Rolex De-Coded

[The Mole]

I have seen some questions recently about the “numbers” in the model/bracelet style codes. I have not seen this information posted before and if the mods see fit to repost this in the Rolex Reference Library that is fine . I will do my best to show you the Rolex codes. This information is critical to those buying a used or vintage watch as the information gleaned can be used to identify if any after market bezels, dials, or bracelets were added to the watch.

Let’s start with one of my watches. If I look on the warranty (the old paper one purchased in 2006, important to note that the new plastic card warranty does not have the dial code rather the dial is written out.) I will see the following reference number:

116200A53B7220


With this number I will know exactly what this watch looks like without ever seeing it. I will show you how to tell.

The first four digits, in this case 1162, are the product category. In this example it is a 36 MM Date Just.

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)

** Special note: As you well know Rolex is currently updating their watches. If you have an updated version of a watch on this list, add a number 1 before the numbers above (for example the new ceramic GMT master II is 1167 now and the older version appears above).


The fifth digit is the bezel code. In this case it is a domed bezel. NOTE: 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 sixth digit is the metal code. In this case 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 combo
TRIDOR = 18k Yellow, White and Rose gold


After this is the DIAL CODE. The dial code is two digits, one digit and a letter, or two letters. In the example of my watch the dial code is 53. Dial code 53 is a White Roman Dial.

Dial codes are as follows;


1x = Silver
2x = Champagne
3x = Black
4x = Steel
5x = White
6x = Blue
7x = Bronze
8x = Pink
9x = Mother of Pearl

x0 = Index (Stick)
x1 = Unknown/Unused
x2 = Sunbeam (Roman)
x3 = Roman
x4 = Bi Color Dial (Index)
x5 = Jubilee (Roman)
x6 = Maxi Arabic
x7 = Index (3,6,9 Arabic)
x8 = Waves (Arabic)
x9 =Sunbeam (Roman)

After these are the specialty dials, usually with diamonds which have a number and letter, or just two letters. There are so many to list and I am tired of typing, so I will list those another time along with the movement caliber codes, and bracelet codes.