Sweeping Hands Rolex Serial Number Guide

The Sweeping Hands serial number guide to Dating your Rolex

Rolex use serial numbers to date their watches, with changes over the years in the way these numbers are structured. Here's a summary of how Rolex serial numbers are used to determine the production date

Rolex Serial Number Letter and Year of Production Table Post 1987

Post-1990, Rolex changed the way they issued serial numbers for their watches. Rather than continuing the sequential numbering system, they introduced a letter at the beginning of each serial number to indicate the year of production. Each letter corresponds to a specific year, making it easier to determine the approximate manufacturing year of a Rolex watch.

Here’s a breakdown of how the letter-based serial number system works:

For example:

L Series (1989–1990) means that if you have a serial number starting with "L", your watch was likely made in that time frame.

V Series (1991–1992) corresponds to watches produced around that period, and so on.

This letter-based system allows collectors, watch enthusiasts, and even Rolex professionals to more easily determine the manufacturing date of a watch with precision, especially when combined with other characteristics like case codes and movement numbers.

While the letter system helps establish the year of production, it's not foolproof, as there may be some overlap in the production periods or late transitions. For example, a watch with a "D" serial number might have been produced in either 2000 or 2002 depending on when production was completed.

The date stamped on the paperwork of some Rolex watches may also differ from the date indicated by the serial number on the watch itself. This happens because certain Rolex models, particularly those that are less in demand, may have been manufactured and stamped with serial numbers several years before they were sold in stores.

It’s important to note that there may be some overlap between years, as Rolex can use the same letter for several production years as seen above in the table.

Rolex Serial Number Year of Production Guide Pre 1990

Rolex watches have a unique serial number engraved on each timepiece, which can be used to determine the year of production. These serial numbers are important for identifying the authenticity of a Rolex and also provide historical context. Below is a guide to help you decode the serial numbers of Rolex watches made before 1990.

The Rolex serial number is composed of a string of digits, typically 4 to 8 characters long, which corresponds to the production year of the watch. The serial number system Rolex used changed over time, and different production periods have different methods of dating.

Here’s table below showing to how to decode Rolex serial numbers for watches made before 1990.

For Example

Serial Number 200,000 would be Manufactured around 1935.

Serial Number 4,500,000 Manufactured around 1970.

Serial Number 7,200,000 Manufactured around 1982.

Rolex used different serial number systems depending on the period. While the above guide applies mainly to watches produced before the 1980s, the transition to a new format in the late 1980s means some early 1990s models will still use a "letter + number" format (e.g., "R" serial number).

Keep in mind that there can be slight variations or overlaps due to production delays, limited runs, or special editions. So, while the table is a good guide, it's always best to verify the serial number with a Rolex professional for high-value watches.

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