Understanding the Rolex Rehaut

Powerfunk Friday, October 13th, 2023 5 min. read

Rolex dials, hands, cases and movements are frequently scrutinized and obsessed over by collectors. Sometimes, though, other less-celebrated watch parts deserve attention too. The rehaut is one such part. Today we’re going to take a look at the Rolex rehaut, what it looks like, and how it’s changed over the years.

Rolex Datejust Ref 116200
Rolex Datejust Ref 116200

What is the Rehaut on a Rolex?

A rehaut is the part of a watch (not necessarily a Rolex) that can be considered the “rim” between the dial and crystal. Collectors often bring up Rolex rehauts in the context of “engraved rehaut” vs. “non-engraved rehaut.” The engraving they’re referring to is the word ROLEX repeated around the rehaut, with just enough room for a serial number at the bottom and a crown logo at the top.

When Did Rolex Watches Get Engraved Rehauts?

The very first engraved Rolex rehauts appeared in 2004, although they didn’t become common until 2005. These Rolex-branded rehauts were phased in throughout the lineup in the following years, until by 2008 every Oyster reference had it. Early examples of the Rolex 114270 rehaut are plain, but aside from that, all 6-digit Rolex sports models have engraved rehauts.

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When Did the Rolex 16570 Rehaut and Rolex 16610 Rehaut Get Engravings?

2007 is when 5-digit Rolex sports models seemed to start getting engraved rehauts.

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Do All Rolexes Have Rehaut Engravings?

Since 2008, all Rolex Oyster models have an engraved rehaut, but dress watches, like the discontinued Cellini lineup, do not have engraved rehauts. Here’s the 1908 Perpetual, proudly displaying its non-engraved rehaut:

Rolex 1908 Perpetual, the only 2023 Rolex model without an engraved rehaut. Photo credit: Rolex

Why Does Rolex Engrave the Rehaut?

Well, in addition to looking cool, Rolex’s engraved rehauts act as an anti-counterfeiting measure. Although some of the more accurate counterfeits replicate the engraved rehaut passably, in most cases, the engraving won’t be up to par. Low-quality rehaut engravings are one way to tell if your Rolex is fake.

Should the Rolex Rehaut Alignment Be Perfect?

Not necessarily. The Rolex rehaut alignment is frequently imperfect, but it should be close. The hash mark at the top of the dial may not perfectly bisect the engraved Rolex crown, but it shouldn’t be more than a smidge in either direction. Here’s an example of imperfect but acceptable rehaut alignment:

Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126711 CHNR with fairly typical rehaut alignment. Photo credit: Luxury Bazaar

Where is the Serial Number on the Rehaut?

The serial number on an engraved Rolex rehaut is located at 6 o’clock. Since 2012, when Rolex started randomizing their serial numbers, serials have been eight digits long.

Blurred serial on a Datejust 31, skillfully Photoshopped by the Luxury Bazaar photo team

Should I Hide My Watch Serial Online?

You really don’t need to, but some people feel more comfortable doing so. You may have noticed that the watches for sale on Luxury Bazaar have their serial numbers blurred out. This makes sense for grey watch dealers to do, because watch manufacturers have been known to peruse resellers’ sites to see which hot models have been quickly flipped and in turn reprimand the authorized dealer responsible. Blurring the serial can help protect those relationships all around. But there’s less of a need for an individual enthusiast to worry about it when sharing watch pics online.

Internet commenters often say “Your Rolex serial number is visible! Counterfeiters can copy it!” But, that doesn’t seem to really be a problem in the real world. Only Rolex can look up a serial number, and a counterfeiter would tend to want to make a watch with a serial number that doesn’t return any matches on the web. We are unaware of any real-life examples of somebody running into problems selling a watch because a counterfeiter “copied” the serial.

Evolution of the Rehaut Typeface (Outline to Sandblasted)

It’s worth mentioning that Rolex slightly updated the style of their engraved rehaut in 2015. The “ROLEXROLEXROLEX” lettering changed from hollow block letters to an etched/sandblasted finish. Although the term “etched rehaut” might be more accurate, collectors just call them all “engraved rehauts.”

Old hollow block letter engraved rehaut (2004-2015, top) vs. newer sandblasted rehaut lettering style (2015+, bottom)
Photo credit: Luxury Bazaar

Is the Engraved Rehaut Different on Ladies’ Models?

Yes, the engraved “Rolex” rehaut text on ladies’ models is slightly flatter and more spaced out. It’s a subtle difference, and presumably just a matter of having a smaller rehaut to work with. The example shown below has the pre-2015 rehaut engraving style, but later ladies’ models got the same sandblasted typeface update as the men’s.

Rolex Datejust 31 Ref. 178344
Rolex Datejust 31 Ref. 178344

Different Rolex Rehauts?

Other than the subtle differences noted above, and the fact that gold and two-tone models come with gold rehauts while steel models come with steel ones, Rolex rehauts are pretty much all the same. Although we don’t often think of it as a signature Rolex design element, Rolex has used that same trusty flat metal ring style for almost all of its watches for years. There have only been a few exceptions, like the Deepsea (with its extra-chonky rehaut with ostentatious “Original Gas Escape Valve” branding on the top) and the ref. 1530 from the 1970’s (with a tall, sloped rehaut that acted as an extension of the dial).

That should be just about everything you need to know about the Rolex rehaut. Whether it’s engraved or non-engraved, you can count on seeing that shiny flat-sided metal circle on almost every Rolex you come across.

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