Collector field guide
Rolex serial number lookup & engraving guide
Explore your watch’s likely period. A number is one clue.
Find your serial
Older watches: between the lugs at 6 o’clock. Later watches: rehaut. Transitions vary; ask us before removing a bracelet.
Full production reference
Compiled estimates. † Conflicting thresholds require review; numbering was reused.
| Serial starts | Approximate period |
|---|---|
| Random Scrambled | 2011 to Present |
| G000001 | Late 2010 |
| V000001 | 2008 |
| M000001 | 2007 |
| Z000001 | 2006 |
| D000001 | 2005 |
| F000001 | 2003 |
| Y000001 | 2002 |
| K000001 | 2001 |
| P000001 | 2000 |
| A000001 | 1998 |
| U000001 | 1997 |
| T000001 | 1996 |
| W000001 | 1994 |
| S000001 | 1993 |
| C000001 | 1992 |
| N000001 | Mid 1991 |
| X000001 | 1991 |
| E000001 | 1990 |
| L000001 | 1989 |
| R000001 | Mid 1987 |
| 9400000 | 1987 |
| 8900000 | 1986 |
| 8614000 | 1985 |
| 8070022 | 1984 |
| 7400000 | 1983 |
| 7100000 | 1982 |
| 6520870 | 1981 |
| 6434000 | 1980 |
| 5737030 | 1979 |
| 5000000 | 1978† |
| 5008000 | 1977† |
| 4115299 | 1976 |
| 3862196 | 1975 |
| 3567927 | 1974 |
| 3200268 | 1973 |
| 2890456 | 1972 |
| 2589295 | 1971 |
| 2241882 | 1970 |
| 1900000 | 1969 |
| 1752000 | 1968 |
| 1538435 | 1967 |
| 1200000 | 1966 |
| 1100000 | 1965 |
| 1008889 | 1964 |
| 824000 | 1963 |
| 744000 | 1962 |
| 643153 | 1961 |
| 516000 | 1960 |
| 399453 | 1959 |
| 328000 | 1958 |
| 224000 | 1957 |
| 133061 | 1956 |
| 97000 | 1955 |
| 23000 | 1954 |
| 855726 | 1953 |
| 726639 | 1952 |
| 709249 | 1951 |
| 628840 | 1948 |
| 529163 | 1947 |
| 367946 | 1946 |
| 302459 | 1945 |
| 269561 | 1944 |
| 230878 | 1943 |
| 143509 | 1942 |
| 106047 | 1941 |
| 99775 | 1940 |
| 71224 | 1939 |
| 43739 | 1938 |
| 40920 | 1937 |
| 36856 | 1936 |
| 34336 | 1935 |
| 30823 | 1934 |
| 29562 | 1933 |
| 29132 | 1932 |
| 23186 | 1930† |
| 23969 | 1928† |
| 20190 | 1927 |
| 00000 | 1926 |
Read the engraving
Historical references: overlapping, approximate periods. Researcher’s updates: C from c.1972; D from c.1991. A/B labels and service engravings need context.
Tap either image to enlarge.
Before you conclude
Can it establish an exact year?
No. Papers may record sale, not manufacture. Discuss your Rolex’s age on WhatsApp.
Does it authenticate my Rolex?
No. Our authentication service examines the watch beyond its numbers. Enquire about Rolex authentication.
What about an unusual engraving?
Service cases and re-engraving can change the picture. Ask us about an unusual engraving.
Let’s look at your Rolex.
Send photographs of your watch and markings.
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