Rolex Serial Number Production Date Guide

What year was my Rolex was produced?

In simple terms, the easiest way to understand the year your Rolex was produced is to follow these steps:

Step 1: Locate the serial number on your Rolex watch either between the lugs on the 6 o'clock hour marker side of the case or on the inner part of the bezel, just beneath the sapphire crystal.

Step 2: Compare the Rolex serial number to the number on the guide below to determine the exact year it was manufactured.

Where is the serial number on my Rolex watch?

The Rolex serial number can be used to determine the year in which your Rolex was produced. Rolex Serial numbers can be located in one of two places on your watch. The first place you can check for your Rolex Serial number is in between the lugs on the six o'clock side of the metal case. The bracelet must be removed to make this number visible. The second area to check for your Rolex serial number would be on the inner part of the bezel, between the dial and the sapphire crystal. This is called, dial rehaut, when in French.

What is the difference between Rolex reference numbers and serial numbers?

Each Rolex watch has two different numbers engraved into its case. One of the numbers is the serial number, which is typically about 4-8 digits long. The other number on your Rolex is the reference number, which can be anywhere from 4-6 digits long. Both numbers are engraved into the case, between the lugs. The serial numbers are used to determine the year of production while the reference numbers are used to specify which models

For Rolex's that were produced within the years 1927-2004, you can locate the serial number in between the lugs on the side of the 6 o'clock hour marker. Rolex's produced in 2005-2009 have a serial number in between the dial and crystal, on the inside wall of the bezel. In 2010, the Rolex brand began to come up with randomized and unique serial numbers, making it a bit harder to determine the exact year the watch was manufactured. After you locate the serial number on your Rolex, look at the chart below to determine the exact year it was produced.

REMEMBER

Before 2005- Serial number is between the lugs of the 6 o'clock side

After 2005- Serial number is on the inner part of the bezel (dial rehaut)

Use the chart below to understand exactly when your Rolex watch was produced.

Serial Number	Production Year
2020	Random
2019	Random
2018	Random
2017	Random
2016	Random
2015	Random
2014	Random
2013	Random
2012	Random
2011	Random
2010	G
2009	V
2008	M or V
2007	M or Z
2006	D or Z
2005	D or F
2004	F
2003	F
2002	Y
2001	K or Y
2000	K000001 or P000001/td>
1999	A00000
1998	U932144
1997	U000001
1996	T000001
1995	W000001
1994	S860880
1993	S000001
1992	C000001
1991	N000001 or X000001
1990	E000001
1989	L980000
1988	R598200
1987	R000001 or 9400000
1986	8900000
1985	8614000
1984	8070022
1983	7400000
1982	7100000
1981	6520870
1980	6434000
1979	5737030
1978	5000000
1977	5008000
1976	4115299
1975	3862196
1974	3567927
1973	3200268
1972	2890459
1971	2589295
1970	2241882
1969	1900000
1968	1752000
1967	1538435
1966	1200000
1965	1100000
1964	1008889
1963	824000
1962	744000
1961	643153
1960	516000
1959	399453
1958	328000
1957	224000
1956	133061
1955	97000
1954	23000
1953	855726
1952	726639
1951	709249
1950
1949
1948	628840
1947	529163
1946	367946
1945	302459
1944	269561
1943	230878
1942	143509
1941	106047
1940	99775
1939	71224
1938	43739
1937	40920
1936	36856
1935	34336
1934	30823
1933	29562
1932	29132
1931
1930	13186
1929
1928	23969
1927	20190
1926	00001

History of the Rolex Brand

In 1905, Hans Wilsdorf founded what would later be known as the Rolex brand in London, United Kingdom. Wilsdorf is most-commonly recognized for his creation of the first waterproof wristwatch. From there, he was able to create several state-of-the-art timepieces that quickly pushed him to the top of the watch-making industry.

Rolex is a world-renowned brand of luxurious Swiss-made watches, based in Geneva, Switzerland. Today, the brand is praised for its highly-coveted Professional and Classic luxury timepieces. Some of Rolex's most popular models are the Submariner, GMT Master, Datejust, and Air King. One of the aspects of the Rolex brand that makes it so special is the fact that every piece and part of their watches are made of the highest quality materials and mechanical technology. The functionality and luxurious design of Rolex watches are truly unmatched.

Today, the Rolex brand has over 100 years of experience behind them and presents an ever-growing lineup of Swiss watches. Rolex continues to create various iterations of the most popular models to cater to a wider audience. Rolex still sets the bar for the highest standards in watchmaking history, allowing its loyal consumers to rest assured that the timepiece they are buying is not only a watch but a lifelong investment.