CHRISTIAN DIOR vintage perfumes and batch codes: a guide.

Christian Dior Perfumes. Historic advertisement
 Image posted for purely informative and historical purposes.
All rights belong to their legitimate owners.

*****Originally published in 2013; fully updated on 2026 with new insights. All photos feature perfume bottles that have been fully authenticated and verified*****

A complete guide to Christian Dior perfumes, from vintage classics to modern creations, covering historical periods, boxes, bottles, labels, and all the details you need to identify authentic Dior fragrances.

Introduction: the historical importance of Christian Dior Fragrances

When Christian Dior unveiled his first haute couture collection in 1947 (the celebrated "New Look", he did more than revolutionize women’s fashion. He delivered a broader message: beauty had to become whole again, sensual, generous. And that same year saw the birth of Parfums Christian Dior, along with the house’s first fragrance, "Miss Dior". 

Christian Dior never regarded perfumery as a mere accessory to couture. He openly defined himself as a fashion designer and creator of perfumes. In his view, an elegant woman should leave behind an olfactory signature as distinctive as her silhouette. With this vision, he elevated fragrance to the status of a haute couture discipline, treating it with the same artisanal care, luxury, and creative ambition reserved for his garments. Miss Dior  was more than a perfume; it was a symbolic act of postwar renewal. Dedicated to his sister Catherine, the fragrance blended the floral freshness of their mother’s garden with a longing for lightness, love, and regained freedom. It became the scent of European reconstruction and optimism after the WWII. In the decades that followed, the house continued to define entire eras: Eau Sauvage (1966) virtually invented the modern, transparent masculine fragrance, Poison (1985) embodied the olfactory audacity of the 1980s, J’adore (1999) emerged as an emblem of contemporary feminine luxury. And many, many others.

Dior fragrances have therefore represented far more than mere compositions. They have served as olfactory manifestos for each decade, mirrors of social change and expressions of femininity, masculinity, rebellion, and elegance. Even today, wearing a vintage Christian Dior fragrance means belonging to a story nearly eighty years in the making: a form of luxury that does not merely seek to be seen, but to be breathed in.

This is why Dior fragrances are so important, quite apart from the quality of their ingredients: they are true emblems of their time.

Many Dior fragrances have remained in production for decades, but over the years they have been reformulated, sometimes quite heavily, and can now differ significantly from their original versions. For this reason, it is essential to learn how to identify them in all their editions.

An example of Batch-code written on the cellophane.
It's very easily erased or lost (year 1995, Tendre Poison) 

Five key elements for quickly dating Christian Dior fragrances.

Are you in a hurry ? There are five immediate elements that can be used for dating a Christian Dior fragrance :

1 - Barcode/greendot

2 - Address
3 - Estimated sign

4 - Unusual amounts (54 ml, 112 ml, 226 ml...)

5 - Brand label ("Dior" or "Christian Dior")

The sixth indicator is the batch code, which is more technical in nature and less immediately intuitive.

1- BARCODE - GREENDOT

If you are short on time, the single most important detail to check is the presence (or absence) of the traditional EAN barcode and/or the GreenDot symbol on the box. Christian Dior began using the EAN barcode (bars and numbers) in 1991, a date of particular significance, as it coincides with the introduction of the first truly consequential IFRA restrictions, including the well-known—and often lamented—oakmoss concentration limit of 0.6%. The Green Dot symbol followed shortly thereafter, in 1992. As a result, the presence of either the barcode or the Green Dot can be considered a reliable chronological marker.

In practical terms, if the traditional barcode does not appear on the box, the fragrance predates 1991.

Tendre Poison, can you see the EAN "Barcode" 
on the side of the box ? 
This means = after 1990-91

"Poison", you can note the GreenDot symbol
on the bottom of the box
= after 1992

2 - ADDRESS 

A second, equally important clue is the address printed on the box or the bottle. Prior to 1990–1991, Christian Dior used the address “30 Avenue Hoche, Paris.” 

After 1990–1991, this was changed to “33 Avenue Hoche, Paris.” In simple terms, the street number shifted from 30 to 33.

If the box or the base of the bottle bears the address with number 30, the fragrance most likely predates 1991. Conversely, if the address reads number 33, it is probably from the post-1991 period.

A note of caution: during transitional periods, mixed indicators do occur. It is not uncommon to find a bottle marked “30” paired with a box marked “33,” or to encounter the earlier address on a newer bottle. These inconsistencies are typical of changeover phases between the old and the new.

Eau Sauvage, old address "30 Avenue Hoche" + no barcode
= before 1991 .

3 - ESTIMATED SIGN 

Another useful indicator is the Estimated Sign (a symbol resembling a small “e”), which began to appear in the late 1970s to early 1980s. If this symbol is absent from the box, you can be confident that the fragrance predates 1980.

More generally speaking, the absence of the Estimated Sign on the packaging is a strong indication of an early (or truly vintage) perfume.

Unusual amount (112ml., instead of classic "100ml") 
+ estimated sign, 
+ no barcode
= probably beginning of the 1980s.

4 - UNUSUAL  AMOUNTS

Occasionally, you may come across unusual bottle sizes instead of the traditional 25 ml, 30 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml, 200 ml, and so on. Sizes such as 54 ml, 112 ml, or 226 ml do exist. In these cases, the fragrance generally dates from before 1990, as these unconventional sizes were phased out by the late 1980s.

5- "DIOR" / "CHRISTIAN DIOR" label 

Starting in 2001, the logo on the front of certain perfume boxes began to shift from “Christian Dior” to the simpler “Dior.” This change affected both boxes and bottles, though not simultaneously. 

The best way to date your perfume is the BATCH CODE.

Understanding Batch-Codes: two different styles

Batch codes (also known as batch numbers) identify production runs and are extremely useful for dating a bottle. Let us begin with the most recent period.

Since 1998, Dior has used a four-character batch code in which the first character is always a number and the second is always a letter.

In brief, when encountering a Dior fragrance with a four-character batch code following this format, where the first character is a number and the second is a letter: the letter range allows the production period to be identified.

The letter ranges A–M and N–Z alternate every ten years. This is an important detail to keep in mind.

Letters A–M : from 1998 to 2007

Letters N-Z : from 2008 to 2017

Than again letters A-M, from 2018 to 2027.

If the first character is a number and the second is a letter between A and M, the bottle dates in these years.

Examples: 

8A01 = 1998 (or 2018)

1B01 = 2001 (or 2021)

5D02 = 2005 (or 2025)

Letters N–Z : from 2008 to 2017.

If the first character is a number and the second is a letter between N and Z, the bottle dates from 2008 to 2017.

Examples: 

8P01 = 2008 

1Q02 = 2011 

4P03 = 2014

But how can we determine whether we are dealing, for example, with the 1998–2007 decade or with 2018–2027? In such cases, we must rely on additional elements of the packaging (or date of launch) to reach a correct conclusion.

Examples of batch-codes.

Let us examine this in greater detail, starting with the A-M letters  (1998–2007 and 2018-2027). The first character of the batch code is a number indicating the year, while the second character is a letter from A to M (the first half of the alphabet) and denotes the month of production. The system works as follows:

8Axx = 1998 January   (or 2018, January)  

8Bxx = 1998 February   (or 2018, February)

8Cxx = 1998 March    (or 2018, March)

8Dxx = 1998 April    (or 2018, April)

8Exx = 1998 May   (or 2018, May, and so on)

8Fxx = 1998 June

8Gxx = 1998 July

8Hxx = 1998 August

8Jxx = 1998 September

8Kxx = 1998 October

8Lxx = 1998 November

8Mxx = 1998 December

You then re-start with the number 9, indicating 1999:

9Axx = 1999 January (or 2019, January )

9Bxx = 1999 February (or 2019, February)

9Cxx = 1999 March  (or 2019, March)

9Dxx = 1999 April  (or 2019, April)

9Exx = 1999 May  (or 2019, May , and so on)

9Fxx = 1999 June

9Gxx = 1999 July

9Hxx = 1999 August

9Jxx = 1999 September

9Kxx = 1999 Oct.

9Lxx = 1999 November

9Mxx = 1999 December

then 0, indicating year 2000:
0Axx = 2000 January (or 2020, January )

0Bxx = 2000 February  (or 2020, February)

0Cxx = 2000 March (or 2020, March, and so on)

0Dxx = 2000 April

0Exx = 2000 May

0Fxx = 2000 June

0Gxx = 2000 July

0Hxx = 2000 August

0Jxx = 2000 September

0Kxx = 2000 Oct.

0Lxx = 2000 November

0Mxx = 2000 December

CAUTION:  letter "I " was not used, because it is too similar to the number "1"

At last, you will arrive to the last number : 7Mxx = 2007 (or 2017) December.

Eau Sauvage Extreme: four digits codes, adopted since 1998: 
2J02 (first half of the alphabet) = year 2002  

From 2008 onward, a similar system was retained, but the months were indicated by letters from the second half of the alphabet (N to Z). Accordingly:

8Nxx = 2008 January

8Pxx = 2008 February

8Qxx = 2008 March

8Rxx = 2008 April

8Sxx = 2008 May

8Txx = 2008 June
8Uxx= 2008 July
8Vxx = 2008 August
8Wxx = 2008 September
8Xxx = 2008 October
8Yxx = 2008 November
8Zxx = 2008 December

and so on....

CAUTION: "O" not used, since it's too similar to zero.

Dior Homme Intense: four-digits codes
0T02 = year 2010

If we find a Dior fragrance with a four-digit batch code with "a number, then a letter of the first half of the alphabet (A to M)", we know that can be dated to 1998-2007 or 2018-2027.

But if the four-digit code contains a number and a letter from the second half of the alphabet (N to Z), then it is 2008-2017.

The obvious question, then, is this: everything is clear after 1998: but what about before 1998? This brings us to a crucial point. Prior to 1998, batch codes followed different formats, and learning to recognize them is essential.

Before 1998 : Vintage and different batch-codes.

So far, we have examined the batch-code system in use from 1998 to the present. But what about the period before 1998?

Here, the situation becomes more complex. A similar (though not identical) logic applies, with batch codes consisting of a variable number of characters: three, four, or five. In these cases, the first number indicates the year of production.

To interpret these earlier codes correctly, it is essential to rely on additional clues, including:

The presence or absence of an EAN barcode and/or Green Dot (remember: Barcodes were introduced in 1990–1991, and the Green Dot in 1992);

The address printed on the box or bottle ("30" or "33" Avenue Hoche?)

The launch year of the fragrance (easily verified online);

The presence or absence of the Estimated Sign, or the use of unusual bottle sizes such as 54 ml, 112 ml, or 216 ml.....

This approach is necessarily empirical and somewhat imprecise; it is best understood as a method for arriving at a reasonable approximation, rather than an exact date.

In general, when a Dior batch code does not follow the standard four-character format discussed earlier, the fragrance can be safely dated to before 1998. As noted, the first number encountered indicates the production year.

Examples:

8R323 (no EAN barcode, address “30 Avenue Hoche”) = 1988

4321P (EAN barcode present, address “33 Avenue Hoche”) = 1994

(There is one notable exception: a small number of bottles produced in 1998 still carry a five-character batch code, notably Eau de Dolce Vita.)

A more complex example: suppose you find the batch code “7231R” on a bottle of Christian Dior’s Poison. Does this indicate 1957, 1967, 1977, 1987, or 1997? Since Poison was launched in 1985, the plausible options narrow to 1987 or 1997. Checking the packaging resolves the question: if the box lacks an EAN barcode, the most likely production year is 1987.

Another example: we find a bottle of "Diorella". It indicates "216 ml", with no symbol, and only the address "30 Avenue Hoche ," what will it be? In this case we do not know precisely, but the absence of any symbol and the "unusual quantity" makes us definitely go back before 1990. 

In this way, admittedly a highly empirical one, a fragrance can be traced back at least to the 1970s and 1980s.

-------------------------------
UPDATE April 2016: 
a guest post describing the importance of the "Formula" written on all Dior boxes (EdT, EdP, Parfum, aftershaves) since year 2004-2005.
------------------------------

(I would want to thank to many Basenotes users: Osoblanco, Zazzy, Sims1974, nfn1983, PaulP, RoRo and many others)

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TUTORIAL PICTURES

DIOR Perfumes
year-by-year
------------------------------------------------

1977

Dior-Dior, launched in 1976
batch 740G , no barcode, no estimation sign, no EMB code
 = year 1977

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1978

Diorissimo, batch 89X = year 1978

--------------------------------------------------

1981

(from ebay) Dior-Dior, created in 1976,
no barcode, 112 ml., batch nr. 1231M
= year 1981

Unusual amount (112ml.) + estimation sign, no barcode
= probably beginning of the 1980s.

Diorissimo, no barcode, address 30 Avenue Hoche
batch 1E049 = Year 1981

Dior-Dior, batch 1203M = year 1981

A quite unusual Diorella bottle with a sticker
(provided by distributor) reporting date:
14-september-1981

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1984

Diorissimo, batch 4U335 + old address
 = year 1984


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1985

"Jules", launched in 1980, old address "30 avenue Hoche",
no barcode on the box, batch number 5488K
= year 1985

Miss Dior, batch 5621K + old address
= year 1985

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1987

(from ebay)
Miss Dior,  batch nr. 7E281, no barcode.
Old address "30 avenue Hoche" = year 1987

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1988

(from Zezzy, Basenotes)
 8Y532 = year 1988
(check the old address "30 Avenue Hoche")

Poison, batch 8W31 + old address
= year 1988

(from Sims1974, Basenotes)

Fahrenheit, 8R260 on the cellophane wrap = year 1988
(note the old address "30 Avenue Hoche")

Eau Sauvage, old address + no barcode
= before 1991 

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1989

Poison, batch 977F + old address
= year 1989

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1990

Poison, Batch code 032R + no Barcode 
+ old address "30 avenue Hoche"
= year 1990

Diorissimo, new address "33 avenue Hoche" + barcode
batch code Y0806 = probably year 1990.

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1991

1P678 = year 1991

Miss Dior "Amphora"
batch 1P678 = year 1991

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1995

Fahrenheit, batch  5Nxxx = year 1995

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1996

(from ebay) "Fahrenheit", batch number 6V285
new address "33, avenue Hoche"
=year 1996

Poison, batch code 6X449 + Greendot
= year 1996 (from ebay)

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1997

Fahrenheit, new address "33 avenue Hoche" + barcode, 
batch number 7473J = year 1997 

Dune pour Homme,

7279K = year 1997  

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

year 1998: SWITCHING TO 
4 DIGITS CODES

(using the first half of alphabet: A-to-M)

-------------------------------------------------------

.....but PAY ATTENTION HERE !!!!

From Damian, Poland.
 Here is a bottle of Eau de Dolce Vita, launched in 1998.
Here you can find the last 5-digits batch code (8214P)
used in first months of 1998 only.
After this, the code switched to 4-digits batches
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

batch 8G03 = year 1998

batch 8H01 = year 1998

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1999

(From Ro.Ro, Basenotes)
batch 9M01 = year 1999

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2000

Fahrenheit, batch 0L01 = Year 2000

Jules, batch 0F01 = year 2000

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2001

(from PaulP, Basenotes)
batch 1K01 = year 2001 

1G01 = year 2001 ( not 2011 !! )

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2002

batch  2J02 = year 2002  ( not 2012! )

Lily de Dior
 batch 2A01 = year 2002

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2005

(thanks to Roberto Greco)
Fahrenheit batch 5F05 = year 2005

Tendre Poison
batch 5K01 = year 2005

Diorella batch 5A01 = year 2005
(it's one of the last boxes without the long list of ingredients)

-------------------------------------------
year 2008 :4 digits batch code

 (using the second-half of alphabet N-to-Z)
-----------------------------------------------------------

2008

8R03 = year 2008 
(switching to the second-half of the alphabet, i.e. N-to-Z)

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2009

Fahrenheit,
batch 9X02 = year 2009

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2010

0T02 = year 2010
(not 2000, since it's the second-half of the alphabet)

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2011

Dior Homme Intense
batch 1R02 = year 2011

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2012

Fahrenheit, batch 2U03 = year 2012

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....and... 

Batch-codes

Year-of-production, 

all-you-need-to-know

about vintage perfumes in the following pages:

-GUERLAIN perfumes ( here )

-YVES SAINT LAURENT perfumes ( here )

-GIORGIO ARMANI Perfumes ( here )

-VAN CLEEF et ARPELS perfumes ( here )

-CHANEL perfumes ( here )

-BVLGARI perfumes ( here )

-HERMES perfumes ( here )

-VERSACE perfumes ( here )

-GIVENCHY perfumes ( here )

-GUY LAROCHE perfumes (here) 

-CACHAREL perfumes ( here )

-ROCHAS perfumes (here) 

-JEAN PATOU perfumes (here)

-LANCOME perfumes (here)

-CARON perfumes (here)

-CALVIN KLEIN perfumes (here)

-RALPH LAUREN perfumes (here)

-JEAN PAUL GAULTIER perfumes (here)

-SERGE LUTENS perfumes (here)

-GUCCI perfumes (here)

Plus:

Kouros by Yves Saint Laurent, visual guide (here)

Fahrenheit by Christian Dior, visual guide  (here)

Azzaro pour Homme by Azzaro, visual guide (here)

Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche, visual guide (here)

Opium by Yves Saint Laurent, visual guide (here)

Samsara by Guerlain, visual guide (here) 

and others..