Collector's Reference Library
Watch Serial Number
Lookup Guides
Free interactive serial number lookup tools for every major Swiss manufacture. Enter your serial number to find the production year, decode the reference, and verify provenance — instantly, no registration required.
Choose Your Brand
Each guide includes a free lookup tool, complete serial number timeline, reference number decoder, and model identification tables — compiled from horological records.
Founded 1905 · Geneva
Rolex
Sequential serials 1926–2010, letter-prefix 1987–2010, random post-2011. Includes bracelet date codes, country codes, and reference decoder.
Open GuideFounded 1848 · Biel/Bienne
Omega
Continuous sequential serials from 1895 to present. The most dateable major manufacture — any Speedmaster, Seamaster, or Constellation can be precisely placed.
Open GuideFounded 1839 · Geneva
Patek Philippe
Over 185 years of serial records. Includes key reference table for Nautilus, Calatrava, Aquanaut, and Grand Complications, plus Archive Extract guidance.
Open GuideFounded 1875 · Le Brassus
Audemars Piguet
Sequential serials from 1875. Covers Royal Oak, Royal Oak Offshore, Millenary, and Code 11.59. Reference identification for all current and vintage AP models.
Open GuideFounded 1926 · Geneva
Tudor
Early serials shared with Rolex SA production. Covers Black Bay, Submariner, Pelagos, and Prince — from the Snowflake era to modern Heritage references.
Open GuideFounded 1868 · Schaffhausen
IWC Schaffhausen
Sequential serials from 1868 to present. Includes the IW-prefix reference system for Portugieser, Pilot's Watch, Portofino, Aquatimer, and Ingenieur.
Open GuideFounded 1884 · Grenchen
Breitling
Numeric serials through 1969, then letter-prefix (A through Z, then 1A through 2J+). Covers Navitimer, Chronomat, Superocean, Avenger, and Aerospace.
Open GuideFounded 1833 · Le Sentier
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Nearly 200 years of movement records. Covers Reverso, Master Control, Polaris, Duomètre, and Atmos. JLC supplies movements to Patek, Vacheron, and IWC historically.
Open GuideProvenance, Authentication & Value
Dating & Provenance
Establish When It Was Made
A serial number pins production to a specific year or range. For vintage pieces, this verifies dial and movement originality — a 1960s Rolex Submariner with a 1980s serial indicates a replacement movement and significantly affects value.
Authentication
Detect Franken-Watches
Mismatched serials between case, movement, and bracelet are a primary authentication red flag. Our guides cover bracelet date codes (Rolex), movement vs. case serial differences (Patek, JLC), and known production gaps for every brand.
Valuation
Serial Range Affects Price
Early serial ranges command premiums across all brands — first-year Rolex Submariners, A-series AP Royal Oaks, original Omega Speedmaster production runs. Knowing exactly where your serial falls helps you understand what it's worth.
Ready to Sell?
Now That You Know What You Have
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