Each Rolex model is provided with a reference number, which helps to identify it clearly. The reference number is engraved on the case between the lugs at the 12 o’clock position. The bracelet must be removed for examination.
On older warranty certificates the number can be found, too. In the case of a new or NOS watch the reference number can be found on a green sticker on the back of the watch and sometimes on a small sticker on the outer box as well.
Now the most important reference numbers are listed:
4365, 4925, 5500, 5501, 5506, 5520, 6500, 6552, 7784, 14000, 14000M, 14010, 14010M, 114200, 114210, 114234, 116900
5700, 5701
1600, 1601, 1603, 1607, 1625, 1630, 6305, 6518, 6604, 6605, 6827, 16013, 16014, 16018, 16030, 16078, 16200, 16203, 16220, 16233, 16234, 16238, 16248, 16263, 16364, 116135, 116138, 116139, 116185, 116188, 116189, 116199, 116200, 116201, 116203, 116208, 116231, 116233, 116234, 116238, 116243, 116244, 116261, 116263, 116264, 116285
116300, 116333, 116334
126301, 126303, 126331, 126333, 126334
6824, 6827, 68240, 68243, 68248, 68273, 68274, 68278, 77080, 77014, 77438,77518, 78240, 78243, 78246, 78248, 78266, 78273, 78274, 78278, 78279, 78286, 78288, 81158, 81208, 81209, 81308, 81338, 81339, 178158, 178159, 178238, 178239, 178245, 178246, 178248, 178269, 178275, 178278, 178279, 178286, 178288, 178313, 178341, 178343, 178344,178383, 178384
1802, 1803, 1804, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1831, 6511, 6611, 18026, 18028, 18029, 18038, 18039, 18046,18049, 18078, 18079, 18206, 18208, 18238, 18239, 18248, 18249, 18296, 18308, 18338, 18346, 18348, 18349, 18366, 18368, 18378, 18388, 18389, 18946, 18948, 18956, 18958, 118135, 118138, 118139, 118205, 118206, 118208, 118209, 118235, 118238, 118239, 118296, 118338, 118339, 118346, 118348, 118366, 118388, 118389, 118395, 118398, 118399
218206, 218235, 218238, 218239, 218348, 218349, 218398, 218399
228206, 228235, 228238, 228239, 228348, 228349, 228396, 228398
6239, 6240, 6241, 6239, 62,40, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264, 6265, 6240, 6241, 16518, 16519, 16520, 16523, 16528, 16568, 116500, 116503, 116505, 116506, 116509, 116515, 116518, 116519, 116520, 116523, 116528, 116568, 116576, 116589, 116598, 116599
1016, 1038, 5500, 5501, 5504, 6098, 6150, 6298, 6305, 6350, 6610, 14270, 114270, 214270
1655, 16550, 16570, 216570
1675, 6542, 16700, 16713, 16750, 16753, 16758
16710, 16713, 16718, 16760, 116710*, 116713*, 116718*, 116758**, 116719*, 116759**
* LN = black bezel
* BLNR =bezel in blue / black
* BLRO = bezel in blue / red
** SARU = bezel with sapphires, rubies and diamond baguettes
** SA = Bezel set with sapphires and diamond baguettes
** SANR = Bezel with black sapphires and diamond baguettes
1019, 6541, 116400
1002, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1010, 1014, 1018, 1023, 1024,1025, 1030, 1038, 1500, 1501, 1565, 5500, 6085, 6103, 6177, 6202, 6284, 6518, 6532, 6546, 6548, 6549, 6551, 6552, 6556, 6564, 6565, 6567, 6569, 6580, 6582, 6584, 6590, 6605, 6623, 6634, 14203, 14203M, 14208, 14208M, 14238, , 114300, 116000, 116034, 177200,177210, 177234
1500, 1501, 1503, 1505, 1550, 1560, 1603, 1625, 5075, 6075, 6335, 6518, 6534, 6605, 6627, 15000, 15010, 15037, 15038, 15053, 15200, 15203, 15210, 15223, 15238, 15505, 115200, 115210, 115234
6718, 6719, 6723, 6724, 67180, 67183, 67188, 67193, 67194, 67197, 67198, 67230, 67233, 67243, 76030, 76080, 76094, 76180, 76183, 76188, 76193, 76198, 76243, 77518, 176200, 176210, 176234
6516, 6517, 6519, 6916, 6917, 6919, 69160, 69163, 69173, 69190, 69240, 79160, 79190, 79240
6916, 6917, 6927, 69136, 69163, 69173, 69174, 69178, 69179, 69278, 79068, 79078, 79079, 79088, 79089, 79126, 79136, 79138, 79158, 79159, 79163, 79166, 79168, 79173, 79174, 79178, 79179, 79238, 79288, 80318, 80319, 80298, 80299, 80309, 80318, 80319, 80328, 80329, 80359, 179136, 179138, 179158, 179159, 179165, 179166, 179168, 179173, 179175, 179178, 179179, 179239, 179298, 179368, 179459, 2792135, 2791369, 279138, 279161, 279163, 279166, 279171, 279173, 279175, 279178, 279381, 279383
17000, 17013, 17014
19018, 19019, 19028, 19048, 19049, 19149
1665, 16600, 16660, 116600, 116660, 126600
326138, 326139, 326933, 326934, 326935, 326938, 326939
5508, 5512, 5513, 5514, 5517, 6200, 6204, 6205, 6536, 6538, 6538A, 14060, 14060M, 114060
1680, 16800, 16610, 16610LV, 16613, 16618, 16803, 16808, 116610, 116613, 116618, 116619
1625, 6202, 6309, 6609, 16250, 16253, 16268, 16263, 16264, 116261, 116263, 116264
16622, 16623, 16628, 68623, 68628, 69623, 69628, 168622, 168623, 168628, 169622, 169623, 169628, 116621, 116622, 116655, 268622, 268655
116680, 116688, 116689, 116688, 116689
The last number of the reference is the material code. This is valid for the 5-digit references. For the four-digit references Rolex added a further figure with a slash, e.g., 5513/0 for a submariner in steel. For the reference number for the watch bracelet, this material identification applies as well. Here is the material codes for the housings and bracelets:
0 – solid steel
1 – solid yellow gold
2 – solid white gold or steel with platinum highlights
3 – solid steel with yellow gold highlights
4 – solid steel with white gold highlights
5 – gold plated or 18k red gold
6 – solid platinum
7 – solid 14k yellow gold
8 – solid 18k yellow gold
9 – solid 18k yellow gold