A Beginner's Guide to Rolex Reference Numbers

A Rolex reference number (sometimes called the model number) is typically six to seven digits printed on the paperwork between the lugs. It encodes the model family, bezel type and material.

The first digits identify the model family. For example, 126 is the modern Submariner family, 1267 is the GMT-Master II family, 1265 is the Daytona family. These prefixes tell you what the watch is.

The last digit (or digits) encode the material. A trailing 0 typically means Oystersteel, 3 means steel and yellow gold (two-tone), 4 means steel and white gold, 5 means steel and platinum, and 8 means yellow gold.

The letters that follow — like BLNR, LN, LV — describe the bezel and dial configuration. BLNR is 'bleu/noir' (blue and black), LN is 'lunette noire' (black bezel), LV is 'lunette verte' (green bezel).

You don't need to memorize all of this. But knowing how to read a reference number helps you confirm that the watch in front of you is the watch described in the paperwork — which is exactly what we help you verify at YAR.