A Collector’s Guide to Rolex Reference Numbers (With Lookup Tool)

Every model of watch that Rolex makes has a specific reference number, and when it comes to numbering conventions, Rolex is more coherent than most of their competitors. For the reference numbers of most Rolexes made since the 1980s, the last digit tells you the metal it’s made of, the second-to-last digit indicates bezel style, alphabetical suffixes relate to the bezel color, and other clues can tell you about the model type and age. We’ll explain all of that here, and we’ve also included the interactive lookup tool above that decodes each digit of almost any Rolex reference number you type.

History of Rolex Reference Numbers

In their early days, Rolex used a variety of third-party suppliers for their cases, and they don’t all reliably have reference numbers engraved. And some, like the very first Rolex Oyster models (ref. 678 and 679), only had three digits. But by the mid-1930s, 4-digit reference numbers were the norm. Thus the term “4-digit Rolex” refers to a model with a reference number that’s 4 digits long, like a GMT-Master ref. 1675 for example.

5-digit Rolex watches first appeared in 1978 with references like 17013 and 18038. Thus began a clear standard of denoting Rolex’s bezel styles with the second-to-last digit, and the metal with the last digit.

6-digit models, which heralded an era of heavier and more modern-feeling bracelets, were phased in from 2000-2012. Most 6-digit models have the same exact numbering conventions as their 5-digit predecessors, except with a “1” in front.

Note that in common parlance, the “4-digit” and “5-digit” terminology doesn’t really apply to Rolex dress watches. Models like the ladies’ Cellini ref. 6693, for instance, were made until about 2013–deep into what is considered the “6-digit era.” Rolex Pearlmasters, which had 5-digit references up until their discontinuation in 2022, are also exempt from the typical rules of digit length.

Metal & Bezel Codes

Here’s a full breakdown of what bezels and metals correlate to the last 2 digits of a Rolex model number. Note that this only applies to 5-digit and 6-digit models, and that ladies’ models often use a different numbering convention:

Digit	Bezel (second-to-last digit)	Metal (last digit)
0	Smooth, domed, concentric tachymeter, or dive (Sea-Dweller)	Stainless steel
1	Engine-turned, fluted (pre-1988) or rotating	Two-tone steel / rose gold (Everose Rolesor)
2	Engine-turned, upright metal tachymeter, or bidirectional (Yacht-Master)	Rolesium (steel / platinum bezel)
3	Fluted (Ladies = Engine-turned, sloped)	Two-tone steel / yellow gold (Yellow Rolesor)
4	Diamonds (Brilliant)	Steel / white gold bezel (White Rolesor)
5	Engine-turned, pyramid (pre-1988 Day-Date), trapezoidal diamond or friction-fit GMT	18k rose gold Jubilee Gold if followed by “JG”
6	Rotating (Ladies = Domed or smooth)	Platinum
7	Barked (pre-2000) or exotic gem-set (Ladies = Fluted)	14k yellow gold (pre-2000) RLX Titanium (2022+)
8	Exotic gem-set (Ladies = Fluted + diamond lugs)	18k yellow gold
9	Exotic gem-set (Ladies = Engine-turned)	18k white gold

Alphanumerical Suffixes

If you see a cluster of letters (and occasionally the numbers “12”) after a Rolex reference number, that almost always tells you about the color of the bezel and which gems are on it, if any.

There are some exceptions, though: An A or G following the reference (as in 18238A or 116334G) usually indicates a diamond dial, but A can also mean “black/red bezel insert” on a 5-digit GMT. And, notably, GV indicates a green sapphire crystal on a Milgauss, while JG indicates that the watch itself is Jubilee Gold. Here’s a full list:

Code	Meaning
A	Diamond dial (usu. on 5-digit Day-Date), or black/red (Coke) bezel for ref. 16710 GMT-Master II
B	Blue/red (Pepsi) bezel insert for 5-digit GMT
G	Diamond dial (usu. on 6-digit Datejust)
LN or N	Black bezel insert
LV	Green bezel insert
LB	Blue bezel insert
BLNR	Blue & black Cerachrom (Batman) insert
BLRO	Blue & red (Pepsi) insert
CHNR	Brown & black Cerachrom (Root Beer) insert
GRNR	Gray & black Cerachrom insert
VTNR	Green & black Cerachrom (Sprite) insert
GV	Green sapphire crystal (Milgauss only)
JG	Jubilee Gold (a proprietary gold alloy used on Day-Date 40)
12SA	Hour sapphires + diamonds between
4RU	Rubies at 12/3/6/9 + diamonds between
SA	Alternating light/dark blue sapphires
SAPH	Dark blue sapphire baguettes
SABR	Sapphire + diamond bezel
SABLNR	Blue & black sapphire (gem Batman)
SABLV	Blue & green sapphire gradient
SAJOR	Yellow & orange sapphire gradient
SAFUBL	Fuchsia & blue sapphire gradient
SACI	24 large baguette sapphires
SACO	Cognac (orange) sapphires
SAFU	Large pink sapphire baguettes
SALV or RUBI	24 large baguette rubies
SANR	Black sapphire bezel
SARO	Pink sapphire bezel
SARU	Sapphire & ruby alternating
SATS	Multi-color sapphire pattern
RUSA	Black sapphire & ruby (the Rolex “Coke with Ice”)
TRU	Trapezoidal rubies
TEM	Trapezoidal emeralds
EMRO	Large emerald baguettes
EMBR	Emeralds at hours + diamonds between
EM	Emeralds at hours + round diamonds (OQ DD)
RBOW	Rainbow sapphire gradient
RBR	Round brilliant diamond bezel
TBR	Trapezoidal / baguette diamonds
BRIL	Baguette diamonds (Pearlmaster; alias of TBR)
BR	24 baguette diamonds + gold hour dividers
BBR	Baguettes + outer row of 120 diamonds

When Do New “Generations” Start?

When it comes to Rolex reference numbers, each successive format roughly correlates to a new “generation” of movements.

For 6-digit models, when the second digit of a 6-digit model increases by one, that means it’s an updated generation with a new movement. The 33xxxx Sky-Dwellers replaced the 32xxxx Sky-Dwellers when they got a new movement, just as the 1182xx Day-Date 36 became the 1282xx Day-Date 36 and so forth.

Here’s a quick breakdown of all the generations:

Rolex Reference Number Digit Length: Quick Guide

Digit length	Era	Typical movement caliber	First model	Last model
3-digit	Pre-1935	Aegler Hunter/Rebberg	Unknown	Unknown, possibly 678 and 679
4-digit (Oyster case)	1933–1988	Aegler Hunter/Rebberg (pre-1959) 15xx, 10xx, 12xx	Unknown, possibly 1858	5500, 6694
5-digit starting with 1 or 6 (Oyster case)	1978–2015	30xx (pre-1988), 31xx	1701x and 1901x Oysterquartz, 180xx Day-Date	16623
5-digit starting with 8 (Pearlmaster)	1992-2022	31xx	80xxx	86xxx
5-digit starting with 5 (Dress watch)	2014+	31xx (Pre-2023), 7140	505×5 Cellini	(still in production)
6-digit first generation (11*, 21*, 32*)	2000-2023	31xx	1182xx Day-Date 36, 1165xx Daytona	116400
6-digit second generation (12*, 22*, 33*)	2015+	32xx	2282xx Day-Date 40	(still in production)

What are the Four Numbers After the Rolex Reference Number and Hyphen?

The four numbers that you might sometimes see after a Rolex reference number (e.g. the “0059” in 126234-0059) denote the dial. In the Rolex collector world, that isn’t generally considered part of the true core reference number.

Where to Find the Rolex Reference Number

Since the 1940’s, Rolex has been engraving the reference numbers of their watches on the midcase, between the top lugs. So, you have to remove the bracelet or strap to see it. Before that, the model number was usually just clearly engraved on the caseback.

It’s the Same Thing as Model Number

To Rolex collectors, the terms “reference number” and “model number” are interchangeable. In fact you’ll find the number next to the word “Model” on Rolex warranty cards. A Rolex serial number, on the other hand, is meant to identify that particular watch.

We’ve put together a big ol’ chart of Rolex reference numbers sorted by model name, and although it omits countless old dress watches, ladies’ models and other discontinued Rolex model names, this should cover the vast majority of Rolex models that people actually talk about:

References by Model

Model	Core	References
Air-King	140, 69	4365, 4925, 4499, 5500, 5501, 5502, 5504, 5506, 5520, 6552, 14000, 14000M, 14010, 14010M, 114200, 114210, 114234, 116900, 126900
Air-King Date	57	5700, 5701
Cellini — manual	–	4047, 4071, 4080, 4081, 4082, 4084, 4103, 4104, 4105, 4108, 4109, 4110, 4112, 4129, 4131, 4132, 4133, 4135, 4136, 4223, 4233, 4243, 4306, 4307, 4308, 4317, 4318, 4321, 4325, 5440, 5441, 5442, 5443
Cellini — automatic	50	50505, 50509, 50515, 50519, 50525, 50529, 50535, 50609RBR, 50705RBR, 50709RBR
Cellini — quartz	–	6110, 6111, 6201, 6221, 6229, 6311, 6321, 6621, 6622, 6623, 6631, 6633, 6651, 6661, 6663, 6671, 6672, 6673, 6681, 6682, 6683, 6691, 6692, 6693
Chronograph (Pre-Daytona)	–	1219, 1223, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2057, 2226, 2303, 2507, 2508, 2705, 2737, 2811, 2916, 2917, 2918, 2919, 2920, 2921, 3055, 3068, 3082, 3181, 3233, 3330, 3335, 3346, 3371, 3462, 3479, 3481, 3484, 3525, 3529, 3666, 3668, 3695, 3802, 3827, 3830, 3834, 3835, 3890, 3997, 4048, 4062, 4099, 4100, 4113, 4313, 4537, 6372, 8206, 9162, 5034, 6032, 6034, 6232, 6234, 6238
Cosmograph Daytona	65	6239, 6240, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264, 6265, 6269, 6269/6263, 6270, 6270/6263, 16516, 16518, 16519, 16520, 16523, 16528, 16559SACO, 16568BR, 16568EMRO, 16588SAFU, 16589BR, 16589RUBI, 16589SAPH, 16598EM, 16599SAPH, 116500, 116500LN, 116503, 116505, 116506, 116508, 116509, 116515, 116515LN, 116518, 116518LN, 116519, 116520, 116523, 116528, 116568BR, 116576TBR, 116578SACO, 116588SACO, 116588SARO, 116588TBR, 116589BRIL, 116589RBR, 116589SACI, 116589SACO, 116589SALV, 116589SARU, 116589TBR, 116595RBOW, 116598RBOW, 116598SACO, 116598SARO, 116598TBR, 11659912SA, 1165994RU, 116599RBOW, 116599RBR, 116599TBR, 126500, 126500LN, 1256502LN, 126503, 126505, 126506, 126508, 126509, 126515, 126515LN, 126518, 126519, 126528, 126529, 126535TBR, 126538TBR, 126539TBR, 126576TBR, 126579RBR, 126589RBR, 126595RBOW, 126595TBR, 126598TBR, 126598TRU, 126599TRU
Datejust 26 (Lady-Datejust, sometimes branded OP Date)	69, 79	6910, 6911, 6912, 6913, 6914, 6915, 6916, 6917, 6918, 6919, 69138, 69160, 69163, 69173, 69174, 69178, 69179, 69190, 69240, 69273, 69278, 79136, 79138, 79158, 79159, 79160, 79163, 79166, 79173, 79174, 79178, 79179, 79190, 79240, 79278, 179136, 179138, 179158, 179159, 179160, 179161, 179163, 179165, 179166, 179168, 179171, 179173, 179174, 179175, 179178, 179179, 179239, 179298, 179313, 179368, 179459, 279160, 279173, 279174, 279175, 279178, 279383
Datejust 31	682, 78	6827, 68240, 68243, 68246, 68248, 68266, 68268, 68273, 68274, 68278, 68279, 68286, 68288, 78240, 78243, 78246, 78248, 78266, 78268, 78273, 78274, 78278, 78279, 78286, 78288, 78640, 178158, 178159, 178240, 178241, 178243, 178245, 178246, 178248, 178269, 178271, 178273, 178274, 178275, 178278, 178279, 178286, 178288, 178313, 178341, 178344, 178383, 178384, 278240, 278241, 278243, 278245, 278248, 278271, 278273, 278274, 278275, 278278, 278279, 278288
Datejust 36	16, 61, 62	4467, 5030, 6030, 6031, 6074, 6075, 6104, 6105, 6304, 6305, 6309, 6605, 1600, 1601, 1602, 1603, 1605, 1607, 1610, 1630 (integrated bracelet), 16013, 16014, 16018, 16030, 16078, 16200, 16233, 16234, 16238, 16248, 16364, 116135, 116138, 116139, 116185, 116188, 116189, 116199BBR, 116199SANR, 116200, 116201, 116203, 116208, 116231, 116233, 116234, 116238, 116243, 116244, 126200, 126201, 126203, 126231, 126233, 126234, 126281RBR, 126283RBR, 126284RBR
Turn-O-Graph	62	6202, 6309, 6602, 6609, 1625, 16250, 16253, 16258, 16263, 16264, 116261, 116263, 116264
Oysterquartz Datejust	170	17000, 17013, 17014
Datejust II	63	116300, 116333, 116334
Datejust 41	63	126300, 126301, 126303, 126331, 126333, 126334
Dato-Compax (“Jean-Claude Killy” triple calendar chronograph)	–	4767, 4768, 5036, 6036, 6236
Day-Date 36	18, 82, 83	1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1810, 1811, 1831, 6511, 18026, 18038, 18039, 18048, 18049, 18058, 18078, 18079, 18148, 18149, 18206, 18238, 18239, 18248, 18249, 18278, 118205, 118206, 118208, 118209, 118235, 118238, 118239, 118296, 118338, 118339, 118346, 118348, 118366, 118388, 118398, 118399, 128235, 128236, 128238, 128239, 128348TBR
Oysterquartz Day-Date	190, 191	19018, 19019, 19028, 19038, 19048, 19049, 19058, 19068, 19078, 19148, 19158, 19168, 19178, 19188, 19198
Day-Date 40	82, 83	228206, 228235, 228236, 228238, 228239, 228345, 228346, 228348, 228349, 228348TBR, 228388, 228396TBR, 228396TEM, 228398TRU
Day-Date II	82, 83	218206, 218235, 218238, 218239, 218348, 218349, 218398TBR, 218399TBR
Explorer	427	5500, 5501, 5504, 6350, 6610, 1016, 14270, 114270, 124270, 124273, 214270, 224270
Explorer II	65	1655, 16550, 16570, 216570, 226570
GMT-Master	16, 65	6542, 1675, 16750, 16753, 16758, 16700
GMT-Master II	16, 67	16760, 16710, 16713, 16718, 116710BLNR, 116710LN, 116713, 116713LN, 116718, 116718LN, 116718LV, 116719, 116719BLRO, 116749SABLNR, 116758, 116758LN, 116758SANR, 116758SARU, 116759SANR, 116759SARU, 126710, 126710BLNR, 126710BLRO, 126710GRNR, 126711, 126711CHNR, 126713, 126713GRNR, 126715, 126715CHNR, 126718, 126718GRNR, 126719, 126719BLRO, 126755SARU, 126758RUSA
King Midas (and Queen, Princess)	—	9630, 3580, 3581, 3584, 3585, 4012, 4014, 4015, 4016, 4017, 4031, 4126, 4127, 4151, 4153, 4312, 4315, 4316, 4342, 4344, 4609, 4611, 4620, 4912, 5038, 9903
Land-Dweller	72, 73	127234, 127235, 127236, 127285TBR, 127286TBR, 127334, 127335, 127336, 127337, 127385TBR, 127386TBR, 126759TBR
Milgauss	654, 64	6541, 6543, 1019, 116400, 116400GV
Oyster Manual-Wind	–	678, 679, 2331 Egyptian, 4377, 4461, 6022, 6422, 6426, 6430, 3116 and 3359 Viceroy, 4127 Athlete, 3139 and 4647 Army, 2849, 3039 and 3190 “Lifesaver/UFO”
Oyster Perpetual 24	66, 67, 76	6621, 6718, 6719, 6724, 6725, 67180, 67193, 67197, 67198, 67230, 67243, 76030, 76080, 76094, 76180, 76193, 76230
Oyster Perpetual 26	762	176200, 176210, 176234
Oyster Perpetual 28	762	276200
Oyster Perpetual 31	72	6551, 177200, 177234, 177240, 177248, 277200, 277203
Oyster Perpetual 34	42	6103, 6177, 6284, 6546, 6548, 6549, 6551, 6556, 6580, 6582, 6584, 6590, 6634, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1014, 1019, 1022, 1023, 1024, 1025, 1026, 1027, 1028, 1029, 1030, 1031, 1035, 1036, 1038, 1039, 6564, 6565, 6566, 6567, 6568, 6569, 14203, 14208, 14233, 14238, 14270, 114200, 114210, 114234, 114270, 124200
Oyster Perpetual 36	60	1012, 1013, 1018, 1074, 5024, 6024, 6298, 6614, 116000, 126000, 126003
Oyster Perpetual 39	43	114300
Oyster Perpetual 41	43	124300, 134300, 134303
Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback	–	1852, 1858, 1873, 2240, 2490, 2704, 2725, 2760, 2764, 2765, 2768, 2784, 2940, 2945, 3009, 3019, 3042, 3064, 3065, 3130, 3131, 3132, 3133, 3134, 3135, 3159, 3347, 3348, 3353, 3358, 3372, 3458, 3496, 3536, 3548, 3549, 3595, 3598, 3599, 3696, 3716, 3725, 3767, 3772, 3794, 3795, 3796, 3801, 3940, 3951, 4392, 4777, 4846, 4857, 4919, 4939, 4961, 4984, 5001, 5002, 5003, 5006, 5007, 5009, 5010, 5011, 5013, 5015, 5018, 5026, 5028, 5029, 5045, 5048, 5084, 5087, 5105, 5173, 5284, 5488, 6006, 6007, 6011, 6015, 6016, 6022, 6029, 6031, 6048, 6050, 6052, 6064, 6065, 6074, 6075, 6076, 6084, 6085, 6087, 6092, 6098, 6102, 6105, 6106, 6108, 6206, 6334, 6352, 6428, 8050, 8052
Oysterdate 34	94	6094, 6294, 6494, 6694
Oyster Perpetual Date 34	15, 52	6530, 6532, 6534, 6535, 6536, 6537, 6538, 6565, 6566, 6567, 6568, 6569, 1500, 1501, 1502, 1503, 1504, 1505, 1506, 1507, 1508, 1509, 1510, 1511, 1512, 1513, 1514, 1550, 15000, 15003, 15008, 15010, 15037, 15038, 15053, 15200, 15203, 15210, 15223, 15238, 115200, 115210, 115234
Oyster Precision (Canadian)	31	3121, 3121F, 2874, 4070 “Falcon”, 3386, 3478
Pearlmaster	69, 80, 81, 86, 189	69298, 69299, 69308, 69309, 69318, 69319, 69328, 69329, 69369, 69393, 80285, 80298, 80299, 80308, 80309, 80315, 80318, 80319, 80328, 80329, 80339, 80359, 81209, 81285, 81298, 81299, 81315, 81318, 81319, 81338, 81339, 86285, 86289, 86348SABLV, 86348SAJOR, 86349SAFUBL, 18946, 18948, 18956
Perpetual 1908	525	52506, 52508, 52509
Sea-Dweller	16, 66	1665, 16600, 16660, 116600, 126600, 126603
Deepsea	60, 66	116660, 126067, 126660, 136660, 136668
Sky-Dweller	3×6	326135, 326138, 326139, 326235, 326238, 326239, 326933, 326934, 326935, 326938, 326939, 336235, 336238, 336239, 336933, 336934, 336935, 336938
Speedking	–	2280, 4220, 4365, 5020, 6020, 6056, 6220, 6418, 6420, 6421, 6430, 6431, 5056
Submariner	55, 40	5508, 5510, 5512, 5513, 5514, 5516, 5517, 6200, 6204, 6205, 14060, 14060M, 114060, 116060, 116649EMBR, 124060
Submariner Date	16, 66	1680, 16800, 16803, 16808, 168000, 16610LN, 16610LV, 16613LB, 16613LN, 16618LB, 16618LN, 116610LN, 116610LV, 116613, 116613LB, 116613LN, 116618LB, 116618LN, 116619LB, 126610LN, 126610LV, 126613LB, 126613LN, 126618LB, 126618LN, 126619LB
Yacht-Master 29	69, 96	69623, 69628, 169622, 169623, 169628
Yacht-Master 35	68, 86	68622, 68623, 68628, 168622, 168623, 168628
Yacht-Master 37	86	268621, 268622, 268655
Yacht-Master 40	16, 66	16622, 16623, 16628, 116621, 116622, 116655, 116659SABR, 116695SATS, 126621, 126622, 126655
Yacht-Master 42	266	126679SABR “Cotton Candy”, 226622, 226627, 226658, 226659, 226698
Yacht-Master II	668	116680, 116681, 116688, 116689, 126680, 126688
Other Notable Models	–	6429 (Commando), 5100 (Quartz Beta 21 ‘”Texano”), 7002 (“Award Watch” a.k.a. “Long Island Rolex“), 9083 (“UFO”), 8171 (“Padellone” moonphase), 6154 (made for Panerai), 6062 (Triple calendar moonphase), 1530 (36mm OP Date with integrated bracelet)

That should give you just about everything you need to know to decipher Rolex reference numbers. And if you ever get stuck, feel free to use the decoder in this article.