How to Look Up a Rolex Serial Number: A Step-by-Step Guide

Owning a Rolex is a significant investment, and understanding its serial number is key to identifying its production year . Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a first-time buyer, knowing how to look up a Rolex serial number is crucial in unlocking the history and value of your timepiece.

Serial Number Year Lookup

Rolex Serial Number Year Lookup

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In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Rolex serial numbers, including how to find them and use them to identify your watch’s production year.

What is a Rolex Serial Number?

A Rolex serial number is a unique identifier engraved on each watch, serving as a timestamp to trace its production year. Much like a car’s VIN, the serial number ties the watch to a specific year, helping verify its authenticity and value. These serial numbers have been in use since 1926, providing valuable insights for collectors and buyers.

Where Can You Find the Rolex Serial Number?

The location of the Rolex serial number depends on the watch’s production date. Here’s how you can find it:

Pre-2005 Rolex Watches:

For Rolex models produced before 2005, the serial number is engraved between the 6 o’clock lugs (where the bracelet attaches).

Steps to Find the Serial Number:

Remove the bracelet: Use a spring bar tool to carefully detach the bracelet at the 6 o’clock position.
Look between the lugs: Once the bracelet is off, the serial number should be visible, engraved on the case between the lugs.

Post-2005 Rolex Watches:

Since 2005, Rolex began engraving serial numbers on the inner bezel (or rehaut), located just under the crystal at the 6 o’clock position. This change enhances security and allows easier access to the serial number.

Steps to Find the Serial Number:

Examine the inner bezel: Tilt the watch at an angle to view the inner ring of the dial (the rehaut). The serial number will be engraved along this ring near the 6 o’clock position.

Understanding Rolex Serial Numbers: Decoding the Year

Once you’ve located your Rolex serial number, the next step is to decode it to determine the production year. Rolex used different serial number formats over the decades:

1926 to 1987 (6-7 digit numbers): Rolex used a sequential numbering system. You can use our charts or look up tool to match these numbers to a specific year.
1987 to 2009 (Letter prefix system): Rolex added a letter before the serial number, indicating the production year (e.g., an “R” serial number corresponds to 1987, while “Z” indicates 2006).
2010 to Present (Random serial numbers): From 2010, Rolex adopted a random serial number system, making it harder to pinpoint the exact year of manufacture. Unfortunately, there is no official database for these random serial numbers post 2010.

Why is the Rolex Serial Number Important?

The serial number is essential for Determining the Value of a timepiece. A Rolex watch from a specific year or range can be more valuable depending on its rarity, condition, and demand. Knowing the production year can help assess the watch’s value.

How to Use the Rolex Serial Number to Determine Production Year

Once you’ve found the serial number, use our Rolex Production Year Locator or refer to a Rolex serial number chart to pinpoint the production year of your watch.

Manufacture Year and Serial Number

Manufacture Year	Serial Number
Autumn 2009–present	Random
2009	Serial starting with G
2008	Serial starting with V
2007	Serial starting with M
2006	Serial starting with Z
2005	Serial starting with D
2003–2004	Serial starting with F
2002	Serial starting with Y
2001	Serial starting with K
2000	Serial starting with P
1999	Serial starting with A
1997-1998	Serial starting with U
Summer 1995–1996	Serial starting with T
1995 (Spring)	Serial starting with W
1993–1994	Serial starting with S
1992	Serial starting with C
1991 (Autumn)	Serial starting with N
1991 (Spring)	Serial starting with X
1990	Serial starting with E
1989	Serial starting with L
1987–1988	Serial starting with R
1986	9,290,000–9,999,999
1985	8,814,000–9,289,999
1984	8,338,000–8,813,999
1983	7,862,000–8,337,999
1982	7,338,000–7,861,999
1981	6,910,000–7,337,999
1980	6,434,000–6,909,999
1979	5,958,000–6,433,999
1978	5,958,000–6,433,999
1977	5,006,000–5,481,999
1976	4,539,000–5,005,999
1975	4,267,100–4,538,999
1974	4,004,200–4,267,099
1973	3,741,300–4,004,199
1972	3,478,400–3,741,299
1971	3,215,500–3,478,399
1970	2,952,600–3,215,499
1969	2,689,700–2,952,599
1968	2,426,800–2,689,699
1967	2,163,900–2,426,800
1966	1,871,000–2,163,899
1965	1,792,000–1,870,999
1964	1,714,000–1,791,999
1963	1,636,000–1,713,999
1962	1,558,000–1,635,999
1961	1,480,000–1,557,999
1960	1,402,000–1,479,999
1959	1,100,000–1,401,999
1957-1958	600,000–1,099,999
1956	400,000–599,999
1955	200,000–399,999
1954	100,000–200,000
1953	950,000–999,999
1952	803,800–949,999
1951	738,700–803,799
1950	673,600–738,699
1949	608,500–673,599
1948	545,400–608,499
1947	478,300–545,399
1946	413,200–478,299
1945	348,100–413,199
1944	283,000–348,099
1943	253,400–282,999
1942	223,800–253,399
1941	194,200–223,799
1940	164,600–194,199
1939	135,000–164,599
1938	117,000–134,999
1937	99,000–116,999
1936	81,000–98,999
1935	63,000–80,999
1934	45,000–62,999
1932–1933	42,680–44,999
1931	40,250–42,679
1930	37,820–40,249
1929	35,390–37,819
1928	32,960–35,389
1927	30,430–32,959
1926	28,000–30,429

Final Thoughts

Looking up a Rolex serial number is a critical step for both current owners and potential buyers. It helps identify the production year and provides valuable insight into the watch’s history and value. Always request the serial number when buying a pre-owned Rolex to ensure its authenticity.

At Capturing Watches, we include clear photos displaying most of the serial number in our E-Commerce Photography for all Rolex watches pre-2010 to give our customers peace of mind when making a purchase