In 1927, Rolex began issuing every Rolex Oyster case a unique serial number to distinguish them from one another. This numbering system was originally believed to have started at 20,000, however earlier numbers have surfaced shooting holes in this theory. How To Find Your Rolex Serial Number & The Year The information on most older Rolex Watches is engraved between the lugs on the watch body. That is, the bracelet/wrist strap needs to be removed in.
Rolex Serial Numbers...
Rolex watches feature two sets of identification numbers...
a Serial Number and a Case Reference Number.
On modern Oyster cases (excluding the OysterQuartz),
these numbers are engraved between the lugs,
hidden behind the end pieces (as shown in the images below).
ABOVE: Around 2005, Rolex started engraving the Case's Serial Number into the inside edge of the case (at the 6 o'clock position, under the crystal and below the bezel), also known as the rehaut, as shown in these images, which were taken at BASELWORLD 2005, in Switzerland in early April. BELOW: A close-up view of the same watch, you can clearly see the Serial Number |
A Brief Explanation of the Rolex Serial Numbering System...
Around this same time, Rolex had initiated another dating system--They stamped the inside of the case back with a code consisting of a Roman numeral and two numbers. The Roman numerals were I, II, III, IV, which represented which quarter of the year the watch was produced. The numbers simply represented the two-digit year in which the watch was produced. Therefore, the code 'III 53' would represent the 3rd quarter (i.e. July-September) of 1953--this code continued until around 1970. Please note, some examples (primarily from around 1959), did feature the Roman Numeral and a 4-digit year (i.e. 'ii 1959'). In the early 1960s, Rolex once again reached the 999,999 mark, but this time added a 7th digit and continued into the 'millions' until mid 1987, when the numbering reached 9,999,999. At this time, Rolex elected to start numbering with a letter prefix (e.g. R000001). The system started with the letter 'R', whcih was then subsequently followed by L-E-X. Thus spelling out the word 'ROLEX' with the 'O' being omitted, to help avert any possible confusion with the number '0'. This sequence continued through November 1991, when a new numbering system was introduced utilizing the letters N, C and S, which took them through 1993. In 1994, Rolex started yet another sequence with the letters: W, T and U, then A, P, and K in subsequent years, followed by Y, F, D, Z, M, V and then G in 2010. Please note, during the 1990s and 2000s, it is estimated that Rolex produced around around 1 million watches per year. Coincidentally, the numbering sequence of any particular Letter from this system (e.g. V000001 to V999999), would in fact also be 1 million serial numbers, and worked well with this system. It is worth mentioning that Rolex would not cease a letter prefix run at the end of a given calendar year, but would continue a letter run until all numbers were used before changing the prefix code. Therefore, letter prefixes could end at random times of the year, and did not start or stop at the beginning or end of a calendar year. Then, later in 2010, they scrapped the entire system and implemented a brand new 'Random' numbering system, in which each watch is issued a (unique) 8-digit 'Random' number consisting of numbers and letters. An example of this number would be something like '16G9L7F4' and could start with either a letter or number. This offers them a seemingly endless numbering system by which they could continue indefinitely. Figuring 8 digits with a possible 36 characters (26 letters and 10 numbers) per digit, gives them over 2 Trillion (2,821,109,907,456 to be exact) possible serial numbers. Even if they were to omit the letters 'O' and 'I', to help avert any possible confusion with the numbers '0' and '1' (as they did in the previous numbering system), that would still give them 1,785,793,904,896 possible combinations. While this This also offers Rolex an opportunity to keep the exact year of manufacture for any particular watch a secret. Something that has come back to haunt them for some time now. Therefore, only Rolex knows exactly when any particular watch was made and they aren't talking.
A Tudor (work in progress) Serial Number List is included at the bottom of this page... Please Note: John E. Brozek, InfoQuest Publishing, Inc. and this website are in no way associated with Rolex USA, nor any of its associated companies. John E. Brozek does not now, nor has he EVER worked for the Rolex Watch Company or any of its subsidiaries. The information provided on this page is solely the work of the author and has not been reviewed or authorized by Rolex USA. Furthermore, the publishers have received no help from Rolex USA, nor any of its associated companies or any serving employees. |
Rolex Serial Number Lookup Authenticity
ROLEX
20000 .............................1927 |
| 22500 .............................1928 |
| 25000 .............................1929 |
| 26500 .............................1930 |
| 28000 .............................1931 |
| 28500 .............................1932 |
| 29000 .............................1933 |
| 32000 .............................1934 |
| 35000 .............................1935 |
| 37000 .............................1936 |
| 40000 .............................1937 |
| 55000 .............................1938 |
| 71000 .............................1939 |
| 90000 .............................1940 |
| 106000 .............................1941 |
| 150000 .............................1942 |
| 230000 .............................1943 |
| 270000 .............................1944 |
| 302000 .............................1945 |
| 400000 .............................1946 |
| 529000 .............................1947 |
| 570000 .............................1948 |
| 600000 .............................1949 |
| 650000 .............................1950 |
| 700000 .............................1951 |
| 800000 .............................1952 |
| 900000 ...........................1953 |
| 10000 to 300000 .........1953 to 1957 (At this time Rolex started the numbering system back at 10000. This time period also saw the start of the 'Roman Numeral' dating system explained above.) |
| 350000 .............................1958 |
| 400000 ...........................1959 |
| 550000 .............................1960 |
| 700000 ...........................1961 |
| 800000 .............................1962 |
| 900000 ...........................1963 |
| 1000000 .............................1964 |
| 1200000 ...........................1965 |
| 1400000 .............................1966 |
| 1600000 ...........................1967 |
| 1850000 .............................1968 |
| 2300000 ...........................1969 |
| 2500000 .............................1970 |
| 2900000 ...........................1971 |
| 3300000 .............................1972 |
| 3750000 ...........................1973 |
| 3900000 .............................1974 |
| 4250000 ...........................1975 |
| 4500000 .............................1976 |
| 5000000 .........................1977 |
| 5400000 .............................1978 |
| 5950000 .........................1979 |
| 6400000 .............................1980 |
| 7000000 .........................1981 |
| 7350000 .............................1982 |
| 7750000 .........................1983 |
| 8100000 .............................1984 |
| 8600000 .........................1985 |
| 9000000 .............................1986 |
| 9500000 ..........................1987 (Start of the letter prefix system.) R000001 .........................1987 |
| L000001 .........................1989 |
| E000001 .........................1990 |
| X000001 .........................1991 |
| N000001 .........................1991 |
| C000001 .........................1992 |
| S000001 .........................1993 |
| W000001 .........................1994 |
| T000001 .........................1996 |
| U000001 .........................1997 |
| A000001 .........................1998 |
| P000001 .........................2000 |
| K000001 .........................2001 |
| Y000001 .........................2002 |
| F000001 .........................2003 Also started engraving the serial number inside the bezel (under the crystal) |
| D000001 .........................2005 |
| Z000001 ..........................2006 |
| M000001 ..........................2007 |
| V000001 ..........................2008 |
| G000001 ...................Mid 2010 |
| Random Numbers ....Late 2010 to present (Now features 8-digits instead of 7) |
TUDOR
240000 .............................1956 |
| 250000 .............................1957 |
| 260000 .............................1958 |
| 270000 .............................1959 |
| 280000 .............................1960 |
| 340000 .............................1961 |
| 340000 .............................1962 |
| 390000 .............................1963 |
| 430000 .............................1964 |
| 430000 .............................1965 |
| 560000 .............................1966 |
| 590000 .............................1967 |
| 620000 .............................1968 |
| 680000 .............................1969 |
| 740000 .............................1970 |
| 750000 .............................1971 |
| 770000 .............................1972 |
| 790000 .............................1973 |
| 810000 .............................1974 |
| 830000 .............................1975 |
| 840000 .............................1976 |
| 860000 .............................1977 |
| 880000 .............................1978 |
| 900000 .............................1979 |
| 930000 .............................1980 |
| 950000 .............................1981 |
| 970000 ...........................1982 |
| 980000 ............................1983 |
| 990000 .............................1984 |
| 140000 ...........................1985 |
| 170000 .............................1986 |
| 190000 ...........................1987 |
| 210000 .............................1988 |
| 260000 ...........................1989 |
| B330000 .............................1990 |
| B360000 ...........................1991 |
| B390000 .............................1992 |
| B500000 ...........................1993 |
| B560000 .............................1994 |
| B590000 ...........................1995 |
| B790000 .............................1996 |
| B850000 ...........................1997 |
| B990000 .............................1998 |
| H130000 ...........................1999 |
| H170000 .............................2000 |
| H240000 ...........................2001 |
| H300000 .............................2002 |
Rolex Serial Number Check Stolen
Rolex Serial Numbers.
Repairs By Post has compiled a guide on how you can look-up the production year of any authentic Rolex Watch. Whether you are looking to sell, buy or repair your watch, learning how to locate the serial number is a good start.
If you're for a rough guide of Rolex service costs, you can check our Rolex 2020 service prices.
Rolex is one of the worlds most famous watch brands. Initially called Wilsdorf and Davis in London in 1905, after its founders, is became Rolex in 1908. After WW1, high taxations were implemented, the company moved to Geneva, where it has remained ever since. Of the ten most expensive watches ever purchased, 3 are Rolex, including the most expensive watch, Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona which sold for US$17.75 million.
Rolex uses the serial number system to track when a timepiece was made and to mark its authenticity. If you own an Rolex watch, you use the serial number checker below to look-up the year of production.
How to check Rolex watch serial number
Every authentic Rolex watch has a unique 4 to 8 digit serial number. This identification number is machined into the case of the watch during production. The location of which will depend on the year of manufacture, and age of the timepiece. Rolex has used several locations over the years.
Where to find Rolex serial number
To see the serial number of a Rolex (prior to 2005) you must first remove the watch band at the lugs. Once removed, on one side you have the serial number, and on the other side, you'll find the model number stamped into the case. After 2008 Rolex started engraving serial numbers on the 'rehaut' (this is the inside flange between the dial and the glass). After 2005 the company were engraving serial numbers on both the 'rehaut' and between the lugs, but this was to be phased out in 2008.
Rolex serial numbers checker
Rolex Serial Numbers Reference
Use the table below to check your serial number and locate it's year of production.
Rolex Movement Serial Number Check
| Date | Serial No |
|---|---|
| 2010 – Present | G/Random |
| Dec 08 – 2010 | V 000,001 |
| Jan 08 – Nov 08 | M 000,001 |
| July 06-Dec 07 | Z 000,001 |
| Jan 05-July 06 | D 000,001 |
| 2003 - 05 | F 000,001 |
| 2001, 2002 | Y 000,001 |
| 2001 | K 000,001 |
| 2000 | P 000,004 |
| 1998-1999 | A 000,002 |
| 1997-1998 | U 000,001 |
| 1996-1998 | T 000,001 |
| 1995-1998 | W 000,001 |
| 1993.75 | S 000,001 |
| 1992.25 | C 000,001 |
| 1991.75 | N 000,001 |
| 1991.5 | X 000,001 |
| 1991.25 | E 999,999 |
| 1990.5 | E 000,001 |
| 1990 | L 999,999 |
| 1989 | L 000,001 |
| 1988 | R 999,999 |
| 1987.5 | R 000,000 |
| 1987.5 | 9,999,999 |
| 1987 | 9,760,000 |
| 1986 | 9,300,000 |
| 1985 | 8,814,000 |
| 1984 | 8,388,000 |
| 1983 | 7,860,000 |
| 1982 | 7,366,000 |
| 1981 | 6,910,000 |
| 1980 | 6,430,000 |
| 1979 | 5,959,000 |
| 1978 | 5,481,000 |
| 1977 | 5,005,000 |
| 1976 | 4,535,000 |
| 1975 | 4,265,000 |
| 1974 | 4,000,000 |
| 1973 | 3,741,000 |
| 1972 | 3,478,000 |
| 1971 | 3,215,000 |
| 1970 | 2,952,000 |
| 1969 | 2,689,000 |
| 1968 | 2,426,000 |
| 1967 | 2,164,000 |
| 1966 | 1,870,000 |
| 1965 | 1,791,000 |
| 1964 | 1,713,000 |
| 1963 | 1,635,000 |
| 1962 | 1,557,000 |
| 1961 | 1,485,000 |
| 1960 | 1,401,000 |
| 1959 | 1,323,000 |
| 1958 | 1,245,000 |
| 1957 | 1,167,000 |
| 1956 | 1,095,000 |
| 1955 | 1,010,000 |
| 1954 | 935,000 |
| 1953 | 869,000 |
| 1952 | 804,000 |
| 1951 | 735,000 |
| 1950 | 372,000 |
| 1949 | 608,000 |
| 1948 | 543,000 |
| 1947 | 478,000 |
| 1946 | 413,000 |
| 1945 | 348,000 |
| 1944 | 284,000 |
| 1943 | 253,000 |
| 1942 | 224,000 |
| 1941 | 194,000 |
| 1940 | 165,000 |
| 1939 | 136,000 |
| 1938 | 118,000 |
| 1937 | 98,000 |
| 1936 | 82,000 |
| 1935 | 62,000 |
| 1934 | 55,000 |
| 1933 | 49,000 |
| 1932 | 43,000 |
| 1931 | 40,000 |
| 1930 | 38,000 |
| 1929 | 35,000 |
| 1928 | 33,000 |
| 1927 | 3,000 |
| 1926 | 28,000 |
| 1925 | 25,000 |
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