Unless you are extremely well versed in the nuances of Rolex watch design evolution, it is difficult to figure out when a Rolex watch was manufactured by just looking at it.
Thankfully, there is another way to determine the age of your Rolex watch and that is by using its serial number.
What is A Rolex Serial Number?
A Rolex serial number is a code that is unique to each watch the company produces. This is different from the Rolex reference number, which is a code that defines a specific Rolex model. While it is possible to calculate an approximate age range by using a Rolex reference number, it is not as precise. Remember, some Rolex references were in production for 30 years while other only two years.
On the other hand, because of the sequential nature of the single-use Rolex serial number, you can figure out a more exacting manufacturing year by comparing that code with a Rolex Serial Numbers chart.
However, there are a few important caveats to this method. First, Rolex Serial Numbers charts are not official numbers provided by Rolex—the company is notoriously secretive about its manufacturing output. These types of charts are carefully compiled by Rolex collectors, enthusiasts, and resellers, and therefore are not an exact science. In fact, these charts are consistently evolving, driven by previously unknown discoveries in the vintage Rolex market.
Another important consideration is that in 1954, Rolex actually reset their serial numbers back to 100,000 once the company reached 1,000,000. Therefore, there are duplicate serial numbers between Rolex watches made from 1926 - 1953 and Rolex watches made from 1954 – 1963 (when the company reached 1,000,000 again). But, some of these watches do include a date code on the inside caseback.
Moreover, when Rolex reached #9,999,999 in the early part of 1987, the company switched to alphanumeric codes. The letters do not follow a chronological pattern but certain letters are associated with specific production years.
Finally, in the early part of 2010, Rolex moved to a random numbering system for its serial numbers. Therefore, there is currently no way to determine the specific production year of Rolex watches made from 2010 onwards.
Where Can I Find The Rolex Serial Number?
There are two main places to find the Rolex serial number: on the official paperwork that accompanied the watch or on the watch itself. If you do not have the paperwork, you will have to find the serial number on the watch case.
On Rolex watches manufactured before 2007, you will find the serial number engraved on the space in between the two lugs at the 6 o’clock side of the watch. The bracelet must be removed to see it.
On Rolex watches manufactured from 2007/2008 onwards, you will have to look through the crystal at the 6 o’clock side of the rehaut (the area between the dial and the crystal marked with a repetitive ROLEX pattern) for a small laser engraving of the serial number.
Some Rolex watches made between 2006 and 2007 have both the rehaut and case engraved with its serial number.
Rolex Serial Numbers Chart
You can determine the approximate age of your Rolex watch by using this chart. These are not official numbers provided by Rolex, they are crowd-sourced approximations. The serial number represents the median number for that year, so it includes numbers above and numbers below that particular number, depending on how many units Rolex produced that year.
| Rolex Serial Number | Approximate Production Year |
|---|---|
| Random | 2010-Present |
| G ###,### | 2009-2010 |
| V ###,### | 2008-2009 |
| M ###,### | 2007-2009 |
| Z ###,### | 2006-2008 |
| D ###,### | 2005-2006 |
| F ###,### | 2004-2005 |
| Y ###,### | 2002-2004 |
| K ###,### | 2001-2003 |
| P ###,### | 2000-2001 |
| A ###,### | 1998-2000 |
| U ###,### | 1997-1998 |
| T ###,### | 1996 |
| W ###,### | 1995 |
| S ###,### | 1993 - 1994 |
| C ###,### | 1992 |
| X ###,### & N ###,### | 1991 |
| E ###,### | 1990 |
| L ###,### | 1989 |
| R ###,### | 1987-1988 |
|
|
|
| 9,000,000 | 1986 |
| 8,600,000 | 1985 |
| 8,100,000 | 1984 |
| 7,750,000 | 1983 |
| 7,350,000 | 1982 |
| 7,000,000 | 1981 |
| 6,400,000 | 1980 |
| 5,950,000 | 1979 |
| 5,400,000 | 1978 |
| 5,000,000 | 1977 |
| 4,500,000 | 1976 |
| 4,250,000 | 1975 |
| 3,900,000 | 1974 |
| 3,750,000 | 1973 |
| 3,300,000 | 1972 |
| 2,900,000 | 1971 |
| 2,500,000 | 1970 |
| 2,300,000 | 1969 |
| 1,850,000 | 1968 |
| 1,600,000 | 1967 |
| 1,400,000 | 1966 |
| 1,200,000 | 1965 |
| 1,000,000 | 1964 |
| 900,000 | 1963 |
| 800,000 | 1962 |
| 700,000 | 1961 |
| 550,000 | 1960 |
| 400,000 | 1959 |
| 350,000 | 1958 |
| 100,000 – 350,000 | 1955 - 1957 |
|
|
|
| 935,000 | 1954 |
| 900,000 | 1953 |
| 800,000 | 1952 |
| 700,000 | 1951 |
| 650,000 | 1950 |
| 600,000 | 1949 |
| 570,000 | 1948 |
| 529,000 | 1947 |
| 400,000 | 1946 |
| 300,000 | 1945 |
| 270,000 | 1944 |
| 230,000 | 1943 |
| 150,000 | 1942 |
| 106,000 | 1941 |
| 90,000 | 1940 |
| 71,000 | 1939 |
| 55,000 | 1938 |
| 40,000 | 1937 |
| 37,000 | 1936 |
| 35,000 | 1935 |
| 32000 | 1934 |
| 29000 | 1933 |
| 28500 | 1932 |
| 28000 | 1931 |
| 26500 | 1930 |
| 25000 | 1929 |
| 22500 | 1928 |
| 20000 | 1927 |
