Short answer
Rolex does not list a reference 116617 in its catalog. The Submariner Date family uses 116610 for stainless steel, 116613 for steel and gold, 116618 for yellow gold, and 116619 for white gold. Listings that use 116617 are seller labels, not factory numbers. The string appears on replica sites, and it does not match one single real watch.
Where the number comes from
Replica sellers mix digits from real references. The 1166 prefix points to the Submariner Date family. The trailing digits 17 sit between the steel 116610 and the gold 116618. Some sellers attach the number to a two-tone case. Others attach it to a steel case with a blue dial. No fixed specification sits behind it.
The Ultimate Guide to Rolex 116617 Replica Quality
What ships under this label
- Case diameter: 40 mm in most listings. The Submariner Date of that era measured 40 mm.
- Lug width: 20 mm.
- Case material: 316L steel on budget builds, 904L steel on higher-priced builds.
- Movement: Asian copies of the ETA 2824 or the Seiko NH35 in cheaper units, decorated clones in costlier units.
- Crystal: sapphire with a cyclops lens over the date window.
- Water resistance: stated as 100 m or 300 m. Pressure testing is not standard, and many units leak.
Points to verify before buying
- Ask which real reference the seller copied. The number 116617 alone carries no spec.
- Request photos of the case back, crown guards, and date window. Rehaut engraving quality separates price tiers.
- Confirm the movement by name. A common 2824 clone has spare parts. No-name movements do not.
- Check the return policy in writing. Many replica sellers ship final sale.
- Confirm the payment method and chargeback options. Card networks flag counterfeit sales.
Legal and practical limits
Replica watches are counterfeit goods. US Customs and Border Protection can seize shipments, and trademark owners can pursue sellers. Rolex does not service or authenticate replicas. No authorized watchmaker will source parts for one. Resale value is near zero. A replica is not an investment and carries no manufacturer warranty.
rolex 116617 replica comparison
Price bands
Listings labeled 116617 run from about $80 to $500. Price tracks the movement, the steel grade, and the bracelet finish. Above $500 the label often changes to a different reference number, which suggests the number itself is a marketing tag.