When did rolex start using serial numbers

Remember, the papers only add value to your watch if the model and serial numbers match up. Most reputable watch dealers will not disclose the serial number of a watch publicly, and there are good reasons for that. However, if your serial number does have some Google action, then pay attention. In the case of a genuine piece, this information could give insight into previous owners and sellers of the watch.

More importantly, fake watches have been known to use the same serial number throughout their production runs. These numbers are often reported in forums or can be seen in images from fake watch sellers.

Note that modern sophisticated and higher priced super-clones may have unique serial numbers engraved in the case like a genuine piece.

Read: Fake Luxury Watch Myths. Now that you learned how to find your Rolex serial number, use can use the chart below to approximate the age of your watch by series. This Rolex serial number database is made available for information purposes only. Use this list for estimations only. To make this information better for the community, please report known errors in the comments below. Therefore, it is not uncommon to find older Rolex watches with serial number engravings that correspond to production dates that are a few years before the date that is printed on their original purchase receipt.

The first Rolex serial numbers consisted of only numerical figures, containing a maximum of six digits, and increasing sequentially from one year to the next. Around the mids, Rolex reached the limit of its six-digit serial number system and reset the count, starting the serial numbers over again. However, in the mids, when Rolex reached the end of its six-digit system once more, the brand added a seventh digit and continued to count upwards from there.

In , Rolex reached the end of its seven-digit serial number system, and rather than adding yet another digit to the length of its serial numbers, the brand chose to turn the first digit into a letter.

Each subsequent year of production was marked by a different letter at the beginning of the serial number more or less , with the following six numerical digits serving as the identification number between the different watches that were manufactured within the same series. With that in mind, some letters spanned multiple years, while other years contained more than one letter. Rolex continued with this practice until when it switched to a random serial number system that makes it virtually impossible to tell when exactly a watch left the factory.

All watches manufactured between and the present will have an eight-digit random serial number engraved into the bottom of the inner bezel, directly under the crystal. After locating your serial number, visit our accurate Rolex Serial Numbers page link above , where you will find a production date reference tool and accompanying chart.

You will be redirected to a page that will clearly state the exact year that your watch was manufactured. To view other years of production and their corresponding serial numbers, just reference the chart on our Rolex Serial Numbers page, where you will find a complete list dating back to , along with additional charts that outline the meaning behind Rolex reference numbers, bracelet codes, bezel identifiers, and more.

Depending on the year of production, Rolex reference numbers are 4 to 6 digits long although some gem-set editions feature an additional 2 to 4 letters at the end of their reference number to denote gemstone type or bezel color. Newer model Rolex watches feature 6-digit model numbers. For example, you can assume that a Rolex with a 6-digit reference number was produced after Additionally, you can also determine the metal finish, bezel, and model type of newer Rolex watches just by their model number.

While the serial number itself is the absolute best way to determine the age of your Rolex, there are a number of physical traits that can also help you determine an approximate year of production. The type of crystal is another factor to consider. For decades, Rolex used acrylic crystals on its watches, which boast a distinctive, thicker design unique to older models.

In the s, the first Rolex fixed with a sleeker sapphire crystal hit the market alongside the quartz-powered ref. Embed this on your website. Rolex engraves or assigns a digit model number to every watch type it produces. The model number can indicate the model type, bezel, and material of your watch. For example, the reference number can be broken out into three section, which is 3 4. The first, , indicates that this watch is a Datejust.

The second, 3, indicates that the bezel is fluted. The first two or three digits indicate the model type of the watch. If the model number is five digits long, the 5th number defines the type of bezel it has and the last number defines the material the watch is made of. Hence, a would be a Submariner with an engine turned bezel made of stainless steel. Many Rolex watches have a clasp code located inside the clasp hinge. This code is based on the month and year the clasp was manufactured.

After inspecting the clasp you will see 1 or 2 letters followed by a number. The letter corresponds with a year and the number signifies a month. For instance, per the table below, we see that a bracelet stamped G4 was manufactured in April The table below lists 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. The upgrade to the sapphire crystal occurred on the following years.

This data was originally compiled from Professor Rolex Matthias. Some of the older papers issued in the United States have red letters stamped on the certificate. While there is no "Official" Rolex Serial numbers database list from the Rolex Factory that shows dates of production, this chart below lists all the serial numbers gathered by proven authorities over the years.

See the list below by production year to learn the year your watch was made. If you decide to sell a Rolex , check out our official price list before doing so. We will guide you through your whole experience with us. Our goal is to make you feel safe throughout the purchase process. Therefore, we carefully check all our timepieces to ensure their authenticity and that everything is in its order.