Rolex serial numbers and years of production
4 min read
The serial numbers on a Rolex brand watch can often establish the production date of the case. This identification is possible for watches produced until 2010. After 2010, Rolex marked its watches with randomly arranged numbers and letters (commonly referred to as RANDOM serial numbers), making it impossible to determine the year of production, at least for now.
It is important to note that while serial numbers can accurately indicate the year of production of the watch case in some years, the same does not apply to the surrounding parts. Thus, especially for vintage watches, it is possible to find cases produced in 1985 with dials and bezels replaced in 1995. An article on this subject will be published soon.
If your Rolex was produced before 2005, the serial number of your Rolex watch is necessarily engraved on the case between the two lower lugs (at 6 o'clock). If it was produced between 2005 and 2008, the serial number may also sometimes be engraved on the rehaut of the watch (see photos). After 2008, the number is only engraved on the rehaut around the watch dial. For engravings on the rehaut, it is often necessary to tilt the watch properly to read this number and use a small flashlight to make reading the serial number easier, if necessary.
Since 2010 marks the beginning of random numbering - no longer allowing determination of the watch's production year - it is still important to be able to read this number to verify if it matches the one indicated on the Rolex warranty card.
To find the serial number of your Rolex, if it dates before 2005, it will be necessary to remove the bracelet.
To refer to the Rolex serial number table below, note the serial number you find between the lugs or on the rehaut of your Rolex (for models from 2005 and onwards) and simply look at the corresponding date in the left column. Here’s how to read this table:
K,000,001 2000
If your watch has the number K203405, its production date corresponds to 2000
1985 8,614,000 (number corresponding to the beginning of the production year)
If your watch has the number 8,785,120, its production date corresponds to 1985
If your watch has the number 8,512,420, its production date corresponds to 1984
As mentioned earlier, it is very important to note that this number is only marked on the case and/or on the rehaut of the watch, not on other parts. This chart helps you date your watch (note: production date, not commercialization date), but it does not serve as a means of authenticating the watch.
G | 2010 | 8,070,022 | 1984 | 97,000 | 1955 |
V | 2010 | 7,400,000 | 1983 | 23,000 | 1954 |
M or V | 2008 | 7,100,000 | 1982 | 855,726 | 1953 |
M or Z | 2007 | 6,520,870 | 1981 | 726,639 | 1952 |
D or Z | 2006 | 6,434,000 | 1980 | 709,249 | 1951 |
For information, you can find the reference number of your watch between the top lugs, at 12 o'clock. The reference number simply tells you the model of your watch. It is interesting to note that these numbers provide much more information than just a reference. For example, for a Rolex Submariner gold and steel from 1985, commonly known as Sultan, you will find the reference 16613 (followed by LB for a blue bezel and a blue dial, and LN for a black bezel and a black dial). This Rolex reference number is deciphered as follows:
166 = Rolex Submariner
1 = Rotating bezel
3 = Gold/Steel
For a Rolex Daytona in steel, reference 116500:
1165 = Rolex Daytona
0 = Fixed bezel
0 = Steel
All the information can be found in the tables below
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Each country has a code, and this code is found on the warranty card of your Rolex or on your certificate. It corresponds to the country of the authorized dealer that first sold the watch. This information is very interesting, especially when purchasing a pre-owned watch from an individual.
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Like your Rolex watch, your Rolex bracelet can also be dated, allowing you to know if it has been replaced or if it corresponds to the production date of your watch. It is common for a watch owner to replace their bracelet when it is worn out or damaged. The number of your bracelet is engraved on the folding clasp, readable when it is open. Below is the table containing the production codes of Rolex bracelets.
Rolex Bracelet Code | Year of Production |
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A or VA | 1976 |
B or VB | 1977 |
C or VC | 1978 |
D or VD | 1979 |
E or VE | 1980 |
F or VF | 1981 |
G | 1982 |
H | 1983 |
I | 1984 |
J | 1985 |
K | 1986 |
L | 1987 |
M | 1988 |
N | 1989 |
O | 1990 |
P | 1991 |
Q | 1992 |
R | 1993 |
S | 1994 |
T or W | 1995 |
V | 1996 |
Z | 1997 |
U | 1998 |
X | 1999 |
AB | 2000 |
DE | 2001 |
DT | 2002 |
AD | 2003 |
CL | 2004 |
MA | 2005 |
OP | 2006 |
EO | 2007 |
PJ | 2008 |
LT | 2009 |
RS | 2010 |
CP | 2011 |
RANDOM | 201+ |
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