MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO VISIT OUR STORE

• 100% AUTHENTIC • FREE SHIPPING NATION WIDE • BUY • SELL • TRADE

The Ultimate Rolex Reference Numbers Guide Blog Banner Image

– The Ultimate Rolex Reference Numbers Guide

The Ultimate Rolex Reference Numbers Guide

What Is A Rolex Reference Number?

You might be surprised to learn that Rolex reference numbers can reveal quite a bit of information about a Rolex watch. Also known as the model number or style number, these numbers provide information about the model type, material, production period, and more. Below is a Rolex reference numbers chart which outlines the first 2-4 digits of each model, such as the Submariner, Datejust, Day-Date, Yacht-Master, and so on.

 

Rolex Reference Number Model Chart

Model Reference Number Starting Digits Examples
Air-King 55-, 140-, 114-, 116- Air-King ref. 114200 Air-King ref. 116900
Date 15-, 150-, 115- Date ref. 1500 Date ref. 115200
Datejust 31 68-, 782-, 1782-, 2782- Datejust ref. 17827 Datejust ref. 178240
Datejust 36 66-, 16-, 162-, 1162-, 1262- Datejust ref. 116233 Datejust ref. 126234
Datejust II 1163- Datejust ref. 116334
Datejust 41 1263- Datejust ref. 126301
Day-Date 36 65-, 18-, 180-, 182-, 183-, 1182-, 1282- Day-Date ref. 128238 Day-Date ref. 118239
Day-Date II 2182- Day-Date ref. 218235
Day-Date 40 2282- Day-Date ref. 228239 Day-Date ref. 228206
Daytona 62-, 165-, 1165-> Daytona ref. 16528 Daytona ref. 116500
Explorer 61-, 63-, 66-, 10-, 142-, 1142-, 2142- Explorer ref. 14270 Explorer ref. 214270
Explorer II 165-, 2165- Explorer II ref. 16570 Explorer II ref. 216570
Lady-Datejust 679-, 791-, 1791-, 2791-, 2793-, 2794- Lady-Datejust ref. 179171 Lady-Datejust ref. 279163
Milgauss 65-, 10-, 1164- Milgauss ref. 1019 Milgauss ref. 116400
Oyster Perpetual 176-, 177-, 116-, 114-, 124-, 126-, 276-, 277- Oyster Perpetual ref. 114300 Oyster Perpetual ref. 126000
Sea-Dweller 16-, 166-, 1166-, 1266- Sea-Dweller ref. 116600 Sea-Dweller ref. 126603
Submariner 55-, 140-, 1140- Submariner ref. 14060 Submariner ref. 114060
Submariner Date 16-, 166-, 168-, 1166-, 1266- Submariner ref. 16610 Submariner ref. 116618
GMT-Master 65-, 167- GMT-Master ref. 1675 GMT-Master ref. 16700
GMT-Master II 167-, 1167-, 1267- GMT-Master II ref. 116718 GMT-Master II ref. 126710
Oysterquartz 170-, 190-, 191- Oysterquartz ref. 17014 Oysterquartz ref. 19018
Yacht-Master 29 696-, 1696- Yacht-Master ref. 69622 Yacht-Master ref. 169623
Yacht-Master 31 686-, 1686- Yacht-Master ref. 68628 Yacht-Master ref. 168622
Yacht-Master 37 268- Yacht-Master ref. 268621
Yacht-Master 40 166-, 1166-, 1266- Yacht-Master ref. 126655 Yacht-Master ref. 116622
Yacht-Master 42 2266- Yacht-Master ref. 226659
Yacht-Master II 1166- Yacht-Master II ref. 116688
Sky-Dweller 326- Sky-Dweller ref. 326934

Rolex reference numbers can be four to six digits long. The first reference numbers were four digits, and in the late-1970s, Rolex began switching to five-digit reference numbers. Around the 2000s, Rolex transitioned to six-digit reference numbers, often just adding a “1” to the beginning of the five-digit reference numbers. Therefore, depending on the number of digits a reference number has, it can tell you the approximate era in which a watch was produced.

In general, the length of the Rolex reference number indicates the following time periods:

  • 4-Digit Reference numbers: Vintage Rolex watch produced prior to the late-1970s
  • 5-Digit Reference numbers: Discontinued Rolex watch produced anywhere from the late-1970s until 1999
  • 6-Digit Reference: Modern Rolex watch produced anywhere from 2000 to the present
Rolex Reference Number engraved between the lugs right above the 12 o'clock location on the side of the case.

A Rolex reference number can be found between the lugs at the 12 o’clock side of the case

Case Material and Bezel Style

While the first few digits convey the model type, the last digit (in five and six-digit Rolex reference numbers only) reveals the material of the watch.

 

Rolex Material Codes

Material Code Material Example

0

Stainless Steel (Also known as Oystersteel) GMT-Master II ref. 116710

1

Two-Tone Stainless Steel & Everose Gold (Everose Rolesor) Datejust II ref. 126331

2

Stainless Steel & Platinum (Rolesium) Yacht-Master ref. 126622

3

Two-Tone Stainless Steel & Yellow Gold (Yellow Rolesor) Submariner ref. 116613

4

Stainless Steel & White Gold (White Rolesor) Datejust ref. 116264

5

18k Everose Gold (Rolex’s own rose gold alloy) Sky-Dweller ref. 326935

6

950 Platinum Day-Date ref. 228206

7

14k Yellow Gold (No longer used) Date ref. 15037

8

18k Yellow Gold Daytona ref. 116508

9

18k White Gold GMT-Master II ref. 126719

The second-to-last digit (in the five or six-digit Rolex reference numbers) indicates the bezel style of Rolex dress watches, such as the Datejust, Day-Date, and Oyster Perpetual. This does not apply to Rolex sports watches like the Submariner, GMT-Master, Explorer or Daytona.

 

Rolex Bezel Codes

Code Bezel Style Example

0

Smooth/Domed Datejust II ref. 126300

1

Engine-Turned Date ref. 15210

3

Fluted Datejust II ref. 126333

6

Rotatable Datejust “Turn-O-Graph” ref. 116264
Smooth Rolex bezel, fluted Rolex bezel. and Rolex Turn-O-Graph bezel

Bezels from left to right: smooth, fluted, Turn-O-Graph

Finally, some Rolex reference numbers also include letters at the end. These letters are abbreviations to signify either the color of the bezel or the types of gems used in the bezel. There is one instance where the letters refer to the color of the sapphire crystal. Since most of these abbreviations are in French, we have included the translations and abbreviation meanings below.

 

Rolex Reference Letters Codes

Letters Meaning & Translation Example

GV

Glace Verte Green Crystal Milgauss ref. 116400GV

LB

Lunette Bleu Blue Bezel Submariner ref. 116619LB

LN

Lunette Noir Black Bezel Submariner ref. 116613LN

LV

Lunette Verte Green Bezel Submariner ref. 116610LV

BLNR

Bleu Noir Blue Black GMT Master II ref. 126710BLNR

BLRO

Bleu Rouge Blue Red GMT Master II ref. 126710BLRO

CHNR

Chocolate Noir< Brown Black GMT Master II ref. 126715CHNR

RBOW

Rainbow Multi-colored Sapphires Daytona ref. 116595RBOW

SABR

Sapphirs Brilliants Sapphires Diamonds Submariner ref. 116659SABR

SANR

>Sapphirs Noir Black Sapphires GMT-Master II ref. 116759SANR

SARU

Saphirs Rubis Sapphires Rubies GMT-Master II ref. 116758SARU

SATS

Sapphirs Tsavorite Sapphires Tsavorites Yacht-Master ref. 116695SATS
Rolex GMT-Master II Ref 116710BLNR, Submariner Date Ref. 116659SABR, and Milgauss Ref. 116400GV

Left to right: Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 116710BLNR, Submariner Date Ref. 116659SABR, Milgauss Ref. 116400GV

 

Appreciating The Rolex Reference Number

Once you understand the structure of the Rolex reference number, it is easier to identify the details of a specific watch, such as the type of materials, bezel type, dial color, or which model you possess. Rather than a random string of digits and letters, the reference number is a code that once understood, can help to reveal the model, era, case size, and bezel style of a Rolex watch.

Find out what is the value of  your watch now.
sell your rolex watch

Join Waitlist We will inform you when the product arrives in stock. Please leave your valid email address below.
0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop

      Subscribe For Weekly New Inventory And Promotion!