Tudor Serial Numbers Guide
Tudor serial numbers can help you estimate when a watch was made, but less precisely than Rolex serials. Tudor has never published an official serial chart, and the charts collectors rely on are pieced together from watches seen in the market. The best way to date a Tudor is to read the serial alongside a few other clues: the logo, the reference number, the movement and the papers.
At NW Timepieces, we buy, sell and authenticate pre-owned and vintage Tudor, and this is the approach we use. Below are the approximate serial charts, where to find the number, and the other dating clues that matter.
Where to Find the Serial Number on a Tudor
- Between the lugs at 6 o’clock. On most Tudors, the serial is engraved on the side of the case, hidden by the bracelet or strap. It has to come off to read it, which is best done with a spring-bar tool and some care.
- Between the lugs at 12 o’clock is usually the reference number (the model), not the serial. On some early pieces, the two positions are reversed.
- On the caseback. Some models carry the serial on the caseback instead.
- On the warranty card. The serial printed on the card should match the case exactly.
Tudor Serial Numbers by Year (Approximate)
These charts are compiled from watches seen in the market, not from Tudor’s records, so treat every date as a rough guide. Find the highest number below your serial to get an approximate year.
Numeric serials, 1956–1984
| Serial number from | Approx. year |
|---|---|
| 240,000 | 1956 |
| 250,000 | 1957 |
| 260,000 | 1958 |
| 270,000 | 1959 |
| 280,000 | 1960 |
| 340,000 | 1961–1962 |
| 390,000 | 1963 |
| 430,000 | 1964–1965 |
| 560,000 | 1966 |
| 590,000 | 1967 |
| 620,000 | 1968 |
| 680,000 | 1969 |
| 740,000 | 1970 |
| Serial number from | Approx. year |
|---|---|
| 750,000 | 1971 |
| 770,000 | 1972 |
| 790,000 | 1973 |
| 810,000 | 1974 |
| 830,000 | 1975 |
| 840,000 | 1976 |
| 860,000 | 1977 |
| 880,000 | 1978 |
| 900,000 | 1979 |
| 930,000 | 1980 |
| 950,000 | 1981 |
| 970,000 | 1982 |
| 980,000 | 1983 |
| 990,000 | 1984 |
Numeric serials after the 1985 restart
Around 1985 the numbering appears to restart at a low number, so the same six-digit serial can belong to a 1950s watch or a mid-1980s one. The reference number and the watch’s style settle which.
| Serial number from | Approx. year |
|---|---|
| 140,000 | 1985 |
| 170,000 | 1986 |
| 190,000 | 1987 |
| 210,000 | 1988 |
| 260,000 | 1989 |
Letter-prefix serials, 1990–2002
| Serial number from | Approx. year |
|---|---|
| B330000 | 1990 |
| B360000 | 1991 |
| B390000 | 1992 |
| B500000 | 1993 |
| B560000 | 1994 |
| B590000 | 1995 |
| B790000 | 1996 |
| Serial number from | Approx. year |
|---|---|
| B850000 | 1997 |
| B990000 | 1998 |
| H130000 | 1999 |
| H170000 | 2000 |
| H240000 | 2001 |
| H300000 | 2002 |
From the 2000s on, there’s no reliable public chart, and modern Tudor serials are effectively random. For a recent Tudor, the warranty card is the date that counts.
Other Ways to Date a Tudor
- Rose or shield. Early Tudor dials carry a rose logo. The shield logo arrived in 1969, so a shield dial points to 1969 or later and a rose dial usually to earlier. Modern heritage models brought the rose back on the crown, so look at the dial, not just the crown.
- Rolex-signed parts. Many vintage Tudors used Rolex Oyster cases, crowns and bracelets, often signed Rolex. That’s correct for the era, not a sign of a fake, but the parts should fit the reference and period.
- The movement. For decades Tudor used modified movements from outside suppliers. Tudor introduced its own in-house calibres in 2015, starting with the MT5621, so an MT-series movement means a modern watch.
- The reference number. Each reference was made over a known window. A serial or logo that falls outside that window is worth a closer look.
- The paperwork. The warranty card shows the sale date and the serial. A card that matches the case is the strongest dating evidence there is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I look up a Tudor serial number online?
Not officially. Tudor doesn’t publish its production records, and the charts on this page and elsewhere are estimates. A Tudor service center can check a watch’s records when it comes in for service.
Do Tudor and Rolex use the same serial numbers?
No. The two brands are run separately and their serial ranges differ, so a Rolex serial chart won’t date a Tudor. Use our Rolex Serial Numbers Guide for Rolex watches.
My Tudor has a Rolex crown and caseback. Is it real?
Very possibly. Vintage Tudors routinely used Rolex-signed cases and parts. What matters is whether every part fits the reference and era. If you’d like a second opinion, contact us.
Does a serial that dates correctly prove a Tudor is authentic?
No. Authentication means checking the dial, movement, case, bracelet and paperwork together. The serial is one clue among several.
I’m thinking of selling my Tudor. What should I have ready?
The serial and reference numbers, clear photos of the dial, case and caseback, and any box, papers or service records. If you’re ready, you can get an offer from us.
This guide is part of the NW Timepieces reference library. We’re a family-owned Pacific Northwest dealer specializing in pre-owned and vintage watches. See also our Rolex Serial Numbers Guide, Rolex Clasp Codes Guide, Omega Serial Numbers Guide and Panerai Serial Numbers Guide, browse our pre-owned Tudor inventory, or contact us for a second opinion.