Discovering the Age or Production Year of Your Rolex Watch: A Comprehensive Guide (2024)

FAQs

How do I find out the age of my Rolex? ›

You can tell the age of a Rolex watch by its clasp, which features a code based on the year it was manufactured. On older models, you can find the clasp code inside the bracelet underneath the buckle, while on modern bracelets, it is located on the inside of the clasp when the buckle is open.

To be classified vintage, a watch needs to be at least 30 years old. Determining the serial number will identify the year of manufacture. Every Rolex watch produced will have this unique number and it can be used to authenticate and value the watch too.

These serial numbers refer to the specific date your watch was produced. The serial number, or production number, is often located on the inside of your lugs, on the inside or outside of the caseback, or on the movement itself.

Age: How the Value of a 1950's Rolex Will Differ From a 1980's Rolex. When people talk about vintage watches, today they generally mean watches that were manufactured at least 30 years ago – perhaps between the 1950's and the 1970's. These watches, especially steel ones from this time, are breaking price records.

Rolex is known for its enduring quality, so even if a watch is over 20 years old, you get the same technology, scalability, and precision as a watch recently rolled out in the market. Another reason why pre-owned watches are more expensive than new ones is the piece of history they offer.

For the serial number the typical format is to have the 4th, 5th, and 6th characters to reference when the product was built. The first character is the year date (Y) and the next two (WW), the week in that year it was made. Hope this helps you and anwsers your questions.

To find your Rolex serial number, look on the side of the case between the lugs. These will be found behind the bracelet by the 6 o'clock area. By noting what this 4-8 digit number is engraved on every watch by Rolex, it can be determined what the production date is.

Rolex model numbers are four, five or six numerical digits long. The first two to four digits describes the type of watch. If the model number is five or six digits long, the second to the last number describes the bezel and the last number describes the metal type the watch is made from.

Just remove the band or bracelet at the twelve o'clock side and look for the numbers inscribed on the case as shown below. The Model number can be found between the lugs at 12 o'clock.

How do I know what generation I watch I have? ›

Rolex has engraved their watches with unique serial numbers since the 1920s when they first started making watches. The serial number identifies the year of production, so it's useful for dating vintage Rolex watches.

Clearly, older Rolex watches can be worth more than newer models. As certain Rolex watches become increasingly rare, so does their demand, and their value will continue to increase. Whichever vintage Rolex you choose, you can be certain that it will be made to the highest standards, with the best quality materials.

Rolex's rarest models, such as the 1963 Rolex Paul Newman Daytona and the 1954 GMT-Master Reference 6542 with a Bakelite Bezel, are not just watches but symbols of horological artistry.

The year that your Rolex was produced plays a significant role in the overall value of your watch. Additionally, knowing the year of production will go a long way towards helping you verify whether or not a watch's components are correct for its reference.