We are going to continue to educate and inform about Rolex. Why? We’ve explained before that this is by far one of our most favorite luxury watch brands. This is important to note…all the images that we post are watches we have IN STOCK!! So, if you are in the market to buy OR sell, please let us know as we are always looking for inventory as well. Today let’s discuss Rolex reference numbers.
Rolex reference numbers are one of the most important ones to know, even more than a serial number, which is also important. Rolex reference numbers give you information about your Rolex.
- Model type – This is the primary purpose of the reference number
- Materials – The number tells you what materials your watch is made of
- Production period – The year your watch was manufactured
Where are the Rolex Reference Numbers?
Rolex reference numbers are engraved between the lugs right at the 12 o’clock location on the case. If you remove the bracelet, you will find the reference number on one side, and the serial number on the other side.
Rolex Reference Numbers and the Model
Rolex reference numbers can be from four to six digits. Originally, reference numbers were four digits long, but in the late 1970s, Rolex moved to five-digit reference numbers, and by the end of the 1980s, all reference numbers were 5 digits. Rolex transitioned to 6-digit reference numbers around the 2000s. At this point, they added a “1” to the beginning of the five-digit reference numbers, which can also help you identify the era that a watch was manufactured.
The length of the Rolex reference numbers indicates the following:
- Four-Digit Reference numbers include Vintage Rolex watches produced before the late-1970s
- Five-Digit Reference numbers are discontinued Rolex watches produced anywhere from the late-1970s until 1999
- Six-Digit Reference numbers include Modern Rolex watches produced anywhere from 2000 to present
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- | Lady-Datejust ref. 179171 Lady-Datejust ref. 279163 |
| Milgauss | 65-, 10-, 1164- | Milgauss ref. 1019 Milgauss ref. 116400 |
| Oyster Perpetual | 176-, 177-, 116-, 114- | Oyster Perpetual ref. 114300 Oyster Perpetual ref. 116000 |
| 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- | 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- | 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. 116680 |
| Sky-Dweller | 326- | Sky-Dweller ref. 326934 |
Case Materials and Bezel Style
The last digit in five and six-digit Rolex reference numbers indicate the material of the watch. A 4-digit reference number does not apply here. The second-to-last digit in a five or six-digit Rolex reference number indicates the bezel style of the watch for the Datejust, Date, Day-Date, and Oyster Perpetual only.
| Rolex Material Code | Material | Example |
| 0 | Stainless Steel (Also known as Oystersteel) | GMT-Master II ref. 116710 |
| 1 | Two-Tone Steel & Everose Gold (Also known as Everose Rolesor) | Datejust II ref. 126331 |
| 2 | Stainless Steel & Platinum (Also known as Rolesium) | Yacht-Master ref. 126622 |
| 3 | Two-Tone Stainless Steel & Yellow Gold (Also known as Yellow Rolesor) | Submariner ref. 116613 |
| 4 | Stainless Steel & White Gold (Also known as White Rolesor) | Datejust ref. 116264 |
| 5 | 18k Everose Gold (Rolex’s patented rose gold alloy) | Sky-Dweller ref. 326935 |
| 6 | 950 Platinum | Day-Date ref. 228206 |
| 7 | 14k Yellow Gold | Date ref. 15037 |
| 8 | 18k Yellow Gold | Daytona ref. 116508 |
| 9 | 18k White Gold | GMT-Master II ref. 126719 |
| Code | Bezel Style | Example |
| 0 | Smooth/Domed | Datejust II ref. 116300 |
| 1 | Engine-Turned | Date ref. 15210 |
| 3 | Fluted | Datejust II ref. 126334 |
| 6 | Turn-O-Graph | Datejust “Turn-O-Graph” ref. 116264 |
Rolex Reference Letters
Some Rolex reference numbers include letters at the end, which signify the color of the bezel or the types of gems used in the bezel. There is only one instance where the letters refer to the color the crystal. 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.
| Letters | Meaning & Translation | Example |
| LN | Lunette Noir Black Bezel | Submariner ref. 116613LN |
| LV | Lunette Verte Green Bezel | Submariner ref. 116610LV |
| LB | Lunette Bleu Blue Bezel | Submariner ref. 116618LB |
| CHNR | Chocolate-Noir Brown-Black | GMT Master II ref. 126715CHNR |
| BLNR | Bleu-Noir Blue-Black | GMT Master II ref. 126710BLNR |
| BLRO | Bleu-Rouge Blue-Red | GMT Master II ref. 126710BLRO |
| SARU | Saphirs-Rubis Sapphires-Rubies | GMT-Master II ref. 116758SARU |
| SANR | Sapphirs Noir Black Sapphires | GMT-Master II ref. 116759SANR |
| SABR | Sapphirs-Brilliants Sapphires-Diamonds | Submariner ref. 116659SABR |
| RBOW | Rainbow Multi-colored Sapphires | Daytona ref. 116595RBOW |
| GV | Glace Verte Green Crystal | Milgauss ref. 116400GV |
In Conclusion
When you understand how to read the Rolex reference number, it is easier to recognize the details of a specific watch such as materials, bezel, dial color, and which model you have. If there is a specific reference number that you see above, put together a code and let us see if we can find that watch for you! If you have a Rolex watch to sell, please contact us so we can discuss the reference number on your Rolex.
