Rolex Serial Number Years

The Vintage Rolex Case Number Project. Rolex serial or case numbers have long been a source of frustration, amazement and amusement to collectors trying to.

Rolex Serial Numbers Production Year database updated for 2015 – Find the manufacture date, case reference, model numbers lists for all Rolex watches and.

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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

F982176, engraved into the case at the 6 o clock position, with ROLEX engraved

repetitiously around the dial in a circular fashion.

A Brief Explanation of the Rolex Serial Numbering System

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. Around 1953, the numbers reached the 999,999 mark, at which time Rolex decided against adding a 7th digit, thus continuing into the millions --Instead, they started the sequence over. While it was originally believed that this resequence started over at 100,000, or even 20,000, but evidence suggests that it actually restarted at 10,000 or possibly lower.

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.

The following Round Numbers Serial Number List has been comprised of known serial number ranges for the years listed. By checking a particular serial number against this list you should be able to date a watch with reasonable accuracy. However, it is no quarantee as to when your watch was shipped from the factory. Furthermore, this list only applies to Rolex Oyster-cased watches, and should NOT be used for Tudor, or vintage non-Oyster Rolex watches.

A Tudor work in progress Serial Number List is included at the bottom of this page

The numbers listed particularly those preceding the letter prefix system are a middle number for the given year. As an example, the year 1944 listed below shows a serial number range of 270000, but this year could include serial numbers below and above this number i.e. 260000-280000. This is simply the median number represented for that year.

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 Numbers by Date of Manufacture.

Round Number Serial Number List

Serial Date.

Contact

Overview History of Rolex SA : A quick overview of the major components of a Rolex watch along with some background history.

Rolex Oyster Timeline and Years of Model Feature Introductions : An index of release dates for Rolex model types and features. For instance, the cyclops was introduced in 1954 and Submariner Date in 1970.

Rolex Models : A comprehensive list of Rolex models including variations in styles and history.

Rolex Movements and Calibers : An index of Rolex movement calibers with their year of introduction and the models that house those movements.

Rolex Numbers in Brief : How to decypher Rolex model numbers and understand the significance of the different digits.

Rolex Model Numbers : An exhaustive list of most Rolex model numbers ever produced.

Rolex Production Dates By Serial Number : Date your Rolex s age with our Serial Number Production Year Database, updated for 2015.

Rolex Production Dates By Serial Number

The serial number is traditionally located at 6 o clock between the lugs and under the bracelet. In 2005, Rolex began engraving the serial number on the rehaut French for flange between the dial and the crystal as well as the 6 o clock location. Starting in 2008, Rolex stopped engraving the serial number at the case 6 o clock location, using only the rehaut location. By 2010 this practice had gradually transitioned to all models.

In 2010, Rolex mostly abandoned their conventional numbering sequence in favor for a mixed aka random aka scrambled serial. They will be 8 digits, opposed to 7 in the past. Random examples of these indecipherable numbers are OT23Q257, 12345J78, and 345X29VN.

Mixed Serials 2009 Fall to Present

G000,001 2009 Fall to Present

V000,001 2008 Fall.

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• We at Hansen Jewelry, Inc. have many customers asking as to what year our Rolex watches are and or other eBay Sellers Rolex watches. We have a sheet that we.
• Date your Rolex s age with our Serial Number Production Year Database, updated for 2015.
• Rolex Serial Numbers Rolex Case Reference Numbers Rolex Serial Number List Rolex Model Numbers Date of Manufacture engraved case back between lugs How old is my Rolex.