116400 Appreciating The Rolex Reference NumberĪs you can see, once you understand the Rolex reference number structure, it is easier to recognize the details of a specific watch such as the type of materials Rolex uses to manufacture the watch, type of bezel, dial color, and which model you have.
This does not apply to Rolex sports watches such as the Rolex Submariner, GMT-Master, Explorer, Daytona, and so on. But this is only applicable to Rolex dress watches such as the Datejust, Date, Day-Date, and Oyster Perpetual. The second-to-last digit in a five or six-digit Rolex reference number can also indicate the bezel style of the watch. While the first few digits denote the model type, the last digit in five and six-digit Rolex reference numbers (not four-digit ones) indicates the material of the watch. Rolex Reference Numbers Indicate Case Materials and Bezel Style
Early in Rolex’s history, reference numbers were four digits long. Depending on the era, Rolex reference numbers can be four to six digits long.