Rolex reference numbers are one of the easiest ways to identify the exact generation, size, material and configuration of a Rolex watch.
However, the same Rolex model can have several generations and dozens of references. A Submariner 116610, for example, belongs to a different generation from the current 126610, while a Daytona 116500LN is the predecessor of the current 126500LN.
This guide covers the major Rolex collections from 2010 to the present:
- Cosmograph Daytona
- GMT-Master II
- Oyster Perpetual
- Datejust
- Submariner
- Yacht-Master
The focus is on mainstream production references rather than rare gem-set and off-catalogue watches.
Rolex Daytona Reference Guide
Daytona Generation 1: 116xxx
The six-digit Daytona generation was already established by 2010 and remained the core Daytona family until Rolex introduced the 126xxx generation in 2023.
Steel Daytona
| Reference | Approx. period | Material | Bezel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 116520 | 2000–2016 | Stainless steel | Steel |
| 116500LN | 2016–2023 | Oystersteel | Black ceramic |
The 116500LN replaced the 116520 in 2016 and introduced a black Cerachrom ceramic bezel to the steel Daytona.
Two-Tone Daytona
| Reference | Approx. period | Material |
| 116523 | Until 2016 | Steel + yellow gold |
| 116503 | 2016–2023 | Oystersteel + yellow gold |
Yellow Gold Daytona
| Reference | Approx. period | Configuration |
| 116528 | Until 2016 | Yellow gold bracelet |
| 116508 | 2016–2023 | Yellow gold bracelet |
| 116518LN | 2017–2023 | Yellow gold + Oysterflex |
Everose Gold Daytona
| Reference | Approx. period | Configuration |
| 116505 | 2008–2023 | Everose gold bracelet |
| 116515LN | 2011–2023 | Everose gold + Oysterflex |
White Gold Daytona
| Reference | Approx. period | Configuration |
| 116509 | 2004–2023 | White gold bracelet |
| 116519LN | 2017–2023 | White gold + Oysterflex |
Daytona Generation 2: 126xxx — 2023 to Present
Rolex redesigned the Daytona family in 2023 and introduced calibre 4131.
| Reference | Material / configuration |
| 126500LN | Oystersteel |
| 126503 | Yellow Rolesor |
| 126508 | Yellow gold bracelet |
| 126518LN | Yellow gold + Oysterflex |
| 126505 | Everose gold bracelet |
| 126515LN | Everose gold + Oysterflex |
| 126509 | White gold bracelet |
| 126519LN | White gold + Oysterflex |
| 126506 | Platinum |
The current steel Cosmograph Daytona is ref. 126500LN, a 40 mm Oystersteel chronograph with a black Cerachrom bezel.
Daytona Generation Summary
116520 → 116500LN → 126500LN
For the steel Daytona, this is the key evolution to remember.
Rolex GMT-Master II Reference Guide
GMT-Master II Generation: 116xxx
The 116xxx GMT-Master II family dominated the early 2010s.
| Reference | Approx. period | Material / bezel |
| 116710LN | 2007–2019 | Steel, black bezel |
| 116710BLNR | 2013–2019 | Steel, blue/black bezel |
| 116713LN | Until 2019 | Steel/yellow gold, black |
| 116718LN | Until 2019 | Yellow gold, black |
| 116719BLRO | 2014–2018 | White gold, red/blue |
Rolex introduced the blue-and-black ceramic 116710BLNR in 2013 and the white-gold red-and-blue 116719BLRO in 2014.
GMT-Master II Generation: 126xxx
The current generation uses calibre 3285 and includes a much broader range of bezel combinations.
| Reference | Introduced | Material / configuration |
| 126710BLRO | 2018 | Oystersteel, red/blue |
| 126710BLNR | 2019 | Oystersteel, blue/black |
| 126711CHNR | 2018 | Everose Rolesor, brown/black |
| 126715CHNR | 2018 | Everose gold, brown/black |
| 126719BLRO | 2018 | White gold, red/blue |
| 126720VTNR | 2022 | Oystersteel, green/black, left crown |
| 126713GRNR | 2023 | Yellow Rolesor, grey/black |
| 126718GRNR | 2023 | Yellow gold, grey/black |
| 126710GRNR | 2024 | Oystersteel, grey/black |
| 126729VTNR | 2025 | White gold, green/black, left crown |
Rolex introduced the unusual left-handed 126720VTNR in 2022. The winding crown sits on the left and the date appears at 9 o'clock.
In 2025 Rolex expanded the concept with the 126729VTNR, an 18 ct white-gold GMT-Master II featuring Rolex's first green Cerachrom ceramic dial.
GMT Generation Summary
116710 → 126710
For the mainstream steel GMT-Master II, this is the main generational change.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Reference Guide
Unlike the Professional models, Oyster Perpetual references vary substantially according to case diameter.
Pre-2020 Generation
| Size | Reference | Approx. period |
| 26 mm | 176200 | Until mid-2010s |
| 31 mm | 177200 | Until 2020 |
| 34 mm | 114200 | Until 2020 |
| 36 mm | 116000 | Until 2020 |
| 39 mm | 114300 | 2015–2020 |
The 39 mm 114300 was the largest Oyster Perpetual of its generation. Rolex documentation confirms the 114300 as a 39 mm Oystersteel model powered by calibre 3132.
2020 Generation
Rolex completely reorganized the Oyster Perpetual range in 2020.
| Size | Reference |
| 28 mm | 276200 |
| 31 mm | 277200 |
| 34 mm | 124200 |
| 36 mm | 126000 |
| 41 mm | 124300 |
The new 36 mm 126000, for example, introduced calibre 3230 with approximately 70 hours of power reserve.
2026 Oyster Perpetual Changes
Rolex made another significant change to the collection in 2026.
Oyster Perpetual 41
| Reference | Material |
| 134300 | Oystersteel |
| 134303 | Oystersteel + yellow gold |
The steel OP41 is now 134300, while the new Yellow Rolesor version is 134303.
Oyster Perpetual 36
| Reference | Material |
| 126000 | Oystersteel |
| 126003 | Oystersteel + yellow gold |
The Yellow Rolesor 126003 was introduced for Rolex's 2026 centenary celebration of the Oyster case.
Rolex's current Oyster Perpetual family is offered in 28, 31, 34, 36 and 41 mm sizes.
Rolex Datejust Reference Guide
The Datejust is considerably more complicated because reference numbers vary by:
- Case diameter
- Steel or Rolesor construction
- Smooth or fluted bezel
- Gold colour
- Generation
The easiest way to understand the Datejust is therefore by size.
Datejust II — 41 mm
Produced during the first half of the 2010s.
| Reference | Material / bezel |
| 116300 | Steel, smooth |
| 116334 | Steel/white gold, fluted |
| 116333 | Steel/yellow gold |
| 116331 | Steel/Everose gold |
The Datejust II was subsequently replaced by the redesigned Datejust 41.
Datejust 41
Introduced in the mid-2010s.
| Reference | Material |
| 126300 | Oystersteel |
| 126334 | Oystersteel + white gold |
| 126333 | Oystersteel + yellow gold |
| 126331 | Oystersteel + Everose gold |
A useful distinction is:
126300 = smooth steel bezel
126334 = white-gold fluted bezel
Rolex currently identifies the 126300 as a 41 mm Oystersteel Datejust and the 126334 as a 41 mm White Rolesor Datejust.
Datejust 36
Earlier generation
| Reference | Material / configuration |
| 116200 | Steel |
| 116234 | Steel + white gold |
| 116233 | Steel + yellow gold |
| 116231 | Steel + Everose gold |
| 116203 | Steel/yellow gold, smooth |
| 116201 | Steel/Everose gold, smooth |
Current generation
| Reference | Material / configuration |
| 126200 | Oystersteel |
| 126234 | White Rolesor |
| 126233 | Yellow Rolesor |
| 126231 | Everose Rolesor |
| 126203 | Yellow Rolesor, smooth |
| 126201 | Everose Rolesor, smooth |
The change from 116xxx → 126xxx is the easiest way to recognize the major Datejust 36 generation change.
Datejust 31
Earlier generation
Common references include:
- 178240
- 178274
- 178273
- 178271
Current generation
Common references include:
- 278240
- 278274
- 278273
- 278271
Again, the move from 178xxx → 278xxx identifies the newer generation.
Lady-Datejust
26 mm generation
Common references during the early 2010s include:
- 179160
- 179174
- 179173
- 179171
28 mm generation
The Lady-Datejust moved to 28 mm in 2015.
Main references include:
- 279160
- 279174
- 279173
- 279171
Rolex Submariner Reference Guide
The Submariner has one of the clearest generational histories of any modern Rolex.
40 mm Ceramic Generation
Submariner Date
| Reference | Material / bezel |
| 116610LN | Steel, black |
| 116610LV | Steel, green |
| 116613LN | Steel/yellow gold, black |
| 116613LB | Steel/yellow gold, blue |
| 116618LN | Yellow gold, black |
| 116618LB | Yellow gold, blue |
| 116619LB | White gold, blue |
Submariner No-Date
| Reference | Approx. period |
| 14060M | Until 2012 |
| 114060 | 2012–2020 |
41 mm Submariner Generation — 2020 to Present
Rolex increased the Submariner case from 40 mm to 41 mm in 2020.
| Reference | Material / bezel |
| 124060 | Oystersteel, no date |
| 126610LN | Oystersteel, black |
| 126610LV | Oystersteel, green bezel |
| 126613LN | Yellow Rolesor, black |
| 126613LB | Yellow Rolesor, blue |
| 126618LN | Yellow gold, black |
| 126618LB | Yellow gold, blue |
| 126619LB | White gold, blue bezel |
Submariner Generation Summary
14060M → 114060 → 124060
for the no-date Submariner.
And:
116610 → 126610
for the modern Submariner Date.
Rolex Yacht-Master Reference Guide
The Yacht-Master requires classification by diameter because Rolex has produced several sizes simultaneously.
Yacht-Master 40
Earlier References
| Reference | Material / configuration |
| 16622 | Steel + platinum |
| 16623 | Steel + yellow gold |
| 116622 | Steel + platinum |
| 116621 | Steel + Everose gold |
| 116655 | Everose gold + Oysterflex |
Current Generation
| Reference | Material / configuration |
| 126622 | Oystersteel + platinum |
| 126621 | Oystersteel + Everose gold |
| 126655 | Everose gold + Oysterflex |
Rolex currently lists the 126622 as a 40 mm Rolesium Yacht-Master combining Oystersteel with a platinum bezel.
Yacht-Master 37
The 37 mm Yacht-Master replaced the older midsize versions.
| Reference | Material |
| 268622 | Oystersteel + platinum |
| 268621 | Oystersteel + Everose gold |
| 268655 | Everose gold + Oysterflex |
Rolex currently offers both 268622 Rolesium and 268655 Everose-gold versions.
Yacht-Master 42
The Yacht-Master 42 was introduced in 2019.
| Reference | Introduced | Material |
| 226659 | 2019 | White gold |
| 226658 | 2022 | Yellow gold |
| 226627 | 2023 | RLX titanium |
The 226627 marked a major development for the collection, combining a 42 mm case with Rolex's RLX titanium.
The current white-gold 226659 and yellow-gold 226658 versions use Oysterflex bracelets.
Quick Rolex Generation Reference
| Model | Earlier generation | Newer/current generation |
| Daytona | 116xxx | 126xxx |
| GMT-Master II | 116xxx | 126xxx |
| Submariner | 114/116xxx | 124/126xxx |
| Oyster Perpetual | 114/116xxx | 124/126/134xxx |
| Datejust 41 | 116xxx Datejust II | 126xxx |
| Datejust 36 | 116xxx | 126xxx |
| Datejust 31 | 178xxx | 278xxx |
| Lady-Datejust | 179xxx | 279xxx |
| Yacht-Master 40 | 116xxx | 126xxx |
| Yacht-Master 37 | — | 268xxx |
| Yacht-Master 42 | — | 226xxx |
What Do the Letters After a Rolex Reference Mean?
Many modern Rolex Professional models include letters after their numeric reference.
These letters usually describe the colour of the bezel.
Examples:
LN — Lunette Noire
Black bezel.
Example: 116610LN
LV — Lunette Verte
Green bezel.
Example: 126610LV
BLNR — Bleu/Noir
Blue and black.
Example: 126710BLNR
BLRO — Bleu/Rouge
Blue and red.
Example: 126710BLRO
CHNR — Chocolat/Noir
Brown and black.
Example: 126711CHNR
GRNR — Gris/Noir
Grey and black.
Example: 126710GRNR
VTNR — Vert/Noir
Green and black.
Example: 126720VTNR
LN can also appear on Daytona references such as 126500LN, indicating the black Cerachrom bezel.
How to Identify Your Rolex Reference
The safest way to identify a Rolex is to use the complete reference rather than relying only on the model name.
For example:
Rolex Submariner 126610LV
- Collection: Submariner
- Generation: 126xxx
- Size: 41 mm
- Material: Oystersteel
- Date: Yes
- Bezel: Green Cerachrom
- Current generation
Compared with:
Rolex Submariner 116610LV
- Collection: Submariner
- Previous 40 mm generation
- Oystersteel
- Date
- Green Cerachrom bezel
Although both are commonly called the “green Submariner,” they belong to different generations and use different cases.
The same principle applies across the Rolex collection: when identifying a watch, ordering accessories or checking compatibility, always use the complete reference number whenever possible.
