Do You Know What Letters Mean in Rolex Reference Numbers?
If you don’t, here’s a super-quick guide.
The letters are short for French words, and if you ever took basic French at school and remember how to say a handful of colors, you’re in luck.
Black = Noir
Blue = Bleu
Green = Vert
Red = Rouge
Chocolate (aka brown) = Chocolat
Here are some other handy vocab words:
Bezel = Lunette
Crystal = Glace
So, if you see the following letters in Rolex reference numbers, this is what it translates to:
Daytona 116500LN = Lunette Noir = Black Bezel
Submariner 126613LB = Lunette Bleu = Blue Bezel
Submariner 126610LV = Lunette Verte = Green Bezel
GMT-Master II 126719BLRO = Bleu Rouge = Blue Red
GMT-Master II 126710BLNR = Bleu Noir = Blue Black
GMT-Master II 126711CHNR- = Chocolate Noir = Brown Black
GMT-Master II 126720VTNR = Vert Noir = Green Black
Milgauss 116400GV = Glace Verte = Green Crystal
I've worked in different areas of the watch industry over the last 15 years. Now, I'm a freelance luxury watch writer. Instagram @luxwatchwriter. Champion of #ladieswhocrunch.
Thanks for the information. Cheers!
Just wanted to drop a comment in appreciation of informational posts such as this. This post won't generate a ton of ❤ or comments because it doesn't pose a controversial question or contain a cute animal. But months and years from now people will be able to find it and it will add to their store of knowledge when they need it to do so. I can't tell you how many times that I have had a question answered by a random post on a forum, often many years after the post was created. Knowledge is not evenly distributed. This helps.
100% agree with @Aurelian these are the type of posts that as an enthusiast I appreciate because I learn something from them. Thanks for posting!
Just wanted to drop a comment in appreciation of informational posts such as this. This post won't generate a ton of ❤ or comments because it doesn't pose a controversial question or contain a cute animal. But months and years from now people will be able to find it and it will add to their store of knowledge when they need it to do so. I can't tell you how many times that I have had a question answered by a random post on a forum, often many years after the post was created. Knowledge is not evenly distributed. This helps.
Thank you @Aurelian, I appreciate your comment. I’ve learned so much from forums over the years. I’m always happy to share some of my knowledge with newer collectors even if they don‘t ask for it. 🤣 Like you said, it may come in handy down the road.
Thanks for the information. Cheers!
Most welcome! Thanks for commenting 🍻
Very informative! You left out YCAI.
I'll share it here:
Y - You
C - Can't
A- Afford
I- It
OR from an AD's perspective
Y - You
C - Can't
H - Have
O - One
😜
100% agree with @Aurelian these are the type of posts that as an enthusiast I appreciate because I learn something from them. Thanks for posting!
Thank you @Rolexahoma!
Very informative! You left out YCAI.
I'll share it here:
Y - You
C - Can't
A- Afford
I- It
OR from an AD's perspective
Y - You
C - Can't
H - Have
O - One
😜
Ain't that the truth?!
I echo what @Aurelian said. I had previously known most of this, but was completely unaware of the meaning of GV for the Milgauss. Thanks for posting.
I echo what @Aurelian said. I had previously known most of this, but was completely unaware of the meaning of GV for the Milgauss. Thanks for posting.
Thanks @tempus! 🍻
Never really gave this that much thought, but as a Rolex owner, I'm glad I know now.
Informative and provocative! Nice job; this is fun stuff.
Never really gave this that much thought, but as a Rolex owner, I'm glad I know now.
Informative and provocative! Nice job; this is fun stuff.
Thank you! Glad you found it informative 🍻
Thank you! Glad you found it informative 🍻
You are always informative! Always enjoy your contributions here. This is what I want out of a watch forum. Well done, as always.
Goat post