On the older paper warranties (prior to 2006 and the plastic card warranty) there is a model number and a dial code. The warranties after 2006 just list the watch model code.
The model code that is both on the warranty as well as in catalogs breaks down as follows:
First three digits designates model on traditional Rolex models :
140 = Oyster Perpetual Air King and Submariner
142 = Oyster Perpetual Chronometer 34mm and Explorer
152 = Oyster Perpetual Date - Mens 34 mm
162 = Oyster Perpetual DateJust – Mens 36mm
165 = Explorer II
166 = Submariner – SeaDweller – Yachtmaster 40mm
167 = GMT Master II
170 = Oyster Quartz DateJust
189 = Oyster Perpetual Special Edition
190 = Oyster Quartz Day-Date
1165 Cosmograph Daytona
1182 Oyster Perpetual Day-Date
1183 Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Serti (With Diamonds)
After 2004-2006, the newer Rolex models have an extra 1 preceeding the model number.
For example, a traditional, two-toned bezel GMT has a model number of 16710, but the newer super-cased, ceramic bezeled GMT is listed as a 116710 (extra preceeding 1).
The next digit is the bezel code. For example, a 16710 has a smooth/domed bezel. Professional watches are excluded from this list.
0 = Smooth/Domed
1 = Engine Turned
2 = Engraved
3 = Fluted
4 = Bark
5 = Pyramie (Not Used)
6 = Turn-O-Graph
7 = Various
8 = Special (Not Currently Used)
9 = Open (Not Currently Used)
The next (sixth) digit is the metal code. In the case of a 16710, the 0 signifies stainless steel.
0 = Stainless Steel
1 = Yellow gold Placor (Tudor)
22 = Stainless steel and Platinum (Yachtmaster)
3 = Stainless Steel and 18k Yellow gold (Yellow Rolesor)
4 = Stainless Steel and 18k White gold (White Rolesor)
5 = Gold Shell (No Longer Used)
6 = Platinum
7 = 14k Yellow gold (No Longer Used)
8 = 18k Yellow gold
9 = 18k White gold
BIC = Bi-Color 18k Yellow and White gold comboTRIDOR = 18k Yellow, White and Rose gold
Year of Introduction Rolex models :
- 1926 : Oyster Case (Water Resistant)
- 1927 : Serial Numbers Engraved On Oyster Case
- 1931 : Oyster Perpetual (Automatic movement)
- 1938 : Bubble Back
- 1938 : Oyster Bracelet (Steel)
- 1945 : Datejust
- 1945 : Jubilee Bracelet
- 1947 : Oyster Bracelet
- 1950 : Mercedes Hands
- 1953 : Submariner
- 1953 : Explorer
- 1954 : GMT-Master
- 1954 : Date Cyclops on Crystal
- 1954 : Ladies Oyster Perpetual
- 1956 : Day-Date (President)
- 1956 : President Bracelet
- 1959 : Crown Guards
- 1961 : Oyster Cosmograph
- 1962 : Cosmograph Daytona
- 1970 : Submariner Date
- 1971 : Sea-Dweller
- 1971 : Explorer II
- 1972 : Hacking Movement
- 1977 : Quick-Set Date Feature
- 1977 : Oyster Quartz Day-Date
- 1977 : Oysterquartz
- 1977 : Sapphire Crystal
- 1980 : Sea-Dweller 4000
- 1983 : GMT-Master II
- 1988 : New Daytona (Utilizing Zenith movement)
- 1992 : Yachtmaster
- 1994 : Yachtmaster Ladies & Medium
- 1998 : Solid End Links (SEL)
- 1999 : Luminova (luminescence)
- 2000 : New Daytona (Utilizing Rolex caliber 4130 with 72 hour power reserve)
- 2001 : Laser Etched Hologram in Crystal
- 2003 : "Green" Submariner Date
- 2013 : Rolex Daytona Anniversary
The reference or model number of a Rolex is located between the lugs at the 12' position. It is also listed on the certificates Rolex issues.
Yacht-Master: 169628, 169623, 169622, 168628, 168623, 168622, 166233, 116689, 116688, 69628, 69623, 68628, 68623, 18622, 16628, 16623, 16622
Air-King: 14010M, 14000M, 114234, 114210, 114200, 14010, 14000, 7784, 6552, 6500, 5701, 5700, 5520, 5506, 5501, 5500, 4925, 4365, 1009
Cellini: 6693, 6692, 6673, 6628, 6623, 6621, 6110, 5330, 5241, 5116, 4243, 4233, 4223, 4113, 4112
Date: 115234, 115210, 115200, 15505, 15238, 15233, 15223, 15210, 15203, 15200, 15053, 15038, 15037, 15010, 15000, 6627, 6605, 6534, 6518, 6335, 6075, 5075, 1625, 1603, 1570, 1560, 1550, 1505, 1503, 1501, 1500
Datejust: 166201, 116244, 116243, 116238, 116234, 116233, 116231, 116208, 116203, 116201, 116200, 116199, 116189, 116188, 116139, 116138, 17014, 17013, 17000, 16364, 16250, 16248, 16238, 16234, 16233, 16220, 16203, 16200, 16078, 16030, 16018, 16014, 16013, 16000, 6827, 6605, 6604, 6518, 6305, 1630, 1607, 1603, 1601, 1600
Datejust Mid-Size: 178383, 178313, 178288, 178286, 178279, 178278, 178275, 178274, 178273, 178269, 178248, 178246, 178245, 178243, 178240, 178239, 178238, 178159, 178158, 81339, 81338, 81308, 81209, 81208, 81158, 78288, 78286, 78279, 78278, 78274, 78273, 78266, 78248, 78246, 78243, 78240, 77438, 77080, 77014, 68278, 68274, 68273, 68248, 68243, 68240, 17824, 7518, 6824
Datejust OysterQuartz: 17014, 17013, 17000
Datejust Turn-O-Graph (Thunderbird): 116264, 116263, 116261, 16268, 16264, 16263, 16253, 6309, 1625
Day-Date (aka President): 118399, 118398, 118388, 118366, 118348, 118346, 118339, 118338, 118296, 118239, 118238, 118235, 118209, 118208, 118206, 118205, 19018, 18958, 18956, 18948, 18946, 18346, 18308, 18248, 18239, 18238, 18078, 18048, 18039, 18038, 18026, 6611, 6511, 1807, 1804, 1803
Day-Date Oysterquartz : 19019, 19018
Daytona (Cosmograph): 116599, 116598, 116589, 116528, 116523, 116520, 116519, 116518, 116515, 116509, 116505, 16528, 16523, 16520, 16519, 16518, 16515, 6265, 6264, 6263, 6262, 6241, 6240, 6239
Explorer: 114270, 14270, 6610, 6350, 6298, 6150, 6098, 5504, 1038, 1016
Explorer II: 216570, 16570, 16550, 1655
GMT-Master: 16758, 16753, 16750, 16713, 16700, 6542, 1675
GMT-Master II: 116758, 116718, 116713, 116710, 16760, 16718, 16710, 16170
Ladies Date: 79240, 79240, 79190, 79160, 69240, 69190, 69174, 69173, 69163, 69160, 6919, 6917, 6916, 6519, 6517, 6516
Ladies Datejust: 197173, 179459, 179368, 179313, 179298, 179239, 179179, 179178, 179175, 179174, 179173, 179171, 179168, 179166, 179165, 179163, 179161, 179160, 179159, 179158, 179138, 179136, 80359, 80329, 80328, 80319, 80318, 80309, 80299, 80298, 79288, 79238, 79179, 79178, 79174, 79173, 79168, 79166, 79163, 79159, 79158, 79138, 79136, 79126, 79089, 79088, 79079, 79078, 79068, 69278, 69190, 69179, 69178, 69174, 69173, 69163, 69160, 69136, 6927, 6917, 6916, 6517
Ladies Oyster Perpetual: 761833, 176210, 176200, 79193, 77518, 76243, 76198, 76193, 76188, 76183, 76180, 76094, 76080, 76030, 67243, 67230, 67198, 67197, 67194, 67193, 67180, 6724, 6723, 6719, 6718
Masterpiece: 81318, 80359, 80328, 80319, 80318, 80309, 80299, 80298, 69299, 69298, 18948, 18946
Milgauss: 116400V, 116400, 6451, 1019
Oyster Perpetual: 14233M, 14208M, 14203M, 14238, 14208, 14203, 6634, 6623, 6605, 6590, 6584, 6582, 6580, 6569, 6567, 6565, 6564, 6556, 6552, 6551, 6549, 6548, 6546, 6532, 6518, 6284, 6202, 6177, 6103, 6085, 5500, 1565, 1501, 1500, 1038, 1030, 1025, 1024, 1023, 1018, 1014, 1010, 1008, 1007, 1006, 1005, 1004, 1003, 1002
Sea-Dweller: 116660, 16660, 16600, 1665
Submariner: 14060M, 114060, 14060, 6538, 6536, 6205, 6204, 6200, 5517, 5514, 5513, 5512, 5508
Submariner Date: 168000, 116619, 116618, 116613, 116610, 16808, 16803, 16800, 16618, 16613, 16610, 1680