Attributing an accurate year of manufacture to a Vintage Rolex watch is not an exact science for a variety of reasons.
- Rolex does not publish dates of manufacture or provide archive extracts for watches.
- Published charts, like the one on the right, are based on serial number ranges and are unofficial. They rely in part on anecdotal information. Also, depending on the source, charts may have inconsistent information.
- Case back date codes may be helpful, but are not present in all models, more importantly they were not meant to denote the year of manufacture of a particular watch.
So in theory, a Rolex serial number can tell you what year (approximately) the watch was made in. We say in theory, because there have been a few irregularities over the years. For example, Rolex reset the serial numbers in 1954 after they reached #999,999. So a watch from the 1960s can have the same reference number as one from the 1950s. Rolex Serial Number Lookup Chart. Serial Numbers: The serial number is located opposite of the model number at 6 o’clock between the lugs and under the bracelet. Since 1987, Rolex has used a system of 1 letter, followed by 6 digits. When buying and selling Rolex watches, that letter is one of the most important details many buyers will want. The serial number is engraved between the lugs at the 12 o’clock position. In addition, every model has a specific reference number that is engraved between the lugs at the 6 o’clock position. In order to view these numbers the bracelet must be removed with a special tool. In 1954, Rolex reached 1,000,000 units produced. They decided to.
Collectors looking to date their Vintage Rolex watch precisely and unequivocally may be somewhat disappointed with the aforementioned ambiguity. However, it is possible to estimate the year of manufacture by polling several available sources to get a consensus of the approximate year of production.
- It is best to start by looking up the serial number on one or more of the published charts available in some of the books dedicated to Vintage Rolex, such as the two examples to the right. Additionally, there are similar charts on some websites, such as Bob's Watches.
- If the watch in question has a date code inside the case back, it can be helpful if it is corroborated by one
or more of the reference charts. If the case back date is different, more research and analysis may be needed.
A better understanding of case back date codes can be found on this website here. - Auction houses such as Christies and Phillips Fine Watches maintain archives of past results that can be searched using the Submariner reference number. The search results will provide past auction sales with serial numbers and estimated production dates. These are not definitive either and should be used only for guidance.
- Experienced collectors and dealers who are knowledgeable in Small Crowns and are willing to share their passion can also be an invaluable resource in helping determine the production date as well as other invaluable information.
- In some rare instances, original receipts or other paperwork that accompanied the watch can shed the light on the production date.
Rolex Serial Number Verification
Rolex has been placing serial numbers on their watches since the beginning. Just about every Rolex watch ever produced has some sort of identification or serial number placed on it. These numbers help to determine the year or batch that the watch was made. Buyers, sellers, dealers, and collectors all use these numbers for watch identification.
Locating Your Serial Numbers
You will find the serial number of your watch at the 6 o'clock position either between the lugs or on the rehaut (inner bezel near dial). Opposite the watch case at the 12 o'clock position you'll find the model numbers again between the lugs on the rehaut. Between these two numbers we are able to determine a value or what the watch is potentially worth. The Rolex serial number and model number are also present on the original paper work that shipped with the watch.
How To Verify Rolex Serial Number
| Year | Serial | Year | Serial | Year | Serial |
| 2009 (Fall) - Present | Scrambled | 1978 | 5,482,000 | 1947 | 478,300 |
| 2009 (Fall) - Present | Gxxx,xx1 | 1977 | 5,006,000 | 1946 | 413,200 |
| 2008 (Fall) | Vxxx,xx1 | 1976 | 4,539,000 | 1945 | 348,100 |
| 2007 (Fall) | Mxxx,xx1 | 1975 | 4,267,100 | 1944 | 283,000 |
| 2006 (Summer) | Zxxx,xx1 | 1974 | 4,004,200 | 1943 | 253,400 |
| 2005 (Summer) | Dxxx,xx1 | 1973 | 3,741,300 | 1942 | 223,800 |
| 2003 (Fall) | Fxxx,xx1 | 1972 | 3,478,400 | 1941 | 194,200 |
| 2002 (Fall) | Yxxx,xx1 | 1971 | 3,215,500 | 1940 | 164,600 |
| 2001 (Fall) | Kxxx,xx1 | 1970 | 2,952,600 | 1939 | 135,000 |
| 2000 (Winter) | Pxxx,xx1 | 1969 | 2,689,700 | 1938 | 117,000 |
| 1999 | Axxx,xx1 | 1968 | 2,426,800 | 1937 | 99,000 |
| 1997 (Summer) | Uxxx,xx1 | 1967 | 2,163,900 | 1936 | 81,000 |
| 1995 (Summer) | Txxx,xx1 | 1966 | 1,871,000 | 1935 | 63,000 |
| 1995 | Wxxx,xx1 | 1965 | 1,792,000 | 1934 | 45,000 |
| 1993 | Sxxx,xx1 | 1964 | 1,714,000 | 1932 | 42,680 |
| 1992 (Winter) | Cxxx,xx1 | 1963 | 1,636,000 | 1931 | 40,250 |
| 1991 (Fall) | Xxxx,xx1 | 1962 | 1,558,000 | 1930 | 37,820 |
| 1991 (Fall) | Nxxx,xx1 | 1961 | 1,480,000 | 1929 | 35,390 |
| 1990 (Summer) | Exxx,xx1 | 1960 | 1,402,000 | 1928 | 32,960 |
| 1989 | Lxxx,xx1 | 1959 | 1,100,000 | 1927 | 30,430 |
| 1987 (Summer) | Rxxx,xxx | 1957 | 600,000 | 1926 | 28,000 |
| 1987 | 9,999,999 | 1956 | 400,000 | ||
| 1986 | 9,290,000 | 1955 | 200,000 | ||
| 1985 | 8,814,000 | 1954 | 999,000 | ||
| 1984 | 8,338,000 | 1953 | 950,000 | ||
| 1983 | 7,862,000 | 1952 | 803,800 | ||
| 1982 | 7,386,000 | 1951 | 738,700 | ||
| 1981 | 6,910,000 | 1950 | 673,600 | ||
| 1980 | 5,958,000 | 1949 | 608,500 | ||
| 1979 | 5,482,000 | 1948 | 543,400 |
Why is this important?
Rolex buyers, collectors, and dealers all like to have this information when considering the purchase of a Rolex Watch. These numbers coupled with condition are used to make an intelligent offer. If your into watch collection for any period of time you will eventually run across this request. Try and refer to the original paper works top right corner, look at the inner bezel (2008+), or removed the bracelet from the case lugs.