What is a Rolex serial number?

A Rolex serial number is a code engraved on every Rolex watch. Until about 1987 serials were numbers only, from about 1987 to about 2010 they were one letter plus six digits, and since about 2010 Rolex has used a random 8-character alphanumeric code. The first two formats give a rough production era; the random format cannot be dated.

Where is the serial number on a Rolex?

On older watches the serial is engraved between the lugs at 6 o'clock, visible when the bracelet is removed. From about 2005 Rolex also engraved it on the rehaut — the inner flange between the dial and the crystal — and from about 2008 to 2010 the rehaut became the only location. Many watches from the changeover years carry both.

Can I date a Rolex using its serial number?

Watches made before around 2010 can be dated roughly: letter-prefix serials (about 1987 to 2010) to a year or two, numeric-only serials (before about 1987) only to a broad band, and published tables disagree by about a year at the edges. Watches from about 2010 onward use randomised serials that cannot be dated — only Rolex can confirm the production date.

Does a valid Rolex serial number prove the watch is authentic?

No. Rolex does not maintain a public serial database, and high-quality counterfeits replicate serial and reference engravings precisely. A plausible serial number is a starting point, not proof — authentication also requires examining the movement, dial print, crown, and bracelet.

Free Tool

Rolex Serial Number Checker

Enter your Rolex serial number to check whether the format is valid and see its approximate production period.

Where to find your Rolex serial number

Older watches (before about 2005): engraved between the lugs at 6 o'clock, on the case itself. Remove the bracelet (or open the clasp and look closely) to see it.
About 2005 onward: also engraved on the rehaut — the inner flange between the dial and the crystal — readable at an angle with a loupe. Many watches carried both for a few years, and from about 2008–2010 the rehaut is the only place.
On many models the serial is also printed on the warranty card and original box.

Enter your serial number

On older watches the serial is engraved between the lugs at 6 o'clock (remove the bracelet or look with the watch face down). From about 2005 it also appears on the rehaut, the inner ring between the dial and crystal, and from about 2008–2010 the rehaut is the only place. Formats: 1234567 (digits only, before about 1987), A123456 (letter + 6 digits, about 1987–2010) or A1B23C4D (random 8-character, about 2010 onward). Spaces and dashes are ignored.

A serial number alone does not prove authenticity.

Rolex does not maintain a public serial database, and high-quality fakes replicate engravings precisely. This tool checks format and era only. Always evaluate the movement, dial print, crown, and bracelet alongside the serial number. Get a professional authentication →

Serial Number Reference

Rolex used numbers only until about 1987, then a single letter plus six digits until about 2010, when it switched to a random 8-character alphanumeric code that can no longer be used to date a watch. Published tables differ by about a year at the edges, so every range here is approximate, and the numeric bands are broad indications rather than production dates.

Format	Example	Approx. Years
Numeric only10,000–999,999	10,000–999,999	1950s–early 1960s (cannot be dated precisely)
Numeric only1,000,000–2,199,999	1,000,000–2,199,999	1960s to about 1970
Numeric only2,200,000–3,899,999	2,200,000–3,899,999	about 1970–1975
Numeric only3,900,000–4,999,999	3,900,000–4,999,999	about 1975–1977
Numeric only5,000,000–6,449,999	5,000,000–6,449,999	about 1977–1980
Numeric only6,450,000–9,299,999	6,450,000–9,299,999	about 1980–1986
Numeric only9,300,000–9,999,999	9,300,000–9,999,999	about 1986–1987
"R" prefixR123456	R123456	1987–1988
"L" prefixL123456	L123456	1988–1989
"E" prefixE123456	E123456	1990
"X" prefixX123456	X123456	1991
"N" prefixN123456	N123456	1991
"C" prefixC123456	C123456	1992
"S" prefixS123456	S123456	1993–1994
"W" prefixW123456	W123456	1994–1995
"T" prefixT123456	T123456	1995–1996
"U" prefixU123456	U123456	1997–1998
"A" prefixA123456	A123456	1998–1999
"P" prefixP123456	P123456	1999–2000
"K" prefixK123456	K123456	2000–2001
"Y" prefixY123456	Y123456	2001–2002
"F" prefixF123456	F123456	2003–2005
"D" prefixD123456	D123456	2005–2006
"Z" prefixZ123456	Z123456	2006–2008
"M" prefixM123456	M123456	2007–2009
"V" prefixV123456	V123456	2008–2009
"G" prefixG123456	G123456	2010
Random 8-charactere.g. A1B23C4D	e.g. A1B23C4D	about 2010 onward (cannot be dated)

Serial doesn't match any range above?

Rolex retired the letter-prefix system around 2010 in favor of randomised serials, so they can no longer be used to date a watch this way. If your watch is claimed to be from about 2010 or later, an 8-character random code (not a letter plus six digits) is expected — that's normal, not a red flag on its own. A numeric-only or letter-prefix serial on a watch claimed to be newer than its era is worth questioning.

Want the full authentication guide?

Read Rolex serial numbers explained for the full prefix table, where the serial is engraved by era, and why post-2010 serials cannot be dated.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Rolex serial number?: A Rolex serial number is a code engraved on every Rolex watch. Until about 1987 serials were numbers only, from about 1987 to about 2010 they were one letter plus six digits, and since about 2010 Rolex has used a random 8-character alphanumeric code. The first two formats give a rough production era; the random format cannot be dated.
Where is the serial number on a Rolex?: On older watches the serial is engraved between the lugs at 6 o'clock, visible when the bracelet is removed. From about 2005 Rolex also engraved it on the rehaut — the inner flange between the dial and the crystal — and from about 2008 to 2010 the rehaut became the only location. Many watches from the changeover years carry both.
Can I date a Rolex using its serial number?: Watches made before around 2010 can be dated roughly: letter-prefix serials (about 1987 to 2010) to a year or two, numeric-only serials (before about 1987) only to a broad band, and published tables disagree by about a year at the edges. Watches from about 2010 onward use randomised serials that cannot be dated — only Rolex can confirm the production date.
Does a valid Rolex serial number prove the watch is authentic?: No. Rolex does not maintain a public serial database, and high-quality counterfeits replicate serial and reference engravings precisely. A plausible serial number is a starting point, not proof — authentication also requires examining the movement, dial print, crown, and bracelet.