How to know the series

[jass]

Hi all Gurus,

I just bought a YM Boy size at 7k without papers, is it expensive?
Got it in one of the shop in people's park ctr.
Also may i know how to check what series and which year is it?
I actually feel so stupid now , didn"t check this forum before i proceed to buy.
Please advise. Thanks.

[leoleo]

Hi bro,

See below and u will know :

A Brief Explanation of the Rolex Serial Numbering System...

In 1927, Rolex began issuing every Rolex Oyster case a unique serial number to distinguish them from one another. This numbering system is believed to have started at 20,000. Around 1953, the numbers reached the 999,999 mark, at which time Rolex decided against adding a 7th digit, thus continuing into the "millions"--Instead, they started the sequence over. While it was originally believed that this resequence started over at 100,000, or even 20,000, evidence suggests that it actually restarted at 10,000 or possibly lower.

Around this same time, Rolex had initiated another dating system--They stamped the inside of the case back with a code consisting of a Roman numeral and two numbers. The Roman numerals were I, II, III, IV, which represented which quarter of the year the watch was produced. The numbers simply represented the two-digit year in which the watch was produced. Therefore, the code III 53 would represent the 3rd quarter (i.e. July-September) of 1953--this code continued until around 1970.

In the early 1960s, Rolex once again reached the 999,999 mark, but this time added a 7th digit and continued until mid 1987, when the numbering reached 9,999,999. At this time, Rolex elected to start numbering with a letter prefix (e.g. R000001).

The system started with the letter "R", whcih was then subsequently followed by L-E-X. Thus spelling out the word "ROLEX" with the "O" being omitted, to help avert any possible confusion with the number "0". This sequence continued through November 1991, when a new numbering system was introduced utilizing the letters N, C and S, which took them through 1993. In 1994, Rolex started yet another sequence with the letters: W, T and U, then A, P, and K in subsequent years.

To add to the confusion, many of these prefixes have run concurrently over the past few years, giving the appearance of a random numbering system. Therefore, only Rolex knows exactly when any particular watch was made and they aren't talking.



The following list is comprised of known serial numbers for the years listed. By checking a particular serial number against this list you should be able to date a watch with reasonable accuracy. However, it is no quarantee as to when your watch was shipped from the factory. Furthermore, this list only applies to Rolex Oyster-cased watches, and should NOT be used for Tudor, or vintage non-Oyster Rolex watches.


Again, the following list represents the general consensus for Rolex serial numbers. However, several mistakes have been identified and it is a bit confussing to understand. Therefore, I would recommend the "Round Number" Serial Number List located at the bottom of the page.


ROLEX

Serial Numbers by Date of Manufacture.


Serial # ........................Date

21691 .............................1927
23969 .............................1928
24747 .............................1928
28290 .............................1930
29312 .............................1932
29933 .............................1933
30823 .............................1934
35365 .............................1935
37596 .............................1936
40920 .............................1937
43739 .............................1938
71224 .............................1939
99775 .............................1940
106047 ...........................1941
143509 ...........................1942
230878 ...........................1943
269561 ...........................1944
302459 ...........................1945
387216 ...........................1946
529163 ...........................1947
628840 ...........................1948
710776 ...........................1951
840396 ...........................1952
929426 ......................IV 1953
930879 .........................I 1953
931080 ........................II 1953
937170 .........................I 1954
941699 .........................I 1953
952892 .........................I 1954
955466 ......................IV 1953
964789 ......................IV 1953
973697 ......................IV 1953
973930 ......................III 1953
116578 ......................IV 1953
132562 .......................III 1953
139400 .........................I 1956
139477 .........................I 1956
282632 .......................III 1955
321884 ......................IV 1957
345500 ........................II 1957
360171 .........................I 1958
383893 .........................I 1958
362214 .........................I 1958
385893 ........................II 1958
391528 .......................III 1958
426074 ......................IV 1958
412128 ......................IV 1958
693808 ........................II 1960
763663 ........................II 1962
764754 .........................I 1962
869868 ......................IV 1962
985015 .........................I 1964
1041729 ......................II 1964
1182076 .....................III 1964
1259699 ......................II 1965
1345681 ....................IV 1965
1871000 .........................1966
1994956 .....................III 1966
2163900 .........................1967
2426800 .........................1968
2555384 ......................II 1970
2689700 .........................1969
2952600 .........................1970
3215500 .........................1971
3478400 .........................1972
3741300 .........................1973
4004200 .........................1974
4267100 .........................1975
4538000 .........................1976
5008000 .........................1977
5482000 .........................1978
5958000 .........................1979
6434000 .........................1980
6910000 .........................1981
7386000 .........................1982
7862000 .........................1983
8338000 .........................1984
8614000 .........................1985
9290000 .........................1986
9766000 .........................1987
9999999 ....................1987 1/2
R000001 ....................1987 1/2
R999999 .........................1988
L000001 .........................1989
L999999 ....................1990 1/2
E000001 ....................1990 1/2
E999999 ....................1991 1/2
X000001 ....................1991 1/2
N000001 ..................Nov 1991
C000001 .........................1992
S000001 .........................1993
W000001 .....................1994/5
T000001 .........................1996
U000001 ..................Aug 1997
A000001 ............Nov/Dec 1998
P000001 ....................Jan 2000
K000001 ..................Mid 2001
Y000001 ...................Mid 2002
F000001 ...................Mid 2003
D000001 ...................Early 2005
Z000001 ...................Early 2006
M000001 ...................Late 2007
V000001 ...................Late 2008 - NEW

[tempest]

Thank you, very useful information.

[judgement]

Numbering System

Wonderful Read...
Thanks for e info...

[relic.sinner]

awesome read .. thanks for the insightful info.

[sengyeo]

finding it very useful for ppl like me, very new to rolex..

[breitling77]

It's a pity you didn't check before you bought, esp from a 2nd hand market. I didn't mean the shop would con you, but at least you had to be aware. The serial number is important since your watch didn't come with the papers. With the serial number, you could know the year of manufacture. At least you would compare with the current retailed price and see whether the asking price was reasonable. Moreover the papers would add value to your watch, should you decide to sell in future. Since late Z series in 2007, all Rolex watches come with chapter ring. On the ring the serial number is engraved on it. If yours does not have chapter ring, I would suggest to open the bracelet to see the serial number. Since you do not have the papers, it's also hard to verify the watch. Only way is to bring to RSC for verification. Hope you could then know the watch' serial number.

[Hyundai8818]

I think almost everyone will kena chop carrot once while falling in love with rolex
especially the shops name PK
A friend tell a joke about it, saying it is already mentioned in the name and you still go and buy from them ??
PK in hokkien meant quite expensive ! !
anyway
buy already just enjoy
heart pain also no use
most important it must be genuine

[sengyeo]

I think almost everyone will kena chop carrot once while falling in love with rolex
especially the shops name PK
A friend tell a joke about it, saying it is already mentioned in the name and you still go and buy from them ??
PK in hokkien meant quite expensive ! !
anyway
buy already just enjoy
heart pain also no use
most important it must be genuine

do some reading, save $$..

[aldrich]

Just want to check something

Hi peeps

is it true that only the V series has rolex engravement around the inner ring of the sub?

thanks

[Oceanklassik]

Hi peeps

is it true that only the V series has rolex engravement around the inner ring of the sub?

thanks

No. It started from 'Z' series onwards.

[aldrich]

thanks

Thank you for your info