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.
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”.
Rolex watches are symbols of excellence, performance, prestige and innovation. Discover the Rolex watch collection on the Official Website. Rolex Serial Numbers. Rolex has been placing serial numbers on their watches since the beginning. Just about every Rolex watch ever produced has some sort of identification or serial number placed on it. These numbers help to determine the year or batch that the watch was made. Buyers, sellers, dealers, and collectors all use these numbers for.
| 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.
** 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.
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 |
Rolex Serial Numbers.
Rolex Serial Number List
Repairs By Post has compiled a guide on how you can look-up the production year of any authentic Rolex Watch. Whether you are looking to sell, buy or repair your watch, learning how to locate the serial number is a good start.
If you're for a rough guide of Rolex service costs, you can check our Rolex 2020 service prices.
Rolex is one of the worlds most famous watch brands. Initially called Wilsdorf and Davis in London in 1905, after its founders, is became Rolex in 1908. After WW1, high taxations were implemented, the company moved to Geneva, where it has remained ever since. Of the ten most expensive watches ever purchased, 3 are Rolex, including the most expensive watch, Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona which sold for US$17.75 million.
Rolex uses the serial number system to track when a timepiece was made and to mark its authenticity. If you own an Rolex watch, you use the serial number checker below to look-up the year of production.
How to check Rolex watch serial number
Every authentic Rolex watch has a unique 4 to 8 digit serial number. This identification number is machined into the case of the watch during production. The location of which will depend on the year of manufacture, and age of the timepiece. Rolex has used several locations over the years.
Where to find Rolex serial number
To see the serial number of a Rolex (prior to 2005) you must first remove the watch band at the lugs. Once removed, on one side you have the serial number, and on the other side, you'll find the model number stamped into the case. After 2008 Rolex started engraving serial numbers on the 'rehaut' (this is the inside flange between the dial and the glass). After 2005 the company were engraving serial numbers on both the 'rehaut' and between the lugs, but this was to be phased out in 2008.
Rolex serial numbers checker
Use the table below to check your serial number and locate it's year of production.
| Date | Serial No |
|---|---|
| 2010 – Present | G/Random |
| Dec 08 – 2010 | V 000,001 |
| Jan 08 – Nov 08 | M 000,001 |
| July 06-Dec 07 | Z 000,001 |
| Jan 05-July 06 | D 000,001 |
| 2003 - 05 | F 000,001 |
| 2001, 2002 | Y 000,001 |
| 2001 | K 000,001 |
| 2000 | P 000,004 |
| 1998-1999 | A 000,002 |
| 1997-1998 | U 000,001 |
| 1996-1998 | T 000,001 |
| 1995-1998 | W 000,001 |
| 1993.75 | S 000,001 |
| 1992.25 | C 000,001 |
| 1991.75 | N 000,001 |
| 1991.5 | X 000,001 |
| 1991.25 | E 999,999 |
| 1990.5 | E 000,001 |
| 1990 | L 999,999 |
| 1989 | L 000,001 |
| 1988 | R 999,999 |
| 1987.5 | R 000,000 |
| 1987.5 | 9,999,999 |
| 1987 | 9,760,000 |
| 1986 | 9,300,000 |
| 1985 | 8,814,000 |
| 1984 | 8,388,000 |
| 1983 | 7,860,000 |
| 1982 | 7,366,000 |
| 1981 | 6,910,000 |
| 1980 | 6,430,000 |
| 1979 | 5,959,000 |
| 1978 | 5,481,000 |
| 1977 | 5,005,000 |
| 1976 | 4,535,000 |
| 1975 | 4,265,000 |
| 1974 | 4,000,000 |
| 1973 | 3,741,000 |
| 1972 | 3,478,000 |
| 1971 | 3,215,000 |
| 1970 | 2,952,000 |
| 1969 | 2,689,000 |
| 1968 | 2,426,000 |
| 1967 | 2,164,000 |
| 1966 | 1,870,000 |
| 1965 | 1,791,000 |
| 1964 | 1,713,000 |
| 1963 | 1,635,000 |
| 1962 | 1,557,000 |
| 1961 | 1,485,000 |
| 1960 | 1,401,000 |
| 1959 | 1,323,000 |
| 1958 | 1,245,000 |
| 1957 | 1,167,000 |
| 1956 | 1,095,000 |
| 1955 | 1,010,000 |
| 1954 | 935,000 |
| 1953 | 869,000 |
| 1952 | 804,000 |
| 1951 | 735,000 |
| 1950 | 372,000 |
| 1949 | 608,000 |
| 1948 | 543,000 |
| 1947 | 478,000 |
| 1946 | 413,000 |
| 1945 | 348,000 |
| 1944 | 284,000 |
| 1943 | 253,000 |
| 1942 | 224,000 |
| 1941 | 194,000 |
| 1940 | 165,000 |
| 1939 | 136,000 |
| 1938 | 118,000 |
| 1937 | 98,000 |
| 1936 | 82,000 |
| 1935 | 62,000 |
| 1934 | 55,000 |
| 1933 | 49,000 |
| 1932 | 43,000 |
| 1931 | 40,000 |
| 1930 | 38,000 |
| 1929 | 35,000 |
| 1928 | 33,000 |
| 1927 | 3,000 |
| 1926 | 28,000 |
| 1925 | 25,000 |
Rolex Serial Number By Year
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