Rolex watches are some of the most popular and respected watches on the market. While there is no definitive answer to the question of what year a Rolex watch was made, there are certain methods that collectors use to date them.
One method is to look at the serial number. Most Rolex watches have a six-digit serial number located on the inside back cover or caseback. The first two digits indicate the year of manufacture, with 0 being 1950 and 9 meaning 1959.
After that, the next three digits indicate month, day, and year. So, for example, a watch with serial number 8765 would have been manufactured in July of 1957 and would be dated as such on its case back.
Another way to date a Rolex watch is to look at its dial. The dial is generally made of either gold or silver, although there are in fact some Rolex watches that feature a gold-plated dial.
On these watches the serial number is usually located at 12 o’clock and reads, “Rolex Watch Co., Geneva. Switzerland.”
On most modern Rolex watches the serial number is engraved on a metal tag attached to the caseback. On older models this tag sat directly below the crown and was easy to overlook, but on newer models it has been relocated to the side of the case.
Rolex watches have a serial number that is stamped on the inside of the case back, although it may be difficult to see through the small window in this area. A few Rolex watches will have a serial number stamped on the case back as well.
The serial number can be found by looking at the inside of the case back. If the serial number is there, and it can be read easily, this indicates that the watch was made in more recent years. The serial number has no bearing on a Rolex’s value.
The only thing that determines its value is whether or not the watch is authentic. The serial number is only a number! It has no value in and of itself.
How to Tell Your Rolex’s Year of Production
There are many ways to determine the year of production for a Rolex watch, but the most common method is to examine the crown. The crown should be stamped with either a “Made in” or “Swiss Made” stamp.
The crown is stamped with “Swiss Made” and “Datejust” in raised letters.
The “Made in” stamp indicates that the watch was made after 1965. All Rolex watches manufactured before this date were made in Switzerland and stamped with “Swiss Made. The “Datejust” stamp signifies that the watch was made after 1965.
All Rolex watches manufactured before this date were made in Switzerland and stamped with “Swiss Made.” The “Rolex” logo is found on both the dial and the case back of a Rolex. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Watch was introduced in the 1960s.
It was the second of three models in the Day-Date series. The other two were the Datejust and Submariner. All three models were produced in both stainless steel and gold. The Day-Date is a self-winding wristwatch with a date display.
The watch has a cyclic movement, which powers the hands and display. Rolex designed the Day-Date to be water resistant to 200 meters.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date watch is a self-winding mechanical wristwatch, which powers the hands and date display. The watch has a cyclic movement, which powers the hands and display. The Day-Date was launched in 1963 and discontinued in 1990.
The differences between the original models and the later models are as follows:
1. The Day-Date II was introduced in 1986, with a slightly modified dial layout, and is much like the Datejust II.
2. The Day-Date II is powered by the Calibre 3135, which is a modified version of the Rolex Calibre 33. The Day-Date II came in three varieties: steel, gold and platinum.
The Day-Date II Platinum was introduced in 1991. The Day-Date III, introduced in 1991, is the last model of the Day-Date family. It has a larger case than its predecessors and is powered by the Calibre 3135.
It came in three varieties steel, gold and platinum. The Day-Date III Platinum was introduced in 1993 and is the same as the Day-Date III but with a platinum case.
3. The Day-Date II and III were discontinued in 1998. The Day-Date II was reintroduced in 2004. The case is the same as the original Day-Date II (with a 24-hour dial) but with a 44mm diameter, a larger crown and lume on the hands.
The Rolex Dial and Marking System The Rolex dial and marking system is one of the most difficult to describe. It has its own history, a language all its own, and it is very simple – if you know what you are looking for. Rolex dials are marked with a variety of markings and symbols.
The most common is a circular or slightly oval “Tri-Diver” marking in the center at 12 o’clock. This marking is used to indicate the model and the model number, but it also has other uses.
Rolex watches have been marked with this marking since the early 20th Century. Because Rolex models are so popular and there are so many of them, it is extremely important that the markings on the dial be correct to match the model number.
It is believed that the earliest Rolex models were marked internally with a “1” and the model number, so it has become more of a tradition to mark these watches with both of these markings.
How to Read a Rolex’s Date Code
The Rolex date code is stamped on the inside of the caseback. The most common date codes used on Rolex watches are:
2 – Date Code “2” means the watch was made between June 1, 1957 and December 31, 1966.
3 – Date Code “3” means the watch was made between January 1, 1967 and April 30, 1970.
4 – Date Code “4” means the watch was made between May 1, 1971 and December 31, 1975.
5 – Date Code “5” means the watch was made between January 1, 1976 and June 30, 1977.
6 – Date Code “6” means the watch was made between July 1, 1978 and December 31, 1989.
7 – Date Code “7” means the watch was made between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 1999.
8 – Date Code “8” means the watch was made between January 1, 2000 and June 30, 2004.
Conclusion
When it comes to Rolex, the finer details matter. So, if you’re looking to buy a new or pre-owned Rolex watch, make sure to pay close attention to the year of its manufacture. Here’s an overview of when different Rolex models were made:
1936 – The Oyster Perpetual was introduced, marking the brand’s first waterproof watch.
1937 – The Datejust was released and became very popular because it could be easily adjusted for daily wear.
1941 – The Oyster Perpetual GMT was released and proved to be very reliable in harsh environments.
1955 – The Seamaster Professional was created and is considered one of the brand’s most iconic watches.
1964 – The Submariner became available and quickly gained popularity for its durable construction.
1966 – The GMT Master was introduced and is known for its precision.
1969 – The Day-Date was released and became very popular due to the date window.
1972 – The Day-Date Professional was created and proved to be very reliable in harsh environments.
1973 – The GMT Master Professional was created and is known for its precise timekeeping.
1975 – The GMT Master II was released and quickly became popular due to its close resemblance to the original GMT-Master.