Rolex Timeline and ref. guide of some of the most iconic models
We have created a useful and brief timeline in which you can find in chronological order some of the most important rolex references since 1920. At the end you can find a guide to model type, bezel type, material and start of reference. Enjoy.
Rolex Models Timeline
1922
- Submarine
1925
- 2303
1926
- Oyster
1929
- Prince
1931
- Oyster Perpetual
1934
- Rolex G.S. Mark II Military
1937
- Zerograph 3346
1938
- Oyster Chronograph 3525
1939
- 3335
1942
- 4413
1945
- Oyster Perpetual Datejust 4467
- Oyster Chronograph 4500
1947
- Dato Compax 4767
1949
- "Padellone" 8171
1950
- "Stelline" 6062
1953
- Explorer
- Submariner 6204
- Trun-O-Graph 6202
1954
- Rolex Oyster Perpetual
- GMT-Master 6542
- Submariner 6200
- Submariner 6536
1955
- Submariner 6538
- Submariner 6536/1
1956
- Milgauss 6541
- Day-Date 6511
1957
- Submariner 5508
- Lady-Datejust
1958
- Submariner 5510
1959
- GMT-Master 1675
- Submariner 5512
1960
- GMT-Master 1675
- Deep Sea Special
- Rolex Explorer I
1962
- Pre-Daytona 6238
1963
- Cosmograph Daytona 6239
1965
- Cosmograph Daytona 6240
1967
- Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman" 6239
- Sea Dweller 1665
- Submariner 1680
1970
- Oyster Cosmograph Daytona 6263
- Oyster Cosmograph Daytona 6265
- Quartz 5100
1971
- Explorer II 1655
1978
- Sea Dweller 16660
1979
- Submariner 16800
1981
- GMT-Master 16750
1983
- GMT-Master 16760
- Explorer II 16550
1986
- Submariner 16610
1988
- Daytona 16520
2000
- Daytona 116520
Model Type
The first two to four digits denote the model.
140 . Submariner (no date)
142 . Oyster Perpetual 34mm and Explorer
143 . Oyster Perpetual 39mm
152 . Oyster Perpetual Date 34mm
162 / 262 . Datejust
164 . Milgauss
165 . Explorer II
166 . Submariner, SeaDweller, Yachtmaster 40mm
167 / 267 . GMT Master II
169 . Air King
1165 . Cosmograph Daytona
182 / 282 . Day-Date
266 . Yachtmaster and Seadweller
269 . Sky-Dweller
Bezel Type
If ref. is 5 to 6 digits long, 2nd to last number describes the bezel type.
0 . Smooth
1 . Rotating
2 . Engraved
3 . Fluted
4 . Gem-Set / Hand-Crafted
6 . Rotatable
7 . Various
Material
The 6th digit denotes the type of metal.
0 . Stainless Steel
1 . Stainless Steel and Everose Gold
2 . Stainless steel and Platinum
3 . Stainless Steel and 18k Yellow gold
4 . Stainless Steel and 18k White gold
5 – Everose
6 – Platinum
8 – 18k Yellow gold
9 – 18k White gold
Model & Start of ref.
A quick guide with model name and beginning of reference number.
Air-King - 55, 140, 116
Date - 15, 150, 115
Datejust - 16, 162, 1162
Datejust II - 1163
Datejust 40 - 1263
Day-Date - 65, 18, 180, 182, 183, 1182
Day-Date II - 2182
Day-Date 40 - 2282
Daytona - 62, 162, 1165
Explorer - 142, 10, 1142, 2142
Explorer II - 16, 165, 2165
Oyster Perpetual - 10, 140, 142, 114
Milgauss - 65, 10, 1164
Sea-Dweller - 16, 166, 1166, 1266
Submariner - 55, 140, 1140
Submariner Date - 16, 166, 168, 1166
GMT-Master - 65, 16, 1675
GMT-Master II - 167, 1167, 1267
Oysterquartz - 170, 190
Yacht-Master - 166, 686, 696, 1686, 1696, 1166
Yacht-Master II - 1166
Sky-Dweller -326