Rolex Reference Numbers: Ultimate Guide

What kind of Rolex do you have? What is it made of? When was it manufactured? All of these answers, along with a variety of other information, is etched into your watch, via the reference number, the serial number, and the clasp code. If you know what to look for, you can tell a lot about your watch, just by looking at those numbers. Or if you want to know more about your Rolex, you can use those numbers to look up the information you need. Here’s your ultimate guide to Rolex reference numbers, serial numbers, and clasp codes…

What Do The Reference Numbers Mean?

The reference number is located on the watch case, between the lugs, right above the 12. Watches made before the late 70s will have 4-digit reference numbers. If your watch was made in the 80s or 90s, it will most likely have a 5-digit reference number. If it was produced since 2000, it will most likely have a 6-digit reference number, often beginning with 1.

The Beginning Numbers

The first few (between two and four) digits of the reference number tells you the watch model: Day-date, Datejust, Daytona, Submariner, etc. The next digit after the model is the Bezel Code. If you want to find this number at a glance, it should be the second to last digit in the reference number. The bezel is the ring that holds the watch crystal in place. The Bezel Code tells you the style of bezel you have. Note that only Rolex dress watches have Bezel Codes. Sports watches do not.

Model NameBeginning of Reference NumberModel NameBeginning of Reference Number
Air-King55, 114, 116, 140GMT-Master II167, 1167, 1267
Date15, 115, 150Milgauss10, 65, 1164
Datejust II1163Oyster Perpetual176, 177, 116, 114
Datejust 3168, 782, 1782, 2782Oysterquartz170, 190
Rolex Datejust 3616, 66, 162, 1162, 1262Sea-Dweller16, 166, 1166, 1266
Datejust 411263Sky-Dweller326
Lady-Datejust679, 791, 1791, 2791Submariner55, 140, 1140
Day-Date II2182Submariner Date16, 166, 168, 1166
Day-Date 3618, 65, 180, 182, 183, 1182, 1282Yacht-Master II1166
Rolex Day-Date 402282Yacht-Master 29696, 1696
Daytona62, 165, 1165Rolex Yacht-Master 31686, 1686
Explorer10, 61, 63, 66, 142, 1142, 2142Yacht-Master 37268
Explorer II165, 2165Yacht-Master 40166, 1166, 1266
GMT-Master65, 167Rolex Yacht-Master 422266

Bezel CodeSecond to Last Digit of the Reference Number
0Flat or Domed
1Rotating or Engine-Tuned
2Engraved
3Fluted or Ribbed
4Fluted or Set with Precious Stones
5Pyramide (now discontinued)
6Rotating or Turn-O-Graph
7Various Shapes
8Reserved for Specialty Bezels
9Not Currently in Use

The End Numbers

The final digit in the reference number is the Material Code, which tells you what type of material your watch is made of. Note that if your reference number only has four digits, there is no material code. However, if it has five or six digits, the material code is the last number in the sequence.

Metal/Material CodesLast Digit of the Reference Number
0Oystersteel (Stainless Steel)
1Everose Rolesor (Steel & Gold)
2Rolesium (Steel & Platinum)
3Yellow Rolesor (Steel & Yellow Gold)
4White Rolesor (Steel & White Gold)
518K Everose Gold
6950 Platinum
714K Yellow Gold
818K Yellow Gold
918K White Gold
BICBi-Color 18K Yellow & White Gold
TRIDOR18K Yellow, White, & Rose Gold

The Letters

Some reference numbers are also followed by a string of letters—either two or four. These represent either the color of the bezel or the gems that it uses. Now that we’ve covered the basics, here’s your guide to the reference numbers of Rolexes.

Letter CodesFound at the End of Some Reference Numbers
LNLunette Noir (Black)
LVLunette Verte (Green)
LBLunette Bleu (Blue)
CHNRChocolate Noir (Brown and Black)
BLNRBleu Noir (Blue and Black)
BLROBleu Rouge (Blue and Red)
SARUSapphires and Rubies
SANRSapphires Noir (Black Sapphires)
SABRSapphires Brilliants (Sapphires and Diamonds)
RBOWRainbow Sapphires
GVGlace Verte (Green Crystal)

In addition to the serial number on the watch itself, many Rolexes have identifying numbers on the watch clasp, to let you know the year and month it was manufactured. As with the serial numbers, clasp numbers since 2011 have been randomized, but can be looked up online. For watches manufactured in 2010 or before, however, the letter
code represents the year, and the first number represents the month. So a watch clasp manufactured in February of 2010 would begin with RS2 – RS being the clasp code for 2010, and 2 representing February. Here are the clasp letter codes you need to know:

Clasp CodeYearClasp CodeYear
RS2010O1990
LT2009N1989
PJ2008M1988
EO2007L1987
OP2006K1986
MA2005J1985
CL2004I1984
AD2003H1983
DT2002G1982
DE2001F1981
AB2000VF1981
X1999E1980
U1998VE1980
Z1997D1979
V1996VD1979
W1995C1978
T1995VC1978
S1994B1977
R1993VB1977
Q1992A1976
P1991VA1976

Country Codes

Finally, let’s talk about the country codes. These are a three-digit code that tell you where your Rolex was manufactured. It’s not on the watch itself, but if you still have the Guaranty Certificate, it should be in the upper left corner. Note that only watches manufactured since 1980 have country codes.

Country CodeNumberCountry CodeNumber
Switzerland010, 012, 013, 014, 015, 021, 025, 026, 033, 045Israel548
Germany100South Africa680
France110, 113Canada700
Austria120, 121, 123, 126, 128United States710
Belgium/Luxembourg130Mexico720
Netherlands133, 134, 135, 137, 138Bahamas741
Spain150Bermuda742
England160Jamaica752
Italy170Virgin Islands758
Greece200, 208Netherlands Antilles761
Malta201Aruba762
Turkey202Antigua765
Portugal213, 217Saint Martin766
Denmark226, 228, 233Grand Cayman767
Iceland237Panama768
Sweden265, 267, 270, 271Venezuela770
Finland283Brazil780
Czech Republic321Chile781
Hong Kong400Peru783
Korea413Argentina790
Singapore430Australia810
Malaysia432Philippines818
Taiwan440China828
India500New Zealand842
Pakistan505Hawaii871
Middle East527Alaska872
Saudi Arabia532Guam873
Abu Dhabi536Hong Kong888
Dubai537Japan900
Oman538Natex Retail German NATO Airbase906
Iran542

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Rolex Reference Numbers In Order By Model:

The ultimate guide to Rolex Models & Rolex Reference Numbers. This list puts all the Rolex reference numbers in numerical order to make it easy to find the Rolex watch you are looking for. If you have been thinking about selling your Rolex watch, SWD Watches will pay you the highest price guaranteed. Find out how much your Rolex watch is worth today!

If you’re looking for a comprehensive list of Rolex serial numbers, you’ve come to the right place! This quick but thorough guide will help you keep track of your Rolex watch. Updated in 2023, this list is an invaluable resource when it comes to understanding the history and value of your watch.

Air-King Reference Numbers

Rolex Air-KingReference Number (Cont.)
10025700
10095701
14006500
14016552
43656652
49257784
550014000M
550114010M
5502114200
5504114210
5506114234
5516116900
5520126900

Cellini Reference Numbers

Rolex Cellini Reference Numbers (Cont.)
9715241
13435330
15276110
33626229
39376311
41126321
41136621
42236623
42336628
42436673
505356691
51156692
51166693
5240/6

Datejust Reference Numbers

Rolex DatejustReference Number (Cont.)
110216200
150016203
150116220
150216233
150316234
1503g16238
150416248
150516250
150616258
150716263
150816264
150968158
151068159
151168240
151268243
151368248
151468258
152068273
152168274
152268278
152368279
153068288
155068289
156069008
160069008A
160169018
160269018A
160369038R
1604690385
160569068
160769068A
161069069
161169069A
162069078
162269078A
162369079
162469088
162569088A
162669089
163069089A
503069098
503169190A
583569160A
610469108
610569108A
615569118A
625169128
651669128A
651769136
653069138
653469139
653569139A
653769148
654769148A
660269158
660469159
660569163
662469163A
662569166
674069168
680069168A
681569169
682369169A
682469173
682569173A
682669174
682769174A
682869178
682969178A
683069179
683169179A
683269188
683369198E
683969198R
6900691985
690169240
690269258
690369268
690569278
690669279
690769279A
690869288
690977080
691077014
691177518
691277438
691378240
691478243
691578246
691678248
691778266
691878273
691978274
692378278
692578279
692678286
692778288
692879068
694479078
7576A79079
7600A79088
760679089
781579126
782379136
782479138
782579158
782679159
782779163
782879166
790679168
790779174
790879178
791279179
791379238
791579288
791680298
791780299
791880309
791980318
792380319
792480328
792580329
792680359
792881158
803081208
803181209
803281308
803581338
806581339
8066116138
8067116139
15000116203
15003116208
15007116233
15008116238
15010179136
15017179138
15018179158
15037179159
15038179165
15053179166
15148179173
15200179175
15203179178
15210179179
15223179239
15238179298
15505179368
16000179459
16003Oysterquartz Datejust
1600817000
1600917013
1601317014
16014Turn-O-Graph Datejust “Thunderbird”
160181625
160196202
160306309
160586609
1607816253

Day-Date Reference Numbers

Rolex Day-DateReference Number (Cont.)
Oysterquartz Day Date18029
1901818038
1901918039
1902818046
1903818048
1904818078
1904918079
1905818178
1906818206
1907818206B
1914818208
1916818238
Day Date President18239
180018248
180218249
180318308
180418346
180518348
180618349
180718368
180818369
180918388
181018389
181118946
181218948
181318956
181418958
1815118205
1816118206
1817118208
1820118209
1823118235
1824118238
1829118239
1830118296
1831118338
1833118339
1834118346
1836118348
1837118366
1838118398
1839118399
6511128238
6611218206
6612218235
6613218238
18000218239
18026228206
18028228239

Daytona Reference Numbers

Rolex DaytonaReference Number (Cont.)
10744311
12234313
16234332
16504352
16514500
16524537
16564767
16584768
16595034
20215036
20226032
20236034
20576036
22266232
23036234
25076236
25086238
27056239
27376240
28116241
29176262
29186263
29206264
30366265
30556270
30827131
30857159
31817169
32338180
33308206
33339162
333516515
334616518
346216519
348116520
348416523
352516528
352916568
3635116505
3642116508
3668116509
3695116515
3735116518
3827116519
3834116520
3835116523
3007116528
4048116568
4062116589
4099116599
4100116500LN
41131166500LN

Explorer Reference Numbers

Rolex ExplorerReference Number (Cont.)
10166610
14278044
55068045
615014270
5500114270
5501Explorer II
55041655
57011657
609816550
615016570
6298214270
6299216570
6350

GMT-Master & GMT-Master II Reference Numbers

GMT-Master & GMT-Master II Reference Number (Cont.)
167016713
167516718
654216760
6542/8116710BLNR
16700116710LN
16750116713LN
16753116718LV
16758116719BLRO
GMT-Master II126710BLNR
1671126710BLRO
1676126711CHNR
16710126715CHNR

Milgauss Reference Numbers

Rolex MilgaussReference Number (Cont.)
1019
116400
6541116400GV

Oyster Reference Numbers

Rolex Oyster
Reference Number (Cont.)
Oyster (Manual-Wind)4164
10694165
10704166
11474167
12374168
13874171
15734172
18804185
19214186
19254187
19364190
20054203
20814214
21364242
22804255
23184302
23194306
23314337
24164350
24204362
24964408
25184436
25744449
25934480
25954486
27014487
28494528
28914534
29424672
29494686
29844804
30594846
30784857
30964937
31165023
31215065
31365080
31395552
31406018
32706023
33516050
33596082
34926084
35116085
35406088
36406092
36466099
37656100
38686101
38826102
39786103
40526107
40686119
40706284
41196285
41256286
41276290
41816301
42196303
42206332
42226334
42716502
43306503
43616504
43656507
44376508
44446509
44486532
44616539
44766540
44836543
44996544
45476545
45566546
46266548
46476549
50006551
50046552
50206553
50256554
50566558
60206559
60216560
60226564
60446565
60666566
61446567
62446569
62466580
62666583
63636584
64186585
64206586
64216587
64226590
64236592
64246594
64256598
64266599
64276614
64296618
64306619
64316621
64326623
64446634
64666706
64806707
64946710
66646711
66946712
7535A6713
80116715
80126717
80156718
80236719
80276720
83896721
Oyster Perpetual6723
10036724
10046744
10056745
10066747
10076748
10086749
10096751
10106753
10116754
10126757
10136771
10147575A
10227603
10237605
10247608
10257609
10267614
10277618
10287619
10297623
10307624
10317701
10357708
10367748
10387751
10397806
14207807
14237811
31729210
32029211
32729220
33239221
335214203
337014208
348314233
349014238
349567180
349667183
349767187
350567188
353667193
353867194
359367197
359467198
359667230
359767243
362767480
363967483
364567488
368567513
368667514
370867518
3724Prince
37721343
37781541
37851768
38691855
38852730
38862996
38873361
38884402
3926Prince (¼ Century)
39381490
39673937
4013Prince (Railway)
40211862
4024Prince (Sporting)
40251564
40271599
40551871
4130Tru-Beat
41341020
41636556

Sea-Dweller Reference Numbers

Rolex Sea-Dweller
Reference Number (Cont.)
1660
16650
166516660
1666Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA
16600116660

Sky-Dweller Reference Numbers

Rolex Sky-DwellerReference Number (Cont.)
326233
326934
326234
326935
326235
326938
326933
326939

Submariner Reference Numbers

Rolex SubmarinerReference Number (Cont.)
140614060
166114060M
168016610
550816610LV
551016613
551216618
551316800
551416803
551716808
6200116610LN
6204116610LV
6205116613
6536116618
6536/1116618LB
6538116619LB
6538/A168000

Yacht-Master Reference Numbers

Yacht-MasterReference Number (Cont.)
16628166233
68623168622
68628168623
69623168628
69628169622
116621169623
116622169628
116655226627
116681226659
116688268621
116689268622
126622268655
126655

Vintage/Other Models

Vintage/Other ModelsReference Number (Cont.)
Rolex Bubbleback5006
18525007
18585009
18735010
22405011
24905013
27645015
27655026
27845026
29455028
30095028
30195045
30655045
31305048
31315048
31325050
31335050
31345051
31355052
33475055
33485055
33535087
33585087
33725105
34585105
35485173
35495488
35956006
35986007
35996011
36966015
37256016
37676048
37956052
37966064
38016065
39406076
39516087
43926106
47776428
49198050
49398052
4961Chronograph Moon Phase:
50016062
50028171
50038237

Rolex Clasp Code (Alphabetical)

Rolex Clasp Code (Alphabetical)YearRolex Clasp Code (Alphabetical)Year
A1976L1987
AB2000LT2009
AD2003M1988
B1977MA2005
C1978N1989
CL2004O1990
CP2011OP2006
D1979P1991
DE2001PJ2008
DT2002Q1992
E1980R1993
EO2007RS2010
F1981S1994
G1982V1996
H1983W1995
I1984X1999
J1985Z-W1998
K1986Z1997

 

What is a Rolex Reference Number?

A Rolex reference number is a unique code assigned to each Rolex watch model. It helps identify the specific model, variations, and features of a Rolex timepiece. The reference number consists of a combination of numbers and/or letters and you will find it engraved on the side of the watch case, or found between the lugs. Understanding the Rolex reference number is essential for accurately describing and valuing your Rolex watch.

Look Up Your Rolex Reference Number

Each Rolex watch model has its own distinct reference number that indicates its style, materials, and other specifications. The reference number sometimes has of a series of alphanumeric characters. For example, the reference number for a Rolex Submariner might be “116610LN” or “116610LV” for the green bezel version. By identifying the reference number, you can easily find information and resources specific to your Rolex model.

Different Locations of the Rolex Reference Number:

Reference Number on the Watch Case

The reference number is often engraved on the side of the watch case, usually between the lugs on the 12 o’clock side. This is one of the most direct ways to identify your Rolex model. You may need a magnifying glass to read the engraving clearly.

Reference Number on the Certificate of Authenticity

The Rolex Certificate of Authenticity is a crucial document that comes with every authentic Rolex watch. This certificate not only proves the watch’s authenticity but also contains the reference number. Keep this document safe, as it’s vital for resale and servicing.

Reference Number on the Warranty Card

New Rolex watches come with a warranty card that also serves as another proof of authenticity. This card contains essential details about the watch, including its reference number. It’s advisable to keep the warranty card in a secure place for future reference.

Reference Number on the Official Rolex Website

The official Rolex website is a treasure trove of information about all Rolex models, past and present. By navigating to the specific model page, you can find its reference number along with other detailed specifications. This is particularly useful for comparing different models or verifying information.

Reference Number in the User Manual

The user manual that comes with your Rolex watch is not just an instruction guide; it’s also a source of specific information about your watch model. The reference number is often listed in the specifications section, providing another way to verify your Rolex’s details.

Reference Number on the Rehaut

For newer Rolex models, the reference number is laser-engraved on the rehaut, which is the inner edge of the watch dial. This feature adds an extra layer of security and makes it easier for owners to identify their watches without removing any parts.

Want to Ensure the Watch is Genuine? Check the Serial Number!

Verifying the authenticity of a Rolex watch goes beyond just examining its physical attributes. Checking the serial number is an essential step in ensuring the watch is genuine. By looking up and comparing the serial number with official Rolex databases or seeking professional authentication, you can confirm the model, production details, and other relevant information about your Rolex watch. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of your Rolex, consult SWD Watches authenticators who can guide you through the verification process.