Rolex Serial numbers and Clasp Codes

[harb]

The serial number is found between the lugs at 6'o'clock (and at the same position on the Rolex engraved rehaut of newer watches).

New Random Serial Numbers:

From early 2010, Rolex introduced serial numbers consisting of 8 digits of entirely random letters and numbers.

http://www.newturfers.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=3166&d=1285778530


Modern Era Serial Letters:

From 1987, Rolex applied a letter prefix before a six digit serial number.

http://www.newturfers.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=3165&d=1285777975


Older Watches Serial Numbers:

http://www.newturfers.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=2394&d=1276350413* In 1954 Rolex restarted the case numbers count when they had reached 1000000
http://www.newturfers.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=2395&d=1276350413
http://www.newturfers.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=2396&d=1276350413

[harb]

It is thought that the following codes, stamped on the bracelet, signifies when the watch was assembled at the Rolex factory.
As with serial numbers, Rolex will not state explicitly that a certain number or code signifies a certain date, so these lists are compiled from various sources.
Dates marked with an asterisk signify a probable sequence.

If any member can confirm any of these * dates, we would be very glad to hear from them!

A = 1976 *
B = 1977
C = 1978 * (also VC, see confirmatory post below by rudolphwolven)
D = 1979
E = 1980
F = 1981
G = 1982
H = 1983 *
I = 1984 *
J = 1985 *
K = 1986 *
L = 1987 *
M = 1988 *
N = 1989 *
O = 1990
P = 1991
Q = 1992 *
R = 1993
S or T = 1994
W or T = 1995
V = 1996
Z = 1997
U = 1998
X = 1999
AB = 2000
DE = 2001
DT = 2002
AD = 2003
CL = 2004
MA = 2005
OP = 2006
EO = 2007
PJ = 2008
PL or LT = 2009
RS = 2010


The number behind the letter(s) seems to be the month the clasp was produced.

So, for example, CL2 would be February 2004

If there is an "S" in front of the code then your clasp was changed on a "S"ervice.

http://newturfers.com/mwf/attach/48/432348/schliesse600.jpg

[harb]

Another reputable site is: The Vintage Rolex Case Number Project - http://www.vintagerolexforum.com/ (http://www.vintagerolexforum.com/)

[learningtofly]

That's really good info thanks, harb. My clasp says PJ8 - that would mean it was assembled in August 08, and as I know it was provided to the AD in February 09 it makes reasonable sense.

[TIMC]

Just checked mine says AD03, which matches the time frame I bought the watch. I bought at Alpha Omega Cambridge Mass.

[CGA]

It probably won't help your research much but it says 5WY on the glidelock clasp of my 116610LN, bought from Mappin and Webb in the UK about 3 weeks ago. If it follows the above, then WY would be the year, and 5 the month, albeit this is the other way round. I can't see a model number for the bracelet anywhere, but as I don't have a loupe, I am using the Mk1 eyeball (not too good close up). Incidentally, the S/No has 4 numbers, then an "E" then another 3 numbers. I understand that pre-random they were prefixed by a year reated letter, and after that a random (obviously) letter. Mine would appear to be very random, and I wonder if anyone else with a new sub has a similar S/No configuration?

[JasT]

Great info Harb!
Two things:
1. 1998 code is missing
2. 2007 code is entered twice

-Jas

(Fixed - thanks! Harb :cool:)

[johny]

clasp no. gives date when the clasp was stamped and the serial no. gives a rough idea of the year that the case was stamped. add this to a movement which has been sitting on a shelf for who knows how long and you are probably better off using the purchase date to guesstimate anything. and then they change it all to random. imho.

[Learner]

I’m interested to see the list of clasp codes.

My wife has a bi-colour Lady Date with Jubilee bracelet, bought in 1980. In common with many other lady Rolex wearers, she wears it with the bracelet quite loose, despite ample and frequent advice to the contrary.

She had it serviced once in Bexley, and it came back with a lot of slack removed from the bracelet. A number of years further on, the bracelet again required service and I took the watch in to Stratford Place. After examination, the advice I was given was for a full bracelet refurbishment. This meant the watch being sent to Geneva, and a wait of several weeks for its return. I agreed to all this, and in the continuing discussion with the person who had done the inspection, he told me that they had no idea of exactly how the bracelet refurbishment was done by the factory. However, having examined watches returned to customers after this refurbishment, he felt that it was quite likely that they were fitting new bracelets, even though the price charged for refurbishment was much less than the list price for a new bracelet.

The watch duly came back and indeed the bracelet was in as-new condition. When I check the bracelet (clasp) codes against the table, the code W11 implies November 1995.

Has anyone else heard this theory about new bracelets being fitted as ‘refurbishment’? If indeed this is a new bracelet, why is there no ‘S’ present to indicate a bracelet fitted at service?

[neutrino]

My girlfriends new datejust (pink flower dial) has E7M as the band identifier. The serial number is one of the new ones from late 2010 without the beginning letter.

[RohitMudgil74]

nice stuff about rolex series....thanx for posting

[trainee]

I saw something that I've not seen before at the weekend.

As far as I was aware, Rolex serial numbers are 8 characters long. So V1234567. At the weekend I saw a GMT 116710LN with a G123456 serial so only 7 characters long.

Is this rare?

[harb]

I saw something that I've not seen before at the weekend.

As far as I was aware, Rolex serial numbers are 8 characters long. So V1234567. At the weekend I saw a GMT 116710LN with a G123456 serial so only 7 characters long.

Is this rare?

The 8 character s/n are the newer, random serials. The example you give is incorrect because the letters and numbers are entirely randomly placed - see the topmost post in this Thread.

The 7 character serials are the older style, letter + 6 numbers.

So a Gxxxxxxx is not at all rare.

[daytonaboy1977]

Just bought what must be one of the last Submariner 16600LV's from my AD dated today and it's on a random serial number. I can't recall seeing very many of these at all meaning they are probably quite rare. Any thoughts?

[rolexroz]

I know of only another 2 Random serial numbered old style LV's and both are being kept as "pension boosters" by a couple of small AD's. They were advised by the Rolex rep, that they were as rare as hens teeth when they got them. Having checked with other AD's they both came to the conclusion that they had indeed landed lucky. I have tried to tempt them with all kinds of sums but neither will sell.

I therefore suspect that you may have a keeper, at last.

Yet again I miss out on a bargain, oh lucky me!


Rolexroz

[davmillh]

Thanks for the info. Always looking for a good deal and this will help save me some money.


http://www.amazon.com/b?%5Fencoding=UTF8&site-redirect=&node=256994011&tag=colmor-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325

[rudolphwolven]

@Harb
If any member can confirm any of these * dates, we would be very glad to hear from them!
C = 1978 *

I am the 1st owner of a GMT 1675 with seriesnr. 533XXXX purchased in 1978.
My claspcode is VC
Best regards,
Ruud

[trainee]

I tried on a 39mm explorer yesterday at an AD. It was a H serial watch

Definitely no other letters in the serial other than the H at the beginning. It would have been slightly worrying for the assistant if I photographed the green hang tag...but it was def H1234567. There were no zeroes to get confused with the letter O. And it was definitely 7 digits that followed the initial H.

[trainee]

Actually. On second thoughts, the above sounds like a random serial that happens to have a H prefix. D'oh!