A fake Rolex 116618 is any watch built to copy the 40mm solid 18k yellow gold Submariner without using a Rolex gold case, bracelet, or movement. The genuine reference runs the Caliber 3135, weighs about 200 to 220 grams on a full bracelet, and carries Swiss gold hallmarks on the case and clasp. Replicas swap that solid gold for steel or tungsten cores with gold plating, so weight, hallmarks, and bracelet feel are the three fastest ways to tell them apart.
What is the Rolex Submariner 116618?
The 116618 replaced the 16618 in 2008 and stayed in the catalog until 2020, when the 126618 took over. It came in two versions: the 116618LN with a black dial and black Cerachrom bezel, and the 116618LB with a blue dial and blue Cerachrom bezel.
Both use a 40mm Oyster case in 18k yellow gold, a Triplock winding crown, and a depth rating of 300 meters. The Oyster bracelet uses solid gold links with the Glidelock extension system.
What are the key specs of the 116618?
- Case: 40mm, 18k yellow gold, Oyster profile
- Bezel: unidirectional Cerachrom with gold numerals and graduations
- Movement: Rolex Caliber 3135, automatic, about 48 hours of power reserve
- Crystal: sapphire with Cyclops lens and anti-reflective coating underneath
- Water resistance: 300 meters / 1,000 feet
- Bracelet: 18k yellow gold Oyster with Glidelock clasp
How do you spot a fake Rolex 116618?
Weight is the first checkpoint because gold is dense and steel is not. A genuine head alone feels heavy in the hand, while a plated replica feels light and slightly hollow when you tap the lugs.
Hallmarks and stamping
Genuine 116618 cases and clasps carry Swiss hallmarks, including the St. Bernard head and the 750 gold purity mark. Many replicas either omit these stamps or cut them shallow and soft.
Dial, bezel, and rehaut
Genuine dial printing is crisp under magnification and the text sits level with the surface. Replica dials often show thick print, uneven lume plots, or a bezel insert with a dull ceramic finish and painted numerals instead of gold-filled ones.
Bracelet fit and stretch
Solid gold links fit tight with almost no side play, and the clasp closes with a firm click. Plated replicas often show gaps at the end links and a softer, wobblier clasp action.
What separates a high-end replica 116618 from a cheap one?
Higher-tier replicas use a 904L or tungsten alloy case, a clone 3135 movement, and a thicker gold plating layer measured in microns. Cheaper builds use 316L steel, a generic A2836 movement, and thin plating that wears through at the clasp and crown guards within months.
Details worth checking include end link fitment, rehaut engraving alignment, crystal height above the bezel, and the color match between plating and the bezel numerals.
Does a replica 116618 weigh like real gold?
No. Steel builds usually land near 150 to 170 grams, and tungsten builds get closer to 180 grams, while a genuine solid gold example sits around 200 to 220 grams depending on link count. Weight alone will not confirm authenticity, but a 116618 that feels light is a strong signal.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 116618 still in production?
No. Rolex replaced it with the 126618 in 2020.
Does the 116618 come in white gold?
No. The white gold blue-dial Submariner is the 116619LB, a different reference.
What movement should a replica 116618 have?
The better builds use a clone of the 3135 with a 28,800 vph beat rate and a smooth sweeping seconds hand. Generic movements often have a stutter or a mismatched date change point.