March 25, 2024

Rolex Serial Number Chart with Guide - WatchesOff5th

This chart is a resource for you to be able to identify the Manufacture Date of your Rolex using the serial number. Serial numbers are 4-8 numbers and letters engraved by Rolex on every watch that can be used to identify a watch and determine its production date. This can help determine the value of your watch; if you are interested in selling, feel free to contact us!

A. How to find the serial number on a Rolex

1. Inner Engraving - "Rehaut engraving"

On modern (2008+, and some 2004+) Rolex watches, the serial number is engraved at 6:00 on what is known as the "rehaut" - the rim between the dial and the crystal. You'll also find the repeating "ROLEX" engraving which is used in authentication as cheaper knockoffs have historically failed to include the rehaut engraving. 

Diagram showing where to find the Rolex Serial number at the 6:00 marker on a Rolex DateJust

2. Older Rolex watches - between the 6:00 lugs. 

To find serial number on old Rolexes you must first take off the bracelet or strap. This might sound simple but the biggest concern is scratching your watch. The bracelet is held in place by a spring-bar in-between the lugs that is spring-loaded on both ends and uses tension to hold it in place. When you take a Rolex bracelet off with a generic spring-bar tool, it's almost inevitable to do some amount of damage in the process, which would harm and devalue your vintage piece. Inexperienced watch servicers might not treat your Rolex with proper care, so we recommend that you either drop it off with us, or follow an in-depth tutorial and do your homework, as well as purchase a specialty tool for the job. 

Diagram showing the location of Rolex Serial and Model numbers between the 6:00 and 12:00 lugs. 

Image Source: https://blog.esslinger.com/where-to-find-rolex-case-numbers/

B. Can I use my serial number to authenticate my Rolex? 

When a Rolex originally comes from an Authorized Dealer, the watch comes with a box and papers, including a card that will have a serial number on it matching the one engraved on the watch. If the serial number on the papers does not match the serial number on your watch, it's likely that it got mixed up with another watch or there is some other issue. Papers only add value if the serials match with each other. 

C. What is a scrambled Rolex serial number?

Rolex "scrambled" the serial numbers beginning in mid 2010, meaning that the serial numbers are randomized and don't follow a standardized convention anymore. An example of a scrambled serial number: OT23Q258, and an example of a non-scrambled serial for a 2004 Rolex Datejust: F2N13566 

II. Rolex Serial Number Chart

Serial Number Year
Scrambled 2011-2024
G 2010
V 2009
M OR V 2008
M OR Z 2007
D OR Z 2006
D 2005
F 2005
F 2004
F 2003
Y 2002
K OR Y 2001
K,000,001 2000
P,000,001 2000
A,000,001 1999
U,932,144 1998
U,000,001 1997
T,000,001 1996
W,000,001 1995
S,860,880 1994
S,000,001 1993
C,000,001 1992
N,000,001 1991
X,000,001 1991
E,000,001 1990
L,980,000 1989
R,598,200 1988
R,000,001 1987
9,400,000 1987
8,900,000 1986
8,614,000 1985
8,070,022 1984
7,400,000 1983
7,100,000 1982
6,520,870 1981
6,434,000 1980
5,737,030 1979
5,000,000 1978
5,008,000 1977
4,115,299 1976
3,862,196 1975
3,567,927 1974
3,200,268 1973
2,890,459 1972
2,589,295 1971
2,241,882 1970
1,900,000 1969
1,752,000 1968
1,538,435 1967
1,200,000 1966
1,100,000 1965
1,008,889 1964
824,000 1963
744,000 1962
643,153 1961
516,000 1960
399,453 1959
328,000 1958
224,000 1957
133,061 1956
97,000 1955
23,000 1954
855,726 1953
726,639 1952
709,249 1951
1950
1949
628,840 1948
529,163 1947
367,946 1946
302,459 1945
269,561 1944
230,878 1943
143,509 1942
106,047 1941
99,775 1940
71,224 1939
43,739 1938
40,920 1937
36,856 1936
34,336 1935
30,823 1934
29,562 1933
29,132 1932
1931
23,186 1930
1929
23,969 1928
20,190 1927
00,001 1926