- There are two numbers engraved on the caseback of your watch. One number is directly below the other. The bottom number is your serial number. It is generally comprised of two or three letters followed by four numbers. However, there may be exceptions (3 letters with 3 numbers or 6 numbers for certified chronometers).
- 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.
- Rolex watches made from 2005 onwards will have the word 'Rolex' repeated around the inner bezel, with the brand logo at the 12 o'clock position and the serial number at 6 o'clock. Once you've found your Rolex's serial number, simply search for it in our tool or on our handy database to discover its production date.
People are often looking for a Rolex serial number or Rolex model number database to verify their Rolex serial numbers and to work out their Rolex year of manufacture. Unfortunately many of the online Rolex serial number databases are very inaccurate, out of date and have been copied inaccurately many times. Still many people quote them and so wrongly date their watch.
I have therefore compiled a more accurate Rolex serial number database below, for everyone to use, from utilising highly accurate and trusted data.
Find The Rolex Model Number The model number is found on the side of the watch case at the 12 o' clock position. As with the serial number, the bracelet must be detached from the 12 o' clock side of the case. For instructions on removing the bracelet, email us or call 855-256-0100 to speak with a Rolex expert.
The Rolex serial number of a watch is stamped between the lower lugs, where the bracelet is held in place. Up until the end of 1972, the ‘quarter’ of manufacture and year could also be found stamped inside the case back (eg iii 65 for 3rd quarter of 1965). The stamped case back date is usually close to the case date. It should never be newer than the date of the serial number, but on occassions it could be up to a year or two older as Rolex would have casebacks produced in batches and use them up as needed.
The Rolex serial no database below should give you a reasonably accurate idea of the year of your Rolex. Remember that the year of Rolex manufacture does not necessarily mean that was the year of sale, so Rolex guarantee papers or bracelets could be dated later, but not earlier.
If you have a query please feel free to contact me and if I can help you I will certainly try.
But if you are trying to work out “what year is my Rolex?” this should be a good place to start….
| Rolex Serial Number | Year |
| 20,000 – 40,000 | 1927 -1937 |
| 40,000 – 200,000 | 1938 -1942 |
| 200,000 – 300,000 | 1941 -1944 |
| 300,000 – 500,000 | 1945 -1946 |
| 500,000 – 620,000 | 1947 -1948 |
| 620,000 – 700,000 | 1948 -1950 |
| 700,000 – 725,000 | 1951 |
| 725,000 – 880,000 | 1952 |
| 880,000 – 999,000 | 1953 |
| 0 – 49,000 | 1954 |
In 1954 when Rolex reached serial numbers of 1 million they started again as follows:-
| Rolex Serial Number | Year |
| 0 – 50,000 | 1954 |
| 50,000 – 150,000 | 1955 |
| 150,000 – 250,000 | 1956 |
| 250,000 – 350,000 | 1957 |
| 350,000 – 450,000 | 1958 |
| 450,000 – 550,000 | 1959 |
| 550,000 – 650,000 | 1960 |
| 650,000 – 755,000 | 1961 |
| 755,000 – 865,000 | 1962 |
| 865,000 – 1,000,000 | 1963 |
| 1,000,000 – 1,105,000 | 1964 |
| 1,105,000 – 1,275,000 | 1965 |
| 1,275,000 – 1,485,000 | 1966 |
| 1,485,000 – 1,710,000 | 1967 |
| 1,710,000 – 1,945,000 | 1968 |
| 1,945,000 – 2,240,000 | 1969 |
| 2,240,000 – 2,590,000 | 1970 |
| 2,590,000 – 2,890,000 | 1971 |
| 2,890,000 – 3,200,000 | 1972 |
| 3,200,000 – 3,570,000 | 1973 |
| 3,570,000 – 3,865,000 | 1974 |
| 3,865,000 – 4,115,000 | 1975 |
| 4,115,000 – 4,260,000 5,000,000 – 5,085,000 | 1976 |
| 5,085,000 – 5,430,000 | 1977 |
| 5,430,000 – 5,865,000 | 1978 |
| 5,865,000 – 6,205,000 | 1979 |
| 6,205,000 – 6,560,000 | 1980 |
| 6,560,000 – 7,130,000 | 1981 |
| 7,130,000 – 7,600,000 | 1982 |
| 7,600,000 – 8,375,000 | 1983 |
| 8,375,000 – 8,785,000 | 1984 |
| 8,785,000 – 9,155,000 | 1985 |
| 9,155,000 – 9,860,000 | 1986 |
| 9,860,000 – 9,900,000 | 1987 |
* During 1976 Rolex retained cases to be used as future ‘Service Cases’ and have issued these, so far, from late 4.38m cases to 4.8m cases.
When Rolex reached their 10,000,000’th serial number in 1987 they switched to Letter Prefix based serials starting with ‘R’. These did not follow alphabetically, nor did they start on the 1st of January each year – instead starting at different points within a year once all the serials had been used. A letter prefix was followed by 6 digits – so again giving 1m serials per letter and in the order below.
| Letter Prefix | Year Started |
| R | 1987 |
| L | 1988 |
| E | 1990 |
| X | 1991 |
| N | 1992 |
| C | 1993 |
| S | 1994 |
| W | 1995 |
| T | 1996 |
| U | 1997 |
| A | 1998 |
| P | 2000 |
| K | 2001 |
| Y | 2002 |
| F | 2003 |
| D | 2005 |
| Z | 2006 |
| M | 2007 |
| V | 2008 |
| G | 2010 |
From 2010 onwards Rolex serial numbers changed again. This time to 8 digits consisting of randomly generated numbers and letters. This does mean that currently and going forward only Rolex will be able to tell you the date of production on any particular watch.
Rolex is a universally recognised brand committed to producing watches that represent the ultimate luxury, excellence and elegance. While the Swiss manufacturer is known to produce more than 2,000 watches each day, there is also a market that produces counterfeit Rolex watches varying dramatically in quality. In short-term financial emergencies, you may decide to sell your Rolex watch to raise some fast cash right away. Whether it was gifted or bought from the second hand market, you may find it difficult to establish the authenticity of your Rolex watch before selling it in London or anywhere in the UK.
Although the counterfeit Rolex watches are becoming increasingly advanced in recent years, some key things can help you to determine whether your Rolex timepiece is fake or real. Take a look!
Serial Numbers
The serial number of a genuine Rolex watch is engraved deeply into its metal. This number is situated behind where the band joins the watch’s body on the 6 o’clock side. On the contrary, a fake Rolex timepiece usually has the serial number carved with acid.
While a genuine Rolex watch will have its model number on the 12 o’clock side, counterfeiters do not often bother to change these numbers, and instead, they print the same digits on every replica. You can just remove the band of your watch by using a small paper clip or pushpin to see the model number.
However, the brand is reportedly known to have refined their methodology in this respect by muddling the serial numbers in the new Rolex productions. And, only a professional Rolex dealer can help you to date them.
Quality and weight
While Rolex produces watches of utmost quality and accuracy, counterfeit watch makers have become increasingly proficient at designing high-quality fake timepieces. A genuine Rolex comes with a precise engraving, solid bracelet links and will also, feel heavy. The coronet marking at the 6 o’clock position is visible only by using a magnifying glass, whereas, in counterfeits, it can be seen clearly with the naked eye.
Moreover, a real Rolex timepiece will be typically heavier than its counterfeits because it is made up of real metal and crystal. Your Rolex watch should feel substantial and solid on your wrist and hand.
The watch case also plays an essential role in determining whether your Rolex is fake or real. While the case back of your asset must be plain with no logo or engravings, new Rolexes come with a hologram on their case, making it a feasible way to help in verifying the authenticity.
Cyclops
Many Rolex watches feature a small window that shows the date and a small magnification lens or ‘Cyclops’ to make it effortless to read. Being a convex lens, you will feel a bump running your finger over it and is situated right over the date.
If the Cyclops over the date dial does not magnify the date, your Rolex is probably a fake one. A real Rolex magnification lens is apparently known to amplify the date up to 2.5x, taking up virtually the entire date window.
The Tick
As with any Rolex, the second hand in your watch will move so smoothly that it will not make any ‘ticking’ noise. Generally, the second hand motion in many watches may be jerky because they have quartz movements not automatic. Thus, when the second hand shifts precipitously, it produces the ‘tick, tick’ sound.
Reversely, Rolex movements are mechanical and self-winding. Indeed, a Rolex movement is broken down into eight micro ticks per second, making it look like a ceaseless motion. If you hear a slow ‘tick’ sound coming from your timepiece or see that the second hand jerking with every tick, you are not possibly wearing an authenticated one. However, every Rolex model features a particular style of hands. Like for example, the Yacht-Master comes with a thicker minute hand, whereas the hands of Rolex Daytona stretch a little bit longer, extending all the way to the hash marks.
While today’s Counterfeiters may be proficient enough to replicate the advanced movements of luxury watches like Rolex, they often use whatever components are available for saving money and hope that buyers may overlook such detail.
Choose a professional Buyer to verify your Rolex’s Authenticity
Rolex Watch Serial Number Check
Although some fake Rolexes can be spotted easily by comparing it with another same watch, others may require trained eyes for checking their authenticity. Thus, it may be a good idea to take your luxury timepiece to a potential Rolex watch buyer in London or any other big city to assess its authenticity. A professional watch dealer will not only determine your watch’s authenticity but also, can carry out an accurate valuation and ultimately, provide you with the most competitive price in the market if your Rolex is genuine.