The replica Rolex 116613 is a copy of the Rolex Submariner Date reference 116613, the 40 mm two-tone dive watch that Rolex built in Oystersteel and 18k yellow gold with a ceramic bezel insert. Copies of this reference sit at several quality levels, from inexpensive fashion watches to higher-tier builds that aim to match the case profile, gold tone, dial colour, and movement layout of the original.
What the Rolex 116613 Actually Is
Rolex introduced the 116613 in 2009 as the two-tone version of the Submariner Date, replacing the earlier 16613. It kept the classic 40 mm dive watch case but moved to a Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert, which resists scratches and fading better than the aluminium insert on the older model. Rolex catalogued two dial variants, the blue dial 116613LB and the black dial 116613LN, and both share the same case, bracelet, and movement.
- Case: 40 mm, Oystersteel with 18k yellow gold bezel, crown, and crown guards
- Bezel: unidirectional, 60-minute dive scale, ceramic insert
- Dial: blue or black, with a date window and Cyclops lens at 3 o'clock
- Movement: Rolex calibre 3135, automatic
- Water resistance: rated to 300 metres
- Bracelet: Oyster with gold centre links and a folding clasp
Rolex retired the reference around 2020 when the updated 126613 took its place, so the 116613 is now a discontinued model.
Why This Reference Attracts Replica Buyers
Two-tone watches are the hardest to copy convincingly, because plated gold shows its limits next to solid gold. That makes the 116613 a useful benchmark. A copy that gets the gold colour, the blue dial, and the bezel insert right reads well on the wrist. A copy that misses those three points stands out immediately, often from across a table.
Materials and Gold Tone
Genuine 116613 parts are solid 18k yellow gold. Replicas typically use gold plating, gold PVD, or a thicker wrapped gold layer over steel. Every one of those options wears differently. Thin plating can fade, dull, or flake first at the clasp edges, crown guards, and the flanks of the case, which are the areas that rub against desks and sleeves most often.
Colour matching is the second issue. Gold tone varies between pale, brassy, and overly orange depending on the plating bath and thickness. Ask for photos taken outdoors in daylight rather than studio shots, since warm lighting hides a bad match.
Movements You Will Find
Most mid-tier and higher-tier copies run Chinese automatic movements. Some are decorated to resemble the calibre 3135, while others use a 2824 or 2836 family platform with a decorated rotor and bridges. A smaller share of cheap builds use quartz.
The practical differences come down to winding feel, beat rate, accuracy, and whether a local watchmaker can service the movement or source parts. Any accuracy figure a seller quotes is a claim rather than a guarantee, so ask which movement family is inside and whether spare parts exist.
Details Worth Checking
- Bezel insert alignment, including the pip at 12 o'clock
- Cyclops magnification and the shape of the date numerals
- Crown guard profile and crown engravings
- Dial print sharpness, lume colour, and hand finishing
- Bracelet end links sitting flush against the lugs with no gaps
- Clasp markings and how firmly the safety lock closes
- Overall weight, since solid gold is denser than plated steel
Fit and Daily Wear
The 116613 wears as a 40 mm case on a 20 mm bracelet, which suits most wrists. The gold centre links make it a dressier watch than a steel Submariner, so think about whether a two-tone look fits your routine before you commit.
Do not take the 300 metre rating as a promise on a replica. Sealing on copies varies widely and is often minimal. If you plan to swim with one, have a watchmaker pressure test it first, and rinse the case and bracelet with fresh water afterwards to slow plating wear.
Legal and Practical Points
Rolex and Submariner are registered trademarks, and the 116613 design is protected. Selling counterfeit watches is illegal in the United States and in most other countries, and shipments can be seized by customs. A replica is not a genuine watch: it carries no manufacturer warranty, Rolex will not service it, and it holds little resale value. Treat any purchase as a fashion item rather than an investment, and check the rules that apply where you live.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- Which movement is inside, and can parts be sourced for it?
- Are the photos recent and taken in daylight?
- Is the gold plating, PVD, or wrapped gold, and how thick is it?
- What does the seller do if the watch arrives damaged or with a misaligned bezel?
- Is there any return window at all?
A replica Rolex 116613 can look convincing on a wrist when the gold tone, dial, and bezel are handled well. The gaps show up in movement quality, plating durability, and long-term support, so weigh those three points before you spend.