How Do I Date My Vintage Rolex watch at Home without tools

Dating most vintage Rolex watches is pretty simple IF however you can get to the serial number . Once you have the serial number you can just look it up on the chart below. If of course you have the correct paperwork for the watch then all of the information will be listed there. BUT you may just want to check the paperwork matches the watch !

For most people owning a Rolex and wanting to know where the serial number is , the process sounds simple enough in that the model number is set between one set of lugs ( the 2 prongs the strap or bracelet sits between ) at 6 o clock and the serial number is between the other seat 12. Now the trick is to get at those numbers and then to know what they mean. This is true of many Rolex watches but by no means not all.

Generaly 1940’s to 2011 models have the numbers between the lugs. after 2005 the numbers become random and are engraved into the ring under the glass at the edge of the dial.

Rolex serial numbers

If you have a leather or metal strap there is an expanding pin which goes through the strap and which then locates into a smallhole in each lug. On earlier Rolex watches these holes go all the way through the lug and you can compress the pin buy pushing a paperclip through the hole about 2/3 mm whilst apply a bit of “pull” on the strap .

Rolex bracelet removal

You should feel the pin pop out of its hole. On later Rolex watches there is no hole and you can get at the expanding pin from the back. vintage Rolex bracelet

This is easier said than done and does take a bit of practice. Reinserting the pin is even trickier and if your not careful can chew up / mark the back of the lug.

If you get the strap / bracelet off and there is no serial numbers then the watch is a fake but be beware I have seen a number of watches where the number has either been worn down by the strap or if worn in humid climates sweat has attacked the stainless steel and corroded it making it difficult to read the numbers.

This Rolex makes it easy and dates to 1946. The number is on the edge of the case

rolex serial numbers

When you start looking at early watches to find out “how old is my Rolex ” the number may be on the inside of the case

Vintage Rolex gold case

Year Number

2016 Random
2015 Random
2014 Random
2013 Random
2012 Random
2011 Random
2010 G
2009 V
2008 M OR V
2007 M OR Z
2006 D OR Z
2005 D
2005 F
2004 F
2003 F
2002 Y
2001 K OR Y
2000 K,000,001
2000 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
1991 X,000,001
1990 E,000,001
1989 L,980,000
1988 R,598,200
1987 R,000,001
1987 9,400,000
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
1939 71,224
1938 43,739
1937 40,920
1936 36,856
1935 34,336
1934 30,823
1933 29,562
1932 29,132
1931
1930 23,186
1929
1928 23,969
1927 20,190
1926 00,001

These numbers are approximate and do seem to vary depending on where you look so should be treated as a guide. It is not uncommon for some earlier cases to be fitted with later parts from the factory or at dealers so as ever caution must be used.

If you need some advice just send us details of your watch via our valuations page.

https://watchesofwestminster.co.uk/valuation/

WoWadmin November 22nd, 2016

Posted In: Second Hand Watches