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Vintage Rolex Reference Guide

Reference Number Appearance And Location

A pre-owned Rolex reference number is as unique as the fingerprints of its owner. Every pre-owned Rolex has a different reference number that is located between the lugs of the watch at the 12 o’clock position. Many counterfeit watches have a completely fictitious reference number and some may not even have one. Here are a few things that will help you in establishing the authenticity of your pre-owned Rolex watch based on the reference number:

  • The reference number inscription should resemble a diamond engraving and not an acid etched look.
  • Pre-owned Rolex models pre 1980's carry a four digit reference number.
  • Pre-owned Rolex models released between 1980's and 2000 will have a 5 digit number.
  • The first three digits of the reference number indicate the model type on the traditional Rolex models.
  • Pre-owned ​Rolex models released between 2000 and the present have a 6 digit reference number with a number "1" prefacing the 5 digit reference number. The numeric preface may change as more models are being released.
  • The 5th digit references to the bezel type
  • The 6th digit references the bracelet type
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Rolex Type

Below are some of the most popular pre-owned Rolex models and their reference numbers. Be aware that this is not a complete list of pre-owned Rolex reference numbers. If you are ever in doubt about a reference number of your watch, a simple Google search will likely tell you if you are in a possession of a genuine pre-owned Rolex watch. If the internet is of no help to you, we suggest contacting a reputable Rolex dealer, a watchmaker, Rolex, or emailing us if you are thinking of selling your timepiece.

Submariner (no date) 55 & 140
Submariner 16, 166 & 168
Sea Dweller 16 & 166
GMT Master 16, 65, 167
GMT Master II 167, 1167
Day-Date (President) 65, 66, 18, 180, 182 & 183
Datejust 16 & 162
Daytona Manual Wind 62
Daytona Cosmograph 165, 1165
Explorer II 165
Oyster Perpetual 10, 140, 142
Airking 55 & 140
Date 15 & 150
OysterquartzDatejust 170
Oysterquartz Day-Date 190
Yachtmaster 166, 686 & 696
Midsize Oyster Perp DJ 68, 682
Ladies Oyster Perpetual 67, 671, 672
Ladies Date 65, 69, 691 & 692
Ladies Datejust 65, 69, 691 & 692
Rolex watch

Models And Corresponding Reference Numbers

Air King

1002, 1400, 1401, 4365, 4925, 5502, 5520, 6500, 6552, 7784, 14000, 14000M, 14010, 14010M
Air King Date

5700, 5701
Bubbleback

1852, 1858, 1873, 2240, 2490, 2764, 2765, 2784, 2945, 3009, 3019, 3065, 3130, 3131, 3132, 3133, 3134, 3135, 3347, 3348, 3353, 3358, 3372, 3458, 3548, 3549, 3595, 3598, 3599, 3696, 3725, 3767, 3795, 3796, 3801, 3940, 3951, 4392, 4777, 4919, 4939, 4961, 5001, 5002, 5003, 5006, 5007, 5009, 5010, 5011, 5013, 5015, 5026, 5028, 5045, 5048, 5050, 5051, 5052, 5055, 5087, 5105, 5026, 5028, 5045, 5048, 5050, 5051, 5052, 5055, 5087, 5105, 5173, 5488, 6006, 6007, 6011, 6015, 6016, 6048, 6052, 6064, 6065, 6076, 6087, 6106, 6428, 8050, 8052
Big Bubbleback

4467, 6031, 6074, 6075
Chronograph

1074, 1223, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2057, 2226, 2303, 2507, 2508, 2705, 2737, 2811, 2917, 2918, 2920, 3036, 3055, 3082, 3085, 3181, 3233, 3330, 3333, 3335, 3346, 3462, 3481, 3484, 3525, 2529, 3635, 3642, 3668, 3695, 3735, 3827, 3834, 3835, 3997, 4048, 4062, 4099, 4100, 4113, 4311, 4313, 4332, 4352, 4500, 4537, 4767, 4768, 5034, 5036, 6032, 6034, 6036, 6232, 6234, 6236, 6238, 6270, 7131, 7132, 7159, 7169, 8180, 8206, 9162
Chronograph
Moon Phase

6062, 8171, 8237
Cosmograph
Daytona

1650, 1651, 1652, 1656, 1658, 1659, 6239, 6240, 6241, 6239, 6262, 6263, 6264, 6265, 16528, 16519, 16520, 16523, 16528, 116509, 116518, 116519, 116520, 116523, 116528, 116589, 116598, 116599
Oyster Manual-Wind

1069, 1070, 1147, 1237, 1387, 1573, 1880, 1921, 1925, 1936, 2005, 2081, 2136, 2280, 2318, 2319, 2331, 2416, 2420, 2496, 2518, 2574, 2593, 2595, 2701, 2849, 2891, 2942, 2949, 2984, 3059, 3078, 3096, 3116, 3121, 3136, 3139, 3140, 3270, 3351, 3559, 3492, 3511, 3540, 3640, 3646, 3765, 3868, 3882, 3978, 4052, 4068, 4070, 4119, 4125, 4127, 4181, 4219, 4220, 4271, 4330, 4361, 4365, 4437, 4444, 4448, 4461, 4476, 4483, 4499, 4547, 4556, 4626, 4647, 5000, 5004, 5020, 5025, 5056, 6020, 6021, 6022, 6044, 6066, 6144, 6244, 6246, 6266, 6363, 6418, 6420, 6421, 6422, 6423, 6424, 6425, 6426, 6427, 6429, 6430, 6431, 6432, 6444, 6466, 6480, 6494, 6664, 6694, 7535A, 8011, 8012, 8015, 8023, 8027, 8389, 9659
Oyster Perpetual
Time Only

1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1022, 1023, 1024, 1025, 1026, 1027, 1028, 1029, 1030, 1031, 1035, 1036, 1038, 1039, 1420, 1423, 3172, 3202, 3272, 3323, 3352, 3370, 3483, 3490, 3495, 3496, 3497, 3505, 3536, 3538, 3593, 3594, 3596, 3597, 3627, 3639, 3645, 3685, 3686, 3708, 3724, 3772, 3778, 3785, 3869, 3885, 3886, 3887, 3888, 3926, 3938, 3967, 4013, 4021, 4024, 4025, 4027, 4055, 4130, 4134, 4163, 4164, 4165, 4166, 4167, 4168, 4171, 4172, 4185, 4186, 4187, 4190, 4203, 4214, 4242, 4255, 4302, 4306, 4337, 4350, 4362, 4408, 4436, 4449, 4480, 4486, 4487, 4528, 4534, 4672, 4686, 4804, 4846, 4857, 4937, 5023, 5065, 5080, 5552, 6018, 6023, 6050, 6082, 6084, 6085, 6088, 6092, 6099, 6100, 6101, 6102, 6103, 6107, 6119, 6284, 6285, 6286, 6290, 6301, 6303, 6332, 6334, 6502, 6503, 6507, 6508, 6509, 6532, 6539, 6540, 6543, 6544, 6545, 6546, 6548, 6549, 6551, 6552, 6553, 6554, 6558, 6559, 6560, 6564, 6565, 6566, 6567, 6569, 6580, 6583, 6584, 6585, 6586, 6587, 6590, 6592, 6594, 6598, 6599, 6614, 6618, 6619, 6621, 6623, 6634, 6706, 6707, 6710, 6711, 6712, 6713, 6715, 6717, 6718, 6719, 6720, 6721, 6723, 6724, 6744, 6745, 6747, 6748, 6749, 6751, 6753, 6754 6757, 6771, 7575A, 7603, 7605, 7608, 7609, 7614, 7618, 7619, 7623, 7624, 7701, 7708, 7748, 7751, 7806, 7807, 7811, 9210, 9211, 9220, 9221, 14203, 14208, 14233, 14238, 67180, 67183, 67187, 67188, 67193, 67194, 67197, 67198, 67230, 67243, 67243, 67483, 67488, 67513, 67514, 67518
Oyster Perpetual
Datejust

1600, 1601, 1602, 1603, 1604, 1605, 1607, 1610, 1611, 1620, 1622, 1623, 1624, 1626, 1630, 5030, 5031, 6104, 6105, 6155, 6251, 6516, 6517, 6602, 6604, 6605, 6624, 6627, 6800, 6815, 6823, 6824, 6825, 6826, 6827, 6828, 6829, 6830, 6831, 6832, 6833, 5835, 6839, 6900, 6901, 6902, 6903, 6905, 6906, 6907, 6908, 6909, 6910, 6911, 6912, 6913, 6914, 6915, 6916, 6917, 6918, 6919, 6923, 6925, 6926, 6927, 6928, 7815, 7823, 7824, 7825, 7826, 7827, 7828, 7906, 7907, 7908, 7912, 7913, 7915, 7916, 7917, 7918, 7919, 7923, 7924, 7925, 7926, 7928, 8030, 8031, 8032, 8035, 8065, 8066, 8067, 16000, 16003, 16008, 16009, 16013, 16014, 16018, 16019, 16030, 16058, 16078, 16200, 16203, 16220, 16233, 16234, 16238, 16248, 16250, 16258, 16263, 16264, 68158, 68159, 68240, 68243, 68248, 68258, 68273, 68274, 68278, 68279, 68288, 68289, 69008, 69008A, 69018, 69018A, 69038R, 690385, 69068, 69068A, 69069, 69069A, 69078, 69078A, 69079, 69088, 69088A, 69089, 69089A, 69098, 69108, 69108A, 69118A, 69128, 69128A, 69136, 69138, 69139, 69139A, 69148, 69148A, 69158, 69159, 69163, 69163A, 69166, 69168, 69168A, 69169, 69169A, 69173, 69173A, 69174, 69174A, 69178, 69178A, 69179, 69179A, 69188, 69198E, 69198R, 691985, 69258, 69268, 69278, 69279, 69279A, 69288, 79068, 79078, 79079, 79088, 79089, 79126, 79136, 79138, 79158, 79159, 79163, 79166, 79168, 79174, 79178, 79179, 79238, 79288, 80298, 80299, 80309, 80318, 80319, 80328, 80329, 80359, 116138, 116139, 116203, 116208, 116233, 116238, 179136, 179138, 179158, 179159, 179165, 179166, 179168, 179173, 179175, 179175, 179178, 179179, 179239, 179298, 179368, 179459
Oyster Perpetual
Mid-Sized Datejust

6824, 6827, 68240, 68243, 68248, 68273, 68274, 68278, 77080, 77014, 77438, 77518, 78240, 78243, 78246, 78248, 78266, 78273, 78274, 78278, 78279, 78286, 78288, 81158, 81208, 81209, 81308, 81338, 81339, 178158, 178159, 178238, 178239, 178245, 178246, 178248, 178269, 178275, 178278, 178279, 178286, 178288
Oysterquartz Datejust

17000, 17013, 17014
Oysterquartz Day Date

19018, 19019, 19028, 19038, 19048, 19049, 19058, 19068, 19078, 19148, 19168
Prince

1343, 1541, 1768, 1855, 2730, 2771, 2996, 3361, 4402
Prince “1/4 Century”

1490, 3937
Prince Railway

1862
Prince “Sporting”

1564, 1599, 1871
Sea-Dweller

1660, 1665, 1666, 16600, 16650, 16660
Submariner

1406, 5508, 5510, 5512, 5513, 5514, 6200, 6204, 6205, 6536, 6538, 14060
Submariner Date

1661, 1680, 16610, 16613, 16618, 16800, 16803, 16808
Turn-O-Graph Datejust
“Thunderbird”

1625, 6202, 6309, 6609, 16253
Tru-Beat

1020, 6556
Yacht Master

16622, 16628, 68623, 68628, 168622, 168623, 168628, 169623, 169628

Owned Rolex

BEZEL MODEL NUMBERS

It is not uncommon to find a truly stunning, genuine pre-owned Rolex where the bezel, dial, markers and the bracelet have been changed to cater to the style and character of the previous owner. This practice is so widespread that it is commonly accepted as long as the parts are genuine Rolex parts. However, if you are a true purist and want to make sure that your watch is in truly pristine and untouched condition, the following is an explanation on how to determine the original bezel type of your pre-owned ​Rolex with a production date starting in the 1980’s to the present. The code that delineates the bezel type is located within the Reference (Model) number of your Rolex. The 5th digit of the number is the bezel code.

Polished 00
Engine Turned 1
Engine Turned 2
Fluted 3
Hand-Crafted 4
Pyramid 5
Rotating Bezel 6
Rolex watch

How To Determine The Correct Bracelet Option Of Your Rolex

MATERIAL MODEL NUMBERS

If you are purchasing a pre-owned Rolex, it is not uncommon to find that the bracelet has been replaced. As mentioned previously, this generally does not lower the value of the watch unless the bracelet has been exchanged from a precious metal to a leather strap and so on. In order to determine the bracelet type, locate the Reference Number and look at 6th digit. The last digit generally indicates the type of bracelet used for the your particular watch model.

Stainless

00
Yellow Gold Filled

1
White Gold Filled

2
Stainless & Yellow Gold

3
Stainless w/ 18K White Gold

4
Gold Shell

5
Platinum

6
14K Yellow Gold

7
18K Yellow Gold

8
Bi-color 18K Yellow & White Gold Combo

BIC
18K Yellow, White & Rose Gold

TRIDOR 

Pre-Owned Rolex Clasp Codes

A genuine pre-owned Rolex watch will have a set of letters and numbers on the inside of the clasp hinge. The letters and numbers designate the year and the month of the bracelet manufacturing. So if the inside of the bracelet is stamped OP9, that means that the bracelet was manufactured in September of 2006. Be aware that it is not uncommon to find a newer watch with an older bracelet and vice versa. Especially in the pre-owned market, previous owners will often switch out bracelets to match their personal taste. This practice does not devalue the watch as long as the bracelet was replaced with a genuine pre-owned Rolex bracelet that matches the style and the precious metals in the watch itself. Some pre-owned ​Rolex models came with a leather strap or a cloth strap. This is common in vintage models and dress models.
BRACELET CODE YEAR
A or VA 1976
B or VB 1977
C or VC 1978
D or VD 1979
E or VE 1980
F or VF 1981
G 1982
H 1983
I 1984
J 1985
K 1986
L 1987
M 1988
N 1989
O 1990
P 1991
Q 1992
R 1993
S 1994
T or W 1995
V 1996
Z 1997
U 1998
X 1999
AB 2000
DE 2001
DT 2002
AD 2003
CL 2004
MA 2005
OP 2006
EO 2007
PJ 2008
LT 2009
RS 2010
RANDOM 201+

Pre-Owned Rolex Serial Nnmbers

FIND YOUR ROLEX PRODUCTION YEARPre-owned Rolex serial number is also known as the case number or a style number and is located between the lugs at the 6 o’clock position. The serial number of a pre-owned Rolex watch is used to date the watch and establish its market value and authenticity. In the case of vintage watches, the older the watch, the higher the price. Some collectors search for years before they find a specific serial number to add to their collection. Below we explain what each part of a Rolex serial number means and how to establish authenticity of your watch. Starting in the 1920’s Rolex began the practice of stamping all of their watches with serial numbers. In 1950’s, the serial numbers reached 999, 999 mark and the count was restarted from 100,001. In the 1960’s the mark of 999,999 was reached once again and in order to prevent confusion, Rolex added a 7th digit to their serial number. In the 1980’s 9, 999,999 mark was reached at which point Rolex began adding a letter to their serial numbers. So far, letters ” R”, “L”, “E”, “X”, “N”, “C”, “S”, “W”, “T”, “U”, “A”, “P”, “K, “Y”, “F” and “D” were used. Pre-owned ​Rolex watches produced between 1950’s and 1970’s have a Roman numeral and an two digit Arabic numeral code that appears on the case back. The Roman numerals that are used are I, II, III, and IV delineating the quarter in which the watch was produced, the two digit Arabic numeral code signifies the year of production.
Serial Number Year
Random 2018
Random 2017
Random 2016
Random 2015
Random 2014
Random 2013
Random 2012
Random 2011
G 2010
V 2009
M OR V 2008
M OR Z 2007
D OR Z 2006
D 2005
F 2005
F 2004
F 2003
Y 2002
K OR Y 2001
K,000,001 2000
P,000,001 2000
A,000,001 1999
U,932,144 1998
U,000,001 1997
T,000,001 1996
W,000,001 1995
S,860,880 1994
S,000,001 1993
C,000,001 1992
N,000,001 1991
X,000,001 1991
E,000,001 1990
L,980,000 1989
R,598,200 1988
R,000,001 1987
9,400,000 1987
8,900,000 1986
8,614,000 1985
8,070,022 1984
7,400,000 1983
7,100,000 1982
6,520,870 1981
6,434,000 1980
5,737,030 1979
5,000,000 1978
5,008,000 1977
4,115,299 1976
3,862,196 1975
3,567,927 1974
3,200,268 1973
2,890,459 1972
2,589,295 1971
2,241,882 1970
1,900,000 1969
1,752,000 1968
1,538,435 1967
1,200,000 1966
1,100,000 1965
1,008,889 1964
824,000 1963
744,000 1962
643,153 1961
516,000 1960
399,453 1959
328,000 1958
224,000 1957
133,061 1956
97,000 1955
23,000 1954
855,726 1953
726,639 1952
709,249 1951
1950
1949
628,840 1948
529,163 1947
367,946 1946
302,459 1945
269,561 1944
230,878 1943
143,509 1942
106,047 1941
99,775 1940
71,224 1939
43,739 1938
40,920 1937
36,856 1936
34,336 1935
30,823 1934
29,562 1933
29,132 1932
1931
23,186 1930
1929
23,969 1928
20,190 1927
00,001 1926

Country Codes

Listed below are all the 3 digit country codes for Rolex watches. This country code can be found in the upper left hand corner on the Rolex Guaranty Certificate. There is no country code for the USA and most watches older than 1980 will NOT have a country code.
Code Country
010 Switzerland
012 Switzerland
013 Switzerland
014 Switzerland
015 Switzerland
021 Switzerland
025 Switzerland
026 Switzerland
033 Switzerland
045 Switzerland
100 Germany
110 France
113 France
120 Austria
121 Austria
123 Austria
126 Austria
128 Austria
130 Belgium / Luxemburg
133 Netherlands
134 Netherlands
135 Netherlands
137 Netherlands
138 Netherlands
150 Spain
160 England
170 Italy
200 Greece
201 Malta
202 Turkey
208 Greece
213 Portugal
217 Portugal
226 Denmark
228 Denmark
233 Denmark
237 Iceland
265 Sweden
267 Sweden
270 Sweden
271 Sweden
283 Finnland
321 Czech Republic
400 Hong Kong
413 Korea
430 Singapore / Brunai
431 Malaysia
440 Taiwan
500 India
505 Pakistan
527 Middle East
532 Saudi Arabia
536 Abu Dhabi
537 Dubai
538 Oman
542 Iran
548 Israel
680 South Afrika
700 Canada
710 USA
720 Mexico
741 Bahamas
742 Bermuda
752 Jamaica
758 Virgin Islands
761 Netherlands Antilles
762 Aruba
765 Antigua
766 Saint Martin
767 Grand Cayman
768 Panama
770 Venezuela
780 Brazil
781 Chile
783 Peru
790 Argentina
810 Australia
818 Philippines
828 China
842 New Zealand
871 Hawaii
872 Alaska
873 Guam
888 Hong Kong
900 Japan
906 Natex Retail, German NATO Airbase

Sapphire Evolution

The upgrade to the sapphire crystal occurred on the following years. This data was originally compiled from Professor Rolex Matthias.
Model Stainless Rolessor Gold Platinum
Quartz Beta 21 Ref 5100 -- -- 1970 --
Perpetual Ref. 1530, 1630, 1831 1975 1975 -- 1975
Oysterquartz 1978 1978 1978 --
Air-King 1991 -- -- --
Perpetual -- 1991 1991 --
Date 1989 1989 1989 --
Turn - O- Graph New Plexi Ref 16250 1989 1989 --
Day - Date -- -- 1978 1978
Submariner 14060 1990 -- -- --
Submariner Date 1981 1984 Ref. 16803 1981 --
GMT Master 1989 New Plexi Ref 1675/3, 16753 1981 --
GMT Master II 1984 1989 -- --
Explorer 1990 -- -- --
Explorer II 1984 -- -- --
Cosmograph Daytona 1988 1988 1988 --

Red Letters

Some of the older papers issued in the United States have red letters stamped on the certificate. These red letters signifies when the watch was shipped from Rolex USA to an Authorized Dealer.
R O L E X W A T C H
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 00

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