The Rolex 116613 is the two-tone Submariner Date: a 40 mm Rolesor watch that combines a steel case with an 18k yellow gold bezel and gold center bracelet links. A fake Rolex 116613 is a replica built to imitate that reference, and quality ranges from crude counterfeits to carefully machined copies that match case proportions and dial color. Knowing the real reference in detail is the only reliable way to judge what any replica gets right or wrong.

What the 116613 actually is

Rolex produced this reference from roughly 2009 to 2020, when the two-tone Submariner moved to the 41 mm 126613. The key specs are the benchmark you compare a replica against:

  • Case: 40 mm Oyster case, 20 mm lug width, screw-down crown with crown guards.
  • Bezel: Cerachrom ceramic insert with gold-filled numerals and a unidirectional 60-minute scale.
  • Dial: Sunburst blue on the 116613LB (nicknamed the Bluesy) or black on the 116613LN, with applied gold indices and lume.
  • Crystal: Sapphire with a 2.5x cyclops over the date.
  • Movement: Caliber 3135, about 48 hours of power reserve.
  • Water resistance: Rated to 300 m on the genuine watch.

How replicas of the 116613 are graded

Replica sellers rarely use consistent labels, but three broad tiers show up again and again.

Economy tier

Stamped or poorly cast cases, painted bezel markers instead of ceramic, flat blue dials with no sunburst, and hollow-feeling bracelets. The gold is usually a thin plating that wears through at the clasp and crown.

Mid tier

Better case finishing, a ceramic insert with engraved and filled numerals, a decent sunburst dial, and a reliable Asian automatic such as a 2824 or 2836 clone. The gold tone is often close but slightly too yellow or too copper.

High-end tier

CNC-machined cases with correct lug shape and crown guard profile, wrapped or heavy gold plating on the bezel and center links, genuine-style sunburst dials, and clone 3135 movements. These are the versions that photograph convincingly and feel substantial on the wrist.

Details that separate a good fake Rolex 116613 from a bad one

  • Gold color: 18k yellow gold on the real watch is warm, not brassy. Yellow-orange or greenish plating is the fastest tell.
  • Bezel insert: Ceramic should look glossy and slightly translucent at the edges, with crisp, recessed numerals. Stickers and printed scales look flat.
  • Dial sunburst: Tilt the watch in light. A real sunburst blue shifts from deep navy to bright blue. Painted dials stay one tone.
  • Cyclops and date: Magnification should sit near 2.5x, with the date filling the window and no heavy distortion.
  • Bracelet fit: Solid end links should sit flush against the case with no gaps or rattle at the lugs.
  • Rehaut engraving: Crisp, evenly spaced lettering aligned with the minute markers is a hallmark of the better builds.
  • Movement noise: A rotor that rattles or a crown that grinds signals a cheap movement regardless of how the case looks.

Gold plating, wrapping, and why it matters

Two-tone replicas live or die on the gold. Standard plating is microns thin and will fade at the clasp and crown within months of daily wear. Wrapped gold uses a much thicker layer and holds its color far longer. Solid 18k gold on a replica is rare and pushes the price close to a genuine steel watch, which defeats the purpose for most buyers. Ask specifically which method was used, and expect the answer to affect both price and lifespan.

Water resistance and daily use

Genuine 116613 is a dive watch rated to 300 m. Replicas are almost never pressure tested to that standard, and many are not sealed reliably at all. Treat any fake Rolex 116613 as splash resistant at best unless a watchmaker has tested the gaskets and caseback. Do not swim or dive with one.

Legal and practical warning

In the United States, selling counterfeit goods as genuine is fraud, and trafficking in counterfeit trademarked items is illegal. U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize counterfeit watches shipped from abroad, so an order may simply never arrive. Buyers should also know that a replica has no manufacturer service network, no warranty, and little resale value. If a seller claims a watch is authentic at a fraction of market price, it is not authentic.

Quick checklist before buying

  1. Confirm which reference is being copied: 116613LB (blue) or 116613LN (black).
  2. Ask for the movement type and the gold method in writing.
  3. Request close-up, high-resolution photos of the dial, bezel, clasp, and caseback.
  4. Compare lug shape and crown guard profile against reference photos of the real 40 mm case.
  5. Set a realistic budget; unusually cheap offers usually mean an economy build.