The Ultimate Guide to Vintage Givenchy
Originally published in 2014; fully revised and updated in 2026.
Hubert de Givenchy’s legacy lives on in his legendary fragrances, but navigating the world of vintage perfume reformulations can be challenging. In this guide, we demystify the codes and markers that define authentic Givenchy history, helping you build a rigorous collection with confidence and precision.
When discussing Givenchy fragrances, it is impossible not to pay tribute to their creator: Monsieur Hubert de Givenchy, one of the most refined and elegant men of the 20th century. Every project was meticulously supervised and vetted by Hubert himself, ensuring his personal standard of excellence was upheld in every bottle.
Givenchy produced some of the most sensational fragrances in history: L'Interdit, Le De, Eau de Vetyver, Gentleman, Monsieur de Givenchy (especially 'Haute Concentration'), and Ysatis. Each one of these masterpieces deserves a dedicated study, much as has been the case with Eau de Vetyver.
Hubert de Givenchy founded his fashion house in 1952 and launched 'Parfums Givenchy' in 1957. During the early years, Givenchy perfumes were produced in different factories, but from 1969 onwards, they were manufactured in the brand’s own facilities. In 1981, the company joined the 'Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin' industrial group, subsequently acquired by LVMH in 1986.
Understanding Givenchy Batch Codes
GIVENCHY perfumes use a traditional numbered code, sometimes accompanied by letters. The first digit is the most significant, as it usually denotes the year of production.
- USA Production (1970s): Many were blended in the USA ("Parfums Givenchy, Inc., New York"). These feature different, often empirical, batch codes.
- Made in France (1978–2001): Batches consist of 4 to 6 digits (sometimes with a letter). EMB codes appear on boxes since 1979/80, and standard barcodes since 1990.
- LVMH Era (2002 onwards): Traditional 4-digit code (e.g., 1A01). The first number is the year; the letter denotes the month.
Note on LVMH codes: Between 2002-2007, A–M represented January–December. Between 2008-2017, the second half (N–Z) was used. From 2018, the cycle reset to A-M.
Givenchy fragrances have undergone numerous packaging updates over the decades. Always compare your bottle against the visual markers provided in these tutorials.
Hubert de Givenchy showing Monsieur de Givenchy Haute Concentration
A few Givenchy clues
When you see the address 'Parfums Givenchy, 7 Avenue Montaigne, Beauvais' printed on a box, the fragrance is post-1969. The Beauvais facility opened that year.
"Blended in USA": If you find the phrase "Blended in USA from imported perfume oils" accompanied by the "Givenchy Inc., New York" address, the bottle was produced after 1976, the year Givenchy Inc. officially established operations in the United States.
Dating Clues for "Made in France" Givenchy Bottles
First step: Ensure you know the fragrance's launch year, as this provides your baseline.
- EMB Code: Production date after 1978.
- Barcode: Production date after 1990.
- Green Dot (Der Grüne Punkt): Production date since 1991.
- "BEAUVEX" factory label: Mainly found on boxes produced between 1993 and 2002.
- Allergen Ingredient List: The "long list" denotes a production date after 2003.
- Batch codes on stickers (1993-2002): Often printed directly onto the adhesive seal of the box flap. If the seal is broken, the batch code is often lost.
Iconic Logo Packaging
The Iconic 'Full-G' Logo: Used consistently since 1974 for many men's fragrances.
The Large 'Givenchy' Logo (1982-1996): Introduced in 1982, it was replaced by a smaller logo after 1996.
Ysatis, bottle year 2002, with the small Givenchy logo adopted since 1996.
How to spot Givenchy fragrance reformulations
Starting in 2003, perfume manufacturers were legally mandated to list potential allergens on their outer packaging, ordered by concentration.
Along with this requirement, many fragrance houses began adding a formula number at the end of the ingredient list. This code identifies the exact chemical composition of that specific batch.
Fortunately, Givenchy consistently prints this formula number on their boxes, making it easy for collectors to track reformulations.
The role of Formula Numbers in reformulations
This number is an invaluable tool for determining when a fragrance has been reformulated. By tracking the Givenchy formula number, you can remove all the guesswork.
Identical Codes: If two boxes show the same formula number (es. 1234), the fragrance inside is the same.
Different Codes: A different number (es. 4321) means the chemical formula has been changed.
A Golden Rule for formula numbers
Formula numbers are assigned sequentially. The lower number is always the older formulation.
Formula change vs. Scent change: A change in the formula does not always mean a noticeable difference in the scent. Many reformulations are “invisible” to the nose.
A final Note for Collectors
Givenchy has changed packaging many times, often not in sync with the bottles. It is common to find newer bottles in older boxes and vice versa. Always check the bottle itself if you care about the fragrance.
You might also like
TUTORIAL PICS
(remember: the first number of the batch-code = the year)
Note: Some images in this article originate from public auctions or vintage archives. Should an owner prefer their image to be removed or correctly attributed, please contact us.
Lower box is without EMB code, so you can date it roughly in the Seventies
 |
| Monsieur de Givenchy Haute Concentration Batch F60062 = year 1986 |
batch code F32906 = year 1993
batch 51301 = year 1995
batch 50321 = year 1995
batch 54501 = year 1995
note the word BEAUVEX on the front
batch 67579 = year 1996
note the word BEAUVEX on the front of the box
year 1996
batch 010234 = year 2000
batch 107628 = year 2001
batch 115710 = year 2001
batch 105639 on the sticker = year 2001
batch 101340 = year 2001
batch code 104712 = year 2001
traditional LVMH 4-digits batch code
(2002-2007 : letters A-M)
batch 2F01 = year 2002
note the word BEAUVEX on the front
batch code 3B02 = year 2003
batch 2J02 = year 2002
batch 2F01 = year 2002
batch code 2K02 = year 2002
word "Beauvex" on the back + short list ingredients
Eau Torride,
batch 202240 = year 2002
batch 2L07 on the sticker = year 2002
year 2002, "Beauvex" on the back of the box
 |
| (from Ebay) Pi Fraiche, batch 2K01 = year 2002 |
 |
| (from Ebay) Amarige d'Amour batch 3A01 = year 2003 |
 |
| (from Ebay) Eau de Givenchy batchcode 3H01 = year 2003 |
 |
| (from ebay) Xeryus Rouge batch 3J01= year 2003 |
 |
| Fleur d'Interdit, year 2003 |
 |
| (from Ebay) So Givenchy batch 3M05 = year 2003 |
 |
| (from ebay) My Couture batch 3B01 = year 2003 |
 |
| (from omfragrances) Only Givenchy, year 2003 |
 |
| Insensè, 3rd edition batch 4C01 = year 2004 |
 |
| (from Etsy) Hot Couture batch 4B01 = year 2004 |
 |
| (from Ebay) Insensè Ultramarine, 3rd edition batch 5H01= year 2005 formula number: 221G |
 |
| (from Ebay) Amarige batch 5C01 = year 2005 formula number: 150G |
 |
| My Givenchy, year 2005 |
 |
| (from Ebay) Jardin d'Interdit, year 2006 |
 |
| (from Ebay) Hot Couture batch 6M01 = year 2006 |
 |
| (from Ebay) Ange ou Demon, year 2006, formula 04189M |
 |
| (from Ebay) Amarige Mariage, launched in 2006 batch code 7A01 = year 2007 |
 |
| (from Ebay) Extravagance d'Amarige batch 6C01 = year 2006 |
 |
| Organza, batch 7F01 = year 2007 formula code 1993M |
 |
| Gentleman year 2007, formula number 02221M |
During year 2007 Givenchy launched a collection of fragrances called Les Parfums Mythiques: ten perfumes that were recalled from the prestigious past of the house: L'Interdit, Le De, Givenchy III, Eau de Givenchy, Extravagance d'Amarige, Organza Indécence, Vetyver, Monsieur de Givenchy, Xeryus, and Insensé.
 |
| Les Parfums Mythiques, year 2007 |
 |
| (from Ebay) Monsieur de Givenchy edition Les Parfums Mythiques, 2007 formula code: 3208M, then in 2011: 5748M |
 |
| (from Ebay) Very Irresistible batch 7D01 = year 2007 formula number: 1941M |
 |
| (from Ebay) Very Irresistible for Men Fresh batch 7H01 = year 2007 |
 |
| (from Ebay) Absolutely Givenchy batch 7B01 = year 2007 |
Years 2008-2017: Traditional LVMH 4-digits batch code
2nd half of Alphabet (letters N-Z)
 |
| (from Ebay) Eau de Givenchy edition Les Parfums Mythiques batch code 1X01 = year 2011 formula: 5314M |
 |
| (from Ebay) Dahlia Noir EdP batch 1U01 = year 2011 formula number: 5985M (eau de toilette formula number: 06466M) |
 |
| (from Ebay) Ange ou Demon batch 1Y01 = year 2011 formula number: 04189M |
 |
| Pi, third edition, formula 13879 |
 |
| Hot Couture, year 2012 |
 |
| (from Ebay) Organza batch 3Q02 = year 2013 |
 |
| (from Ebay) Ange ou Demon batch 3N02 = year 2013 |
 |
| (from Ebay) Gentleman batch 3P01 = year 2013 formula number 06266M |
 |
| (from Ebay) Vetiver, Las Parfums Mythiques, second packaging, since 2014 |
 |
| (from Ebay) Xeryus 2nd packaging Parfums Mythiques batch code 5W01 = year 2015 formula code: 05091M |
 |
| (from Ebay) Very Irresistible EdP batch 5U01 = year 2015 |
 |
| Eaudemoiselle de Givenchy year 2015, formula 4944M |
 |
| (from Ebay) Ange ou Demon le Secret batch 5S01 = year 2015 formula number: 07971M |
 |
| (from Ebay) Monsieur de Givenchy 2nd edition Parfums Mythiques batch code 7Q01 = year 2017 formula: 5748M |
 |
| (from Ebay) Gentleman only batch 7Y02 = year 2017 |
 |
| (from Ebay) Organza batch 8L01 = year 2018 formula code: 5459M |
 |
| (from Ebay) Amarige batch 0F01 = year 2020 formula number: 05745M |
 |
| Monsieur de Givenchy. |
 |
| Ysatis |
 |
| Gentleman |
 |
| Monsieur de Givenchy Haute Concentration |
 |
| Givenchy III |
 |
| L'Interdit |
 |
| Eau de Givenchy |
Share this article:WHATSAPP TELEGRAM PINTEREST FACEBOOK REDDIT
-GUY LAROCHE perfumes (here)
-CACHAREL perfumes ( here )
-ROCHAS perfumes (here)
Share this article: WHATSAPP TELEGRAM PINTEREST FACEBOOK REDDIT
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletePlease could you estimate the year for a bottle of Le De Givenchy with a batch number F40092. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi, it *could* be year 1984. You should check clues on the box if you have it.
DeleteIf there is no barcode, it's 1984,
if there is the barcode, it's 1994.
Please could you estimate the year for a bottle of Givenchy Gentleman with a batch number F20142 and EMB60057C (no barcode). Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi, it could be year 1982.
DeletePlease could you verify the date of a bottle of Ysatis EDT? The box has a barcode and BEAUVEX on the front, and the batch number is 111472. From your list of clues (thank you) I estimate 2001 - am I correct?
ReplyDeleteNice to hear you! The answer is yes! it should be year 2001. The bottle should be black (not purple) and the 4-G Givenchy logo should be in the upper part of the box.
DeleteRegards,
Laura.
Yes, the box matches your description. Thanks for your reply!
DeleteHi, Firstly I have to say I love your blog it's an invaluable resource. I was hoping you could help how to recognize an older bottle of Organza. I'm trying to help a friend locate a bottle it's her favourite perfume. The one she has is the dark juice with batch code 012026, (i think this is from 2000). When did Givenchy make the switch from the red logo at the top of the box to the red logo at the bottom and now currently the gold at the bottom i think. This would be much appreciated!!
ReplyDeleteAnastasia
Hi Anastasia, there are a lot of difficulties dating a bottle simply looking at he box, because old boxes could be used for years and years (until end of old stocks) alongside with the new ones. So, It's preferable to check the batch code. In your case 012026 means correctly year 2000.
DeleteThanks for taking the time to respond Andre, much appreciated! Good point about the boxes, never thought of that.
DeleteAnastasia
1K02. Please 🙏🏻
ReplyDeletehi 1K02 means year 2021. but there is a very remote chance it could means "2001", you have to check other clues on the box. Enzo
DeleteHello! I have a Monsieur de Givenchy with the number F9 1198 printed on a label that is attached to the inside of the lid of the box. It also says « En cas de réclamation prière d’adresser cette vignette et le produit défectueux à parfums Givenchy S A - 7 avenue Montaigne 60007 Beauvais. ».
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me how old it is?
Hi, it could be "1979" or "1989", in both cases, you own a truly vintage "Monsieur". Congrats! Enzo
DeleteHi! Thanks so much for maintaining such an informative site! I just got a skyscraper-style Ysatis (with the gold cap), lot # printed on the bottle 102748 (no box). Would you be able to say what year this might be from? Thanks in advance!
ReplyDeleteHi, the indication is too general to be able to answer, but assuming the perfume is authentic, the year could be 1991 or at the latest 2001. Unfortunately, to correctly date a perfume, more clues are needed. Greetings, Laura
DeleteHi! Could someone please tell me the age of this L’INTERDIT Eau De Parfum Rouge Ultime sample 10ml? It has a barcode, on side of box embedded 3E01 on side of box and ref P569383 and on bottle LVMH FB -92300 thanks in advance!???
ReplyDeleteHi, l'Interdit Rouge Ultime was released in 2023, so it is not properly a "vintage". 3E01 means year 2023.
DeleteI have a xeryus tester with just numbers...6538.
ReplyDeleteHi, assuming 6538 is batch code and not a reference number: if it's a modern bottle , then these numbers makes no sense. But if it's a vintage bottle, it *could* be year 1986 or 1996. Greetings, Enzo
DeleteHi, I recently inherited a vintage Givenchy Gentleman bottle, with the silver non-wrap around label. The bottom says "Parfums Givenchy - Paris." Code is 7N01. Can you help me date its eera? See photos here: https://imgur.com/a/fZPYUst
ReplyDeleteHi, since Gentleman by Givenchy is a heavily counterfeited fragrance, the first thing to check is whether it's authentic. Unfortunately, the fakes have become so sophisticated these days that it's no longer possible to tell if a bottle is real or fake just by looking at photos, you really need to have the bottle or the box in hand. That said, according to LVMH’s batch code system, the code 7N01 corresponds to 2017.
DeleteHope this helps!
Hi, I’ve been looking at listings for Fleur d’Interdit which has a very distinctive and beautiful embossed glass bottle. But some listings have been coming up in much plainer glass bottles and I’m not sure if they’re counterfeit or something like tester bottles. One seller sent me a batch code I looked online for - 3HO1 - comes up as 2023 which is not possible but the number recycling thing could mean it was 2003… if it’s real. I can’t seem to find any definite reference to tester or export bottles in this shape (it’s a lot more boring than the beautiful mainstream bottle) but people selling it have excellent reviews for trustworthiness et cetera. I’m really confused and have not yet given into temptation to just buy one to see if it smells right. Do you have any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteHi, sorry for the delay in replying. Yes, there were two different editions of Fleurs d’Interdit: one from around 1994 to 2002, and another from 2003 onward. After 2003, the bottle was no longer the "embossed" one, but rather a style similar to that of Givenchy Gentleman, with a square label reading “Fleurs d’Interdit.” I can’t say whether the fragrance remained the same or was reformulated, as I have only owned the original 1990s version. I hope this helps. Regards, RotLS
DeleteHello there... i got a Givenchy gentleman edt, it has a silver sticker but not wrapped around... black collar but silver sprayer! Batch code 4Z01
ReplyDeleteIt says 2024, i doubt that... probably 2014 or 2004?
Can u tell me which years was the silver sticker , black collar and silver sprayer??
Thank you
Hi Johnny, let's start with the batch code: 4Z01 means "2014, December". Aside from that, the issue today is the perfume's authenticity. Unfortunately, it's no longer possible to tell if a perfume is real or fake just by looking at the batch code or photos, I hope yours is authentic. In any case: "4Z01" means 2014. Regards, RotLS
Delete