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. To find out your Rolex's manufacture date, simply search its unique serial number in our Rolex serial number database below. A note on Rolexes produced after autumn 2009: In autumn 2009, Rolex started using a random numbering system to generate its serial numbers. The only way to identify the exact date of a Rolex produced in late 2009 onwards is to take it into an official Rolex dealer. 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. Jun 15, 2012 The Rolex serial numbers dates are all listed in an easy to use table that lists production dates right up to 2013 serial numbers. This 4-7 digit number is almost always located at the 6 o'clock.
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 1-800-494-3708 to speak with a Rolex expert. You can also learn by watching the video at the top of the page.
FAQ:
- Where to find the Rolex serial numbers
- Rolex serial numbers 2013
- Rolex serial numbers location
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 1-800-494-3708 to speak with a Rolex expert.
Rolex has been engraving their watches with a unique Rolex serial numbers, and Rolex models number since the 1920’s as tool to track the production year of a Rolex watch. The production age of a pre-owned Rolex watch is a significant factor in determining its current market value. As you would expect, the value of a Rolex watch, unlike a fine wine, will decrease in value as new, improved models are launched by Rolex. For example, watches that have Rolex model numbers beginning with the letter Z were produced in the year 2006 and, all things considered, are valued higher than say a Rolex with serial numbers that begins with P for the year 2000. The age along with other factors such as the condition of the bracelet will help Bob's establish the true, fair market value of the wristwatch. This distinctive serial number is located on the inside case of the watch between the lugs below the 6 o’clock end of the watch. It is a five to seven digit number starting with 28000 in the year 1926. You will need to remove the bracelet carefully from the watch using a small screw driver or tack. While this number will tell us when the watch was made by Rolex, it will not tell us when the watch was eventually sold. Also worth noting is that the condition of the watch is as important as its age. The Rolex serial numbers (also referred to as Rolex style numbers or case number), is also helpful in determining if a watch such as a Submariner watch is a genuine authentic Rolex as some fakes do not have serial numbers (see How To Spot a Fake Rolex article for tips). When inspecting the different models of Rolex watches this 'look up' tool, or widget, is the only one of its kind in the industry and allows people to easily find the manufacture date of their pre-owned Rolex by the Rolex band serial numbers. Ebay has a list or chart of the serial numbers with estimated production dates but they too do not have an easy to use look up tool like we provide here.
Note: If you need help on how to find the Rolex case number (serial #), please view the video below or check out find my Rolex serial numbers for a quick and easy tutorial about how to find Rolex numbers. Also refer to the Rolex Serial Number Chart below.
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).
Look Up Rolex Watch By Serial Number
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
![Rolex v serial number year Rolex v serial number year](https://www.phigora.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Rolex-Serial-Numbers-Chart-1.jpg)
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
Look Up Rolex Serial Number
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 |