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 |
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.
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