A guide to quickly identify the current six-digit Rolex references.
The 1st Digit of the Reference Number
As mentioned above, a one was placed before the existing numbers with the introduction of the six-digit reference numbers on most Rolex models. This gives the company more options for future reference numbers. Therefore, you can easily remember the following: almost all Rolex models launched since 2000 start with a “1”.
The 2nd Digit of the Reference Number
The 2nd digit of the reference number indicates the Rolex calibre used. If there is a 1 in the second position of the reference, the latest version of the calibre was not used. This is only the case if the number 2 can be found in the second position of the reference.
The 1st to 4th Digits of the Reference Number
The 1st to the 4th numbers of a Rolex reference number indicate the series classification of a model. These Rolex series contain the following number combinations:
- Air-King: 55, 140, 116, 1142
- Date: 15, 150, 115
- Datejust: 16, 160, 162, 1162
- Datejust 40: 1263
- Datejust II: 1163
- Day-Date: 65, 18, 180, 182, 183, 1182
- Day-Date 40: 2282
- Day-Date II: 2182
- Daytona: 62, 165, 1165
- Explorer: 142, 10, 1142, 2142
- Explorer II: 16, 165, 2165
- GMT-Master: 65, 16, 1675
- GMT-Master II: 167, 1167, 1267
- Ladies Date: 65, 69, 691, 692
- Ladies Datejust: 65, 69, 691, 692
- Ladies Oyster Perpetual: 67, 671, 672
- Ladies Oyster Perpetual Datejust: 68, 682
- Milgauss: 65, 10, 1164
- Oyster Perpetual: 10, 140, 142, 114, 115, 1152
- Oysterquartz Datejust: 170
- Oysterquartz Day-Date: 190
- Sea-Dweller: 16, 166, 1166, 1266
- Sky-Dweller: 3269, 3261
- Submariner: 16, 166, 1166, 1266
- Submariner (no date): 55, 140, 1140
- Yacht-Master: 166, 686, 696
- Yacht-Master II: 1166
The 5th Digit of the Reference Number
The 5th and 2nd to last number on some models provide information about the make of the bezel. That is not all the reference number tells you about the bezel. The number in 5th place may have the following meaning:
- 0: Flat or domed bezel
- 1: Rotating bezel
- 2: Engraved bezel
- 3: Ribbed bezel
- 4: Fluted bezel or bezel set with precious stones
- 6: Turn-O-Graph
- 7: Different shapes (such as on the Explorer II)
The numbers 5, 8 and 9 are missing from the list because these numbers are currently not in use by Rolex. The 5 originally stood for the since discontinued pyramid bezel, while 8 is reserved for speciality bezels and the 9 remains unused.
The 6th and Last Digit of the Reference Number
The reference’s last number indicates which materialien were used for the case and bracelet. The initial four-digit Rolex reference numbers have the number for the material located after a slash following the actual reference. In the case of the four-digit reference numbers, the last number of the reference only offers details about the material of the bracelet, provided that it is made of metal and not leather or rubber. For four-digit references, the last number of the number refers to the case material. These are the numbers from 0 to 9 and the corresponding to the material of a Rolex used:
- 0: Steel
- 1: Yellow gold
- 2: White gold or steel with platinum
- 3: Rolesor made of steel and 18K yellow gold
- 4: Rolesor made of steel and 18K white gold
- 5: Gold-plated or 18K Everose gold (a proprietary rose gold)
- 6: Platinum
- 7: 14K yellow gold
- 8: 18K yellow gold
- 9: 18K white gold
- 22: Steel and platinum
The Letters at the End of the Reference
It is also interesting to note that some reference numbers are not only made up of numbers, but have a series of letters that follow the digits of the reference number. These letters, like the fifth reference number, refer to the watch’s bezel. However, they do not describe the composition of the watch, but rather provide information about the colour that inspired certain nick names of the Rolex models and the gemstones used. The letter abbreviations are derived from French.
- BLNR: Bleu / Noir (blue-black bezel)
- BLRO: Bleu / Rouge (blue-red bezel)
- CHNR: Chocolat noir (black-brown bezel)
- GV: Glace verte (green crystal)
- LB: Lunette bleue (blue bezel)
- LN: Lunette noire (black bezel)
- LV: Lunette verte (green bezel)
- RNBW: Rainbow (indicates a bezel set with multicoloured gems)
- SA: Indicates a bezel set with sapphires
- SANR: Indicates a bezel set with baguette-cut black sapphires and diamonds
- SARU: Indicates a bezel set with sapphires and rubies
