Every Rolex is engraved with a unique serial number. This indicates what year the watch was made, and can be used to authenticate and value the timepiece. The only way to identify the exact date of a Rolex produced in late 2009 onwards is to take it into an official Rolex dealer.

Do all vintage Rolex have serial numbers?

On the majority Rolex watches the serial number is engraved between the case lugs at 6 oclock just behind the bracelet end links. However on some earlier models (pre 1960) the serial number will be engraved on the outer case back. From 2008, Rolex started to only engrave the numbers on the rehaut.