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.
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. Since 1987, Rolex has used a system of 1 letter, followed by 6 digits.
- Find the Rolex Serial Number On models produced before 2007, the Rolex serial number is located between the bottom lugs (where the band connects to the case). You will need to remove the band to.
- 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.
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”.
| 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
Where Are The Serial Numbers Located On A Rolex Watch Bands
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 |
Including Serial Numbers, Production Dates and Calibers
The year was 1905 and the place was London, England. Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis founded 'Wilsdorf & Davis' and began importing high-quality Swiss watch movements, produced by Hermann Aegler, and placing them in good-quality cases made by Dennison and others. These early watches were sold to jewelers who marketed them with their own names on the dial. The earliest known examples of Wilsdorf & Davis watches are signed 'W&D' inside the case back. Contrary to popular belief, Wilsdorf was neither Swiss nor a watchmaker. Wilsdorf was a German national, and Davis was British.
The 'Rolex' trademark was registered in 1908, and the firm opened an office in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, the world's center for high-quality watchmaking. There is some debate as to the origins of the Rolex name. Wilsdorf was said to want an easily recognizable name that could be pronounced in any language and would fit easily on the dial of a watch. Some suggest that the name came from the French phrase horlogerie exquise, meaning 'exquisite horology'. J.P. Hess and James Dowling, in their book The Best of Time: Rolex Wristwatches, An Unauthorized History, clam that the name was just made up. 'Rolex' was first registered as a company name on November 15, 1915. The Rolex name did not appear on the watch dial until 1926.
Rolex Moves to Geneva and Launches the 'Oyster'
Where Are The Serial Numbers Located On A Rolex Watch Battery
In 1919, the company's headquarters was moved to Geneva, Switzerland, because taxes and export duties in the United Kingdom were driving up costs. The company was first established in Geneva as the Rolex Watch Company. Subsequently, the name was changed to Montres Rolex, SA and finally just Rolex, SA.
One of the most important developments in the history of Rolex watches came when Wilsdorf purchased the patent for a revolutionary moisture-proof winding stem and crown from its inventors, George Peret and Paul Perregaux. The result of this acquisition was the development of the world's first truly waterproof case, which was given the name 'Oyster' in 1926. In an effort to market the new Oyster watch, Wilsdorf hired a young London typist named Mercedes Glietz, the first woman to swim the English Channel. In 1927, prior to Glietz' second attempt to swim the Channel, Wilsdorf announced to the world that she would be wearing his water-proof Rolex Oyster watch and that she would emerge from the water and his watch would be running and on time, something which had never been previously accomplished. Though Miss Glietz did not complete this second crossing, which occurred under much more difficult conditions than her first swim, the watch performed beautifully. She and her Rolex Oyster made headlines around the world!
To this day, Rolex continues to form creative advertising partnerships with athletes and athletic events. They are the official timekeeper of the Wimbledon and Australian Open tennis tournaments, and the Americas Cup yacht races, just to name a few.
The Wilsdorf Foundation
After his wife died in 1944, Wilsdorf established the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation to which he left all of his Rolex shares, ensuring that a significant portion of the company's income would go to charity in perpetuity. Rolex is still owned by this private charitable trust which supports many children's charities (Mr. Wilsdorf was an orphan) and cutting-edge entrepreneurial endeavors (Mr. Wilsdorf held over 700 patents). No Rolex shares are traded on any public exchange.
Today, the Rolex brand is recognized throughout the world as a symbol of prestige and quality. Rolex is by far the single largest luxury watch brand, producing about 2000 watches per day, and is certainly one of the top watch brands in the world.
Rolex Innovations:
Rolex has made many important contributions to the field of horology. Some key innovations are:
- The first truly waterproof watch. (Rolex Oyster, 1926)
- The first 'auto-rotor' self-winding watch. (1932)
- The first wristwatch with an automatically changing date on the dial (Rolex Datejust, 1945)
- The first wristwatch with an automatically changing day and date on the dial (Rolex Day-Date)
- The first wristwatch case waterproof to 100m (330ft) (Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner, 1953)
- The first wristwatch to show two time zones at once (Rolex GMT Master, 1954)
- The first watch manufacturer to earn chronometer certification for a wristwatch
Rolex holds the record for the most certified chronometer movements in the category of wristwatches. Rolex also participated in the development of the original quartz watch movement. Although Rolex has made very few battery-powered quartz models, the company's engineers were instrumental in design and implementation of the technology during the early 1970s.
Rolex Repair:
We are currently not accepting modern Rolex watches for repair because Rolex does not supply spare parts or technical information to many qualified independent watchmakers. To learn more about Swiss watch manufacturers' restrictions on parts distribution, read here.
Fake 'Rolex' Watches:
Where Are The Serial Numbers Located On A Rolex Watch Band Replacement
The Rolex brand has been frequently copied, and you have no doubt seen email advertisements for imitation Rolex watches at deep-discount prices. Don't waste your money! These watches are cheap, poorly-made fakes that are not serviceable and will not perform like the genuine article. Counterfeiting products is illegal. We do not encourage or endorse the purchase of any counterfeit watch!
Rolex Watch Company
Where Are The Serial Numbers Located On A Rolex Watch Band
Rolex serial numbers are located on the side of the watch case, between the lugs on the 6:00 end. It is usually necessary to release the bracelet in order to see the serial number. This should only be done by an experienced watchmaker to prevent scratching the case or bracelet. You should never purchase a Rolex watch if the serial number has been removed or tampered with.
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1966 | 1871000 |
| 1966 | 1994956 |
| 1967 | 2163900 |
| 1968 | 2426800 |
| 1970 | 2555384 |
| 1969 | 2689700 |
| 1970 | 2952600 |
| 1971 | 3215500 |
| 1972 | 3478400 |
| 1973 | 3741300 |
| 1974 | 4004200 |
| 1975 | 4267100 |
| 1976 | 4538000 |
| 1977 | 5008000 |
| 1978 | 5482000 |
| 1979 | 5958000 |
Where Are The Serial Numbers Located On A Rolex Watch
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 6434000 |
| 1981 | 6910000 |
| 1982 | 7386000 |
| 1983 | 7862000 |
| 1984 | 8338000 |
| 1985 | 8614000 |
| 1986 | 9290000 |
| 1987 | 9766000 |
| 1987 1/2 | 9999999 |
| 1987 1/2 | R000001 |
| 1988 | R999999 |
| 1989 | L000001 |
| 1990 1/2 | L999999 |
| 1990 1/2 | E000001 |
| 1991 1/2 | E999999 |
| 1991 1/2 | X000001 |
Where Are The Serial Numbers On A Rolex Watch
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| Nov 1991 | N000001 |
| 1992 1/4 | C000001 |
| 1993 3/4 | S000001 |
| 1995 - 1998 | W000001 |
| 1996 - 1998 | T000001 |
| Aug 1997 | U000001 |
| Nov 1998 | A000001 |
| Apr 2000 | P000001 |
| Aug 2001 | K000001 |
| Sept 2002 | Y000001 |
| Jan 2004 | F000001 |
| Jan 05 - Jul 06 | D000001 |
| July 06 - Dec 07 | Z000001 |
| Jan 08 - Nov 08 | M000001 |
| Dec 08 - 2010 | V000001 |
| 2010 - Present | G |
| Caliber | Model | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 3035 | Date / Datejust / Submariner | 1977 |
| 3085 | GMT | 1977 |
| 3055 | Day-Date | 1977 |
| 3075 | GMT II / Explorer II | 1981 |
| 3135 | Date / Datejust / Submariner | 1988 |
| 3175 | GMT II / Explorer II | 1988 |
| 3185 | GMT | 1988 |
| 3155 | Day-Date | 1988 |
| 3000 | Non-Date | 1990 |
Renaissance Watch Repair is not affiliated with Rolex, SA. The Rolex name and names of various Rolex watch models as shown here are trademarks of Rolex, SA. Information provided for educational purposes only and we make no warranty as to its accuracy or reliability.