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Here is a simple Rolex serial number list, like most you'll find on other websites. However, the difference in this list is that it includes variations attested to by one of the most knowledgable Rolex collectors in the world. You will also find a concise "Rolex Serial Numer List - Handy Quick Reference" for quickly estimating the date of production of any Rolex oyster watch.

Rolex Serial Number Notes
Completely accurate serial number to date of manufacture cross reference is impossible to obtain. However, this serial number list, with noted variations, is believed to be the most accurate available.

According to information on the WatchNet website, Rolex reached the production number of 999,999 in the early 1950's. Rather than going on to a seven digit system, they started over with serial numbers at 100,000. During this period, Rolex also stamped the inside caseback with production information. Look for the Roman numerals I, II, III, IV ( which denotes which quarter of the year the watch was produced) and a two-digit date code during the 1950's.
In the late '50's, Rolex again reached the 999,999 production serial. This time, they moved into the seven digit serial number system. When Rolex reached 9,999,999, they began using letters as the initial serial identifier. Initially, they used "R"," L", "E" & "X" (O was not used because it might be confused the number 0).
In 1991, Rolex began using other letters [CSWTU, etc]. Early in 1999, "A" became the initial serial identifier. The "A" series was still being used into the first part of 2000, as were "N" & "P".

According to James Dowling, coauthor of The Best of Times: Rolex Wristwatches, serial numbers with "S", "T", "W" and "U" run concurrently -- though some were introduced as early as 1993. In addition,"A" was introduced in late 1997, and ran concurrently with "W" and "U".

The "P" serial numbers were used during 2000 and into the early months of 2001. The "K" series was introduced in mid-2001 and was current as of the second quarter of 2002. During June, 2002, retailers started reporting receipt of Rolex oyster watches with an initial serial indicator of "Y". It was not known at publication time, if "Y" is running concurrent or consecutive with the "K" series serial identifier. The "Y" series continues into the first quarter of 2003.

One additional note of interest: Replacement cases FROM ROLEX will usually (if not always) have a 4,4xx,xxx serial number, no matter the model. This is a standard for Rolex Service Centers to immediately identify an authentic replacement case.

Here is the "Rolex Serial Numer List - Handy Quick Reference" for estimating date of manufacture for Rolex oyster watches from the 1950's through the first quarter of 2003:

Bibliographical Data:

The Rolex Reference Guide
Copyright 1999-2003
by T. Charles Jarman

The Best of Times Rolex Wristwatches An Unauthorized History
Copyright 1996/1999
James M. Dowling & Jeffrey P. Hess, from The Best of Times Rolex Wristwatches
published by Schiffer Publishing Limited.