Free Collector Tool
Rolex Serial Number Lookup
Enter the serial number of your Rolex to find its approximate year of production.
Numbers only, one letter + 6 digits, or 8 random characters
Quick Reference
Rolex Serial Letters by Year
From 1987 Rolex used a letter prefix followed by six digits. Since 2010 serial numbers are a random combination of eight letters and digits, so the year can no longer be read from the serial itself.
Production Year Chart
Rolex Serial Numbers by Year
Each row shows the approximate serial number at the start of that year. Numbering reached 999,999 around 1954 and restarted, so serials below one million can belong to two different eras β check the reference number and case style to tell them apart.
| Year | Serial starts at |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Random |
| 2025 | Random |
| 2024 | Random |
| 2023 | Random |
| 2022 | Random |
| 2021 | Random |
| 2020 | Random |
| 2019 | Random |
| 2018 | Random |
| 2017 | Random |
| 2016 | Random |
| 2015 | Random |
| 2014 | Random |
| 2013 | Random |
| 2012 | Random |
| 2011 | Random |
| 2010 | G |
| 2009 | V |
| 2008 | M or V |
| 2007 | M or Z |
| 2006 | D or Z |
| 2005 | D |
| 2005 | F |
| 2004 | F |
| 2003 | F |
| 2002 | Y |
| 2001 | K or Y |
| 2000 | K000001 |
| 2000 | P000001 |
| 1999 | A000001 |
| 1998 | U932144 |
| 1997 | U000001 |
| 1996 | T000001 |
| 1995 | W000001 |
| Year | Serial starts at |
|---|---|
| 1994 | S860880 |
| 1993 | S000001 |
| 1992 | C000001 |
| 1991 | N000001 |
| 1991 | X000001 |
| 1990 | E000001 |
| 1989 | L980000 |
| 1988 | R598200 |
| 1987 | R000001 |
| 1987 | 9,400,000 |
| 1986 | 8,900,000 |
| 1985 | 8,614,000 |
| 1984 | 8,070,022 |
| 1983 | 7,400,000 |
| 1982 | 7,100,000 |
| 1981 | 6,520,870 |
| 1980 | 6,434,000 |
| 1979 | 5,737,030 |
| 1978 | 5,238,000 |
| 1977 | 5,008,000 |
| 1976 | 4,115,299 |
| 1975 | 3,862,196 |
| 1974 | 3,567,927 |
| 1973 | 3,200,268 |
| 1972 | 2,890,459 |
| 1971 | 2,589,295 |
| 1970 | 2,241,882 |
| 1969 | 1,900,000 |
| 1968 | 1,752,000 |
| 1967 | 1,538,435 |
| 1966 | 1,200,000 |
| 1965 | 1,100,000 |
| 1964 | 1,008,889 |
| 1963 | 824,000 |
| Year | Serial starts at |
|---|---|
| 1962 | 744,000 |
| 1961 | 643,153 |
| 1960 | 516,000 |
| 1959 | 399,453 |
| 1958 | 328,000 |
| 1957 | 224,000 |
| 1956 | 133,061 |
| 1955 | 97,000 |
| 1954 | 23,000 |
| 1953 | 855,726 |
| 1952 | 726,639 |
| 1951 | 709,249 |
| 1948 | 628,840 |
| 1947 | 529,163 |
| 1946 | 367,946 |
| 1945 | 302,459 |
| 1944 | 269,561 |
| 1943 | 230,878 |
| 1942 | 143,509 |
| 1941 | 106,047 |
| 1940 | 99,775 |
| 1939 | 71,224 |
| 1938 | 43,739 |
| 1937 | 40,920 |
| 1936 | 36,856 |
| 1935 | 34,336 |
| 1934 | 30,823 |
| 1933 | 29,562 |
| 1932 | 29,132 |
| 1930 | 23,186 |
| 1928 | 23,969 |
| 1927 | 20,190 |
| 1926 | 00,001 |
Where to Look
Finding Your Serial Number
01
Between the Lugs
On most Rolex watches made before 2005, the serial is engraved on the case between the lugs at 6 o'clock. Remove the bracelet to see it.
02
On the Rehaut
From around 2005β2008 Rolex moved the serial to the inner bezel ring (rehaut) at 6 o'clock, visible through the crystal.
03
Warranty Card
The serial and reference number are printed on the Rolex warranty card or guarantee papers β the most reliable way to date modern pieces.
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the production year?
Rolex has never published official serial records, so all charts are compiled from watches and papers seen in the market. Treat the result as an approximate production date β the sale date on the papers may be a year or more later.
Why does my serial show two possible years?
Rolex serial numbers reached 999,999 around 1954 and restarted from the beginning. A serial under one million can therefore come from the 1926β1953 run or the 1954β1963 run. The reference number, case design and movement tell you which one is correct.
Can I date a Rolex made after 2010?
Not from the serial alone. Since around 2010 Rolex uses scrambled eight-character serials that do not follow a sequence. The warranty card shows the date of sale, which is the best indicator.
Does a serial number prove a watch is authentic?
No. Serial numbers can be copied or re-engraved. Authentication requires checking the case, dial, movement, bracelet and papers together.
Need a Second Opinion?
Get Your Rolex Checked by an Expert
Authentication, stolen-watch database check, production history and current market value β in one consultation.
