The complete reference guide to Rolex serial numbers and production years. Covering all three eras: Vintage (1926–1987), Letter-Prefix (1987–2011), and Modern Random (2011–present).
Era 1
All-numeric serials engraved between the lugs. Runs from serial number 1 (circa 1926) to approximately 9,999,999 (1987). No letters present.
| Serial Range | Approx. Year |
|---|---|
| 1 – 5,000 | ~1926–1930 |
| 5,001 – 30,000 | ~1930–1936 |
| 30,001 – 100,000 | ~1936–1940 |
| 100,001 – 300,000 | ~1940–1950 |
| 300,001 – 700,000 | ~1950–1955 |
| 700,001 – 1,200,000 | ~1955–1960 |
| 1,200,001 – 1,700,000 | ~1960–1965 |
| 1,700,001 – 2,200,000 | ~1965–1968 |
| 2,200,001 – 2,700,000 | ~1968–1972 |
| 2,700,001 – 3,300,000 | ~1972–1974 |
| 3,300,001 – 3,900,000 | ~1974–1977 |
| 3,900,001 – 4,600,000 | ~1977–1980 |
| 4,600,001 – 5,300,000 | ~1980–1982 |
| 5,300,001 – 6,100,000 | ~1982–1984 |
| 6,100,001 – 7,000,000 | ~1984–1985 |
| 7,000,001 – 8,000,000 | ~1985–1986 |
| 8,000,001 – 9,999,999 | ~1986–1987 |
Era 2
A single uppercase letter prefix followed by 5–7 digits. The letter indicates the production batch. Format: [Letter][5–7 digits] — e.g. M789012.
| Prefix | Production Year | Example Serial |
|---|---|---|
| R | 1987 | R123456 |
| L | 1988–1989 | L456789 |
| E | 1990–1991 | E234567 |
| X | 1991 | X789012 |
| N | 1991–1992 | N345678 |
| C | 1992–1993 | C567890 |
| S | 1993–1994 | S123456 |
| W | 1994–1995 | W234567 |
| T | 1995–1996 | T678901 |
| U | 1997–1999 | U890123 |
| A | 1999–2000 | A234567 |
| P | 2000–2001 | P456789 |
| K | 2001 | K123456 |
| Y | 2002 | Y234567 |
| F | 2003–2004 | F678901 |
| D | 2004–2005 | D345678 |
| Z | 2006 | Z567890 |
| M | 2007–2008 | M789012 |
| V | 2008–2009 | V123456 |
| G | 2009–2010 | G456789 |
| B | 2010–2011 | B234567 |
Era 3
From approximately 2011, Rolex switched to fully randomised 8-character alphanumeric serials. The format does not encode any production information.
The letter-prefix system allowed counterfeiters to predict and replicate valid serial formats. The random system makes it impossible to generate plausible serial numbers. The exact production date of a modern Rolex cannot be determined from the serial number — only an Authorised Rolex Service Centre can confirm the manufacture date.
Model Reference
Rolex Datejust
All serial eras. Most common model. Check both 6 o'clock lug engraving and (post-2005) rehaut.
Rolex Submariner
Ref. 5512/5513 vintage. Ref. 16800 from ~1979. Ref. 14060/16610 from 1988. Ref. 114060/116610 from 2012.
Rolex Daytona
Introduced 1963. Ref. 6239 earliest. Ref. 16520 "Zenith" 1988–2000. Ref. 116500 ceramic bezel 2016.
Rolex GMT-Master
Introduced 1955 (ref. 6542). GMT-Master II from 1983. "Pepsi" and "Batman" are reference nicknames.
Rolex Explorer
Explorer I: Ref. 1016 (1963–1989). Explorer II: Ref. 1655 "Steve McQueen" from 1971.
Rolex Day-Date
Always in precious metal (gold or platinum). Never stainless steel. Introduced 1956.
Rolex Sea-Dweller
Introduced 1967. Helium escape valve distinguishes from Submariner. Deepsea from 2008.
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