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Rolex Numbers and Production Dates

The serial numbers of Rolex watches can be located between the lugs on the side of the case, specifically at the 6 o’clock position, behind the bracelet. These serial numbers consist of 4 – 8 digits and are engraved by Rolex on each watch. They can be utilised to determine the production date of the timepiece.

To find the production year of your Rolex, you can utilise a Manufacture Date Look‑Up Tool or refer to the chart below. Match the serial number of your watch with the corresponding production year.

Serial Number / Year Chart
Serial Number Year
Random 2018
Random 2017
Random 2016
Random 2015
Random 2014
Random 2013
Random 2012
Random 2011
G 2010
V 2009
M OR V 2008
M OR Z 2007
D OR Z 2006
D 2005
F 2005
F 2004
F 2003
Y 2002
K OR Y 2001
K,000,001 2000
P,000,001 2000
A,000,001 1999
U,932,144 1998
U,000,001 1997
T,000,001 1996
W,000,001 1995
S,860,880 1994
S,000,001 1993
C,000,001 1992
N,000,001 1991
X,000,001 1991
E,000,001 1990
L,980,000 1989
R,598,200 1988
R,000,001 1987
9,400,000 1987
8,900,000 1986
8,614,000 1985
8,070,022 1984
7,400,000 1983
7,100,000 1982
6,520,870 1981
6,434,000 1980
5,737,030 1979
5,000,000 1978
5,008,000 1977
4,115,299 1976
3,862,196 1975
3,567,927 1974
3,200,268 1973
2,890,459 1972
2,589,295 1971
2,241,882 1970
1,900,000 1969
1,752,000 1968
1,538,435 1967
1,200,000 1966
1,100,000 1965
1,008,889 1964
824,000 1963
744,000 1962
643,153 1961
516,000 1960
399,453 1959
328,000 1958
224,000 1957
133,061 1956
97,000 1955
23,000 1954
855,726 1953
726,639 1952
709,249 1951
1950
1949
628,840 1948
529,163 1947
367,946 1946
302,459 1945
269,561 1944
230,878 1943
143,509 1942
106,047 1941
99,775 1940
71,224 1939
43,739 1938
40,920 1937
36,856 1936
34,336 1935
30,823 1934
29,562 1933
29,132 1932
1931
23,186 1930
1929
23,969 1928
20,190 1927
00,001 1926


Rolex Model Numbers
Rolex Type Reference Number Prefix
Submariner (no date) 55 & 140
Submariner 16, 166 & 168
Sea Dweller 16 & 166
GMT Master 16, 65, 167
GMT Master II 167, 1167
Day-Date (President) 65, 66, 18, 180, 182 & 183
Datejust 16 & 162
Daytona Manual Wind 62
Daytona Cosmograph 165, 1165
Explorer II 165
Oyster Perpetual 10, 140, 142
Airking 55 & 140
Date 15 & 150
Oysterquartz Datejust 170
Oysterquartz Day-Date 190
Yachtmaster 166, 686 & 696
Midsize Oyster Perp DJ 68, 682
Ladies Oyster Perpetual 67, 671, 672
Ladies Date 65, 69, 691 & 692
Ladies Datejust 65, 69, 691 & 692


Every watch produced by Rolex is assigned a 4-6 digit model number, which is either engraved or assigned to the timepiece. You can find this number engraved between the lugs on the side of the case, above the 12 o’clock position. The model number provides information about the specific watch model, bezel type, and material used.


For instance, let’s take the reference number 18038 as an example. This number can be divided into three sections: 180 | 3 | 8. The first section, 180, indicates that the watch belongs to the Day-Date model. The second section, 3, signifies that the bezel is fluted. Lastly, the third section, 8, indicates that the watch is made of 18k yellow gold material.

Material
Material Code
Stainless 0
Yellow Gold Filled 1
White Gold Filled 2
Stainless & Yellow Gold 3
Stainless w/ 18k White Gold 4
Gold Shell 5
Platinum 6
14k Yellow Gold 7
18k Yellow Gold 8


Bezel
Bezel Type Code
Polished 0
Engine Turned 1
Engine Turned 2
Fluted 3
Hand-Crafted 4
Pyramid 5
Rotating Bezel 6
Rolex Serial Numbers & Dates Guide | Martin Oliva