Rolex Serial Numbers: The Ultimate Guide

A unique serial number is engraved on every Rolex produced. Over 80 years ago, that number was often clearly engraved on the caseback. Then, for decades it was found between the lugs on the 6 o’clock side, where the bracelet meets the watch head. And since 2008, all Rolex watches have serial numbers engraved on the rehaut (the ring between dial and sapphire crystal), also on the 6 o’clock side. The serial number is also printed on the warranty card, or on a paper certificate for vintage models. We’ve built the best and simplest Rolex serial number year lookup tool on the web here in this article, and below that we’ll go into some history and details.

Serial Number Locations

1. Antique Rolex watches: Usually on caseback (varies)
2. Rolex watches made 1950-2005: Engraved on the exterior of the case, in between the lugs at the 6 o’clock side (must remove bracelet to see)
3. Exceptions: The Rolex 1530, 1630, and Oysterquartz models have their serial numbers written on the underside of the case, diagonally near a lug
4. Rolex watches made from 2005 to 2008: Engraved on the exterior of the case and laser etched on the rehaut at the 6 o’clock side
5. Rolex watches made from 2008 onward: Laser etched on the rehaut on the 6 o’clock side

So, what can a Rolex serial number tell you? A serial number is one of the many counterfeit preventive measures employed by Rolex as it serves as the watch’s unique identification code. If the watch does not have a serial number on the lugs or rehaut, unless it’s a very old model, it’s fake. What’s more, Rolex has a database of reported stolen watches, identified by serial numbers. 

Finding the date of a Rolex using its serial number

In some cases, a serial number can also tell you the approximate year of production of the watch. Rolex used to use sequential serial numbers, which made it much easier to date the watch. However, starting in 2010, Rolex switched to randomized serial numbers, which made it impossible to pinpoint the date of production. 

There are a few important things to keep in mind if you’re trying to date your watch by using its serial numbers:

1. After it reached #999,999, Rolex reset its serial numbers back to 100,000 sometime around the end of 1954 
2. After it reaches #9,999,999, Rolex restructured its serial numbers to include one letter followed by six digits in 1987
3. By the end of 2010, Rolex switched to randomized serial numbers
4. Any charts you use are not official from Rolex but are compiled by Rolex collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts. They are approximations only. 

If your Rolex has a bracelet, you can also use its clasp code to determine its age. Don’t fret if the indicated year for the clasp is 1-2 years off from the watch. We’ll break it all down for you:

Rolex Serial Number and Clasp Codes by Year

Year	Serial Range	Clasp Code
Before 1920	Under 14,100	n/a
1920	14,100–15,299	n/a
1921	15,300–16,499	n/a
1922	16,500–17,699	n/a
1923	17,700–18,799	n/a
1924	18,800–19,999	n/a
1925	20,000–21,499	n/a
1926	21,500–22,999	n/a
1927	23,000–24,499	n/a
1928	24,500–25,999	n/a
1929	26,000–27,499	n/a
1930	27,500–28,999	n/a
1931	29,000–30,599	n/a
1932	30,600–32,099	n/a
1933	32,100–33,599	n/a
1934	33,600–35,099	n/a
1935	35,100–38,199	n/a
1936	38,200–41,299	n/a
1937	41,300–44,499	n/a
1938	44,500–47,599	n/a
1939	47,600–79,099	n/a
1940	79,100–110,599	n/a
1941	110,600–142,099	n/a
1942	142,100–173,599	n/a
1943	173,600–204,999	n/a
1944	205,000–236,499	n/a
1945	236,500–274,999	n/a
1946	275,000–320,699	n/a
1947	320,700–404,999	n/a
1948	405,000–489,199	48 (preceded by quarter)
1949	489,200–573,399	49 (preceded by quarter)
1950	573,400–657,599	50 (preceded by quarter)
1951	657,600–741,799	51 (preceded by quarter)
1952	741,800–826,099	52 (preceded by quarter)
1953	826,100–910,299	53 (preceded by quarter)
1954	910,300–999,999	54 (preceded by quarter)
1955	100,000–189,999	55 (preceded by quarter)
1956	190,000–279,999	56 (preceded by quarter)
1957	280,000–349,999	57 (preceded by quarter)
1958	350,000–449,999	58 (preceded by quarter)
1959	450,000–549,999	59 (preceded by quarter)
1960	550,000–649,999	60 (preceded by quarter)
1961	650,000–754,999	61 (preceded by quarter)
1962	755,000–864,999	62 (preceded by quarter)
1963	865,000–999,999	63 (preceded by quarter)
1964	1,000,000–1,104,999	64 (preceded by quarter)
1965	1,105,000–1,274,999	65 (preceded by quarter)
1966	1,275,000–1,484,999	66 (preceded by quarter)
1967	1,485,000–1,709,999	67 (preceded by quarter)
1968	1,710,000–1,944,999	68 (preceded by quarter)
1969	1,945,000–2,239,999	69 (preceded by quarter)
1970	2,240,000–2,589,999	70 (preceded by quarter)
1971	2,590,000–2,889,999	71 (preceded by quarter)
1972	2,890,000–3,199,999	72 (preceded by quarter)
1973	3,200,000–3,569,999	73 (preceded by quarter)
1974	3,570,000–3,864,999	74 (preceded by quarter)
1975	3,865,000–4,114,999	75 (preceded by quarter)
1976	4,115,000–4,399,999	A
1977	4,500,000–4,989,999	B
1978	4,990,000–5,499,999	C
1979	5,500,000–5,999,999	D
1980	6,000,000–6,499,999	E
1981	6,500,000–6,999,999	F
1982	7,000,000–7,499,999	G
1983	7,500,000–7,999,999	H
1984	8,000,000–8,499,999	I
1985	8,500,000–8,999,999	J
1986	9,000,000–9,999,999	K
1987	R000000–R499999	L
1988	R500000–R999999	M
1989	L000000–L999999	N
1990	E000000–E999999	O
1991	N000000–N999999	P
1992	C000000–C999999	Q
1993	S000000–S499999	R
1994	S500000–S999999	S
1995	W000000–W999999	T or W
1996	T000000–T999999	V or U
1997	U000000–U499999	Z or U
1998	U500000–U999999	Z or W
1999	A000000–A999999	X
2000	P000000–P999999	AB
2001	K000000–K333333, Y000000–Y499999	DE
2002	K333334–K666666, Y500000–Y999999, F000000–F333333	DT
2003	K666667–K999999, F333334–F666666	AD
2002	Y500000–Y999999, F000000–F333333	DT
2003	F333334–F666666	AD
2004	F666667–F999999, D000000–D499999	CL
2005	D500000–D999999, Z000000–Z499999	MA
2006	Z500000–Z999999, M000000–M499999	OP
2007	M500000–M999999, V000000–V333333	EO
2008	V333334–V666666	PJ
2009	V666667–V999999	LT
2010	G000000–G999999 or Random	RS
2011	Random	CP
2012+	Random	Random

Service Replacement Cases

Sometimes, when a case is so badly damaged that it can no longer maintain water resistance, a Rolex Service Center will replace the case entirely. In these cases, the service case will not have the original serial number. Service replacement cases start with 44 or 48.

So if your case has a seven-digit serial starting with 44 or 48, it has been replaced, and that number can’t be used to date the watch.

Also, if you see a serial number often used on counterfeits (like one ending in L6V6 or J2R0), that’s one way to spot a fake Rolex. That just about covers the basics of Rolex serial numbers, which are probably the most scrutinized in the history of watch serial numbers.

I will note that when it comes to desirable vintage models, the collector community has often nailed down a very specific range of “accepted” serial numbers. So if you’re buying a rare vintage watch, do some research on the specific reference number and dial you’re looking at. And of course if you need help finding the right watch, let us know!