Do Rolex Dials Have serial Numbers on Them? [Complete Guide]
Historically, Rolex dials, nor Rolex bracelets have had serial numbers.
Serial numbers are individual numbers given to objects which help identify and find out more information about them.
It’s no news that each and every Rolex watch have a unique serial number. This is either engraved on the case at 6 o’clock or on the rehaut at 6 o’clock. This is important for Rolex to be able to track each and every single watch that leaves the factory. This also gives them the opportunity to see if they indeed have made a particular watch, and to get more information about it, such as when it was made and in which configuration it was made. Rolex doesn’t disclose any of this information to the public but Rolex keeps extensive records of the watch serial numbers and specifications internally.
But what about watch dials? Do Rolex dials have serial numbers on them?
Do Rolex dials have serial numbers on them?
Historically, Rolex dials have never had serial numbers on them. If you look at the back of any Rolex dial, you can find a number engraved on it. But this is not a serial number. Instead, it is a “dial item number”.
But we can now report that Rolex has started to phase in the use of serial numbers on its dials. In Rolex’s own words:
“As of 1 December 2020, there has been a phased introduction of serial numbers on the dials of certain Rolex models.”
With this, Rolex states that they have introduced serial numbers on certain Rolex models, but it does not indicate whether all Rolex dials that leave the factory will have serial numbers on them in the future. However, in traditional Rolex fashion, we can likely expect that Rolex will continue to roll out the serial number system on its watch dials in the years to come.
Something that we have noticed is that some of the dials that Rolex introduces with the serial number are new models. For example, the new 226570 and the 124270 both have serial numbers. At the same time, the new meteorite Daytona dial does not have a serial number yet. This makes sense rather than changing things mid-production of a model. At the same time, dials for models like the 126711CHNR and the 116500LN are now only available with serial numbers, and from 2022 and onwards, Rolex has started to roll out the serial number dials more and more.
The new dials with serial numbers marked on them include the following information engraved on their backs:
- serial number
- dial item number
- QR code (for internal use by Rolex, likely including all of the above information, and more)
With the introduction of dials with serial numbers, Rolex has also specified some rules for dial replacements.
If you want to or need to replace the dial of your Rolex watch, Rolex specifies that official retailers follow these guidelines:
- without serial number by a dial with serial number: if available
- With serial number by a dial with serial number: mandatory
- With serial number by a dial without serial number: prohibited
For the dials that Rolex has introduced serial numbers, it effectively means that Rolex watchmakers are no longer able to order that particular dial without a serial number. Simultaneously, both the dial with and without serial numbers are displayed, only that the old, non-serial dial is indicated as “invalid purchase”.
Why does Rolex introduce dial serial numbers?
The fact that Rolex has started to introduce serial numbers for some dials – and may roll out them more broadly in the future – makes us wonder, why does Rolex introduce dial serial numbers?
Of course, there are a number of different reasons that come into play here. And Rolex will likely never communicate the reasons to the public. But we can assume that these are the main reasons.
Firstly, Rolex already has an internal database in which they can enter a serial number and see all the details about that particular watch. This includes things like caliber number, specifications, which dial it was originally made with, which strap it has, and much more. With that said, Rolex doesn’t need a serial number on the dial to connect whether a watch, for example, originally had a green dial or a blue dial when shipped from the factory. However, what the dial system does not allow Rolex to check is whether a watch still has the exact same dial with which it left the factory.
But the most important reason, we would assume, is that Rolex wants to get better control over its spare parts on the secondhand market and in particular dials. As you know, Rolex works very hard to keep spare parts from entering the secondhand market in order to keep their watches completely factory and prevent modifications.
As such, if Rolex, for example, sees a dial for sale and is able to identify it by the serial number, they will be able to track it down and see who originally sold it. Now, we know that Rolex actively works to browse the web and identify people who sell brand new, sought-after watches. But the question is if Rolex is willing to go so far as to try to track down dials being sold on the secondhand market?
Most importantly though, it’s no news that Rolex is all about having full control of every step of the process and everything they make. The addition of serial numbers on its dials is further a way to increase their control over their products.
What we can say is that Rolex certainly has good reasons for introducing the serial number system and this is something that is carefully thought out.
