Decoder · 56 references

Rolex Reference Numbers

A Rolex reference number identifies the exact model: its collection, case metal and bezel. Type one below to decode it, or browse the list of the most sought-after references with their sizes, movements and production years.

Engraved between the lugs at 12 o'clock under the bracelet, and printed on the warranty card.

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How to read a Rolex reference number

Modern Rolex references follow a consistent pattern. Take 126610LN, the current steel Submariner Date:

  • The leading digits identify the collection and generation: 1266xx is the Submariner Date introduced in 2020, 1166xx the previous one.
  • The last digit is the case metal: 0 is Oystersteel, 3 is steel with yellow gold, 4 is steel with white gold, 8 is solid yellow gold.
  • On a Datejust or Day-Date the fifth digit is the bezel: 0 smooth, 3 fluted.
  • Letters after the number describe the bezel colour, from the French words: LN is lunette noire (black bezel), LV lunette verte (green).

Last digit: case metal

0Oystersteel (stainless steel)
1Everose Rolesor (steel and Everose gold)
2Rolesium (steel and platinum)
3Yellow Rolesor (steel and yellow gold)
4White Rolesor (steel and white gold)
518 ct Everose gold
6950 platinum
818 ct yellow gold
918 ct white gold

Letter codes: bezel colours

BLNRBleu Noir — blue and black bezel ("Batman")
BLROBleu Rouge — blue and red bezel ("Pepsi")
CHNRChocolat Noir — brown and black bezel ("Root Beer")
VTNRVert Noir — green and black bezel ("Sprite")
GRNRGris Noir — grey and black bezel
LNLunette Noire — black bezel
LVLunette Verte — green bezel
LBLunette Bleue — blue bezel
GVGlace Verte — green-tinted crystal (Milgauss)
MModified — an updated version of the same reference

Rolex reference number list

Key references by collection. Select one for its full specification and the checks to make before buying.

Submariner

Rolex's dive watch, with or without date, rated to 300 m.

ReferenceModelSizeMetalYears
126610LNSubmariner Date41 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2020–present
126610LVSubmariner Date41 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2020–present
124060Submariner (no date)41 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2020–present
126613LBSubmariner Date41 mmYellow Rolesor (steel and yellow gold)2020–present
126618LBSubmariner Date41 mm18 ct yellow gold2020–present
116610LNSubmariner Date40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2010–2020
116610LVSubmariner Date40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2010–2020
116613LBSubmariner Date40 mmYellow Rolesor (steel and yellow gold)2009–2020
114060Submariner (no date)40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2012–2020
16610Submariner Date40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)1988–2010
14060MSubmariner (no date)40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)1999–2012

GMT-Master II

Shows a second time zone on a 24-hour bezel; the bezel colours give the nicknames.

ReferenceModelSizeMetalYears
126710BLROGMT-Master II40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2018–present
126710BLNRGMT-Master II40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2019–present
126711CHNRGMT-Master II40 mmEverose Rolesor (steel and Everose gold)2018–present
126720VTNRGMT-Master II (left-handed)40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2022–present
116710LNGMT-Master II40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2007–2019
116710BLNRGMT-Master II40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2013–2019
16710GMT-Master II40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)1989–2007

Cosmograph Daytona

The chronograph, with a tachymeter bezel and three sub-dials.

ReferenceModelSizeMetalYears
126500LNCosmograph Daytona40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2023–present
116500LNCosmograph Daytona40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2016–2023
116520Cosmograph Daytona40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2000–2016
16520Cosmograph Daytona40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)1988–2000
126506Cosmograph Daytona40 mm950 platinum2023–present
116506Cosmograph Daytona40 mm950 platinum2013–2023

Datejust

The classic dress watch with date window and cyclops lens, in 31, 36 and 41 mm.

ReferenceModelSizeMetalYears
126300Datejust 4141 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2017–present
126334Datejust 4141 mmWhite Rolesor (steel and white gold)2017–present
126333Datejust 4141 mmYellow Rolesor (steel and yellow gold)2016–present
126331Datejust 4141 mmEverose Rolesor (steel and Everose gold)2016–present
126200Datejust 3636 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2018–present
126234Datejust 3636 mmWhite Rolesor (steel and white gold)2018–present
116234Datejust 3636 mmWhite Rolesor (steel and white gold)2004–2018
16234Datejust 3636 mmWhite Rolesor (steel and white gold)1988–2004

Day-Date

Precious metals only, with the day spelled out in full at 12 o'clock.

ReferenceModelSizeMetalYears
228238Day-Date 4040 mm18 ct yellow gold2015–present
228235Day-Date 4040 mm18 ct Everose gold2015–present
228206Day-Date 4040 mm950 platinum2015–present
128238Day-Date 3636 mm18 ct yellow gold2019–present
118238Day-Date 3636 mm18 ct yellow gold2000–2019

Explorer

A simple, legible three-hand watch with the 3-6-9 dial.

ReferenceModelSizeMetalYears
224270Explorer40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2023–present
124270Explorer36 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2021–present
214270Explorer39 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2010–2021

Explorer II

A 42 mm watch with an orange 24-hour hand and fixed 24-hour bezel.

ReferenceModelSizeMetalYears
226570Explorer II42 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2021–present
216570Explorer II42 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2011–2021

Oyster Perpetual

The entry model: time only, no date, smooth bezel.

ReferenceModelSizeMetalYears
124300Oyster Perpetual41 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2020–present
126000Oyster Perpetual36 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2020–present
114300Oyster Perpetual39 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2015–2020

Sea-Dweller

A deep-diving Submariner sibling rated to 1,220 m, with a helium escape valve.

ReferenceModelSizeMetalYears
126600Sea-Dweller43 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2017–present

Rolex Deepsea

The 44 mm extreme-depth diver, rated to 3,900 m.

ReferenceModelSizeMetalYears
136660Rolex Deepsea44 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2022–present
126660Rolex Deepsea44 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2018–2022

Yacht-Master

A sailing-inspired sports watch with a bidirectional bezel.

ReferenceModelSizeMetalYears
126622Yacht-Master 4040 mmRolesium (steel and platinum)2019–present
126655Yacht-Master 4040 mm18 ct Everose gold2019–present
226659Yacht-Master 4242 mm18 ct white gold2019–present

Sky-Dweller

Annual calendar and second time zone, set through the Ring Command bezel.

ReferenceModelSizeMetalYears
336934Sky-Dweller42 mmWhite Rolesor (steel and white gold)2023–present
326934Sky-Dweller42 mmWhite Rolesor (steel and white gold)2017–2023

Milgauss

Anti-magnetic watch with a lightning-bolt seconds hand; discontinued in 2023.

ReferenceModelSizeMetalYears
116400GVMilgauss40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2007–2023

Air-King

The aviation-inspired 40 mm model with a large minute scale.

ReferenceModelSizeMetalYears
126900Air-King40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2022–present
116900Air-King40 mmOystersteel (stainless steel)2016–2022

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الأسئلة الشائعة

Where is the reference number on a Rolex?

Engraved on the case between the lugs at 12 o'clock, hidden by the bracelet, and printed on the warranty card. The case and the card should always show the same reference.

What is the difference between the reference number and the serial number?

The reference identifies the model — every steel Submariner Date made since 2020 is a 126610LN. The serial identifies one individual watch and sits at the 6 o'clock side. Use the serial to date a watch and to check whether it has been reported stolen.

What do LN, LV and BLNR mean on a Rolex?

They describe the bezel colour, from French: LN is lunette noire (black), LV lunette verte (green), LB lunette bleue (blue), BLNR bleu-noir (blue and black) and BLRO bleu-rouge (blue and red).

What does the last digit of a Rolex reference mean?

On modern references it is the case metal: 0 steel, 1 Everose Rolesor, 2 Rolesium, 3 yellow Rolesor, 4 white Rolesor, 5 Everose gold, 6 platinum, 8 yellow gold and 9 white gold.

Can a reference number tell me if a Rolex is fake?

Only partly. A reference that doesn't exist, or that doesn't match the watch's metal, bezel or size, is a strong warning sign. A correct reference proves nothing on its own because counterfeiters copy them — see our fake Rolex checklist.