You can sell, buy or insure your Rolex watch better if you know what model it is. You need to be able to find its model number. Finding the model/reference number is usually easy enough. It's printed on the official Rolex certificate/papers issued with your watch.
If you dont have those, or want to double check papers relate to the watch, then the model number is also engraved on the watch casing between the lugs at the 12’o Clock position.
To read that you will need to remove the bracelet from the watch to read the model number between the lugs. It is advised you use an experienced jeweller or watchmaker to remove your bracelet to avoid any damage.
Rolex construct their model number based on the watch properties.
The first 2-3 digits represent the watch model name, eg. Sea Dweller, or GMT Master. See this list -
Oyster Perpetual: 10,140,142
Air-King: 55,140
Date: 15,150
Datejust: 16,162,1162
Daytona Manual Wind: 62
Daytona Cosmograph: 165,1165
Explorer: 142,10,1142
Explorer II: 16,165
Sea Dweller: 16,166
Submariner: 16,166,168
Submariner (no date): 55,140
GMT Master: 16,65,167
GMT Master II:167
Oysterquartz Datejust: 170
Oysterquartz Day-Date: 190
Day-Date (President): 65,18,180,182,183,1182
Yachtmaster: 166,686,696,1686,1696
Midsize Oyster Perpetual DJ: 68,682,782,1782
Ladies Oyster Perpetual: 67,671,672,760,761
Ladies Date: 65,69,691,692,791
Ladies Datejust: 65,69,691,692,791,1791
Then the second from last digit of your model number represents the bezel design. This principal only applies to the Rolex dress watch collections like Datejust.-
Polished: 0
Finely Engine Turned: 1
Engine Turned: 2
Fluted: 3
Hand-Crafted: 4
Pyramid: 5
Rotating Bezel: 6
The last digit of your Rolex model / reference number details which material your watch is made from;
Stainless Steel: 0
Yellow Gold: 1
White Gold: 2
Stainless Steel & Yellow Gold: 3
Stainless Steel & White Gold: 4
Gold Shell: 5
Platinum: 6
14K Yellow Gold: 7
18K Yellow Gold: 8
18K White Gold: 9
Dont confuse your model number with your serial number! Our next Blog takes a closer look at serial numbers.