Rolex Clasp Codes, Rolex Bracelet Codes, End Link Numbers
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:39 pm
C&I Oyster (USA made bracelets)
The USA Rolex Oyster bracelets were made from the 1950s through the
end of the 1970s – possibly 1979 being the last year. The C&I bracelets are stamped with two numbers indicating a year, i.e. 59, 68, 69, 78 etc. You will also find another number (possibly two) stamped above the year which designates a month, i.e. 5, 7, 1 etc. The number “1” would correspond to January, “2” for February and so on.
There are no end link numbers for the C&I bracelets.
USA Jubilee (oval link bracelets)
There were at least a couple manufacturers for the USA Jubilees and they are noted for their distinct, solid, oval-link shape – unlike the folded Jubilee links used on the Swiss 6251 Jubilees. Most USA oval-link clasps do not have a date code on the clasp although I have seen it a couple times. When they are dated, it can be found on the top edge of the clasp blade that does not have any additional stampings or trademarks. The outer blade of the clasp is different on the two variations of this bracelet based on the manufacturer and time period. The earlier clasp blade, through the late 1960s, has a large coronet stamped on the outer clasp about 1/4 of the way down from the end of the clasp. The later variation of this clasp blade, made through the late 1970s, has a much smaller clasp coronet that protrudes off the outer edge of the clasp blade.
There are no end link numbers on these bracelets except for a few that I have seen stamped 50 on the left side of the end link.
These "50" end links were possibly used during the 1960s and an educated guess by me would indicate that these end links were used on the GMTs during that period although you will find vintage GMTs with USA oval link bracelets without the "50" stampings as well.
Rolex Swiss bracelets (Jubilee and Oyster)
The Swiss made bracelets, both the Oyster and Jubilee bracelets, contained some type of stamping on the clasp to indicate a year of manufacture. Additionally, not all Swiss bracelets contain the bracelet’s model number on the clasp and occasionally you’ll find one missing the date code. There are many variations of end link numbers for the Swiss Jubilee and Oyster bracelets with the end link number found on the right "ear" of the end link.
ROLEX CLASP CODES
(Swiss made bracelets)
1976 A or VA
1977 B or VB
1978 C or VC
1979 D or VD
1980 E or VE
1981 F or VF
1982 G
1983 H
1984 I
1985 J
1986 K
1987 L
1988 M
1989 N
1990 O
1991 P
1992 Q
1993 R
1994 S
1995 T - W
1996 T - V
1997 U - Z
1998 Z X
1999 X
2000 AB
2001 DE
2002 DT
2003 AD
2004 CL
2005 MA
2006 OP
2007 - EO
2008 - PJ
2009 - LT
2010 - RS
2011 - Random
Below are a couple charts for the Swiss made end links indicating what fits a particular bracelet and/or watch.
The USA Rolex Oyster bracelets were made from the 1950s through the
end of the 1970s – possibly 1979 being the last year. The C&I bracelets are stamped with two numbers indicating a year, i.e. 59, 68, 69, 78 etc. You will also find another number (possibly two) stamped above the year which designates a month, i.e. 5, 7, 1 etc. The number “1” would correspond to January, “2” for February and so on.
There are no end link numbers for the C&I bracelets.
USA Jubilee (oval link bracelets)
There were at least a couple manufacturers for the USA Jubilees and they are noted for their distinct, solid, oval-link shape – unlike the folded Jubilee links used on the Swiss 6251 Jubilees. Most USA oval-link clasps do not have a date code on the clasp although I have seen it a couple times. When they are dated, it can be found on the top edge of the clasp blade that does not have any additional stampings or trademarks. The outer blade of the clasp is different on the two variations of this bracelet based on the manufacturer and time period. The earlier clasp blade, through the late 1960s, has a large coronet stamped on the outer clasp about 1/4 of the way down from the end of the clasp. The later variation of this clasp blade, made through the late 1970s, has a much smaller clasp coronet that protrudes off the outer edge of the clasp blade.
There are no end link numbers on these bracelets except for a few that I have seen stamped 50 on the left side of the end link.
These "50" end links were possibly used during the 1960s and an educated guess by me would indicate that these end links were used on the GMTs during that period although you will find vintage GMTs with USA oval link bracelets without the "50" stampings as well.
Rolex Swiss bracelets (Jubilee and Oyster)
The Swiss made bracelets, both the Oyster and Jubilee bracelets, contained some type of stamping on the clasp to indicate a year of manufacture. Additionally, not all Swiss bracelets contain the bracelet’s model number on the clasp and occasionally you’ll find one missing the date code. There are many variations of end link numbers for the Swiss Jubilee and Oyster bracelets with the end link number found on the right "ear" of the end link.
ROLEX CLASP CODES
(Swiss made bracelets)
1976 A or VA
1977 B or VB
1978 C or VC
1979 D or VD
1980 E or VE
1981 F or VF
1982 G
1983 H
1984 I
1985 J
1986 K
1987 L
1988 M
1989 N
1990 O
1991 P
1992 Q
1993 R
1994 S
1995 T - W
1996 T - V
1997 U - Z
1998 Z X
1999 X
2000 AB
2001 DE
2002 DT
2003 AD
2004 CL
2005 MA
2006 OP
2007 - EO
2008 - PJ
2009 - LT
2010 - RS
2011 - Random
Below are a couple charts for the Swiss made end links indicating what fits a particular bracelet and/or watch.