Tools
CloseWhat year is my Citizen?
Pick the brand. Type the number. We’ll tell you when it was most likely made.
The first digit is the year. The second is the month. The model tells us the decade.
How well the number tells the year
RoughlyClear for year and month. The decade comes from the model, so pick it if you can.
Where to look
- The serial is on the case back: a digit for the year, then the month.
- The case code, like E168-S048071, is on the case back too; its first part is the calibre.
Ask the maker
Citizen doesn’t offer a public archive. The serial and the warranty card are the best records.
Questions
Where is the serial number on Citizen watches?
The serial is on the case back: a digit for the year, then the month. The case code, like E168-S048071, is on the case back too; its first part is the calibre.
Can the serial number tell me when my Citizen was made?
Clear for year and month. The decade comes from the model, so pick it if you can. The first digit is the year. The second is the month. The model tells us the decade.
Does Citizen keep official records of its watches?
Citizen doesn’t offer a public archive. The serial and the warranty card are the best records.
Does a matching serial number prove my Citizen is genuine?
No. Real serial numbers are copied onto fakes, so a number that looks right proves nothing on its own. This lookup only estimates when a watch was made. For a proper opinion on authenticity, have the watch inspected with the case back open.
Every answer here is approximate and given to the best of our knowledge, from charts published by dealers and collectors. Watchmakers rarely publish their own.
A correct number doesn’t prove a watch is genuine. For a proper opinion on your watch, bring it in for an inspection, or read how to tell if a watch is genuine.
What you type stays on your device. Nothing is sent to us or anyone else. Please don’t post your full serial number online.
Last checked against the published charts on 5 November 2026.