 in front of some model numbers… Example; the steel Daytona went from 16520 to 116520.
Rolex Model Reference Numbers
The following list is not complete and is just a break-down. Flyff eu download app.
Type of Watch…
Oyster Perpetual | 10, 140, 142 |
Air-King | 55 & 140 |
Date | 15 & 150 |
Datejust | 16, 162 & 1162 |
Daytona Manual Wind | 62 |
Daytona Cosmograph | 165 & 1165 |
Explorer | 142, 10 & 1142 |
Explorer II | 16 & 165 |
Sea Dweller | 16 & 166 |
Submariner | 16, 166 & 168 |
Submariner (no date) | 55 & 140 |
GMT Master | 16, 65, 167 |
GMT Master II | 167 |
Oysterquartz Datejust | 170 |
Oysterquartz Day-Date | 190 |
Day-Date (President) | 65, 18, 180, 182, 183 & 1182 |
Yachtmaster | 166, 686, 696, 1686 & 1696 |
Midsize Oyster Perpetual DJ | 68, 682, 782 & 1782 |
Ladies Oyster Perpetual | 67, 671, 672, 760 & 761 |
Ladies Date | 65, 69, 691, 692, & 791 |
Ladies Datejust | 65, 69, 691 & 692, 791 & 1791 |
Type of Bezel
0 | Polished |
1 | Finely engine turned |
2 | Engine turned |
3 | Fluted |
4 | Hand-crafted |
5 | Pyramid |
6 | Rotating bezel |
Type of Material
0 | Stainless |
1 | Yellow gold filled |
2 | White gold filled |
3 | Stainless & yellow gold |
4 | Stainless with 18k white gold |
5 | Gold shell |
6 | Platinum |
7 | 14k yellow gold |
8 | 18k yellow gold |
9 | 18k white gold |
Rolex Serial Number Lookup Chart
Serial Numbers: The serial number is located opposite of the model number at 6 o’clock between the lugs and under the bracelet. Since 1987, Rolex has used a system of 1 letter, followed by 6 digits. When buying and selling Rolex watches, that letter is one of the most important details many buyers will want to know. We believe there’s a good chance Rolex will produce (tens of) thousands of cases, but not complete the watch… So a case made in 2003 with a Y#, might not leave Switzerland for 2 more years. Also, models with gold and precious stones usually do not sell as quickly as steel models and will sit around the authorized dealer for a longer period.
Manufacturing Date | Rolex Serial Number |
2010 – present | Random |
2010 | G |
2009 | V |
2008 | M or V |
2007 | M or Z |
2006 | D or Z |
2005 | D |
2005 | F |
2004 | F |
2003 | F |
2002 | Y |
2001 | K or Y |
2000 | K,000,001 |
2000 | P,000,001 |
1999 | A,000,001 |
1998 | U,932,144 |
1997 | U,000,001 |
1996 | T,000,001 |
1995 | W,000,001 |
1994 | S,860,880 |
1993 | S,000,001 |
1992 | C,000,001 |
1991 | N,000,001 |
1990 | E,000,001 |
1989 | L,980,000 |
1988 | R,598,200 |
1987 | R,000,01 |
1987 | 9,860,000 – 9,900,000 |
1986 | 9,155,000 – 9,860,000 |
1985 | 8,785,000 – 9,155,000 |
1984 | 8,375,000 – 8,785,000 |
1983 | 7,600,000 – 8,375,000 |
1982 | 7,130,000 – 7,600,000 |
1981 | 6,560,000 – 7,130,000 |
1980 | 6,205,000 – 6,560,000 |
1979 | 5,865,000 – 6,205,000 |
1978 | 5,430,000 – 5,865,000 |
1977 | 5,085,000 – 5,865,000 |
Manufacturing Date | Rolex Serial Number |
1976 | 5,000,000 – 5,085,000 |
1976 | 4,115,000 – 4,260,000 |
1975 | 3,865,000 – 4,115,000 |
1974 | 3,570,000 – 3,865,000 |
1973 | 3,200,000 – 3,570,000 |
1972 | 2,890,000 – 3,200,000 |
1971 | 2,590,000 – 2,890,000 |
1970 | 2,240,000 – 2,590,000 |
1969 | 1,945,000 – 2,240,000 |
1968 | 1,710,000 – 1,945,000 |
1967 | 1,485,000 – 1,710,000 |
1966 | 1,275,000 – 1,485,000 |
1965 | 1,105,000 – 1,275,000 |
1964 | 1,000,000 – 1,105,000 |
1963 | 865,000 – 1,000,000 |
1962 | 755,000 – 865,000 |
1961 | 650,000 – 755,000 |
1960 | 550,000 – 650,000 |
1959 | 450,000 – 550,000 |
1958 | 350,000 – 450,000 |
1957 | 250,000 – 350,000 |
1956 | 150,000 – 250,000 |
1955 | 50,000 – 150,000 |
1954 | 0 – 50,000 |
RESET | RESET |
1953 | 880,000 – 999,000 |
1952 | 725,000 – 888,000 |
1951 | 700,000 – 725,000 |
1948 – 1950 | 620,000 – 700,000 |
1947 – 1948 | 500,000 – 620,000 |
1945 – 1946 | 300,000 – 500,000 |
1941 – 1944 | 200,000 – 300,000 |
1938 – 1942 | 20,000 – 40,000 |
1927 – 1937 | 20,000 – 40,000 |
1926 | 0 – 20,000 |