The short answer
People searching for a fake Rolex 116613 are usually trying to solve one of two problems: they want a counterfeit, or they want to avoid being sold one. Only the second problem has a good outcome. Counterfeit watches are illegal to import and sell in the United States, they carry no warranty, they cannot go to Rolex for service, and the super clone market is full of sellers who take payment and disappear. The 116613 is one of the most copied Rolex references because a two-tone gold finish photographs well and a ceramic bezel is easy to imitate from across a table. The practical route is to learn the genuine reference, buy from a seller who allows a pre-purchase inspection, and pay in a way you can reverse.
What the real 116613 actually is
The 116613 is the two-tone Submariner Date that Rolex built from roughly 2009 through 2020. It pairs a 40 mm Oystersteel case with an 18k yellow gold bezel, crown, and bracelet center links, a combination Rolex calls Rolesor. The bezel insert is black or blue ceramic with gold-filled numerals, the crystal carries a cyclops magnifier over the date, and the movement is the calibre 3135 with a power reserve near 48 hours. Water resistance is rated to 300 meters. Rolex retired the reference in 2020 in favor of the 41 mm 126613, which is one reason the 116613 gets copied and one reason buyers still chase it.
116613LB compared with 116613LN
The LB suffix means blue dial and blue bezel, the watch collectors call the Bluesy. The LN suffix means black dial and black bezel. Everything else about the two references is the same, so the suffix on the warranty card and the hang tags should match the dial in front of you.
What to look for before you pay
- Complete set: inner and outer box, warranty card with a serial that matches the rehaut engraving, hang tags, booklets, and any service paperwork.
- A seller who agrees in writing to a pre-purchase inspection by an independent watchmaker, with a return window if the movement or the gold content is not right.
- A traceable payment method. Credit card or an escrow service gives you a path to recover funds. Wire transfers and crypto do not.
- Condition disclosure with dated photos of the lugs, crown guards, bezel insert, and clasp. Ask for the same surfaces shot at an angle, since hidden polishing shows up in reflections.
- Service history. A 3135 that has run for a decade without attention will need it soon, and that cost belongs in your budget.
How to tell a fake 116613 from the real thing
- Bezel action. The genuine bezel rotates in 120 crisp clicks with almost no play. Copies feel gritty or loose, and aftermarket ceramic inserts often sit slightly proud of the gold ring.
- Cyclops and date. The date should sit centered with even magnification and a sharp black font on a white wheel. Copies show distorted edges and a date that drifts off center.
- Gold color and weight. The 116613 uses 18k yellow gold, so the bezel, crown, and center links carry a warm tone that does not flake or turn brassy. A two-tone Submariner is noticeably heavier than an all-steel 116610 on the same wrist.
- Dial printing. Text is dense, level, and clean at the edges. Look at the Swiss Made line and the coronet above the name, where copies blur.
- Rehaut engraving. Rolex repeats around the inner ring at consistent depth, aligned with the minute track, with the serial at 6 o'clock. Re-engraved or cloned cases show uneven spacing and shallow cuts.
- Lume. Chromalight glows blue and fades in an even way. Aftermarket dials often glow green or in patches.
- Movement. The final word belongs to a watchmaker with the case back off. A genuine 3135 shows the correct bridges, finishing, and balance assembly. No photo can settle this.
Parameter bands to expect
- Case diameter: 40 mm, with crown guards adding width on the right side.
- Case material: Oystersteel with 18k yellow gold bezel, crown, and bracelet center links.
- Water resistance: 300 m (1,000 ft) with a Triplock crown.
- Movement: calibre 3135, automatic, about 48 hours of power reserve.
- Production years: roughly 2009 through 2020.
- Bracelet: Oyster with a Glidelock extension in the clasp for tool-free fine adjustment.
Pitfalls that cost real money
- Buying a super clone and expecting to flip it. Counterfeits are illegal to import and sell, Rolex will not service them, and resale value is close to zero.
- Franken watches: a genuine case and movement paired with an aftermarket dial, bezel insert, or bracelet. Every part has to be checked, not just the serial.
- Aftermarket gold sold as factory. Ask for a weight and a jeweler's test if the bracelet or bezel has been replaced.
- Over-polished cases that have lost their lug chamfers. The watch looks shiny and the case is thinner than it should be.
- Serial numbers reported stolen. A dealer with trade references will run the number, and so should you.
- Sellers who push you to move fast. Authentic watches do not require urgency.
FAQ
Is the 116613 still made?
No. Rolex replaced it with the 126613 in 2020, so every 116613 on the market is a pre-owned watch.
Can Rolex service a watch with non-original parts?
Rolex service centers restore watches to factory specification. Parts they consider non-original are replaced, or the watch is returned, and a counterfeit is refused.
How often does a 3135 need service?
Rolex currently suggests intervals in the range of about ten years, and many owners service earlier if timekeeping drifts or the crown feels rough.
Are two-tone bracelets more prone to wear?
Gold is softer than steel, so center links and the clasp show scratches earlier. That wear is normal and reversible at a service, but heavy gouges on the gold are a negotiating point.
What is the safest way to buy?
A dealer with a return policy plus an independent inspection beats a private sale with photos alone, even when the private price looks better.