Again, when it doubt, plug both numbers into Google with the word 'Rolex,' and you should be able to tell which is a model number and which is a serial depending on the search results. Model numbers are generally four, five or six digits long, whereas serial numbers can be up to eight digits long. Remove your bracelet or strap and these should - hopefully - be visible. Rolex is unique in that it parks its model and serial numbers between the watch lugs.

Kelley If the watch is a Rolex, check between the lugs If in doubt, plug in a search for each number along with the name of the watch company and see what comes up. However, you'll need to learn to differentiate between a serial number, which identifies an individual timepiece, and a reference number, which is the model number. Check the back of the watchĭepending on the brand, the era in which it was made, etc, the watch's serial number may be present on the case back - this is especially true of many more modern timepieces.

(Longines, uniquely, offers this service for free for any of its watches - you simply provide them the numbers off your watch and some images and then wait for an answer.) But looking these tables up ahead of time may help you differentiate between a watch's serial number and reference number.

This won't necessarily tell you things like the country to which the watch was delivered - for something like that, you may need to pay to receive an 'extract' from the company's archives, which can cost you a few hundred dollars. Often, you can find online serial number databases that will help you narrow down the age of your watch to the year it was manufactured, or thereabouts. See if there's a free online database of serial numbers from the company When it doubt about which is which, see the note below regarding online databases. The model number may be referred to as the 'style number' or 'reference number,' while the serial number may be listed without any sort of qualifier. You may be able to save yourself some detective work if you have your watch's papers, such as the warranty, receipt, etc. But just where is this number located? Unfortunately, it sort of depends on the watch, but here are some tips to tracking it down: If you have paperwork from the watch, the serial and reference numbers should be there The watch's serial number can, in many cases, help you track down this information in conjunction with online or company-owned databases. Let's say you buy a pre-owned or vintage watch and want some more information on when it was made, what it might be worth, etc.

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