Short answer
Rolex does not publish a reference 126612. The code 126612LB matches no model in Rolex catalogs, current or past. The number sits one digit from a real reference. 126613LB is the Submariner Date in Oystersteel and 18 kt yellow gold with a blue dial and a blue bezel, the model collectors call the Bluesy. Two other nearby codes exist: 126610LN and 126610LV, both 41 mm Submariner Date models in Oystersteel. A listing for "126612LB" almost always ships a replica of the 126613LB.
Specs the replica copies
- Case: 41 mm diameter, Oystersteel middle case, 18 kt yellow gold bezel and crown.
- Bezel: blue Cerachrom ceramic insert, 60-minute graduations, platinum-coated numerals on the genuine part.
- Dial: blue sunray finish, Chromalight lume, date at 3 o'clock under a Cyclops lens.
- Movement: Rolex calibre 3235, automatic, 70-hour power reserve, 28,800 vibrations per hour.
- Bracelet: Oyster, three links, yellow gold center links, Oysterlock clasp with Glidelock extension.
- Water resistance: 300 m on the genuine watch.
Replica tiers
Tier 1: $30 to $80
316L steel, mineral glass, aluminum bezel insert, quartz or DG2813 movement. Gold plating wears through in months. The date font sits off center.
The Ultimate Guide to Rolex 126612LB Imitation Watches
Tier 2: $150 to $350
316L steel, sapphire crystal, ceramic insert, A2824 or Seagull automatic movement. Case lines come close to spec. Crown guards and lug shape change from batch to batch.
Tier 3: $400 to $800
904L steel, clone 3235 or SH3135 movement, gold cap or PVD on the center links. Bezel numerals are engraved into ceramic. This tier holds the largest share of the replica market.
Checks before you buy
- Bezel: ceramic taps with a dull ring. Aluminum taps flat.
- Crystal: sapphire sits above the bezel plane on the genuine watch.
- Date: check magnification at 2.5x. A blurry date edge shows a plastic lens.
- Movement: ask for a photo of the rotor. Clone 3235 rotors are engraved, not stamped.
- Water: seals on replicas are seldom pressure tested. Keep the watch dry.
Legal notes
Replicas are counterfeit goods. US law 18 U.S.C. 2320 sets prison terms up to 10 years for trafficking in counterfeits, and customs can seize shipments. EU rules allow destruction of seized counterfeits. Ownership is not a crime in most countries. Sale is. Service is a second problem: replica movements take generic parts, not Rolex parts, and many watchmakers decline the work.