Collector's Reference
Rolex Serial Number
Lookup & Guide
Every Rolex produced since 1926 carries a unique serial number that reveals its production year. Use our free lookup tool below, or browse the complete reference tables compiled from horological records.
Serial Number Lookup
Enter your Rolex serial number — found on the case between the lugs at the 6 o'clock position (pre-2005) or on the rehaut (inner bezel ring) on modern models.
Approximate Production Year
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Results are approximate. Rolex production records are not publicly disclosed. Serial numbers overlap between model lines and production batches.
Complete Serial Number Timeline
Rolex used sequential numeric serials from 1926 until approximately 1987, then switched to a two-letter prefix system. In 2011, Rolex moved to fully randomized serial numbers — making production year identification no longer possible from serial alone.
Numeric Era (1926–1987)
| Year | Starting Serial |
|---|---|
| 1926 | 1 |
| 1927 | 20,190 |
| 1928 | 23,969 |
| 1930 | 29,132 |
| 1932 | 29,562 |
| 1933 | 30,823 |
| 1934 | 34,336 |
| 1935 | 36,856 |
| 1936 | 40,920 |
| 1937 | 43,739 |
| 1938 | 71,224 |
| 1939 | 99,775 |
| 1940 | 106,047 |
| 1941 | 143,509 |
| 1942 | 230,878 |
| 1943 | 269,561 |
| 1944 | 302,459 |
| 1945 | 367,946 |
| 1946 | 529,163 |
| 1947 | 628,840 |
| 1951 | 709,249 |
| 1952 | 726,639 |
| 1953 | 855,726 |
| 1960 | 516,000 |
| 1961 | 643,153 |
| 1962 | 744,000 |
| 1963 | 824,000 |
| 1964 | 1,008,889 |
| 1965 | 1,100,000 |
| 1966 | 1,200,000 |
| 1967 | 1,538,435 |
| 1968 | 1,752,000 |
| 1969 | 1,900,000 |
| 1970 | 2,241,882 |
| 1971 | 2,589,295 |
| 1972 | 2,890,459 |
| 1973 | 3,200,268 |
| 1974 | 3,567,927 |
| 1975 | 3,862,196 |
| 1976 | 4,115,299 |
| 1977 | 4,800,000 |
| 1978 | 5,000,000 |
| 1979 | 5,737,030 |
| 1980 | 6,100,000 |
| 1981 | 6,434,000 |
| 1982 | 6,900,000 |
| 1983 | 7,100,000 |
| 1984 | 7,400,000 |
| 1985 | 8,070,022 |
| 1986 | 8,614,000 |
| 1987 | 8,900,000 |
Letter Prefix Era (1987–2010+)
| Year | Prefix | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | R | From R000,001 |
| 1988 | R / L | R598,200 → L |
| 1989 | L | From L980,000 |
| 1990 | E | From E000,001 |
| 1991 | X / N | Overlap period |
| 1992 | N / C | Overlap period |
| 1993 | C / S | Overlap period |
| 1994 | S | From S860,880 |
| 1995 | W | From W000,001 |
| 1996 | T | From T000,001 |
| 1997 | U | From U000,001 |
| 1998 | U | From U932,144 |
| 1999 | A | From A000,001 |
| 2000 | P / K | Overlap period |
| 2001 | K / Y | Overlap period |
| 2002 | Y | |
| 2003 | F | |
| 2004 | F | |
| 2005 | D / F | Overlap period |
| 2006 | D / Z | Overlap period |
| 2007 | M / Z | Overlap period |
| 2008 | M / V | Overlap period |
| 2009 | V | |
| 2010 | G | Last prefix series |
| 2011+ | Random | No sequential order |
In 2011 Rolex discontinued sequential serial numbering. Modern Rolex watches (2011–present) carry a random serial number with no production-year correlation. The serial is now laser-etched on the rehaut.
Decode Your Reference Number
Rolex reference numbers are 4–6 digits that encode the model, case material, and bezel type. For example: 16234 breaks down as 162 (Datejust model) · 3 (Stainless + Yellow Gold) · 4 (Hand-Crafted bezel).
Material Codes (5th digit)
| Code | Material |
|---|---|
| 0 | Stainless Steel |
| 1 | Yellow Gold Filled |
| 2 | White Gold Filled |
| 3 | Stainless & 18k Yellow Gold (Rolesor) |
| 4 | Stainless & 18k White Gold |
| 5 | Gold Shell |
| 6 | Platinum |
| 7 | 14k Yellow Gold |
| 8 | 18k Yellow Gold |
Bezel Codes (6th digit)
| Code | Bezel Type |
|---|---|
| 0 | Polished / Smooth |
| 1 | Engine Turned |
| 2 | Engine Turned (Variant) |
| 3 | Fluted |
| 4 | Hand-Crafted / Diamond |
| 5 | Pyramid |
| 6 | Rotating / Sport Bezel |
Reference Number Model Codes
The first 2–3 digits of a Rolex reference number identify the model family. Use this table to confirm the model of any Rolex from the reference number stamped on its caseback or between the lugs.
| Model | Code(s) |
|---|---|
| Submariner (No Date) | 55, 140 |
| Submariner (Date) | 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 |
| Air-King | 55, 140 |
| Date | 15, 150 |
| Oysterquartz Datejust | 170 |
| Oysterquartz Day-Date | 190 |
| Yacht-Master | 166, 686, 696 |
| Midsize Oyster Datejust | 68, 682 |
| Ladies Oyster Perpetual | 67, 671, 672 |
| Ladies Date / Datejust | 65, 69, 691, 692 |
Bracelet & Clasp Date Codes
Rolex stamps a single letter inside the clasp or between the end-links to indicate the bracelet’s year of manufacture — dating the bracelet itself, not the case. Essential for verifying matching original bracelets on vintage pieces.
| Code | Year |
|---|---|
| A / VA | 1976 |
| B / VB | 1977 |
| C / VC | 1978 |
| D / VD | 1979 |
| E / VE | 1980 |
| F / VF | 1981 |
| G / VG | 1982 |
| H / VH | 1983 |
| I / VI | 1984 |
| J / VJ | 1985 |
| K / VK | 1986 |
| L / VL | 1987 |
| M / VM | 1988 |
| N / VN | 1989 |
| O / VO | 1990 |
| P / VP | 1991 |
| Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R / VR | 1992 |
| S / VS | 1993 |
| T / VT | 1994 |
| U / VU | 1995 |
| V / VV | 1996 |
| W / VW | 1997 |
| X / VX | 1998 |
| Y / VY | 1999 |
| Z / VZ | 2000 |
| A1 / VA1 | 2001 |
| B1 … Z1 | 2002–2010 |
| Laser-engraved | 2010+ |
Single letters appear on stainless Oyster bracelets. The “V” prefix codes are found on Rolesor (two-tone) Jubilee and Oyster bracelets. From ~2010, Rolex switched to laser-engraved markings inside the clasp.
Country of Sale Codes
Before the 1990s, Rolex engraved a three-digit code on the caseback of watches sold through official channels in specific markets. These codes help trace a watch’s original region of distribution and add provenance for vintage collectors.
| Code | Country / Region |
|---|---|
| 010–045 | Switzerland (domestic) |
| 100 | Germany |
| 110–113 | France |
| 160 | United Kingdom |
| 200 | Italy |
| 210 | Spain |
| 250 | Scandinavia |
| 300 | Austria |
| 310 | Netherlands |
| 320 | Belgium |
| 400 | Middle East |
| 500 | Africa |
| 600 | South America |
| 700 | Canada |
| 710 | United States |
| 800 | Mexico |
| 900 | Japan |
| 910–915 | South-East Asia |
| 950 | Australia / New Zealand |
Not all Rolex watches carry country codes. The practice was most common from the 1950s through the mid-1990s on officially distributed pieces.
A 710 code confirms a U.S.-market watch imported through authorized dealers — particularly significant for vintage Daytona, Submariner, and GMT-Master collectors.
U.S. Customs Certificate
Watches imported into the U.S. before 1996 were sometimes accompanied by a paper Customs import certificate attesting to country of origin. These documents add collectibility and are prized as supporting provenance.
Where to Find Your Rolex Serial Number
Pre-2005 Models
The serial number is engraved on the case at 6 o'clock, between the lugs. The bracelet must be removed to read it. The reference number is engraved between the lugs at 12 o'clock.
2005+ Models (Rehaut)
From 2005, Rolex began laser-etching the serial number on the rehaut — the inner ring between the dial and the crystal. It can be read without removing the bracelet.
Note: Serial numbers are sometimes obscured by the bracelet or crown. If the serial is not immediately visible, do not force the bracelet — bring the watch to an authorized dealer or watchmaker.
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