A fake Rolex Submariner 16613 copies the two-tone Submariner Date that Rolex built from 1988 until about 2009. Real examples use solid 18k yellow gold center links, a caliber 3135 movement, and "750" gold hallmarks on the case, crown, and clasp. Most counterfeits fail at least one of those three checks.
What Is the Rolex Submariner 16613?
Reference 16613 is the two-tone version of the 40mm Submariner Date. Rolex paired a stainless steel case and bracelet with 18k yellow gold on the bezel, crown, hands, and bracelet center links. It replaced the earlier 16803 and stayed in the catalog for over 20 years.
Collectors call the blue dial and blue bezel version the "Bluesy." Other common dials include black, champagne, and the serti dial set with diamonds and sapphires. Reference 116613 took its place in 2009.
What Separates a Fake Rolex Submariner 16613 From a Real One?
- Gold content. Genuine gold parts are solid 18k, not plated.
- Movement. Real watches run the Rolex caliber 3135.
- Hallmarks. The case, crown, and clasp carry Rolex and 750 stamps.
- Weight. Solid gold center links add mass a plated fake cannot match.
- Dial printing. Font weight, coronet shape, and the Swiss line below 6 o'clock.
Why the gold is the first thing to check
Gold plate wears through at the clasp and crown guards within a few years of daily wear. Rub a genuine 16613 center link and the metal stays yellow all the way through. A fake shows grey steel or a copper base once the layer thins.
Look for the "750" hallmark and the Rolex crown stamp. On genuine pieces you find them on the case flank, the crown, and inside the clasp. Stamped marks on a fake sit shallow and often land in the wrong spot or at the wrong size.
Movement and timekeeping
The caliber 3135 beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a quickset date with hacking seconds. Replica makers use Asian clones of the ETA 2824 or low-grade copies of the 3135 that beat at a different rate. A watchmaker can put the watch on a timegrapher and confirm the beat rate for a small fee.
A Submariner has a solid caseback, so a movement check means opening the case. Budget for that step before you buy any two-tone Sub in a private sale.
Dial, hands, and bezel details
Genuine dials from the 1980s and 1990s carry "T Swiss T" or "Swiss T <25" below the 6 o'clock marker. Later tritium-free dials read "Swiss" and then "Swiss Made." A dial that mixes a tritium-era marking with a modern case is a red flag.
The cyclops magnifier on a real Submariner enlarges the date about 2.5 times. Fakes run smaller magnification or shift the date off center. Check the bezel insert too: the numbers and the pearl sit crisp and level on a real one.
What Do Serial and Model Numbers Tell You?
Rolex stamps the case serial and the model number 16613 between the lugs, hidden under the bracelet end links. Remove the bracelet and the stamps should look clean, even, and spaced the same way on both sides. Many fakes skip these stamps or cut them with the wrong font.
Serial numbers also date the watch. A serial that points to a year outside the 16613 production run is a clear signal. Cross-check the serial against published Rolex serial tables.
How Much Does a Real 16613 Cost?
Two-tone Submariners trade on the used market for roughly $7,000 to $12,000. Blue "Bluesy" and serti dial examples sit at the top of that range, while black and champagne dials sit lower. Box, papers, and a recent service add value.
A "16613" priced at a few hundred dollars is not a bargain. It is a fake, or a real watch with a swapped caseback. Gold content alone puts the scrap value of a genuine one far above that number.
Buying Tips
- Ask for photos of the serial and model stamps under the lugs.
- Get close-ups of the hallmarks on the clasp and crown.
- Have a watchmaker open the case and time the movement.
- Pay with a method that allows a dispute.
- Walk away from any seller who refuses an inspection.
Is Buying a Fake Rolex Submariner 16613 Legal?
In the United States, selling a counterfeit watch that carries the Rolex trademark is illegal. Importing one can lead to seizure at customs. Buying a fake for personal wear sits in a grey area, but reselling it as genuine is fraud with real penalties.
If the goal is the two-tone look, homages from brands that use their own name avoid the legal problem. They will not carry Rolex stamps or the 3135 movement, but they also will not be seized at the border.
FAQ
Can I spot a fake Rolex Submariner 16613 by weight alone?
Genuine two-tone examples feel dense in the hand because the center links are solid 18k gold. Lightweight bracelets that flex with little resistance point to plated metal. Weight alone is not proof, so pair it with a hallmark and movement check.
Do all 16613 models have a gold crown?
Yes. The 16613 uses an 18k yellow gold winding crown with the Rolex coronet. Fakes often fit a plated crown or reuse a steel one.
What movement is inside a real 16613?
Rolex caliber 3135, an automatic movement with 31 jewels, quickset date, and a 28,800 vph beat rate. The earlier 16803 used the caliber 3035 instead.
When did Rolex stop making the 16613?
Production ran from 1988 to about 2009, when reference 116613 replaced it. That gives you a 21-year window for verifying serial numbers.