Tools
CloseWhat year is my Panerai?
Pick the brand. Type the number. We’ll tell you when it was most likely made.
One letter on the case back. One year. The easiest date in watchmaking.
How well the number tells the year
ClearlyClear from 1998, thanks to the year letter.
Where to look
- On the case back, find a line like S 0511/1000. The letter is the year.
- The BB number is the serial. It doesn’t carry a year.
Ask the maker
Panerai doesn’t offer a public archive. The letter on the case back is the best record.
Questions
Where is the serial number on Panerai watches?
On the case back, find a line like S 0511/1000. The letter is the year. The BB number is the serial. It doesn’t carry a year.
Can the serial number tell me when my Panerai was made?
Clear from 1998, thanks to the year letter. One letter on the case back. One year. The easiest date in watchmaking.
Does Panerai keep official records of its watches?
Panerai doesn’t offer a public archive. The letter on the case back is the best record.
Does a matching serial number prove my Panerai 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.