Rolex Serial Number Checker
Identify the approximate production year of your Rolex watch using its serial number, look up what serial format was used in a given year, decode your bracelet clasp code, or break down a model reference number.
Where to find your serial number: On watches made before 2005, it is engraved between the lugs at 6 o'clock (bracelet must be removed). After 2005, check the inner bezel ring (rehaut) at 6 o'clock.
Enter your Rolex serial number (e.g., R123456, 6434000, G234567)
Letter Prefix Serial Numbers & Random (1987+)
Starting in mid-1987, Rolex introduced a single letter prefix followed by 6 digits. After 2010, serial numbers became fully randomized.
| Serial Prefix / Format | Production Year |
|---|---|
| Random alphanumeric (post-2011) | 2011+ |
| G | 2010 |
| V | 2009 |
| M | 2007–2009 |
| Z | 2006–2008 |
| D | 2005–2006 |
| F | 2003–2005 |
| Y | 2001–2002 |
| K | 2000–2001 |
| P | 1999–2000 |
| A | 1998–1999 |
| U | 1997–1998 |
| T | 1995–1996 |
| W | 1994–1995 |
| S | 1993–1994 |
| C | 1992 |
| N | 1991 |
| X | 1991 |
| E | 1990 |
| L | 1988–1989 |
| R | 1987 |
Numeric Serial Ranges (Pre-1987)
Before 1987, Rolex used purely sequential numeric serial numbers. These ranges are approximate.
| Serial Number Range | Production Year |
|---|---|
| 9,400,000 – 9,999,999 | 1987 |
| 8,900,000 – 9,399,999 | 1986 |
| 8,614,000 – 8,899,999 | 1985 |
| 8,070,022 – 8,613,999 | 1984 |
| 7,400,000 – 8,070,021 | 1983 |
| 7,100,000 – 7,399,999 | 1982 |
| 6,520,870 – 7,099,999 | 1981 |
| 6,434,000 – 6,520,869 | 1980 |
| 5,737,030 – 6,433,999 | 1979 |
| 5,000,000 – 5,737,029 | 1978 |
| 5,008,000 – 5,999,999 | 1977 |
| 4,115,299 – 5,007,999 | 1976 |
| 3,862,196 – 4,115,298 | 1975 |
| 3,567,927 – 3,862,195 | 1974 |
| 3,200,268 – 3,567,926 | 1973 |
| 2,890,459 – 3,200,267 | 1972 |
| 2,589,295 – 2,890,458 | 1971 |
| 2,241,882 – 2,589,294 | 1970 |
| 1,900,000 – 2,241,881 | 1969 |
| 1,752,000 – 1,899,999 | 1968 |
| 1,538,435 – 1,751,999 | 1967 |
| 1,200,000 – 1,538,434 | 1966 |
| 1,100,000 – 1,199,999 | 1965 |
| 1,008,889 – 1,099,999 | 1964 |
| 824,000 – 1,008,888 | 1963 |
| 744,000 – 823,999 | 1962 |
| 643,153 – 743,999 | 1961 |
| 516,000 – 643,152 | 1960 |
| 399,453 – 515,999 | 1959 |
| 328,000 – 399,452 | 1958 |
| 224,000 – 327,999 | 1957 |
| 133,061 – 223,999 | 1956 |
| 97,000 – 133,060 | 1955 |
| 23,000 – 96,999 | 1954 |
| 0 – 22,999 | 1926–1953 |
Model Numbers
Rolex engraves a 4-6 digit model number on every watch, found between the lugs at 12 o'clock. This reference number encodes the model type, bezel style, and case material. For example, 16234 breaks down as 162 (Datejust) | 3 (Fluted bezel) | 4 (Stainless Steel w/ 18k White Gold).
| Rolex Type | Reference Prefixes |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Air-King | 55 & 140 |
| Date | 15 & 150 |
| Oysterquartz Datejust | 170 |
| Oysterquartz Day-Date | 190 |
| Yacht-Master | 166, 686 & 696 |
| Midsize Oyster Perpetual Datejust | 68, 682 |
| Ladies Oyster Perpetual | 67, 671, 672 |
| Ladies Date | 65, 69, 691 & 692 |
| Ladies Datejust | 65, 69, 691 & 692 |
Material
| Material | Code |
|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | 0 |
| Yellow Gold Filled | 1 |
| White Gold Filled | 2 |
| Stainless Steel & Yellow Gold | 3 |
| Stainless Steel w/ 18k White Gold | 4 |
| Gold Shell | 5 |
| Platinum | 6 |
| 14k Yellow Gold | 7 |
| 18k Yellow Gold | 8 |
| 18k White Gold | 9 |
Bezel
| Bezel Type | Code |
|---|---|
| Polished / Smooth | 0 |
| Engine-Turned | 1 |
| Engine-Turned | 2 |
| Fluted | 3 |
| Hand-Crafted | 4 |
| Pyramid | 5 |
| Rotating (Dive / GMT) | 6 |
Rolex Clasp Codes
Many Rolex watches have a clasp code located inside the clasp hinge. The letter(s) correspond to the year and the number signifies the month (1-12). For example, a bracelet stamped G4 was manufactured in April 1982. A service replacement bracelet has an additional “S” stamped after the code.
Single Letter Codes (1976\u20131997)
| Bracelet Code | Year |
|---|---|
| A | 1976 |
| B | 1977 |
| C | 1978 |
| D | 1979 |
| E | 1980 |
| F | 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 | 1995 |
| U | 1996 |
| V | 1997 |
Two-Letter Codes (2000\u20132010)
| Bracelet Code | Year |
|---|---|
| AB | 2000 |
| DE | 2001 |
| DT | 2002 |
| AD | 2003 |
| CL | 2004 |
| MA | 2005 |
| OP | 2006 |
| EO | 2007 |
| PJ | 2008 |
| LT | 2009 |
| RS | 2010 |
These dates are compiled from long-established Rolex serial data used in collector tools and reference charts. Serial formats changed over time: pure numeric (pre-1987), letter prefixes (1987\u20132010), and randomized alphanumeric (post-2011). All dates are estimates.
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Shop Pre-Owned RolexFrequently Asked Questions
On Rolex watches made before 2005, the serial number is engraved between the lugs at the 6 o'clock position (you need to remove the bracelet to see it). After 2005, Rolex began engraving the serial number on the inner bezel ring (rehaut) at the 6 o'clock position, making it visible without removing the bracelet.
No. Starting in mid-2011, Rolex switched to randomized serial numbers that do not encode the production year. For watches made after 2011, the only reliable way to determine the year is through the warranty card or Rolex service records.
The production year is when Rolex manufactured the watch, while the purchase year is when it was first sold to a customer. These can differ by months or even years, as watches may sit in inventory before being sold. The serial number reflects the approximate production date, not the sale date.
A clasp code is a letter-and-number stamp found inside the clasp hinge of a Rolex bracelet. The letter(s) indicate the year of manufacture and the number indicates the month (1-12). A trailing "S" indicates the clasp is a service replacement. Clasp codes were also randomized after mid-2011.
A Rolex reference number is typically 4-6 digits found engraved between the lugs at the 12 o'clock position. It decodes into three parts: the first 2-3 digits identify the model family (e.g., 162 = Datejust), the next digit indicates the bezel type (e.g., 3 = fluted), and the last digit indicates the material (e.g., 4 = stainless steel with white gold). For example, 16234 means Datejust with fluted bezel in stainless steel and 18k white gold.
No. All dates provided by serial number lookup tools are estimates. Rolex did not change serial prefixes or ranges on exact calendar dates — transitions happened mid-year and overlaps occurred. Use these dates as approximate guidelines, not definitive facts. For precise dating, consult Rolex directly or check your warranty documentation.