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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.

ROLEX TYPE
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

 

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.

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

 

​HOW TO DETERMINE THE CORRECT BEZEL OPTION OF YOUR PRE-OWNED ROLEX
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.

BEZEL MODEL NUMBERS
Polished	0
Engine Turned	1
Engine Turned	2
Fluted	3
Hand-Crafted	4
Pyramid	5
Rotating Bezel	6

 

HOW TO DETERMINE THE CORRECT BRACELET OPTION OF YOUR ROLEX
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.

MATERIAL MODEL NUMBERS
Stainless	0
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

 

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 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.

FIND YOUR ROLEX PRODUCTION YEAR
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

 

PRE-OWNED ROLEX SERIAL NUMBERS
Pre-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.
​

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	--
DateJust	1989	1989	1978	--
Turn - O- Graph	New Plexi Ref 16250	1989	1989	--
Day - Date	--	--	1978	1978
Submariner 14060	1990	--	--	--
Submariner Date	1981	1984 Ref. 16803	1981	--
Sea-Dweller	1981	--	--	--
GMT Master	1989	New Plexi Ref 1675/3, 16753	1981	--
GMT Master II	1984	1989	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.

RED LETTERS
R	O	L	E	X	W	A	T	C	H
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0

 

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