Rolex Reference Numbers

Understanding Rolex Model Numbers

Rolex watches are distinguishable by the unique reference number that is assigned to them. At first glance, these numbers may seem random, but they actually contain a wealth of information about the watch’s model, material, bezel, and other features. In this ultimate guide, we’ll explain what Rolex reference numbers mean and provide a comprehensive lookup tool for all major Rolex collections. Whether you’re curious about a vintage Submariner or the latest Daytona, this guide will help you decipher the reference numbers and understand the story behind each Rolex model.

Below, you’ll find a searchable reference number lookup tool covering popular Rolex collections. We’ll also break down how Rolex’s numbering system works, explaining the significance of each digit and letter. By the end, you’ll know how to read any Rolex reference number and decode letter codes like BLRO or CHNR (and even those cryptic gem-set codes). Let’s dive in!

Rolex Reference Number Lookup Tool

Use the lookup tool below to find model details by reference number. You can type in the search box to filter for a specific reference or model name.

What Do Rolex Reference Number Combinations Mean?

Now that we’ve listed the reference numbers, let’s decode them. A Rolex reference number isn’t just an arbitrary sequence. For the modern references, which are generally five or six digits long, each digit (or group of digits) has a particular significance:

• Model code (first few digits) – Identifying the Rolex Model: The beginning digits of every Rolex reference number identify the watch’s model line or collection.
  
  Over decades, Rolex evolved from 4-digit (vintage), to 5-digit (transitional), and now 6-digit (modern) reference numbers. The model code always comes at the start. These codes help collectors, buyers, and enthusiasts quickly group any Rolex by family.
  
  Use the table below for an easy way to look up which model codes match each Rolex collection, including both discontinued and current models:

  Model Code (First Digits)	Collection
  116, 126, 166, 168, 140, 124, 620, 653, 551	Submariner
  623, 624, 626, 165, 1165, 1265	Daytona
  167, 1167, 1267, 654	GMT-Master & GMT-Master II
  160, 162, 1162, 1262	Datejust
  180, 182, 118, 128, 228	Day-Date
  661, 101, 142, 114, 124, 214	Explorer I
  1655, 16550, 16570, 216, 226	Explorer II
  1665, 16660, 16600, 11660, 12660, 13660	Sea-Dweller & Deepsea
  1662, 1166, 1266, 2266	Yacht-Master & Yacht-Master II
  326, 336	Sky-Dweller
  654, 1019, 1164	Milgauss
  550, 140, 1142, 1169, 1269	Air-King
  100, 11, 12, 124, 134	Oyster Perpetual
  505, 525	Cellini & 1908
  1272, 1273	Land-Dweller
  803, 813, 862, 863	Pearlmaster
  170, 190	Oysterquartz

• Bezel code (second-to-last digit) – Identifying the Type of Bezel: The penultimate digit of most five- and six-digit Rolex reference numbers reveals the watch’s bezel style. Each number code corresponds to a different bezel type, from smooth or fluted to rotating or gem-set.
  
  See the table below for a quick reference to what each bezel code means:

  Bezel Code (Second-to-Last Digit)	Bezel Style	Description / Examples
  0	Smooth / Domed	Plain bezel, no fluting or markings. Seen on most Oyster Perpetual, Air-King, Milgauss, and some Datejust.
  1	Rotating / Engine-Turned	Rotating diver or GMT bezel (Submariner, GMT-Master), or engine-turned (vintage Datejust/Air-King).
  2	Engraved / Marked	Engraved scale or numerals (Explorer II 24h, Daytona tachymeter).
  3	Fluted	Classic Rolex grooved bezel. Usually in gold, found on Datejusts and Day-Dates.
  4	Gem-Set / Decorative	Diamond, sapphire, ruby, or “bark” texture bezels (factory).
  6	Rotating (Alternate)	Alternate rotating bezel code, used in some modern Submariner and sports refs (e.g. 124060).
  7	Other / Miscellaneous	Catch-all: unusual, hybrid, or fixed engraved bezels (e.g. Explorer II, some Yacht-Master).

  Note: Four-digit vintage references may not always use a separate bezel code; Rolex sometimes repurposes codes in different generations.
• Case/Bracelet material code (last digit): The final digit in most modern Rolex reference numbers reveals the metal or material used for the case and bracelet, it is an essential code for collectors. For the most complete and current breakdown, see this Rolex metal codes guide by WatchGuys.







• Here’s a quick reference table to the Rolex material codes:

Code (Last Digit)	Material	Example / Note
0	Stainless Steel (“Oystersteel”)	Submariner 124060, Datejust 126200
1	Steel & Everose Gold (“Everose Rolesor”)	Datejust 126201, but older models may be yellow Rolesor
2	Steel & Platinum (“Rolesium”)	Yacht-Master 16622 (platinum bezel)
3	Steel & Yellow Gold (“Yellow Rolesor”)	Datejust 126333, Submariner 126613LB
4	Steel & White Gold (“White Rolesor”)	Datejust 126234 (steel case, white gold bezel)
5	18k Everose Gold (Solid)	Daytona 116505, Day-Date 128235
6	Platinum (950)	Day-Date 118206, Yacht-Master 126606
7	Titanium (Current) / 14K Yellow Gold (Vintage)	Titanium: Yacht-Master 226627, Deepsea Challenge 126067. 14K Gold: vintage US-market Datejust/Day-Date.
8	18k Yellow Gold (Solid)	Submariner 126618, Day-Date 128238
9	18k White Gold (Solid)	GMT-Master II 126719, Day-Date 128239

By reading the model code, bezel code, and material code in sequence, you can decode a Rolex reference number. Take this example: 126710BLNR. Breaking it down: “126” tells us it’s a GMT-Master II family with the latest generation movement, the “1” (fifth digit) indicates a rotating bezel, and the “0” (last digit) means stainless steel. The letters BLNR (which we’ll explain soon) specify the bezel colors. Sure enough, 126710BLNR is the steel GMT-Master II with bi-directional rotating bezel, and BLNR tells us it’s the blue/black “Batman/Batgirl.” In the same way, a reference like 116519 would decode as: “116” = Daytona family, “5” penultimate = (on Daytona, 5 might correspond to the engraved tachymeter bezel, as Daytona bezels historically got code 2 or 5), and “9” = white gold – indeed 116519 is a white gold Daytona. With a bit of practice, you can use these numbers and gain an understanding of the watch’s identity.

What Do the Letters in Rolex Reference Numbers Mean?

Many modern Rolex references include one or more letters at the end, for example, 126610LV or 126710BLRO. These letters are not random; they are abbreviations that indicate specific features, often dial or bezel colors. Importantly, they derive from French words, since Rolex is based in Geneva (and French is an official language there). Knowing a few French color and gem terms makes it much easier to interpret Rolex suffixes.

Common letters and their French meanings include:

In general, a single letter or two-letter code can describe the bezel color (for divers and GMTs), the crystal type, or even dial accents. For instance, the Milgauss “GV” mentioned above – here the letter is about the green crystal, not the dial or bezel. Most often, though, letters refer to bezel or dial colors on sports models.

It’s also worth noting that Rolex uses specific combinations of these letters to denote famous color combos or styles, which we’ll detail next. Once you know the French words, the codes become logical. “BLRO” = Bleu/Rouge (blue and red), clearly a Pepsi bezel. “CHNR” = Chocolat/Noir (brown and black), the Root Beer bezel. What might seem like random letters actually form a descriptive abbreviation in French.

Rolex Letter Codes Explained (Color Suffixes)

Below are some of the most common letter codes you’ll encounter in modern Rolex references, especially for sport models. These codes usually indicate bezel colors or other notable features:

Code	Meaning	Rolex Usage / Example
BLRO	Bleu/Rouge (Blue/Red)	“Pepsi” bezel, e.g. GMT-Master II 126710BLRO, 126719BLRO
BLNR	Bleu/Noir (Blue/Black)	“Batman” or “Batgirl” bezel, e.g. 126710BLNR, 116710BLNR
CHNR	Chocolat/Noir (Brown/Black)	“Root Beer” bezel, e.g. 126711CHNR, 126715CHNR
VTNR	Verte/Noir (Green/Black)	“Sprite” bezel, e.g. GMT-Master II 126720VTNR (left-handed crown, green/black)
GRNR	Gris/Noir (Gray/Black)	Gray/black ceramic bezel, e.g. GMT-Master II 126713GRNR, 126710GRNR "Bruce Wayne"
LN	Lunette Noir (Black Bezel)	Black bezel insert, e.g. 126610LN (Submariner Date), 116710LN (GMT)
LB	Lunette Bleu (Blue Bezel)	Blue bezel, e.g. Submariner 126619LB, 16613LB “Bluesy”
LV	Lunette Verte (Green Bezel)	Green bezel, e.g. 116610LV “Hulk”, 126610LV “Starbucks”
GV	Glace Verte (Green Crystal)	Green sapphire crystal, e.g. Milgauss 116400GV
T (dial only)	Tritium	“T” or “T Swiss T” on the dial = tritium lume

Note: “Swiss – T < 25” (or “T Swiss T”) is a marking you’ll find on many vintage Rolex dials—signifying that the lume contains tritium, a now-retired luminous material. This “T” marking is always part of the dial print, not the official reference number.

Rolex will occasionally introduce new letter codes if a novel color or feature comes out. For example, when the Sprite GMT (green/black) launched, they used “VTNR” in some contexts to denote the left-hand crown (Verte/Noire and maybe “Track, New Right” – though Rolex didn’t officially spell it out, collectors interpret VTNR for the green/black destro). Generally, the pattern of combining French color initials continues.

Summing up these codes: if you know the French for colors, you can usually figure out the bezel or dial color scheme of a Rolex just by the letters in its reference. It adds an extra layer of fluency for collectors to say “I just got the 126710BLNR” and immediately convey it’s the blue/black GMT-II. Next, we’ll cover the even more specialized letter codes used for gem-set models.

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Gem-Set Rolex Codes (Special Letter Codes for Jewelry Models)

Rolex is renowned for its gem-setting expertise, and certain ultra-exclusive models come with suffixes that indicate diamonds or other precious stones on the watch. These letter codes can be a bit cryptic, as they often combine multiple French terms. They appear on models like jeweled Day-Date editions or gem-encrusted sports models (often seen in Rolex’s catalogs or paperwork for gem-set pieces). Here are some notable gem-set reference codes and their meanings:

Code	Meaning	Rolex Usage / Example
TBR	Tessellate Brillants	Full diamond setting, e.g. Daytona 116576TBR (diamond-paved dial, baguette diamond bezel)
TEM	Tessellate Émeraude	Emerald setting, e.g. Day-Date 228396TEM (emerald baguette markers/bezel)
SABLV	Saphirs Bleu-Vert (Blue-Green Sapphires)	Pearlmaster 86348SABLV (blue-green sapphire bezel)
SABR	Saphirs Brillants (Sapphires & Diamonds)	Submariner 116659SABR (blue sapphires & diamonds)
SACO	Saphirs Cognac	Daytona 116598SACO (“Leopard” – cognac sapphires, leopard dial)
SAFUBL	Saphirs Fuchsia Bleu	Pearlmaster 86349SAFUBL (fuchsia and blue sapphires)
SAJOR	Saphirs Jaune Orange	Pearlmaster 86348SAJOR (yellow/orange sapphire rainbow bezel)
SANR	Saphirs Noirs (Black Sapphires)	GMT-Master II 116759SANR (black sapphire & diamond bezel)
SARU	Saphirs Rubis (Sapphires & Rubies)	GMT-Master II 116759SARU (blue sapphire & ruby “rainbow” bezel, sometimes with diamonds)

These gem codes tend to appear on the highest end of Rolex’s offerings – often those shown at Baselworld/Watches & Wonders as “showpiece” watches. They’re produced in extremely limited quantities. The codes themselves give a shorthand for what exotic array of jewels you’ll find on the piece.

In summary, Rolex’s letter suffixes provide insight into features that the numerical part of the reference doesn’t cover. Colors, materials, gems – all can be encoded in one to four letters. When you know the code, you essentially know the watch’s special trait, be it a green bezel or a fully diamond-set sparkle. Rolex’s system, rooted in French terminology, keeps things concise and consistent.

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Putting It All Together: Understanding Your Rolex

At first, a Rolex reference number might look like a random string of digits and letters. But as we’ve explored, there is a method to the madness. The reference number encodes the watch’s lineage (model family), design (bezel type), material, and often distinctive colors or jewel settings. By breaking it into sections, you can read a reference like a book: it'll tell you if you’re looking at a Submariner or a GMT, steel or gold, smooth bezel or rotating, black dial or special anniversary green, and so on.

For watch enthusiasts and collectors, understanding these codes is extremely useful. It helps verify a watch’s configuration (for example, whether a certain bezel or dial is correct for that reference) and trace the evolution of models over time. It also adds to the appreciation of a piece – knowing that a 116610LV is not just any Submariner, but the “Hulk” with its Lunette Verte green bezel and dial, or that a Day-Date ending in 6 is platinum, gives context and depth to the watch’s identity.

Whether you’re decoding your own Rolex, researching a potential purchase, or just impressing friends with your knowledge, the ability to interpret Rolex reference numbers transforms those seemingly random digits into meaningful information. It’s like learning a language, and once you’re fluent, you can instantly visualize the watch behind the number. We hope this guide has equipped you with that skill, and made the world of Rolex a little less mysterious and even more fascinating. Happy watch hunting!