Archive
Archive
Brand reference
308 references across 18 model lines.
Hans Wilsdorf founded the firm in London in 1905 and moved it to Geneva after the First World War. Its two defining patents are the Oyster case of 1926, the first commercially viable waterproof wristwatch case, and the Perpetual rotor of 1931, the self-winding mechanism that almost every automatic watch since has adapted. Rolex's model line has changed remarkably little in seventy years, which is precisely why reference numbers matter so much: the differences between a watch made in 1968 and one made in 2008 are legible almost entirely through the reference.
A Rolex reference identifies the model, and its digits are systematic rather than arbitrary — trailing digits encode case metal and bezel type, so 116610LN and 116610LV differ only in bezel colour. The serial number is separate, unique to the individual watch, and encodes production date. Rolex used sequential serials until 2010, then switched to a randomised alphanumeric scheme specifically so the date could no longer be inferred. Two things worth being clear about: a serial number identifies a watch, it does not authenticate one, and a serial that matches a production range proves only that such a number was issued — not that this particular watch is the one it was issued to.
The reference identifies the model, and its digits are systematic rather than arbitrary: trailing digits encode case metal and bezel type, so 116610LN and 116610LV differ only in bezel colour.
Sometimes. Rolex used sequential serial numbers encoding production date until 2010, then switched to a randomised alphanumeric scheme specifically so the date could no longer be inferred. A post-2010 serial does not reveal when the watch was made.
No. A serial number identifies a watch, it does not authenticate one. A serial that matches a known production range proves only that such a number was issued, not that the watch carrying it is the one it was issued to.
Yes. Rolex is catalogued in the Watch Safe reference library, and any Rolex serial number can be looked up in the public registry to check for an existing record or theft flag. Authentication is performed by independent expert authenticators; Watch Safe records the result and publishes the registry entry.
Checking a specific Rolex? Look up its serial number in the registry.