Rolex Serial Numbers: The Ultimate Guide

Adrian Taskin Monday, October 10th, 2022 2 min. read

A unique serial number is engraved on each Rolex produced (unlike a reference number, which is shared across many watches). On older Rolex models, the serial number can be found etched in between the lugs at the 6 o’clock side behind the bracelet. On newer Rolex watches, the serial number is engraved on the rehaut (the ring between dial and sapphire crystal), also on the 6 o’clock side. Additionally, if you have the original papers that came with the watch, the serial number is printed there.

Rolex Serial Numbers

Serial Number Locations

Rolex watches made up until 2005: Engraved on the exterior of the case, in between the lugs at the 6 o’clock side (must remove bracelet to see)
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
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, it’s fake. What’s more, Rolex has a database of reported stolen watches, identified by serial numbers.

Rolex Serial Number Locations — Rolex watches made up until 2005: Engraved on the exterior of the case, in between the lugs at the 6 o’clock side (must remove bracelet to see)

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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:

After it reached #999,999, Rolex reset its serial numbers back to 0 sometime around the end of 1954
After it reaches #9,999,999, Rolex restructured its serial numbers to include one letter followed by six digits in 1987
By the end of 2010, Rolex switched to randomized serial numbers
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

Rolex serial number year chart

Also note that seven-digit case numbers starting with 44 or 48 are for service replacement cases, so those serial numbers can’t be used to date the watch.

More on Rolex:

➢	How Much Can I Get For My Rolex Daytona?
➢	The Rolex “Low Mag Cyclops” Debacle of 2014
➢	Rolex Engineers a Self-Correcting Optical Atomic Clock
➢	The Most Underrated Rolex Models
➢	A Collector’s Guide to Rolex Tridor Models
➢	The Rolex Grand Link: A 5/4 President Bracelet Link

Tags: Rolex

Adrian Taskin

Adrian Taskin, our Chief Procurement Officer at Luxury Bazaar, also known as the H.B.I.C. (“Head Buyer In Charge”), oversees every item that enters our office—unless Roman buys it first, which then sparks a conversation. Following in the footsteps of his father, one of our co-owners and a leading figure in the jewelry industry, Adrian has spent 13 years mastering the luxury timepiece market. With a wealth of experience, he’s seen and done it all. Unapologetically honest, Adrian will tell you exactly how it is. Whether a watch won’t sell or a lowball offer won’t suffice, he calls it as he sees it, earning the nickname “Petty King” for his straightforwardness. Handling $10 million in watch purchases monthly, Adrian’s expertise in buying, selling, and trading makes him an invaluable asset to our team, bringing a depth of market knowledge and insight that few can match. Sell me your watch! Visit https://www.luxurybazaar.com/sell

2 responses to “Rolex Serial Numbers: The Ultimate Guide”

Lawrence R. Lievense

January 4, 2026

Seeking the value for possible sale of Cosmograph Daytona Rolex which I’ve owned since aprox 1973.

Only numbers on my original sales slip are: 161-001-5 and 262306x. I have the original purchase documents from direct purchase in Switzerland but no box.

Condition appears to be excellent. some scratches on glass. always serviced by a Rolex dealer.

Reply
1. Powerfunk
  
  January 5, 2026
  
  Hi Lawrence! Well, the dial type plays such a huge role in the value of a vintage Daytona that it’s hard to say without pictures. If you’re able to post some pics at luxurybazaar.com/sell we’ll get back to you quickly!
  
  Reply