The Rolex serial numbers are found between the lugs on the side of the case at the 6 o’clock side, behind the bracelet. This 4-8 digit number is engraved by Rolex on every watch and it can be used to determine its production date.

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

 

MODEL NUMBERS

Rolex engraves or assigns a 4-6 digit model number to every watch type it produces. This number can be found engraved between the lugs on the side of the case above 12 o’clock. The model number can indicate the model type, bezel, and material of your watch. For example, the reference number 16234 can be broken out into three section, which is 162 | 3 | 4. The first, 162, indicates that this watch is a Datejust. The second, 3, indicates that the bezel is fluted. The third, 4, indicates that the watch material is Stainless w/ 18k White Gold. 

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
OysterquartzDatejust 170
Oysterquartz Day-Date 190
Yachtmaster 166, 686 & 696
Midsize Oyster Perp DJ 68, 682
Ladies Oyster Perpetual 67, 671, 672
Ladies Date 65, 69, 691 & 692
Ladies Datejust 65, 69, 691 & 692

 

Material

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

 

Bezel

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

 

ROLEX CLASP CODES

Many Rolex watches have a clasp code located inside the clasp hinge. This code is based on the month and year the clasp was manufactured. After inspecting the clasp you will see 1 or 2 letters followed by a number. The letter corresponds with a year and the number signifies a month. For instance, per the table below, we see that a bracelet stamped G4 was manufactured in April 1982. A service replacement bracelet would have an additional "S" stamped along with the year.

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+

 

COUNTRY CODES

The table below lists all the 3 digit country codes for Rolex watches. This country code can be found in the upper left hand corner on the Rolex Guaranty Certificate. There is no country code for the USA and most watches older than 1980 will NOT have a country code.

Code Country
010 Switzerland
012 Switzerland
013 Switzerland
014 Switzerland
015 Switzerland
021 Switzerland
025 Switzerland
026 Switzerland
033 Switzerland
045 Switzerland
100 Germany
110 France
113 France
120 Austria
121 Austria
123 Austria
126 Austria
128 Austria
130 Belgium / Luxemburg
133 Netherlands
134 Netherlands
135 Netherlands
137 Netherlands
138 Netherlands
150 Spain
160 England
170 Italy
200 Greece
201 Malta
202 Turkey
208 Greece
213 Portugal
217 Portugal
226 Denmark
228 Denmark
233 Denmark
237 Iceland
265 Sweden
267 Sweden
270 Sweden
271 Sweden
283 Finnland
321 Czech Republic
400 Hong Kong

 

Code Country
413 Korea
430 Singapore / Brunai
431 Malaysia
440 Taiwan
500 India
505 Pakistan
527 Middle East
532 Saudi Arabia
536 Abu Dhabi
537 Dubai
538 Oman
542 Iran
548 Israel
680 South Afrika
700 Canada
710 USA
720 Mexico
741 Bahamas
742 Bermuda
752 Jamaica
758 Virgin Islands
761 Netherlands Antilles

 

Code Country
762 Aruba
765 Antigua
766 Saint Martin
767 Grand Cayman
768 Panama
770 Venezuela
780 Brazil
781 Chile
783 Peru
790 Argentina
810 Australia
818 Philippines
828 China
842 New Zealand
871 Hawaii
872 Alaska
873 Guam
888 Hong Kong
900 Japan
906 Natex Retail, German NATO Airbase

 

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

 

RED LETTERS

Some of the older papers issued in the United States have red letters stamped on the certificate. These red letters signifies when the watch was shipped from Rolex USA to an Authorized Dealer.

R O L E X W A T C H

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

For example, L RCCT would be 3 1998 or March 19, 1998.

 

Rolex Serial Numbers with Production Dates

The Rolex serial numbers are found between the lugs on the side of the case at the 6 o'clock side, behind the bracelet. This 4-8 digit number is engraved by Rolex on every watch and it can be used to determine its production date. Beginning in 2005, the Company started to also engrave the serial number on the inside flange (or "rehaut" as it's called in French) between the dial and the crystal. Starting in 2008, the Company began to only engrave the numbers on the rehaut. We provide this verified database chart for those folks looking for an answer to an often asked question, "where or how do I find the Rolex serial numbers on my watch."

These sets of numbers, for example 28000 for the year 1926 or Z000001 for year 2006, are inscribed by machine on the side of the watch case between the lugs at 6 o’clock (see below). It is very helpful to know the official Rolex production date to help us determine its market value. 

How To Find The Production Year Of Your Rolex

While there is no "Official" Rolex Serial numbers database list from the Rolex Factory that shows dates of production, this chart below lists all the serial numbers gathered by proven authorities over the years. See the list below by production year to learn the year your watch was made. If you decide to sell a Rolex, check out our official price list before doing so. We've also added a serial numbers look-up table for Tudor watches below. These charts will be frequently updated to reflect any changes in the numbering system for future years.

How To Find The Serial Numbers On Your Rolex Watch

The serial numbers can be found in one of two places on the watch. First check the inner rim of the watch face (also called the rehaut, which is french for "flange") between the dial and the crystal. If the watch was produced in 2005 or newer the serial should be engraved on the rehaut. On older Rolexes, this serial is located on the side of the watch case at the 6 o'clock position where the bracelet is attached. To view these serial numbers, the bracelet must be detached from the 6 'clock side of the case. For instructions on removing the bracelet, see the video to the right or call us at 347-871-3229 to speak with a Rolex expert.

Find The Model Number On Your Rolex Watch

The model or reference number is located 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 to be able to check the serial number. For instructions on removing the bracelet, watch the video above or call us at 347-871-3229 to speak with a Rolex expert.