Understanding Rolex Serial Numbers

Each Rolex produced from 2008 comes with a unique serial number laser engraved (unlike a reference number, which is shared across many watches) at 6 o’clock on the rehaut (the ring between dial and sapphire crystal). Alternatively, if you have the original warranty card, the serial number, reference number and purchase date are also printed on it.

Serial Number Locations

Until 2005: Engraved on the exterior of the case, in between the lugs at the 6 o’clock side (must remove bracelet to see)
From 2005 to 2008: Engraved on the exterior of the case and laser etched on the rehaut, both at the 6 o’clock side
Since 2008 : Etched on the rehaut (6 o’clock side)

So, what can a Rolex serial number tell you? First, to determine if the watch is fake. Each Rolex has a unique serial number. If the watch does not have a serial number on the lugs and/or rehaut, it’s fake. Second, a Rolex serial number can help you determine the approximate production period of the watch.

Rolex Serial Number Table (1987 to present)

Approximate Production Year	Serial Number Letter Start
Late-2010 to Present	Random
2010	G
2009	V
2008	M or V
2007	M or Z
2006	D or Z
2005	D or F
2004	F
2003	F
2002	Y
2001	K or Y
2000	K or P
1999	A
1998	U
1997	U
1996	T
1995	W
1994	S
1993	S
1992	C
1991	N
1990	E
1989	L
1988	R
1987	R

Rolex Serial Number Table (1954 to 1987)
***In 1954, Rolex reset the serial numbers back to 0***

Approximate Production Year	Rolex Serial Number
1987	9,860,000 – 9,900,000
1986	9,155,000 – 9,860,000
1985	8,785,000 – 9,155,000
1984	8,375,000 – 8,785,000
1983	7,600,000 – 8,375,000
1982	7,130,000 – 7,600,000
1981	6,560,000 – 7,130,000
1980	6,205,000 – 6,560,000
1979	5,865,000 – 6,205,000
1978	5,430,000 – 5,865,000
1977	5,085,000 – 5,430,000
1976	4,115,000 – 4,260,000
1976	5,000,000 – 5,085,000
1975	3,865,000 – 4,115,000
1974	3,570,000 – 3,865,000
1973	3,200,000 – 3,570,000
1972	2,890,000 – 3,200,000
1971	2,590,000 – 2,890,000
1970	2,240,000 – 2,590,000
1969	1,945,000 – 2,240,000
1968	1,710,000 – 1,945,000
1967	1,485,000 – 1,710,000
1966	1,275,000 – 1,485,000
1965	1,105,000 – 1,275,000
1964	1,000,000 – 1,105,000
1963	865,000 – 1,000,000
1962	755,000 – 865,000
1961	650,000 – 755,000
1960	550,000 – 650,000
1959	450,000 – 550,000
1958	350,000 – 450,000
1957	250,000 – 350,000
1956	150,000 – 250,000
1955	50,000 – 150,000
1954	0 – 50,000

Rolex Serial Number Chart (Up to 1954)

Approximate Production Year	Rolex Serial Number
1953	880,000 – 999,000
1952	725,000 – 880,000
1951	700,000 – 725,000
1948-1950	620,000 – 700,000
1947 -1948	500,000 – 620,000
1945 -1946	300,000 – 500,000
1941 -1944	200,000 – 300,000
1938 -1942	40,000 – 200,000
1927 -1937	20,000 – 40,000
1926	0 – 20,000