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ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
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TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 43,342
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Rolex Serial Numbers By Year/Clasp Codes - Crown Markings
Reading this chart.
Rolex serial numbers are confusing at best. Rolex has not released their production numbers, or their serial numbers either for what ever reason. Lists have been compiled and are available at various places on the net, and these lists are compiled by noting serial numbers and their first time seen on the market, or by their sales invoices matched to specific serials, and by word of mouth.. This chart is compiled from several lists to give you an approximation of the earliest numbers seen for certain years. Use it to bracket the number you are looking up to give you a best approximation of the production date for that example. Rolex reached 999,999 in mid-1950's and began over starting with 100,000. These reused numbers are shown in blue. You can verify your manufacture date if there is confusion because during that time they stamped the inside of the case-back with a manufacture date (example, II 55, for the second quarter of 1955) Rolex%20Serial3%20copy.jpg Beginning in early 2010, Rolex serial numbers began showing up as completely random serials consisting of letters and numbers. Additionally, there are now 8 digits total ... In Mid 2010 (~June) G serials also began showing up concurrently with Random serials There were no new serials seen released during 2009 .........Here is an example of a Random serial from a recently released Sub Date 16610 .2010 Serials.jpg Rolex letter prefixed serial numbers can be even more confusing as Rolex has produced multiple letter prefixes concurrently during the same years.. They do not correspond to any "model year" for any particular reference watch. Additionally they have stated, and it is also mentioned in "The Best Of Time"by Dowling-Hess, that Rolex does not manufacture numbers sequentially....they are random at some level. Exchange cases or re-cased movements. Rolex does produce cases specifically to re-case movements where the case has become damaged or unusable. Up until recently the exchange cases started with 44xxxxx. It is believed that those numbers have been used and later re-case numbers begin with 47xxxxx. The Serial Number can be found under the bracelet, stamped against the case at 6 o'clock. Later models with the ROLEXROLEX etched rehaut have the serial number at 6 o'clock there. There were a few years carryover where reference numbers were in both locations. SerialR.jpg The Code On The Clasp This database of clasp codes is also an estimate because this information too, is not released by Rolex. This list was compiled from the information provided by different forums and members, asterisks show further assumptions based on invoices and word-of-mouth. Clasp codes and the bracelet part number can be found where the Clasp reads Steelinox and consists of letters and a number. The number corresponds to the month of the year. Asterisks show a probable sequence. clasp codeR.jpg 1976 A* - possibly (VA) 1977 B - possibly (VB) 1978 C* - possibly (VC) 1979 D - possibly (VD) 1980 E - possibly (VE) 1981 F - possibly (VF) 1982 G 1983 H* 1984 I* 1985 J* 1986 K* 1987 L* 1988 M* 1989 N* 1990 O 1991 P 1992 Q* 1993 R 1994 S 1995 T or W 1996 V or U 1997 Z or U 1998 Z or W 1999 X 2000 AB 2001 DE 2002 DT 2003 AD 2004 CL 2005 MA 2006 OP 2007 EO 2008 PJ 2009 LT 2010 RS 2011 CP XXXX EB* Later years are random codes *Service Bracelets. Early service parts have an "S" stamp. There is some indication that "EB" codes are appearing on non-random service parts since the "S" has been retired. Clasp codes can be used to further help refine when the watch or it's parts were actually manufactured. Actual shipping, storage, and purchase dates may vary considerably. A Service clasp will have an S such as this example DT 11S, (2002 Nov. Service) ymcl14.jpg Here is a 2007, May manufacture date, original issue. Clasp code2R.jpg Solid endlink bracelets (SEL) have both the part number, a date code, and a crown stamped into the ends. This bracelet half is manufactured separately from the clasp and the endlink code, and the clasp code may be different, but they should be close. This one shows a 2007 date (EO) but no month. Breaking down the Rolex Model/Reference number. Rolex paperwork and warranty information is a string of numbers, something like R1661030B9235. This breaks down into a known build code and as an example: R=Rolex 166=Diver (Sub Date in this case) 1= Rotating Bezel (Engine Turned in early dress watches) 0=Metal type, Stanless 30=Dial, 3-Black, 0-Stick B9325= Bracelet style 93250 Models: Oyster Perpetual : 10, 140, 142 Air-King : 55 & 140 Date : 15 & 150 Datejust : 16, 162 & 1162 Daytona Manual Wind : 62 Daytona Cosmograph : 165 & 1165 Explorer : 142, 10 & 1142 Explorer II : 16 & 165 Sea Dweller : 16 & 166 Submariner : 16, 166 & 168 Submariner (no date) : 55 & 140 GMT Master : 16, 65, 167 GMT Master II : 167 Oysterquartz Datejust : 170 Oysterquartz Day-Date : 190 Day-Date (President) : 65, 18, 180, 182, 183 & 1182 Yachtmaster : 166, 686, 696, 1686 & 1696 Midsize Oyster Perpetual DJ : 68, 682, 782 & 1782 Ladies Oyster Perpetual : 67, 671, 672, 760 & 761 Ladies Date : 65, 69, 691, 692, & 791 Ladies Datejust : 65, 69, 691 & 692, 791 & 1791 Bezel Codes: 0 = Smooth/Domed 1 = Rotating/Engine Turned (early) 2 = Engraved 3 = Fluted bi-metal, engine turned stainless 4 = Bark 5 = Pyramie (Not Used) 6 = Turn-O-Graph 7 = Various 8 = Special (Not Currently Used) 9 = Open (Not Currently Used) Metal Type: 0 = Stainless Steel 1 = Yellow gold Placor (Tudor) 22 = Stainless steel and Platinum (Yachtmaster) 3 = Stainless Steel and 18k Yellow gold (Yellow Rolesor) 4 = Stainless Steel and 18k White gold (White Rolesor) 5 = Gold Shell (early models - Rose Gold on newer models) 6 = Platinum 7 = 14k Yellow gold (No Longer Used) 8 = 18k Yellow gold 9 = 18k White gold BIC = Bi-Color 18k Yellow and White gold combo TRIDOR = 18k Yellow, White and Rose gold Dial Codes: first digit: 1x = Silver 2x = Champagne 3x = Black 4x = Steel 5x = White 6x = Blue 7x = Bronze 8x = Pink 9x = Mother of Pearl second digit: x0 = Index (Stick) x1 = Unknown/Unused x2 = Sunbeam (Roman) x3 = Roman x4 = Bi Color Dial (Index) x5 = Jubilee (Roman) x6 = Maxi Arabic x7 = Index (3,6,9 Arabic) x8 = Waves (Arabic) x9 =Sunbeam (Roman) Modern crown markings.. Monobloc Crown Markings.jpg Bracelet Code: Too many to list, see our Bracelet thread here on the Reference Library
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(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member Last edited by Tools; 9 November 2020 at 04:14 AM.. |
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