SERIALNUMBERS/MANUALS

Many watch manufacturers, use a serial number system to keep track of when a timepiece was made and to mark its authenticity. If you own a watch, it's possible to find its year of production based on the serial number etched into it. Most of the wristwatches are possible to date if you take a look at the model numbers and serial numbers. But where can you find this kind of information?

 

In this little article we will help you to check the model number and serial numbers of some of the vintage watches that are most in demand.

 

Rolex Model numbers

For Rolex and Tudor watches,  the model or reference number is located inside the case between the 12:00 hour lugs under the bracelet or strap.  The  lugs are the holed extensions on the case were the strap or bracelet can be attached with spring bars or fixed bars (used to be common for military watches). This 4-8 digit number is engraved by Rolex on every watch and it can be used to determine its production date.

 

The model number can indicate the model type, bezel, and material of your watch. For example, the reference number 16014 can be broken out into three section, which is 160 | 1| 4. The first, 160, indicates that this watch is a Datejust. The second, 1, indicates that the bezel is a finely engine turned bezel. The third, 4, indicates that the watch material is Stainless w/ 18k White Gold.

 

ROLEX TYPE

Submariner (no date)

55 & 140

Submariner

16, 166 & 168

Sea Dweller

16 & 166

GMT Master

16, 65, 167

GMT Master II

167, 1167

Day-Date (President)

65, 66, 18, 180, 182 & 183

Datejust

16 & 162

Daytona Manual Wind

62

Daytona Cosmograph

165, 1165

Explorer II

165

Oyster Perpetual

10, 140, 142

Airking

55 & 140

Date

15 & 150

OysterquartzDatejust

170

Oysterquartz Day-Date

190

Yachtmaster

166, 686 & 696

Midsize Oyster Perp DJ

68, 682

Ladies Oyster Perpetual

67, 671, 672

Ladies Date

65, 69, 691 & 692

Ladies Datejust

65, 69, 691 & 692

 

BEZEL

Polished

0

Finely Engine Turned

1

Engine Turned

2

Fluted

3

Hand-Crafted

4

Pyramid

5

Rotating Bezel

6

 

MATERIAL

Stainless

0

Yellow Gold Filled

1

White Gold Filled

2

Stainless & Yellow Gold

3

Stainless w/ 18k White Gold

4

Gold Shell

5

Platinum

6

14k Yellow Gold

7

18k Yellow Gold

8

 

Rolex serial numbers

The serial number for Rolex watches is located at the 6:00 hour lugs. This is a unique number to a specific watch and it can be used to date the watch. While there is no official list, the following chart is an approximation of Rolex dates by serial number.

 

Beginning in 2005, the Company started to also engrave the serial number on the inside flange ( or “rehaut” as it’s called in French ) between the dial and the crystal. Starting in 2008, the Company began to only engrave the numbers on the rehaut. We provide this verified database chart for those folks looking for an answer to an often asked question,  "where or how do I find the Rolex serial numbers on my watch." 

These sets of numbers, for example 28000 for the year 1926 or Z000001 for year 2006, are inscribed by machine on the side of the watch case between the lugs at 6 o’clock (see below). It is very helpful to know the official Rolex production date to help us determine its market value.

 

YEAR
(Year of Production)

SERIAL NUMBER
(Serial number of your Rolex)

2018

Random

2017

Random

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

 

 

Rolex bracelet clasp codes

Many Rolex watches have a clasp code located inside the clasp hinge of the bracelet. This code is based on the month and year the clasp was manufactured. After inspecting the clasp you will see 1 or 2 letters followed by a number. The letter corresponds with a year and the number signifies a month. For instance, per the table below, we see that a bracelet stamped G4 was manufactured in April 1982. A service replacement” bracelet would have an additional “S” stamped along with the year.

 

BRACELET CODE

YEAR

A or VA

1976

B or VB

1977

C or VC

1978

D or VD

1979

E or VE

1980

F or VF

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

1994

T or W

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

LT

2009

RS

2010

RANDOM

201+

 

 

Country codes

The table below lists all of  the 3 digit country codes for Rolex watches. This country code can be found in the upper left hand corner on the Rolex Guaranty Certificate. There is no country code for the USA and most watches older than 1980 will not have a country code.

 

ODE

COUNTRY

010

Switzerland

012

Switzerland

013

Switzerland

014

Switzerland

015

Switzerland

021

Switzerland

025

Switzerland

026

Switzerland

033

Switzerland

045

Switzerland

100

Germany

110

France

113

France

120

Austria

121

Austria

123

Austria

126

Austria

128

Austria

130

Belgium / Luxemburg

133

Netherlands

134

Netherlands

135

Netherlands

 

CODE

COUNTRY

137

Netherlands

138

Netherlands

150

Spain

160

England

170

Italy

200

Greece

201

Malta

202

Turkey

208

Greece

213

Portugal

217

Portugal

226

Denmark

228

Denmark

233

Denmark

237

Iceland

265

Sweden

267

Sweden

270

Sweden

271

Sweden

283

Finnland

321

Czech Republic

400

Hong Kong

CODE

COUNTRY

413

Korea

430

Singapore / Brunai

431

Malaysia

440

Taiwan

500

India

505

Pakistan

527

Middle East

532

Saudi Arabia

536

Abu Dhabi

537

Dubai

538

Oman

542

Iran

548

Israel

680

South Afrika

700

Canada

710

USA

720

Mexico

741

Bahamas

742

Bermuda

752

Jamaica

758

Virgin Islands

761

Netherlands Antilles

 

CODE

COUNTRY

762

Aruba

765

Antigua

766

Saint Martin

767

Grand Cayman

768

Panama

770

Venezuela

780

Brazil

781

Chile

783

Peru

790

Argentina

810

Australia

818

Philippines

828

China

842

New Zealand

871

Hawaii

872

Alaska

873

Guam

888

Hong Kong

900

Japan

906

Natex Retail, German NATO Airbase

Omega serial numbers

Recent Omega watches usually carry their serial number somewhere on the back but they will be in extremely small laser-etched digits requiring a magnifier to read. Older Omega watches may only have the serial number on the inside of the watch, requiring a jeweler to open it for you.

The table below displays the serial numbers used in specific years up to 2008. It's important to remember that some of these number ranges ran over several years or for less than a year, so this data should be used as an approximation only.

  • A note on Omega watches produced after 2008: The table below has data for watches up to 2008. If you are looking to determine the date of a contemporary watch, it's best to contact Omega directly.
  • A note on Omega Speedmaster watches: This popular watch had its own serial number system for many years. You can find this information in the separate table beneath the first.

 

Where to find an Omega watch's serial number

Each and every Omega watch has a unique seven- or eight-digit serial number, which is etched into its case during production. The location of the number depends on the age of your timepiece, as the company has used several locations over the years.

If you have an Omega watch that was manufactured recently, there is a very good chance that you will find the serial number on the back of the watch. The exact spot can vary from model to model, but they're often on the reverse of the lugs (the parts where the strap is attached), or the back casing. Omega uses precision lasers to etch its serial numbers, so you may have to use a magnifier to read it.

For vintage Omega watches, the serial number was often engraved inside the casing or on the movement itself. If you plan to check an older model, we advise that you get a jeweller to open the case for you to avoid any potential damage to the watch's inner workings.

 

Omega Extract of the Archives

Omega also has a special service to date the production day of their vintage timepieces. They have created a service for watch enthusiasts who would like to know more about the production history of the Omega products made before 2000.

The Extract of the Archives is not a Certificate of Authenticity and does not guarantee the authenticity of a watch or its component parts. The Extract of the Archives contains detailed information from our archives which relates to your watch and how it left our facilities in Biel, as well as the exact production date of the watch. This service costs CHF 120.00 (VAT excl.) per extract, or the equivalent in local currency.

The starting point for Omega’ Extract of the Archive is the serial number of your watch. The serial number can be found on the movement of your watch. With the modern watches, the serial number is also engraved on the caseback. Of course, you will also find the serial number on the warranty card that came with your watch. For vintage watches however, it isn’t always evident that the original papers are still there.

 

Omega serial number dates (excluding Speedmaster)

Serial number

First year made

Serial number

First year made

1,000,000 – 1,999,999

1894

43,000,000 – 43,999,999

1979

2,000,000 – 2,999,999

1902

44,000,000 – 44,999,999

1980

3,000,000 – 3,999,999

1906

45,000,000 – 45,999,999

1982

4,000,000 – 4,999,999

1910

46,000,000 – 46,999,999

1984

5,000,000 – 5,999,999

1915

47,000,000 – 47,999,999

1984

6,000,000 – 6,999,999

1923

48,000,000 – 48,999,999

1985

7,000,000 – 7,999,999

1920

49,000,000 – 49,999,999

1986

8,000,000 – 8,999,999

1934

50,000,000 – 50,999,999

1986

9,000,000 – 9,999,999

1939

51,000,000 – 51,999,999

1989

10,000,000 — 10,999,999

1944

53,000,000 – 53,999,999

1991

11,000,000 – 11,999,999

1947

54,000,000 – 54,999,999

1993

12,000,000 – 12,999,999

1950

55,000,000 – 55,999,999

1995

13,000,000 – 13,999,999

1952

56,000,000 – 56,999,999

1998

14,000,000 – 14,999,999

1954

57,000,000 – 57,999,999

1998

15,000,000 – 15,999,999

1956

58,000,000 – 58,999,999

1998

16,000,000 – 16,999,999

1958

59,000,000 – 59,999,999

1998

17,000,000 – 17,999,999

1959

60,000,000 – 60,999,999

1999

18,000,000 – 18,999,999

1961

61,000,000 – 61,999,999

2000

19,000,000 – 19,999,999

1962

62,000,000 – 62,999,999

2000

20,000,000 – 20,999,999

1963

63,000,000 – 63,999,999

2000

21,000,000 – 21,999,999

1964

64,000,000 – 64,999,999

2000

22,000,000 – 22,999,999

1965

65,000,000 – 65,999,999

2001

23,000,000 – 23,999,999

1966

66,000,000 – 66,999,999

2002

24,000,000 – 24,999,999

1966

67,000,000 – 67,999,999

2002

25,000,000 – 25,999,999

1967

68,000,000 – 68,999,999

2003

26,000,000 – 26,999,999

1968

69,000,000 – 69,999,999

2003

27,000,000 – 27,999,999

1968

70,000,000 – 70,999,999

2004

28,000,000 – 28,999,999

1969

71,000,000 – 71,999,999

2004

29,000,000 – 29,999,999

1969

72,000,000 – 72,999,999

2005

30,000,000 – 30,999,999

1969

73,000,000 – 73,999,999

2005

31,000,000 – 31,999,999

1969

74,000,000 – 74,999,999

2005

32,000,000 – 32,999,999

1970

75,000,000 – 75,999,999

2005

33,000,000 – 33,999,999

1971

76,000,000 – 76,999,999

2005

34,000,000 – 34,999,999

1972

77,000,000 – 77,999,999

2005

35,000,000 – 35,999,999

1972

78,000,000 – 78,999,999

2006

36,000,000 – 36,999,999

1973

79,000,000 – 79,999,999

2006

37,000,000 – 37,999,999

1973

80,000,000 – 80,999,999

2006

38,000,000 – 38,999,999

1974

81,000,000 – 81,999,999

2007

39,000,000 – 39,999,999

1975

82,000,000 – 82,999,999

2007

40,000,000 – 40,999,999

1977

83,000,000 – 83,999,999

2007

41,000,000 – 41,999,999

1978

84,000,000+

2008

42,000,000 – 42,999,999

1979

   

 

Omega Speedmaster serial number dates

Serial number

Earliest year made

 Serial number

 Earliest year made

14,000,000 – 14,999,999

1957

32,000,000 – 32,999,999

1973

15,000,000 – 15,999,999

1958

33,000,000 – 33,999,999

1975

16,000,000 – 16,999,999

1958

34,000,000 – 34,999,999

1976

17,000,000 – 17,999,999

1960

35,000,000 – 35,999,999

1977

18,000,000 – 18,999,999

1961

36,000,000 – 36,999,999

1977

19,000,000 – 19,999,999

1962

37,000,000 – 37,999,999

1978

20,000,000 – 20,999,999

1963

38,000,000 – 38,999,999

1979

21,000,000 – 21,999,999

1963

39,000,000 – 39,999,999

1979

22,000,000 – 22,999,999

1964

40,000,000 – 40,999,999

1980

23,000,000 – 23,999,999

1966

41,000,000 – 41,999,999

1980

24,000,000 – 24,999,999

1967

42,000,000 – 42,999,999

1981

25,000,000 – 25,999,999

1967

43,000,000 – 43,999,999

1982

26,000,000 – 26,999,999

1968

44,000,000 – 44,999,999

1983

27,000,000 – 27,999,999

1969

45,000,000 – 45,999,999

1984

28,000,000 – 28,999,999

1970

46,000,000 – 46,999,999

1985

29,000,000 – 29,999,999

1970

47,000,000 – 47,999,999

1986

30,000,000 – 30,999,999

1970

48,000,000 – 48,999,999

1990

31,000,000 – 31,999,999

1972

 

 

For a more specific research on the production dates of Omega Speemaster In would like to forward you to http://www.moonwatchonly.com/omega-speedmaster-moonwatch/moonwatch-only-reviews/overview-of-the-speedmaster-moonwatch-production/

 

Breitling Serial Numbers from 1944-1978 

YEAR

CHRONOGRAPH

NON -CHRONOGRAPH

1944

563659-568959

298262 - 313351

1945

568971-636507

313352 - 354254

1946

636508-692266

354255 - 406688

1947

703562-717737

406689 - 417234

1948

717784-728688

417235 - 448093

1949

728724-740210

448094 - 467655

1950

740405-769843

467656 - 498512

1951

769844-808456

498513 - 592542

1952

808457-817915

592543 - 646974

1953

817916-832126

646975 - 660248

1954

832127-844123

660249-690037

1955

844124-868778

690038 - 740339

1956

868779-889562

740340 - 861841

1957

889563-898029

861842 - 881067

1958

898830-910504

881068 - 890396

1959

910505-922163

890397 - 903387

1960

922164-933063

903388 - 917613

1961

933064-947803

917614 - 971814

1962

947804-963553

971815 - 995108

1963

963554-975997

995109 - 996458

1964

975998-1002734

996459 - 998198

1965

1002735-1060398

998199 - 1000198

1966

1060399-1122809

1000199 - 1002543

1967

1122810-1204581

1002544 - 1002743

1968

1204582-1262904

1002744 - 1002943

1969

1262905-1337825

-----

1970

1337826-1356899

1002944 - 1003103

1971

1356900-1382203

1003104 - 1003153

1972

1382204-1406566

1003154 - 1003213

1973

1406567-1426969

-----

1974

1426970-1433372

-----

1975

1433373-1439417

1003214 - 1003713

1976

1439418-1442922

1003714 - 1004083

1977

1442923-1448464

1004084 - 1004183

1978

1448465-1448473

-----

Audemars Piquet serial numbers

A Series

1972 to 1975

B Series - 

1976 to 1979

C Series

1980 to 1986

D Series

1987 to 1994

E Series

1994 to 2000

F Series

2001 to 2007

G Series

2008 to 2010

H Series

2011 To ~2012

I Series

~2013 to ~2015

J Series

 ~2016 to...

 

12 month warranty
authenticity
safe
14 day returns