Rolex Serial Numbers & Production Dates

• Rolex production dates by serial number
• How does Rolex assign serial numbers?
• Rolex serial number lookup chart

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”.

* 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…

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.