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