Tools
13 October 2008, 09:12 AM
Reading this chart.
Rolex serial numbers are confusing at best. Rolex has not released their production numbers, or their serial numbers either for what ever reason. Lists have been compiled and are available at various places on the net, and these lists are compiled by noting serial numbers and their first time seen on the market, or by their sales invoices matched to specific serials, and by word of mouth..
This chart is compiled from several lists to give you an approximation of the earliest numbers seen for certain years. Use it to bracket the number you are looking up to give you a best approximation of the production date for that example.
Rolex reached 999,999 in mid-1950's and began over starting with 100,000. These reused numbers are shown in blue. You can verify your manufacture date if there is confusion because during that time they stamped the inside of the case-back with a manufacture date (example, II 55, for the second quarter of 1955)
75943
Beginning in early 2010, Rolex serial numbers are showing up as completely random serials consisting of letters and numbers. Additionally, there are now 8 digits total ............Here is an example from a recently released Sub 16610
.120195
Rolex letter prefixed serial numbers can be even more confusing as Rolex has produced multiple letter prefixes concurrently during the same years.. They do not correspond to any "model year" for any particular reference watch. Additionally they have stated, and it is also mentioned in "The Best Of Time"by Dowling-Hess, that Rolex does not manufacture numbers sequentially....they are random at some level.
Exchange cases or re-cased movements.
Rolex does produce cases specifically to re-case movements where the case has become damaged or unusable. Up until recently the exchange cases started with 44xxxxx. It is believed that those numbers have been used and later re-case numbers begin with 47xxxxx.
The Serial Number can be found under the bracelet, stamped against the case at 6 o'clock.
51373
The Code On The Clasp
This database of clasp codes is also an estimate because this information too, is not released by Rolex. This list was compiled from the information provided by different forums and members, asterisks show further assumptions based on invoices and word-of-mouth. Clasp codes and the bracelet part number can be found where the Clasp reads Steelinox and consists of letters and a number. The number corresponds to the month of the year. Asterisks show a probable sequence.
51371
1976 A* - possibly (VA)
1977 B - possibly (VB)
1978 C* - possibly (VC)
1979 D - possibly (VD)
1980 E - possibly (VE)
1981 F - possibly (VF)
1982 G
1983 H*
1984 I*
1985 J*
1986 K*
1987 L*
1988 M*
1989 N*
1990 O
1991 P
1992 Q*
1993 R
1994 S
1995 T or W
1996 V or U
1997 Z or U
1998 Z or W
1999 X
2000 AB
2001 DE
2002 DT
2003 AD
2004 CL
2005 MA
2006 OP
2007 EO
2008 PJ
2009 LT
2010 RS
Clasp codes can be used to further help refine when the watch or it's parts were actually manufactured. Actual shipping, storage, and purchase dates may vary considerably. A Service clasp will have an S such as this example DT 11S, (2002 Nov. Service)
51374
Here is a 2007, May manufacture date, original issue.
51372
Solid endlink bracelets (SEL) have both the part number, a date code, and a crown stamped into the ends. This bracelet half is manufactured separately from the clasp and the endlink code, and the clasp code may be different, but they should be close. This one shows a 2007 date (EO) but no month.
Rolex serial numbers are confusing at best. Rolex has not released their production numbers, or their serial numbers either for what ever reason. Lists have been compiled and are available at various places on the net, and these lists are compiled by noting serial numbers and their first time seen on the market, or by their sales invoices matched to specific serials, and by word of mouth..
This chart is compiled from several lists to give you an approximation of the earliest numbers seen for certain years. Use it to bracket the number you are looking up to give you a best approximation of the production date for that example.
Rolex reached 999,999 in mid-1950's and began over starting with 100,000. These reused numbers are shown in blue. You can verify your manufacture date if there is confusion because during that time they stamped the inside of the case-back with a manufacture date (example, II 55, for the second quarter of 1955)
75943
Beginning in early 2010, Rolex serial numbers are showing up as completely random serials consisting of letters and numbers. Additionally, there are now 8 digits total ............Here is an example from a recently released Sub 16610
.120195
Rolex letter prefixed serial numbers can be even more confusing as Rolex has produced multiple letter prefixes concurrently during the same years.. They do not correspond to any "model year" for any particular reference watch. Additionally they have stated, and it is also mentioned in "The Best Of Time"by Dowling-Hess, that Rolex does not manufacture numbers sequentially....they are random at some level.
Exchange cases or re-cased movements.
Rolex does produce cases specifically to re-case movements where the case has become damaged or unusable. Up until recently the exchange cases started with 44xxxxx. It is believed that those numbers have been used and later re-case numbers begin with 47xxxxx.
The Serial Number can be found under the bracelet, stamped against the case at 6 o'clock.
51373
The Code On The Clasp
This database of clasp codes is also an estimate because this information too, is not released by Rolex. This list was compiled from the information provided by different forums and members, asterisks show further assumptions based on invoices and word-of-mouth. Clasp codes and the bracelet part number can be found where the Clasp reads Steelinox and consists of letters and a number. The number corresponds to the month of the year. Asterisks show a probable sequence.
51371
1976 A* - possibly (VA)
1977 B - possibly (VB)
1978 C* - possibly (VC)
1979 D - possibly (VD)
1980 E - possibly (VE)
1981 F - possibly (VF)
1982 G
1983 H*
1984 I*
1985 J*
1986 K*
1987 L*
1988 M*
1989 N*
1990 O
1991 P
1992 Q*
1993 R
1994 S
1995 T or W
1996 V or U
1997 Z or U
1998 Z or W
1999 X
2000 AB
2001 DE
2002 DT
2003 AD
2004 CL
2005 MA
2006 OP
2007 EO
2008 PJ
2009 LT
2010 RS
Clasp codes can be used to further help refine when the watch or it's parts were actually manufactured. Actual shipping, storage, and purchase dates may vary considerably. A Service clasp will have an S such as this example DT 11S, (2002 Nov. Service)
51374
Here is a 2007, May manufacture date, original issue.
51372
Solid endlink bracelets (SEL) have both the part number, a date code, and a crown stamped into the ends. This bracelet half is manufactured separately from the clasp and the endlink code, and the clasp code may be different, but they should be close. This one shows a 2007 date (EO) but no month.