If you’re researching Rolex watches and landed right here, we’re guessing that you’re a watch fanatic, collector, or horologer. Additionally, because you’re studying this, it might be secure to imagine that you’re exploring the colourful world of Rolex watches.
At this level, you might need already heard or learn the Rolex nicknames equivalent to Pepsi, Root Beer, Coke, Batman, Hulk, and Milgauss.
Yet understanding these nicknames is barely scratching the floor. If you look into the reference numbers of varied Rolex fashions, you may dig down to search out out much more element about them and might know what the watch will appear like simply by studying the code – even with out the watch in entrance of you.
Let’s begin off with the letter codes chances are you’ll encounter on the finish of some reference numbers, equivalent to 126710BLRO, 126711CHNR, and 116400GV.
Guide to Rolex Letter Codes
As background, keep in mind that Rolex is a Geneva-based firm whose official language is French. But fear not, you don’t must study the French language to know the Rolex letter codes, though there are a handful of French phrases equivalent to Bleu, Noir, Rouge, Vert, Chocolat, Lunette, and Glace that can make it easier to perceive the abbreviations of Rolex watch fashions and the way they replicate the colour, model and aesthetic of every mannequin.
BLRO
BLRO stands for Bleu-Rouge, which interprets to “Blue-Red” and is extra generally referred to as “Pepsi.” It refers back to the two-tone Cerachrom bezel on some GMT fashions.
An instance of which might be the Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126710BLRO
BLNR
Next, BLNR stands for Bleu-Noir or “Blue-Black” in English. It is sort of the identical because the earlier code (BLRO), besides that as an alternative of pink, it has black that goes with blue. One of its in style fashions is “Batman” or the Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126710BLNR.
The Rolex Batman has grow to be a extremely sought-after mannequin, and due to its excessive demand, different manufacturers have determined to provide their fashions with the identical colour scheme.
CHNR
CHNR is the code for Chocolat-Noir, which implies “Chocolate-Black.” Rolex fashions with CHNR on their reference numbers characteristic a two-tone ceramic bezel within the mixture of black and chocolate brown. Such a colour scheme is extra in style within the time period Rolex “Root Beer” and could also be seen within the Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126711CHNR.
LN
We transfer ahead to these with just one colour from two-tone bezels – beginning off with LN, that means Lunette Noir or “Black Bezel” in English. Black bezels are fairly prevalent amongst Rolex watches, particularly in Submariner, GMT-Master, and Daytona collections. An instance of which is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Oystersteel ref. 116500LN.
LV
LV stands for Lunette Verte. Verte means “Green” whereas Lunette, as we already know, is “bezel.” Green bezels have grow to be fairly in style amongst watch fanatics. Several fashions with the LV code are nonetheless in excessive demand, such because the Rolex Submariner “Hulk” ref. M116620LV, the older Rolex “Kermit,” and the fashionable Submariner Starbucks.
LB
LB pertains to Lunette Bleu. At this level, you will have simply identified that this implies “Blue Bezel.” Compared to LNs and LVs, Rolexes with blue bezels are uncommon and extra pricey than their sister fashions. The Rolex Submariner ref. 116613LB is an instance of this.
GV
Last on the record is just not about bezels however the dial window glass. GV stands for Glace Verte, which interprets to “inexperienced glass.” Such inexperienced glass is especially distinctive since it’s used solely by Rolex and in just one assortment – Milgauss. This is as a result of growing such inexperienced sapphire crystal is simply too costly and time-consuming. Regardless, the inexperienced sapphire crystal brings a singular and enticing look to the timepiece, equivalent to in Rolex Milgauss ref. 116400GV.
The Rolex Milgauss is well-known as one of many greatest anti-magnetic watches in the marketplace.
