ROLEX
SERIAL NUMBERS

Rolex serial numbers have between 4 – 8 digits. Modern Rolex watches are machine engraved or stamped, making them very perfect and precise markings. However, between the 1920s and 1960s Rolex serial numbers were hand stamped and these markings do not always look 100% perfect and precise under magnification.

There are two places where a Rolex serial number can be found on an Oyster cased watch. All Rolex Oyster cased watches made prior to 2005 have the serial number located on the outside of the case between the 6 o’clock lugs. To find your serial number you will need to remove the strap or bracelet. This number is also often (but not always) stamped on the inside of the case back.

After 2005, Rolex began laser engraving their watches on the inner bezel, also known as the dial rehaut. As well as between the lugs at the 6 o’clock position. This may have been in response to the growing number of fake Rolexes on the market, as engraving on the inner bezel makes it more difficult for fraudsters to make a genuine-looking serial number. By 2008, Rolex stopped engraving the serial number on the case exterior and now only engraves it on the inner bezel.

Location of Rolex Serial Numbers:

• Before 2005 – engraved on the exterior, between lugs at the 6 o’clock position
• 2005 to 2008 – engraved between lugs and on the inner bezel (both 6 o’clock position)
• 2008 onwards – etched on the inner bezel only (6 o’clock position)

It’s worth noting that it is possible that some older Rolex watches have their serial numbers worn away by bulky tight-fitting straps that continuously rub on the serial number. This is more likely to happen on gold Rolex watches as gold is a softer metal, but it is possible with steel Rolexes also.

When looking for your Rolex serial number, make sure you don’t get confused with the Rolex model reference number. Rolex model reference numbers are located between the watch lugs at the 12 o’clock position. It may be 4, 5 or 6 digits long, the unique sequence of numbers indicates the watches materials and parts used.

The first two to four digits of the model reference number describe the type of watch. If the model number of your watch is five or six digits long, the second to last number describes the bezel. The final number symbolises the type of metal the watch is made from.

For some watches, the model numbers will be slightly different in that they will have letters following the numerical digits, and these provide additional information about the watch.

It’s important to restate that Rolex has never published an official list of Rolex serial numbers like many other luxury watch brands do. The serial number lists and databases you find on the internet, including the one below, have been gathered from crowd-sourced data – i.e. Watch technicians, dealers, enthusiasts and collectors that have shared their knowledge amongst the watchmaking community over the years.

Bearing this in mind, you need to be aware that the information relating to Rolex serial numbers and the dates of manufacture should be taken as an estimate rather than absolutely factual.

For example, not every Rolex model follows the same serial number cut-off, or model changes. This really depends on what Rolex decides with each model regarding the production cut-off. Additionally, ageing your watch according to the Rolex serial number is not a good way to know when it was originally first sold.

It’s not unusual, especially for less popular or solid gold Rolex watch models, to sit in a store case at the authorised dealers for years after the manufacture date. Also, just because a case has a serial number dated from 1990 doesn’t mean the watch was fully assembled in 1990. For specific information about when your Rolex watch was first sold, you will need the original signed/dated warranty card or sales receipt.

There are a few other things to know about Rolex serial numbers before you start trawling the serial number list below. In autumn 2009, Rolex started using a random numbering system to generate its serial numbers. The only way to identify the exact date of a Rolex produced in late 2009 onwards is to take it to an official Rolex dealer.

When Rolex made their millionth watch, they confusingly restarted their serial numbers at 100,000 instead of carrying on with a seven-digit code. If your Rolex serial number falls between 100,000 and 999,999, you’ll need to take it to a vintage watch dealer who is experienced in Rolexes to have it accurately dated. We can take care of that for you at Vintage Gold Watches, get in touch with us to find out how.