Rolex model numbers

[triton]

to me it is,

cause it is like the watch ID

• serial number
• where the watch was sold
• which AD sold it
• when it was sold aka how old is the watch

this is especially more so to know how old is the watch considering that with random serial, it is not possible to know when the watch was produced/sold

Thank you Triton. So the warranty card is very important.

[peckhs]

with random serial numbers it is almost near impossible to know which year the watch is being produced without warranty card and/or watch receipt.

one possibility is to go rolex service centre and send in for watch service and ask them if they can advise you. however it is not guaranteed that they will let you know.

as such, if i were to buy a preown piece, it must come with warranty card with date stamp, this is because if hand written, it can mean it is post dated. with date stamp, it is not likely to be post dated as once a rolex watch leaves any AD in the world, the AD is to swipe the card to mark the start date of the watch warranty.

Thank you Triton. So the warranty card is very important.

I just realised it...maybe some of you guys know. It maybe old stuff for some of you guys,but it's new to me and some others.The last number of any Rolex model number will depend on the material used for the watch. Here's what I got so far. Hope it helps!

0- Chronometer in SS(Full)
1- Chronometer in SS and Pink Gold
2- Chronometer in SS and Platinum
3- Chronometer in SS and Yellow Gold
4- Chronometer in SS and White Gold Bezel
5- Chronometer in Pink Gold
6- Chornometer in Platinum
7- ??
8- Chronometer in Yellow Gold,and Tridor model
9- Chronometer in White Gold

Cheers!

First three digits (more on four digit later) denotes model for traditional Rolex models:

140 = Oyster Perpetual Air King and Submariner
142 = Oyster Perpetual Chronometer 34mm and Explorer
152 = Oyster Perpetual Date - Mens 34 mm
162 = Oyster Perpetual DateJust – Mens 36mm
165 = Explorer II
166 = Submariner – SeaDweller – Yachtmaster 40mm
167 = GMT Master II
189 = Oyster Perpetual Special Edition
165 Cosmograph Daytona
182 Oyster Perpetual Day-Date
183 Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Serti (With Diamonds)

The newer Rolex models have an extra 1 preceding the model number.

Daytona 1165, Day Dates 1182/1183... etc. Exceptions apply.

The next digit is the bezel code. Professional watches are excluded from this list.

0 = Smooth/Domed
1 = Engine Turned
2 = Engraved
3 = Fluted
4 = Bark
5 = Pyramid (No longer used)
6 = Turn-O-Graph
7 = Various
8 = Special
9 = Open

The next (final) digit is the metal code.

0 = Stainless Steel
1 = Yellow plated gold (Tudor)
2 = Stainless steel and Platinum
3 = Stainless Steel and 18k Yellow gold (Yellow Rolesor)
4 = Stainless Steel and 18k White gold (White Rolesor)
5 = Gold Shell (No Longer Used)
6 = Platinum
7 = 14k Yellow gold (No Longer Used)
8 = 18k Yellow gold
9 = 18k White gold
DD BIC = Bi-Color 18k Yellow and White gold combo
DD TRIDOR = 18k Yellow, White and Rose gold

1 162 3 1

That's the datejust model I have.

So ...
1 = doesn't have meaning i think
162 = Oyster Perpetual DateJust – Mens 36mm
3 = Fluted

according to darkangelthe last digit :-
1- Chronometer in SS and Pink Gold

which is what I have...

So Paithorn's and taxico's last digit reference is not correct??

[triton]

with random serial numbers it is almost near impossible to know which year the watch is being produced without warranty card and/or watch receipt.

one possibility is to go rolex service centre and send in for watch service and ask them if they can advise you. however it is not guaranteed that they will let you know.

as such, if i were to buy a preown piece, it must come with warranty card with date stamp, this is because if hand written, it can mean it is post dated. with date stamp, it is not likely to be post dated as once a rolex watch leaves any AD in the world, the AD is to swipe the card to mark the start date of the watch warranty.

Hi, am very new to Rolex watches.
I googled for information on serial number and realized that since 2011 they have been using random serial numbers.
How do we determine which year the of production is for newer watches that are produced after 2011? Especially those without cert or receipt.
Thank you.

[peckhs]

Hi, am very new to Rolex watches.
I googled for information on serial number and realized that since 2011 they have been using random serial numbers.
How do we determine which year the of production is for newer watches that are produced after 2011? Especially those without cert or receipt.
Thank you.

[guibs]

Can I confirm how to determine 2006 production please

If D series production spans between 2005 and 2006, is there any additional way to determine what specific year a particular piece is from? I'm looking specifically for a 2006 production so would be helpful to know. Thanks!

Year Series
1987 / 1988 R
1988 / 1989 L
1989 / 1990 L
1990 / 1991 E
1991 / 1992 X/N (from Nov.)
1992 / 1993 C
1993 / 1994 S
1994 / 1995 W
1995 / 1996 W
1996 / 1997 T
1997 / 1998 U (from Aug.)
1998 / 1999 A (from Nov.)
1999 / 2000 A
2000 / 2001 P (from Jan.)
2001 / 2002 K (from Sept.)
2002 / 2003 Y (from Sept.)
2003 / 2004 F (from Sept.)
2004 / 2005 F
2005 / 2006 D (from Apr.)
2006 / 2007 Z (from May)

[freekazoid]

I have lady datejust 69173, I can't seem find this model number anymore. Is the number phase out over time

[snip3r]

Nice sticky

[kel12]

Hi! do any kind bros or sis have the updated alphabetical series after 2008?
Thank you so much!

Updating the list. (Thanks Nottinghill with the info)

Year / Series launch
1987 / 1988 R
1988 / 1989 L
1989 / 1990 L
1990 / 1991 E
1991 / 1992 X/N (from Nov.)
1992 / 1993 C
1993 / 1994 S
1994 / 1995 W
1995 / 1996 W
1996 / 1997 T
1997 / 1998 U (from Aug.)
1998 / 1999 A (from Nov.)
1999 / 2000 A
2000 / 2001 P (from Jan.)
2001 / 2002 K (from Sept.)
2002 / 2003 Y (from Sept.)
2003 / 2004 F (from Sept.)
2004 / 2005 F
2005 / 2006 D (from Apr.)
2006 / 2007 Z (from May)
May 2006 Z series
Aug 2007 M series
Aug 2008 V series
__________________

[taxico]

First three digits (more on four digit later) denotes model for traditional Rolex models:

140 = Oyster Perpetual Air King and Submariner
142 = Oyster Perpetual Chronometer 34mm and Explorer
152 = Oyster Perpetual Date - Mens 34 mm
162 = Oyster Perpetual DateJust – Mens 36mm
165 = Explorer II
166 = Submariner – SeaDweller – Yachtmaster 40mm
167 = GMT Master II
189 = Oyster Perpetual Special Edition
165 Cosmograph Daytona
182 Oyster Perpetual Day-Date
183 Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Serti (With Diamonds)

The newer Rolex models have an extra 1 preceding the model number.

Daytona 1165, Day Dates 1182/1183... etc. Exceptions apply.

The next digit is the bezel code. Professional watches are excluded from this list.

0 = Smooth/Domed
1 = Engine Turned
2 = Engraved
3 = Fluted
4 = Bark
5 = Pyramid (No longer used)
6 = Turn-O-Graph
7 = Various
8 = Special
9 = Open

The next (final) digit is the metal code.

0 = Stainless Steel
1 = Yellow plated gold (Tudor)
2 = Stainless steel and Platinum
3 = Stainless Steel and 18k Yellow gold (Yellow Rolesor)
4 = Stainless Steel and 18k White gold (White Rolesor)
5 = Gold Shell (No Longer Used)
6 = Platinum
7 = 14k Yellow gold (No Longer Used)
8 = 18k Yellow gold
9 = 18k White gold
DD BIC = Bi-Color 18k Yellow and White gold combo
DD TRIDOR = 18k Yellow, White and Rose gold

try deciphering:

326135

116622

16200

1603

116688

326939

[shou.biao.kuang]

There seem to be some differences between what Dark Angel and Paithorn have written. I have seen Paithorn's material codes on a couple of sites but the ones given by Dark Angel I have never come across for some of the materials on the codes such as code 1 & 2. Any guru can to explain?

Dark Angel's:
0- Chronometer in SS(Full)
1- Chronometer in SS and Pink Gold
2- Chronometer in SS and Platinum
3- Chronometer in SS and Yellow Gold
4- Chronometer in SS and White Gold Bezel
5- Chronometer in Pink Gold
6- Chornometer in Platinum
7- ??
8- Chronometer in Yellow Gold,and Tridor model
9- Chronometer in White Gold

Paithorn's:
0 solid steel
1 solid yellow gold
2 solid white gold or steel with platinum highlights
3 solid steel with yellow gold highlights
4 solid steel with white gold highlights
5 gold plated or 18k red gold
6 solid platinum
7 solid 14k yellow gold
8 solid 18k yellow gold
9 solid 18k yellow gold

[shou.biao.kuang]

Anyone interested in trying to decipher the bezel codes?

0 Polished
1 Finely Engine Turned
2 Engine Turned
3 Fluted
4 Hand-Crafted
5 Pyramid
6 Rotating Bezel

[luvtime]

Gold plated? I thought Rolex dun produce gold plated models

Yes, in the 50's & early 60's, Rolex produces gold plated models. In late 60's, 70's...onwards, Rolex uses solid gold. Hope these little info help.

[taxico]

7- ??

7 is no longer used. previously used to denote 14k yellow gold.

[LYH]

Really helpful!! My head was spinning from all the numbers. Now its much clearer!!

[Bmw40]

Thanks for the info. It definitely useful to me who is new.