
Guide to Audemars Piguet Serial Numbers & Reference Numbers
Like many products, watches are furnished with serial numbers and reference numbers. Serial numbers are unique to each watch and can sometimes be used to date the production period. On the other hand, reference numbers (also known as model numbers) denote the specific model, and in some cases, they can also reveal other details such as material, size, color, bracelet type, and so on.
When shopping for high-end watches, it’s important to have a basic understanding of serial numbers and reference numbers. This is especially vital when purchasing pre-owned luxury watches to ensure that what you’re buying is indeed correct. Every brand has a unique system, so here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding Audemars Piguet serial numbers and reference numbers.
Series Lettering Year of Production
YEAR OF PRODUCTION | SERIES |
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2016 to… | J Series |
2013 to 2015 | I Series |
2011 to 2012 | H Series |
2008 to 2010 | G Series |
2001 to 2007 | F Series |
1994 to 2000 | E Series |
1987 to 1994 | D Series |
1980 to 1986 | C Series |
1976 to 1979 | B Series |
1972 to 1975 | A Series |
Series Lettering Year of Production
YEAR OF PRODUCTION | SERIES |
---|---|
1949 | 55551 – 56704 |
1948 | 53518 – 55550 |
1947 | 51614 – 53517 |
1946 | 49596 – 51613 |
1945 | 47950 – 49595 |
1944 | 47542 – 47949 |
1943 | 46552 – 47541 |
1942 | 45656 – 46551 |
1941 | 44936 – 45655 |
1940 | 44648 – 44935 |
1939 | 43951 – 44647 |
1938 | 43786 – 43950 |
1937 | 42875 – 43785 |
1936 | 42777 – 42874 |
1935 | 42660 – 42776 |
1934 | 42627 – 42659 |
1933 | 42588 – 42626 |
1932 | 42586 – 42587 |
1931 | 42532 – 42585 |
1930 | 41578 – 42531 |
1929 | 39845 – 41577 |
1928 | 38577 – 39844 |
1927 | 36850 – 38576 |
1926 | 34506 – 36849 |
1925 | 32714 – 34505 |
1924 | 30674 – 32713 |
1923 | 29705 – 30673 |
1922 | 28821 – 29704 |
1921 | 27585 – 28820 |
1920 | 24805 – 27584 |
1919 | 22926 – 24804 |
1918 | 20916 – 22925 |
1917 | 19525 – 20915 |
1916 | 17726 – 19524 |
1915 | 16931 – 17725 |
1914 | 16676 – 16930 |
1913 | 15590 – 16675 |
1912 | 14736 – 15589 |
1911 | 13763 – 14735 |
1910 | 12852 – 13762 |
1909 | 12631 – 12851 |
1908 | 11826 – 12630 |
1907 | 11576 – 11825 |
1906 | 10220 – 11575 |
1905 | 9512 – 10219 |
1904 | 8718 – 9511 |
1903 | 7893 – 8717 |
1902 | 6934 – 7892 |
1901 | 6725 – 6933 |
1900 | 6295 – 6724 |
1899 | 6105 – 6294 |
1898 | 5991 – 6104 |
1897 | 5774 – 5990 |
1896 | 5621 – 5773 |
1895 | 5437 – 5620 |
1894 | 5197 – 5436 |
1893 | 4506 – 5196 |
1892 | 4341 – 4505 |
Series Lettering Year of Production
YEAR OF PRODUCTION | SERIES |
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1975 |
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1974 |
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1973 |
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1972 |
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1971 |
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1970 |
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1969 |
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1968 |
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1967 |
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1966 |
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1965 |
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1964 |
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1963 |
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1962 |
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1961 |
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1960 |
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1959 |
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1958 |
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1957 |
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1956 |
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1955 |
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1954 |
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1953 |
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1952 |
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1951 |
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1950 |
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Audemars Piguet Reference Numbers
The complete reference number of an AP watch not only tells you the specific model (for example a Royal Oak or a Millenary) but also includes material, collection, and dial codes.
An Audemars Piguet reference number is typically structured like this: #####XX.XX.####XX.## where # represents a number and X represents a letter. For example, 15400ST.OO.1220ST.02.
The first numbers are the model number followed by letters that denote the case material. The most common letters you’ll find in Audemars Piguet reference numbers are as follows:
The next pair of letters in the AP reference number is the bezel code. The most common bezel codes in Audemars Piguet reference numbers are as follows:
- OO – Smooth Bezel
- ZZ – Diamond-Set Bezel
- YG/YY – Colored Gemstone-Set Bezel
- GG – Frosted (Hammered) Gold Bezel
- BA – Yellow Gold
- BC – White Gold
- CB – White Ceramic
- CE – Black Ceramic
- IO – Titanium and Ceramic
- OR – Rose Gold
- PT – Platinum
- RO – Rose Gold and Ceramic
- SA – Steel and Yellow Gold
- SO – Steel and Ceramic
- SR – Steel and Rose Gold
- ST – Stainless Steel
- TI – Titanium
The following set of numbers and letters is the bracelet and/or strap code. Again, the letters denote the material of the bracelet, which in many instances matches the case material letters. However, there are a few additional non-metal bracelet material abbreviations to know:
- CA – Rubber Strap
- CR – Leather Strap
- KB – Rubber-Coated Strap
- VE – Calfskin Strap
The Audemars Piguet reference number is different for each model, and the last two numbers of the reference number are for the “Dial Code”
AP reference numbers are typically composed of 17 digits, but they are usually referred to by the first set of numbers instead of the entire reference number. Unlike Rolex, Audemars watches do not have the reference number on the case, it is only on the original paperwork.
So usually a watch like this one “Ref. 26420SO.OO.A002CA.01” is simply referred to as a “Ref. 26420SO”