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Understanding And Educating About Rolex Reference Numbers

Rolex reference numbers have been a source of great puzzlement for both Rolex wearers and the horological community. But you have come to the right place. So what do the numbers mean? Have they always been this way? What time is it?

We thought we would save you a few precious moments and bestow upon you the ultimate guide to Rolex reference numbers.

Featuring tables regarding what the numbers actually correspond to, the current numbers in circulation and a detailed table featuring a few discontinued models, you should leave this page with knowledge pouring out of your ears for years to come!

Grab that cuppa and join Chrono Hunter as we run through how to understand Rolex reference numbers.

If you really want to go all nerdy on us, watch out for our comprehensive checklist of Rolex reference numbers

Where Is The Rolex Reference Number?

Probably the most important part of the entire process is actually finding the actual location of the reference.

Rolex conceal reference numbers rather well. Typically, you will have to cast your eyes between the lugs at 12 o’clock on the side of the case. Unfortunately, this will result in a little bit of DIY in the form of removing the strap or bracelet.

If you are lucky enough to keep your hands on the documents that came with your timepiece, you should be able to find the reference number there.

What Does The Rolex Reference Number Tell Me?

The table of watches below will clearly define exactly what the numbers mean and in the exact order that you receive them.

For a very quick overview however, the numbers essentially relate to what the watch is in terms of its model, what your beloved timepiece is crafted out of and the year that your timepiece has been manufactured.

How Long Should My Rolex Reference Number Be?

Rolex reference numbers are eternally complicated. This is why they come in different shapes and sizes!

Typically, Rolex reference numbers will usually be between four and six digits.

The reason why there is such a disparity in the figure is because they originally started off at around 4 figures in the 1940s.

Rolex later made the decision in the 1980’s to increase this number to 5. The 6 digit reference numbers are a new phenomenon as they just started in the year 2000.

What's The Difference Between A Rolex Reference Number and A Serial Number?

The serial number is what appears to be on modern Rolex watches, a randomly generated number which applies to your Rolex only. However on older Rolex watches, you could use this figure to roughly ascertain the production year of your timepiece.

The reference number is the figure that allows you to determine the materials within your Rolex and the precise model type.

The serial number is located at 6 o’clock, round about the location of your lugs. However, as per usual, this has changed over the years.

If your watch was produced before 2008, the serial number may also be located between the 6 o’clock lugs, but for a Rolex that has been produced after 2008, the serial number will likely be found engraved on the inner rehaut, around the 6 o’clock mark.

It’s typically understood that the higher the serial number, the more likely your Rolex is a recent model. Or, at least that was the case until 2010. During this period, Rolex changed the organisation of serial numbers, opting to randomise the numbers in an eight digit code. Sorry, Timelords.

The modern scrambled serial numbers used to begin with a letter from circa 2001 up until 2009. However after 2009, the letter could be found at any position in the scrambled serial number. A key thing to remember is that the letters aren't organised through alphabetization.

For example, the letter ‘R’ was adopted first because, hello, we’re Rolex! They then proceeded to move onto the letter ‘L’. Following the same pattern of car licence plates, they skipped the letter ‘O’ as it could be confused with ‘0’. The following years letters were the rest of the brand name, R - L E X

Here are a few examples of letters and their manufacture dates:

Context Table - What The Numbers Mean

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The above context table relates solely to the models currently in production. For the discontinued models, the reference numbers may take on different meanings. For example, 0 on the bezel type references a rotating bezel on the Rolex Submariner.

Older models typically had just 2 numbers after the ‘current model’ numbers to determine the size and movement type. Always a complicated bunch!

Rolex References Currently In Circulation

Discontinued Table - Examples Of Rolex Models Out Of Circulation

Conclusion

Time’s up…for now! The wonderful world of Rolex watches is truly a sight to behold.

The tables have offered you a comprehensive insight into what the reference numbers for the watches mean, the current Rolex watches that are still in production and a discontinued table, pertaining to references that you will have to scour the market for.

Take a breather, Timelords. The modern Rolex’s like the new 1908 collection to the brand spanking Rolex Daytona references have paved the way for a brighter future.

The discontinued models have not been forgotten though. Take a look at the secondary market and see why they are still so revered and hold value!

Hopefully this guide has equipped you with all the horological knowledge into Rolex reference numbers.

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