There is no new 116710LN to buy. Rolex retired this GMT-Master II around 2019, so the only honest path to one is the pre-owned market through a seller who can document the watch: original card, box, and service history. Anything sold as a "replica 116710LN" or "116710LNR" is a counterfeit, and the buyer absorbs every downside. Fakes cannot be serviced by Rolex or by most independent watchmakers, they use substitute materials and movements, and they resell for a fraction of what was paid. In the United States, importing a counterfeit watch can end with the shipment seized and destroyed, and trafficking in them is a federal offense. If what you want is the black-bezel GMT look and a second time zone, legitimate watches from Tudor, Longines, and Seiko deliver it without the risk.
What the 116710LN actually is
Rolex introduced the reference 116710LN in 2007 as the replacement for the long-running 16710. It paired a 40 mm Oystersteel case with a black Cerachrom ceramic bezel marked to 24 hours, a green GMT hand, and the calibre 3186, which allows the hour hand to jump independently when you travel. Water resistance is rated to 100 metres and the movement runs about 48 hours on a full wind. The bracelet is an Oyster with polished centre links, and the crystal carries a Cyclops lens over the date at three o'clock.
The suffix is worth knowing. In Rolex naming, L stands for lunette (bezel) and N for noir (black). There is no factory reference called 116710LNR. The extra R appears mainly in listings for counterfeits, so a page using that reference is already telling you it is not describing a genuine watch.
Why a counterfeit 116710LN is a poor purchase
The movement is the weak point
A genuine calibre 3186 is a Swiss manufacture movement with an independent GMT function, a free-sprung balance, and parts support that lasts decades. Copies use generic or modified third-party movements with glued-on rotor plates and decorative bridges. They do not hold rate well, they cannot be regulated by most watchmakers, and no authorised service centre will touch one. A watch that cannot be repaired is not a watch, it is a disposable object.
Materials and water resistance
Rolex uses its 904L Oystersteel alloy and a sintered ceramic bezel insert. Copies typically use 316L stainless, a printed or coated bezel that fades, weaker gaskets, and lume that dims within a year. A fake rated "100 metres" is a claim, not a test. Swimming with one is how people ruin them.
The legal side
Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime in the United States under 18 U.S.C. 2320, and trademark owners can pursue civil claims under the Lanham Act. Customs and Border Protection seizes counterfeit watches in international mail and express shipments, including shipments addressed to individual consumers. A seizure means the money is gone and the watch is destroyed, and repeat activity can carry penalties.
Resale and true cost
Counterfeits have no collector market. Buyers who paid for a "high-end" copy usually discover the resale value is close to zero, while a documented genuine 116710LN holds value because it is a discontinued steel Rolex sports model in a well-known line.
How to tell a 116710LN from a counterfeit
- Bezel: the genuine ceramic insert has crisp, deep-filled numerals with an even sheen. Copies look painted, glossy, or slightly off in the black.
- Dial and hands: the green GMT hand should match the green dial text, and the Mercedes hour hand should be sharp with clean lume fill.
- Rehaut: Rolex engraves its name around the inner bezel ring, with the serial at the six o'clock side. Engraving that is faint, uneven, or missing is a warning sign.
- Case and bracelet: crisp lug bevels, tight end-link fit, and polished centre links that meet the brushed outer links on a sharp line.
- Cyclops and date: genuine magnification is about 2.5x, and the date sits centred under the lens.
- Movement: a watchmaker can open the case and identify the calibre in minutes. Do this before paying.
- Paperwork: the original guarantee card should carry a serial that matches the rehaut engraving and the caseback reference.
What to check when buying a genuine 116710LN
Prefer a seller who provides a movement photo, a serial and reference photo, and a written return window. Ask about service history, since a calibre 3186 that has run for fifteen years is due for a service. Bracelet stretch, softened bezel action, and a scratched caseback tell you how the watch was worn. A third-party authentication or a pre-purchase inspection by an independent watchmaker is money well spent on a four-figure purchase. Watch out for listings that use stock photos, refuse to show the movement, or push a bank transfer with no recourse.
Legitimate alternatives with the same function
- Tudor Black Bay GMT or Black Bay Pro: Rolex's sibling brand, in-house movement, ceramic or steel 24-hour bezel.
- Longines Spirit Zulu Time: a true traveller GMT with a jumping hour hand and a five-year warranty.
- Seiko 5 Sports SKK and SSK series: mechanical GMT at an entry price, ideal as a daily beater.
- Christopher Ward C63 Sealander GMT: Swiss movement, compact case, straightforward servicing.
- A pre-owned Rolex Explorer II 16570: a genuine Rolex GMT complication at a lower entry point than a 116710LN.
FAQ
Is the 116710LN still in production?
No. It was phased out around 2019 and replaced by the 126710 generation, which moved to a 70-hour movement and, in most versions, a Jubilee bracelet.
Does the R in 116710LNR mean anything?
No. It is not a Rolex reference. Treat any listing using it as a sign that the seller is describing a counterfeit.
Can a replica be serviced later?
Rolex will decline the work and will not supply parts. Independent watchmakers may swap a whole movement, which costs more than the copy is worth.
Is buying a fake watch for personal use illegal in the US?
Importing counterfeit goods is prohibited and the shipment can be seized and destroyed. Selling or distributing them is a criminal offence with civil exposure as well.
What is the best way to buy a real one?
Buy the seller first: a documented watch with card and box, a return window, and an independent inspection before funds change hands.