A fake Rolex 116610LV is a replica of the Submariner Date nicknamed the “Hulk,” the 40 mm green-bezel, green-dial model that Rolex produced from 2010 to 2020. Because the reference is discontinued and still holds strong value on the secondary market, the fake Rolex 116610LV is one of the most frequently copied watches on the market. Replicas run from cheap quartz versions to high-end builds with clone movements, and the visible differences usually appear in the sunburst dial finish, the ceramic bezel insert, the date magnifier, and the bracelet end-link fit.

What the Original 116610LV Is

The 116610LV is a stainless steel Submariner Date with a green Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert and a green sunburst dial. Its case measures 40 mm across, it is rated to 300 meters of water resistance, and it uses Rolex caliber 3135, a 31-jewel automatic movement with a 48-hour power reserve. The watch replaced the aluminum-bezel 16610LV, often called the “Kermit,” and was itself replaced in 2020 by the 41 mm 126610LV. That lineage matters when you compare replica versions, because many cheap copies borrow parts or proportions from the wrong generation.

Why This Reference Gets Copied So Often

• Discontinued status. The 116610LV is no longer produced, so buyers who want one must shop used, where prices sit well above the original retail figure.
• The green dial. A sunburst finish that shifts from olive to bright green under light is difficult to reproduce, which makes it a useful test point.
• The ceramic insert. Genuine Cerachrom inserts have a deep, saturated green and numerals filled with platinum via a PVD process.
• Simple geometry. The Oyster case and Oyster bracelet are straightforward shapes, so a basic copy can look close in photos at a distance.

Replica Tiers You Will See

• Budget quartz copies. These often run on a battery movement, feel light, and use painted or printed bezel markings. The dial green is usually flat rather than sunburst.
• Mid-tier automatic replicas. These typically use a generic Asian automatic movement, look convincing on a wrist, and are the tier most sellers market as “AAA” or “swiss movement.”
• High-end builds. These aim for accurate case dimensions, applied markers, a ceramic insert, and a clone of caliber 3135. They cost the most and are where the real differences narrow to fine finishing and movement construction.
• Franken watches. A case or dial from a replica is paired with some genuine parts, which is why any 116610LV should be checked part by part rather than judged as a whole.

How to Spot a Fake Rolex 116610LV

Dial and Bezel

Start with the green. The genuine dial has a fine sunburst texture that runs from the center outward, and the color reads dark olive in shade and bright green in direct light. Many replicas use a flatter, slightly yellow or emerald tone. On the bezel, genuine Cerachrom is a ceramic material with engraved numerals, and those numerals should look filled, not painted. Replica inserts often have shallow engravings, softer edges, or a glossier surface than the original.

Date, Cyclops, and Crystal

The date window sits at 3 o'clock with a cyclops lens on the sapphire crystal. On the original, the magnifier is correctly positioned and the date font is crisp. Replica crystals frequently have a weak or uneven anti-reflective coating, causing a pale blue or purple cast, and the date can sit slightly off-center. Look at the date wheel font as well, because cheap copies often use a narrower or bolder numeral than Rolex.

Case, Crown Guards, and Bracelet

The crown guards on the 116610LV have a specific curve and polish, and a copy may look blockier or thinner. The lugs should flow into the bracelet end links without a visible gap or overhang. Check the clasp for the correct glide-lock design, and check the caseback for the correct brushed finish. Genuine 116610LV cases use 904L stainless steel, which Rolex calls Oystersteel, and the weight and warmth on the wrist can hint at a lower-grade alloy.

Movement and Sound

A genuine caliber 3135 beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour, and the sweep of the seconds hand should be smooth. A quartz replica ticks. A low-grade automatic may sweep unevenly or feel rough when the crown is wound. Removing the caseback is the only reliable way to confirm what is inside, and most reputable sellers allow that check through an independent watchmaker.

What Changes at the High-End Tier

High-end replicas of the 116610LV focus on the details that are cheapest to verify and hardest to fake. Applied hour markers should sit level, the hands should be the right thickness, and the rehaut engraving should align with the dial print. The bracelet should taper correctly at the clasp, and the crown should screw down smoothly. Even at this tier, the movement is a clone rather than a Rolex caliber, and the finishing inside the case will not match a genuine 3135.

Checks Before You Buy

• Ask for close-up photos of the dial in daylight, the bezel numerals, the date window, and the clasp code.
• Confirm the stated case size and lug width, since a 41 mm case is a sign of a newer reference rather than the 116610LV.
• Request a shot of the movement or a service record from a watchmaker.
• Compare the serial and reference engravings under magnification, since fonts and depth vary between copies.
• Use a seller with a return window, and have the watch checked by a local watchmaker on arrival.

Legal and Ethical Note

A replica is not a Rolex, and selling counterfeit goods is illegal in the United States and many other countries. Some collectors buy replica or homage watches as a way to test a design before committing to a genuine piece, while others avoid the category entirely. Either way, a seller who describes a watch as a genuine 116610LV when it is a replica is committing fraud, and that is the line that matters most.

FAQ

Is a fake Rolex 116610LV the same size as the real one?

The best copies use a 40 mm case, but many lower-tier replicas are closer to 41 mm or have thicker lugs. Measure the case if you are comparing side by side.

Do high-end replicas use a Rolex caliber 3135?

No. They use a clone movement designed to look and function like a 3135, but it is not made by Rolex and is not interchangeable with genuine parts.

Can a watchmaker tell a fake 116610LV from the real one?

Yes. Once the caseback is opened, the finish of the movement, the rotor engraving, and the balance assembly make the origin clear to a trained eye.