How to work out the age of your Rolex
Rolex watches produced from the 1930's all the way through to 2010 can be dated to within a year or two by checking their unique serial number. This number is between 4 and 8 digits long as is engraved on every Rolex.
How many Rolex were made?
Rolex are notoriously secretive about their production numbers, however by using our proprietary data model we can see how many Rolex are currently available by year and the average asking price, the results might surprise you...
When was my Rolex made?
You can use the table below to lookup the year of your Rolex based on the serial number, if you need help finding this see our guidance at the bottom of this article.
| Year | Serial Number |
|---|---|
| 2011 - 2021 | Random |
| 2010 | G |
| 2009 | V |
| 2008 | M or V |
| 2007 | M or Z |
| 2006 | D or Z |
| 2005 | D or F |
| 2004 | F |
| 2003 | F |
| 2002 | Y |
| 2001 | K or Y |
| 2000 | K,000,001 or P,000,001 |
| 1999 | A,000,001 |
| 1998 | U,932,144 |
| 1997 | U,000,001 |
| 1996 | T,000,001 |
| 1995 | W,000,001 |
| 1994 | S,860,880 |
| 1993 | S,000,001 |
| 1992 | C,000,001 |
| 1991 | N,000,001 or X,000,001 |
| 1990 | E,000,001 |
| 1989 | L,980,000 |
| 1988 | R,598,200 |
| 1987 | 9,400,000 or R,000,001 |
| 1986 | 8,900,000 |
| 1985 | 8,614,000 |
| 1984 | 8,070,022 |
| 1983 | 7,400,000 |
| 1982 | 7,100,000 |
| 1981 | 6,520,870 |
| 1980 | 6,434,000 |
| 1979 | 5,737,030 |
| 1978 | 5,000,000 |
| 1977 | 5,008,000 |
| 1976 | 4,115,299 |
| 1975 | 3,862,196
|
| 1974 | 3,567,927
|
| 1973 | 3,200,268 |
| 1972 | 2,890,459 |
| 1971 | 2,589,295 |
| 1970 | 2,241,882 |
| 1969 | 1,900,000 |
| 1968 | 1,752,000 |
| 1967 | 1,538,435 |
| 1966 | 1,200,000 |
| 1965 | 1,100,000 |
| 1964 | 1,008,889 |
| 1963 | 824,000 |
| 1962 | 744,000 |
| 1961 | 643,153 |
| 1960 | 516,000 |
| 1959 | 399,453 |
| 1958 | 328,000 |
| 1957 | 224,000 |
| 1956 | 133,061 |
| 1955 | 97,000 |
| 1954 | 23,000 |
| 1953 | 855,726 |
| 1952 | 726,639 |
| 1951 | 709,249 |
| 1950 | |
| 1949 | |
| 1948 | 628,840 |
| 1947 | 529,163 |
| 1946 | 367,946 |
| 1945 | 302,459 |
| 1944 | 269,561 |
| 1943 | 230,878 |
| 1942 | 143,509 |
| 1941 | 106,047 |
| 1940 | 99,775 |
How to find the serial number
Between the lugs at 6 o'clock. The serial is etched between the lugs at the bottom side of the dial. For most watches this means you need to remove the bracelet or strap for it to be visible
Removing the strap. Use a strap tool to carefully remove the strap or bracelet. Careful with the spring bars they can spring out and under the sofa if you're not careful! If in doubt or if you're struggling ask your local jeweller or watchmaker for a hand
Finding the model number. At the top of the watch (12 o'clock) you will find the model number. The model number plus the serial number will be really helpful in determining the age and value of your watch.
Once the bracelet has been removed finding the numbers is easy
Table credit: Bob's Watches (USA)