The replica Rolex Submariner 16613 is a counterfeit copy of the two-tone steel and 18k yellow gold Submariner Date that Rolex produced from 1988 until 2009. Copies mimic the 40 mm case, the blue or black dial, and the gold-through-steel bracelet, but they use third-party movements and gold plating rather than solid 18k gold. Selling them as genuine is illegal, and US Customs and Border Protection can seize them at import.
What is the genuine Rolex Submariner 16613?
The 16613 is a Submariner Date built in stainless steel with an 18k yellow gold bezel, crown, and bracelet center links. It uses a 40 mm Oyster case, a unidirectional rotating bezel, a sapphire crystal with a 2.5x cyclops lens, and the automatic Caliber 3135 movement. Rolex rated it to 300 meters and replaced it with the 116613 in 2009.
How do replica 16613 watches differ from the real thing?
Gold content is the biggest gap. Genuine center links, bezel, and crown are solid 18k gold, while replicas use plating over steel or brass, so the watch weighs noticeably less and wears through over time.
Movement is the second gap. The real 3135 is a Rolex in-house caliber, while replicas run Asian 2836 clones, ETA clones, or reverse-engineered 3135 copies with different finishing and beat characteristics.
- Case and bracelet weight, plus plating thickness
- Dial printing, lume plots, and hand finishing
- Crystal height, cyclops magnification, and anti-reflective coating
- Clasp stamping, crown logo depth, and caseback engravings
- Serial and reference engravings between the lugs
What do replica grade labels actually mean?
Terms like AAA, Swiss ETA, 1:1, and super clone are seller marketing, not industry standards. No body certifies these tiers, and the same factory label can describe very different watches from one listing to the next. Treat any grade name as a description of the seller's claim rather than a measurable quality guarantee.
Price tracks the movement more than the case. Budget copies often use a low-grade automatic, mid-tier builds use a decorated ETA clone, and the most expensive replicas use a clone 3135 with a gold-plated rotor. None of them contain the gold weight of the original.
Is buying or importing a replica Submariner legal in the United States?
No. Importing counterfeit trademarked goods is prohibited, and CBP can seize and destroy shipments without compensation to the buyer. Selling or advertising counterfeits exposes a seller to civil liability and criminal penalties under federal law.
Personal-use purchases carry risk too. A seized package usually means lost money, and reselling a replica as genuine can lead to fraud claims. Buying a replica also means funding an industry that operates outside consumer protection rules, so returns, warranties, and repairs are rarely enforceable.
How can you tell a replica 16613 from a real one?
- Weigh it. Solid gold two-tone bracelets feel substantially heavier than plated copies.
- Check the gold color under bright light. Plating looks flatter and often shows wear at the clasp and crown.
- Inspect the cyclops. Genuine magnification is crisp and consistent, while copies show distortion or a weak date window.
- Look at the dial text. Font weight, spacing, and the coronet shape are common tells on replica dials.
- Have a watchmaker open the case. Movement finishing, rotor engraving, and caseback threads settle the question quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Does a replica 16613 use real gold?
No. Replicas use gold plating or gold-toned PVD over steel or brass. The gold layer is microns thick, not a solid 18k component.
How much does a replica 16613 cost?
Listings usually run from roughly $200 to $600 depending on the movement and finishing. Genuine 16613 examples trade in the thousands on the secondary market.
Will a replica 16613 fool a watchmaker?
No. Weight, movement architecture, and caseback markings give a copy away during even a short inspection. Replicas mainly pass at a distance, not under scrutiny.
Why is the 16613 popular in the replica market?
The blue dial two-tone look, nicknamed the Bluesy, is one of the most recognizable Submariner designs. That recognition is exactly why copies of it are common and why buyers should verify any 16613 before paying.