Rolex Bracelet and Clasp Codes Complete Guide
Apart from the Rolex reference number and the serial number, Rolex bracelets are also equipped with a so-called bracelet and clasp code. The Rolex bracelet code can be found on the inside of the clasp hinge. There, you’ll find a code that represents the year and month in which the watch was manufactured.
Have in mind that the Rolex bracelet code may tell a different date/year than the watch case, and especially for modern Rolex watches, it’s quite seldom that you find a clasp code that is the same year as the watch case. Furthermore, it’s important to have in mind that it’s not at all uncommon to find that the date of the bracelet isn’t the same as the watch, as mentioned, but this is especially important to have in mind when it comes to buying second-hand, and vintage in particular.
Since when watches come from Rolex’s factory, the date of the bracelet and the date of the watch may not be the same, it’s not something that affects the watch’s value or necessarily affects the watch’s value, but what you want to pay attention to is if the previous owner has switched to a completely different bracelet.
As long as the bracelet is of the same model and is an authentic Rolex bracelet, it doesn’t necessarily affect the value, but if the bracelet isn’t original, or if the bracelet has been replaced with a completely different Rolex bracelet, it’s worth having in mind that it will most likely decrease the watch’s value since it’s missing an important part of the watch that should come with Also, have in mind that not all Rolex watches come on metal bracelets, so make sure that the design of the bracelet is the design that should come on that watch.
The Rolex bracelet code on the clasp hinge is made up of one or two letters followed by a number. The numbers represent the year when the watch was made, and the numbers the month.
All genuine Rolex watches have letters and numbers, and a clasp code, on the inside of the clasp hinge, but not all counterfeit watches do, so looking at the inside of the clasp hinge can be a way to identify a counterfeit Rolex.
The code which you can find on the clasp hinge is what is called the clasp code, however, there’s also another code that may be worth paying attention to when researching your clasp, and that is the watch’s reference number. The reference number of Rolex watches gives an array of information about the watch, however, for information about the bracelet of your Rolex watch, you especially want to pay attention to the 6th digit in the reference number, alternatively, the last letter in the reference number if the reference of your watch has fewer than 6 digits.
The last digit of the Rolex reference number gives information about the material in which the clasp is made.
Rolex bracelet and clasp codes
These are what the following numbers mean when they are in the last position of the reference number:
- 0: Stainless steel
- 1: Yellow Gold Filled
- 2: White Gold Filled
- 3: Stainless Steel and 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
- 22: Stainless steel and platinum
- BIC Bi-Color 18kt Yellow and White gold combo
- TRIDOR 18kt Yellow, White, and Rose gold
About Rolex bracelet codes
It’s important to point out that when it comes to Rolex bracelet codes, the codes that we list here, and that you find anywhere else are only “estimates”, even though they are very good estimates as they are gathered and defined by watch enthusiasts and passionate Rolex lovers.
Rolex hasn’t officially made a list of the Rolex clasp codes, but we’ve worked to create the most in-depth and up-to-date list of Rolex bracelet codes. In this list, we’ll make notes of the bracelet codes which are not 100% certain.
Lastly, Rolex clasp codes can be used to understand when the watch was manufactured, but at the same time, have in mind that the shipping, storage, and purchase dates can vary a lot.
If you see a clasp with an S, it shows that it is a service clasp.
The solid end link bracelets of your bracelet (the SEL) have a date code, the part number, as well as the Rolex crown stamped into the ends.
S stands for service. This means that the clasp has been replaced during a service.
- A: 1976
- B: 1977
- C: 1978
- D: 1979
- E: 1980
- F: 1981
- G: 1982
- H: 1983
- I: 1984
- J: 1985
- K: 1986
- L: 1987
- M: 1988
- N: 1989
- O: 1990
- P: 1991
- Q: 1992
- R: 1993
- S: 1994
- W or T: 1995
- V or U: 1996
- Z or U: 1997
- Z or W= 1998
- X: 1999
- AB: 2000
- DE: 2001
- DT: 2002
- AD: 2003
- CL: 2004
- MA: 2005
- OP: 2006
- EO: 2007
- PJ: 2008
- LT: 2009
- RS: 2010
- CP: 2011
Dial codes
Rolex watches have dial codes, and the first digits tell us the following:
- 1x = Silver
- 2x = Champagne
- 3x = Black
- 4x = Steel
- 5x = White
- 6x = Blue
- 7x = Bronze
- 8x = Pink
The second digits tell us the following:
- x0 = Index (Stick)
- x1 = Unknown/Unused
- x2 = Sunbeam (Roman)
- x3 = Roman
- x5 = Jubilee (Roman)
- x6 = Maxi Arabic
- x7 = Index (3,6,9 Arabic)
- x8 = Waves (Arabic)
- x9 =Sunbeam (Roman)
From 2011 onwards, Rolex watches have three characters alphanumeric.
Further Rolex bracelet, spring bars, end links resources
Below, you will find Rolex’s own printed information regarding its bracelets, end links, and spring bars. If you wish to keep this information, you can download the sheet that relates to the bracelet and the information you are looking for.
Rolex spring bar information
Rolex spring bar information
Rolex 93160-20 bracelet information
Rolex 93150-20 bracelet information
Rolex Jubilee 63110 bracelet information
Rolex Oyster 78340-13 bracelet information
Rolex 78350-17 bracelet information
Rolex 78350-19 bracelet information
Rolex 78351-19 bracelet information
Rolex 78360-20 bracelet information
Rolex 62510M bracelet information
Rolex 62510H Jubilee bracelet information
Rolex 62510H Jubilee bracelet information
Rolex 62510D bracelet information
Rolex 17013 bracelet information
Rolex 17010 bracelet information
Rolex 7835-19 bracelet information
Rolex 7836 bracelet information
Rolex 9315 bracelet information
Rolex 1700 bracelet information
Rolex 17000 bracelet information
Rolex 17000B bracelet information
Rolex 7835-17 bracelet information
Rolex 7834-13 bracelet information
Rolex 7834-11 bracelet information
Rolex 6252H bracelet information
Rolex 6252D bracelet information
Rolex 6251M bracelet information
Rolex 6251D bracelet information
Rolex 6251H bracelet information
Credit to Rolex. The product sheets are for informational purposes only.
Do you have any additional specific questions regarding Rolex bracelet and clasp codes Consult one of our watch experts here!
I just purchased a Rolex Date Just with diamonds in it here in Florida, but I was confused about the bracelet, I saw a little bit of black mark on the bracelet on my Rolex. I bought it Brandnew, and I cant find the stamped that my Rolex is 18k gold. Im confused!
Pls help me.
Hi,
The gold stamps Rolex uses are few and are generally relatively difficult to spot. If it is a two-tone watch, the gold stamps are normally found on the end links, the final links that are fitted against the case, or on the clasp blade, if it is solid gold.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
The Engraved 18K Mark is at 1:00 on the back of the watch,thats where you will find the engraved mark as well as the inside of the buckle. It may be stamped “750” vs 18K which is European Hallmark for 18K Gold.
I recently bought a Rolex 36 MM Datejust 1601 on EBay but doesn’t have the Crown pin in the Jubilee bracelet… But I’m kinda concerned about my purchase, cause all the Rolex that I see have the Crown pin in the bracelet,
That means my rolex is Fake?
Hi,
It’s very difficult to say without having looked at the watch but if you are referring to the clasp, the 1601 has a regular clasp and not a so-called “hidden crown clasp”, which it sounds like you are referring to. So if your 1601 doesn’t have the crown clasp, there are no issues since it shouldn’t have a hidden crown clasp.
If you want a detailed review about your specific watch, you can refer to this page:
https://millenarywatches.com/watches/watch-consulting/
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
Hey guys, you mentioned in the article:
“Have in mind that the Rolex bracelet code may tell a different date/year than the watch case, and especially for modern Rolex watches, it’s quite seldom that you find a clasp code that is the same year as the watch case.”
What explains the difference in date / year?
I’m asking this question, because I bought a Datejust 1601 from 1971, but the bracelet is from the second quarter of 1972. Curious to understand this difference.
Thanks for your help,
Floris
Hi,
The reason for the discrepancy in the production date (apart from the obvious potential that it has indeed been replaced if the discrepancy is big) is that the cases and bracelets are manufactured separately. Therefore, the case may have been manufactured earlier or later than the bracelet.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
I have a rolex that is approx. 50 years old. Jubilee(?) date just. The bracelet has gold strips literally ‘wrapped’ around the core. You can see from the side view. Tell me more.
Hi,
This does indeed sound like an early Jubilee bracelet with hollow links. You can read more here:
https://millenarywatches.com/rolex-jubilee-bracelet/
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches