Reference:116619LB - Revision history

Admin: Fact correction: 116619LB launched jointly with the yellow-gold 116618 in 2008, not as sole first ceramic Submariner (Sotheby's Important Watches 2025 116619LB note; Monochrome, Mulraney 2020; Fratello, Broer). First-year 2008 production anchored to Christie's Collector's Edition 2020 lot 47 V-serial and Phillips Game Changers NY 2019 lot 33. Cerachrom debut dated to GMT-Master II 116718LN 2005.

2026-08-08T22:30:54Z

Fact correction: 116619LB launched jointly with the yellow-gold 116618 in 2008, not as sole first ceramic Submariner (Sotheby's Important Watches 2025 116619LB note; Monochrome, Mulraney 2020; Fratello, Broer). First-year 2008 production anchored to Christie's Collector's Edition 2020 lot 47 V-serial and Phillips Game Changers NY 2019 lot 33. Cerachrom debut dated to GMT-Master II 116718LN 2005.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:30, 8 August 2026
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	<small>[[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] -> '''116619LB'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] -> '''116619LB'''</small>

	The 116619LB is the first white-gold Submariner and the first ~~Submariner~~ fitted with a Cerachrom ceramic bezel. Rolex introduced it at Baselworld 2008, two years before the steel 116610LN received ceramic in 2010. Collectors call it the Smurf, for the blue dial and blue bezel on a case that reads silver from across a room. White gold looks like steel in photographs, but weighs roughly twice as much, and the difference is obvious on the wrist the moment the watch goes on. That stealth-wealth quality drives much of the collector appeal.		The 116619LB is the first white-gold Submariner, and one of the first two Submariners fitted with a Cerachrom ceramic bezel. Rolex introduced it at Baselworld 2008 alongside the yellow-gold 116618, two years before the steel 116610LN received ceramic in 2010. Collectors call it the Smurf, for the blue dial and blue bezel on a case that reads silver from across a room. White gold looks like steel in photographs, but weighs roughly twice as much, and the difference is obvious on the wrist the moment the watch goes on. That stealth-wealth quality drives much of the collector appeal.

	The 116619LB was produced exclusively with a blue lacquer dial and blue bezel across its entire 2008–2020 run. No black-dial 116619 exists.		The 116619LB was produced exclusively with a blue lacquer dial and blue bezel across its entire 2008–2020 run. No black-dial 116619 exists.
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	== Where it sits in the line ==		== Where it sits in the line ==

	The 116619LB is the white-gold member of the ceramic-era Submariner generation. It launched in 2008 alongside the full yellow-gold [[Reference:116618\|116618]], the two precious-metal models carrying ceramic into the Submariner line before steel got it; the Rolesor [[Reference:116613\|116613]] ~~followed in~~ 2009 and the steel 116610 in 2010.		The 116619LB is the white-gold member of the ceramic-era Submariner generation. It launched in 2008 alongside the full yellow-gold [[Reference:116618\|116618]], the two precious-metal models carrying ceramic into the Submariner line before steel got it; Tom Mulraney's Submariner history for Monochrome (2020) puts the Rolesor [[Reference:116613\|116613]] at 2009 and the steel 116610 at 2010. Cerachrom had reached Rolex three years earlier, on the 2005 GMT-Master II 116718LN, per the same Monochrome history.

	Yellow-gold Submariners date back to the 1680/8 era, and Rolesor arrived with the 16613. White gold was new territory. A precious-metal Submariner that passes for steel carries the weight and the price of gold without announcing either, which no gold Submariner before it could do.		Yellow-gold Submariners date back to the 1680/8 era, and Rolesor arrived with the 16613. White gold was new territory. A precious-metal Submariner that passes for steel carries the weight and the price of gold without announcing either, which no gold Submariner before it could do.
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	== Production outline ==		== Production outline ==

	The 116619LB ran from 2008 to 2020, ~~though~~ the ~~sources split on whether~~ 2008 is the ~~catalog introduction with retail deliveries only starting in 2009~~. Nothing changed mid-run. Volume was always low; Rolex makes white-gold sport watches in far smaller numbers than their steel or yellow-gold siblings.		The 116619LB ran from 2008 to 2020, and the Basel introduction and the start of production fall in the same year: Christie's sold a V-serial example it dates to first-year 2008 manufacture (''Watches Online: The Collector's Edition'', 2020, lot 47), and Phillips describes the reference as Rolex's first serially produced white-gold Submariner (''Game Changers'', New York 2019, lot 33). Nothing changed mid-run. Volume was always low; Rolex makes white-gold sport watches in far smaller numbers than their steel or yellow-gold siblings.

	<span id="movement-notes"></span>		<span id="movement-notes"></span>

Admin: Text audit: voice, clarity, source links

2026-08-08T22:20:42Z

Text audit: voice, clarity, source links

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:20, 8 August 2026
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	== Where it sits in the line ==		== Where it sits in the line ==

	The 116619LB is the white-gold member of the ceramic-era Submariner generation. ~~The steel 116610 arrived~~ in ~~2010,~~ the ~~Rolesor~~ [[Reference:~~116613~~\|~~116613~~]] ~~in 2009~~, the ~~full yellow~~-~~gold~~ [[Reference:~~116618~~\|~~116618~~]] in ~~2008,~~ and the ~~full white-gold 116619LB alongside it — the white and yellow gold pair launched together as the first ceramic-bezel Submariners, with~~ steel ~~and two-tone following~~.		The 116619LB is the white-gold member of the ceramic-era Submariner generation. It launched in 2008 alongside the full yellow-gold [[Reference:116618\|116618]], the two precious-metal models carrying ceramic into the Submariner line before steel got it; the Rolesor [[Reference:116613\|116613]] followed in 2009 and the steel 116610 in 2010.

	Yellow-gold Submariners date back to the 1680/8 era, and Rolesor arrived with the 16613. White gold was new territory ~~— a~~ precious-metal Submariner that ~~could pass as~~ steel~~, with~~ the weight and the ~~market signaling that a~~ gold Submariner ~~never offered~~.		Yellow-gold Submariners date back to the 1680/8 era, and Rolesor arrived with the 16613. White gold was new territory. A precious-metal Submariner that passes for steel carries the weight and the price of gold without announcing either, which no gold Submariner before it could do.

	<span id="production-outline"></span>		<span id="production-outline"></span>
	== Production outline ==		== Production outline ==

	The 116619LB ran from 2008 to 2020~~. Some~~ sources ~~treat~~ 2008 as the catalog introduction ~~year~~ with retail deliveries starting in 2009. No mid-run ~~changes are documented~~. ~~The reference~~ was always low~~-volume —~~ white-gold sport ~~Rolex~~ watches ~~are produced~~ in ~~much~~ smaller numbers than their steel or yellow-gold siblings.		The 116619LB ran from 2008 to 2020, though the sources split on whether 2008 is the catalog introduction with retail deliveries only starting in 2009. Nothing changed mid-run. Volume was always low; Rolex makes white-gold sport watches in far smaller numbers than their steel or yellow-gold siblings.

	<span id="movement-notes"></span>		<span id="movement-notes"></span>
	== Movement notes ==		== Movement notes ==

	Caliber 3135 throughout — the same movement used in the 116610, the 116613, and the 116618. Quick-set date, 28,800 vph, Microstella regulation, Parachrom blue hairspring. The premium over the steel 116610LN ~~runs entirely on~~ case material, dial, and bracelet ~~rather than on the~~ mechanics. The 126619LB successor moved to caliber 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve.		Caliber 3135 throughout, the same movement used in the 116610, the 116613, and the 116618. Quick-set date, 28,800 vph, Microstella regulation, Parachrom blue hairspring. The premium over the steel 116610LN buys case material, dial, and bracelet. The mechanics are identical. The 126619LB successor moved to caliber 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve.

	<span id="dial-map"></span>		<span id="dial-map"></span>
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	=== Blue lacquer (the only dial) ===		=== Blue lacquer (the only dial) ===

	Blue lacquer dial with Maxi-format luminous markers and Chromalight lume. The lacquer reads differently from the sunburst blues on the 116618LB and 116613LB — deeper, more uniform, ~~without~~ the directional shimmer ~~of a sunburst finish. It~~ holds its color ~~across lighting conditions rather than shifting with the angle of~~ the light.		Blue lacquer dial with Maxi-format luminous markers, the oversized plots of the ceramic era, and Chromalight lume. The lacquer reads differently from the sunburst blues on the 116618LB and 116613LB. It is deeper and more uniform, with none of the directional shimmer, and it holds its color whatever the light does.

	White-gold markers and hands on that blue lacquer produce a cool palette: platinum-toned metal against dense blue, where the 116618LB's gold-on-sunburst reads warm and rich. The two references sit on opposite sides of the same blue-dial generation.		White-gold markers and hands on that blue lacquer produce a cool palette: platinum-toned metal against dense blue, where the 116618LB's gold-on-sunburst reads warm and rich. The two references sit on opposite sides of the same blue-dial generation.
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	=== Case ===		=== Case ===

	40mm 18k white gold in Super Case proportions — broader lugs than the five-digit era, ~~with~~ crown guards ~~present~~ and a Triplock crown sealing to 300m. The case back is solid 18k white gold. From across a room~~, the primary visual identifier is~~ the blue dial and bezel; the case ~~itself~~ reads as steel.		40mm 18k white gold in Super Case proportions, with broader lugs than the five-digit era, full crown guards, and a Triplock crown sealing to 300m. The case back is solid 18k white gold. From across a room the blue dial and bezel do the identifying; the case reads as steel.

	<span id="bezel"></span>		<span id="bezel"></span>
	=== Bezel ===		=== Bezel ===

	Blue Cerachrom ceramic insert ~~matching~~ the dial. Numerals and graduation marks are filled ~~with platinum rather than gold — a visual distinction from~~ the 116618~~, which~~ uses gold filling to match its yellow-gold case~~. Platinum filling~~ gives a silver-grey tone that ~~works~~ with ~~the~~ white-gold ~~case~~. Cerachrom does not fade, scratch, or discolor.		Blue Cerachrom ceramic insert matched to the dial. Numerals and graduation marks are platinum-filled, where the 116618 uses gold filling to match its yellow-gold case; the platinum gives a silver-grey tone that sits with white gold. Cerachrom does not fade, scratch, or discolor.

	<span id="crystal"></span>		<span id="crystal"></span>
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	=== Hallmarks ===		=== Hallmarks ===

	Hallmarks follow the standard Swiss precious-metal system. The St. Bernard "Barry" mark is the Swiss precious-metals stamp used post-1995, replacing the older Helvetia bust mark. Markings appear on the mid-case under the lugs, on the case back, and on bracelet blades~~. The 750 stamp indicates 18k — 750 parts per thousand — gold content~~.		Hallmarks follow the standard Swiss precious-metal system. A 750 stamp indicates 18k, or 750 parts per thousand gold content. The St. Bernard "Barry" mark is the Swiss precious-metals stamp used post-1995, replacing the older Helvetia bust mark. Markings appear on the mid-case under the lugs, on the case back, and on bracelet blades.

	<span id="bracelets-end-links-clasps-and-packaging-notes"></span>		<span id="bracelets-end-links-clasps-and-packaging-notes"></span>
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	=== Bracelet ===		=== Bracelet ===

	Full 18k white-gold Oyster ref.97209 with Glidelock ~~offering~~ roughly 20mm of micro-adjustment. ~~The finishing~~ is ~~all~~ brushed ~~— no~~ polished center links ~~as on~~ the 116618 or 116613, ~~a choice that reinforces~~ the ~~reference's~~ steel~~-appearance strategy~~. The bracelet ~~is unchanged~~ across the production run.		Full 18k white-gold Oyster ref.97209 with a Glidelock extension giving roughly 20mm of micro-adjustment. Finishing is brushed throughout, with none of the polished center links the 116618 and 116613 carry, which keeps the whole watch reading as steel. The bracelet does not change across the production run.

	<span id="special-branches"></span>		<span id="special-branches"></span>
	== Special branches ==		== Special branches ==

	No special branches~~, and a single configuration throughout —~~ one of the simplest references to catalog in the modern Submariner line~~. The 116619LB is also~~ the only ceramic-bezel Submariner to keep a flat, non-sunburst blue dial for its entire run~~; the~~ 116613LB and 116618LB both ~~transitioned~~ from flat to sunburst mid-production~~, while~~ the 116619LB's lacquer stayed constant.		One configuration throughout, and no special branches. That makes the 116619LB one of the simplest references to catalog in the modern Submariner line, and the only ceramic-bezel Submariner to keep a flat, non-sunburst blue dial for its entire run. The 116613LB and 116618LB both moved from flat to sunburst mid-production; the 116619LB's lacquer stayed constant.

	<span id="weight"></span>		<span id="weight"></span>
	=== Weight ===		=== Weight ===

	Rolex ~~Forum owners~~ report about 226.8g with 12 bracelet links fitted.		Owners posting on Rolex Forums report about 226.8g with 12 bracelet links fitted.

	<span id="historical-market-and-auction-record"></span>		<span id="historical-market-and-auction-record"></span>
	== Historical market and auction record ==		== Historical market and auction record ==

	The 116619LB often trades above the yellow-gold 116618 despite comparable material cost. ~~Historical firsts, low~~ production volume, and the stealth-wealth character ~~combine to place~~ it among the highest-value modern Submariners on the secondary market. It ~~is well represented both~~ in dealer inventories and at auction.		The 116619LB often trades above the yellow-gold 116618 despite comparable material cost. Low production volume and the stealth-wealth character do most of that work, helped by the reference's status as a first, and it sits among the highest-value modern Submariners on the secondary market. It turns up in dealer inventories and at auction alike.

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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 116619LB Submariner}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 116619LB Submariner}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex Submariner 116619LB 'Smurf' — White Gold, 2008–2020 \| BezelBase		\|title=Rolex Submariner 116619LB 'Smurf' — White Gold, 2008–2020 \| BezelBase
	\|description=The 116619LB is the first white gold Submariner and the first Submariner with a Cerachrom ceramic bezel. Rolex introduced it at Baselworld 2008, two years…		\|description=The 116619LB is the first white gold Submariner and the first Submariner with a Cerachrom ceramic bezel. Rolex introduced it at Baselworld 2008, two years…
	\|keywords=Rolex, 116619LB, Submariner, specifications, reference guide		\|keywords=Rolex, 116619LB, Submariner, specifications, reference guide
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Internal linking: related references + component links

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	The 116619LB often trades above the yellow-gold 116618 despite comparable material cost. Historical firsts, low production volume, and the stealth-wealth character combine to place it among the highest-value modern Submariners on the secondary market. It is well represented both in dealer inventories and at auction.		The 116619LB often trades above the yellow-gold 116618 despite comparable material cost. Historical firsts, low production volume, and the stealth-wealth character combine to place it among the highest-value modern Submariners on the secondary market. It is well represented both in dealer inventories and at auction.


			== Related references ==

			* [[Reference:116618\|Submariner 116618]] — Yellow Gold (2008–2020)
			* [[Reference:116613\|Submariner 116613]] — 2009–2020
			* [[Reference:116610LV\|Submariner 116610LV]] — "Hulk", Green Dial (2010–2020)
			* [[Reference:116610LN\|Submariner 116610LN]] — 2010–2020
			* [[Reference:114060\|Submariner 114060]] — 2012–2020
			* [[Reference:16610LV\|Submariner 16610LV]] — "Kermit", Green Bezel (2003–2010)

			See also the [[Reference:submariner\|Submariner family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 116619LB Submariner}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 116619LB Submariner}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex 116619LB ~~Submariner~~ — ~~Production, Dial Variants~~, ~~Serial Ranges~~ \| BezelBase		\|title=Rolex Submariner 116619LB 'Smurf' — White Gold, 2008–2020 \| BezelBase
	\|description=The 116619LB is the first white gold Submariner and the first Submariner with a Cerachrom ceramic bezel. Rolex introduced it at Baselworld 2008, two years…		\|description=The 116619LB is the first white gold Submariner and the first Submariner with a Cerachrom ceramic bezel. Rolex introduced it at Baselworld 2008, two years…
	\|keywords=Rolex, 116619LB, Submariner, specifications, reference guide		\|keywords=Rolex, 116619LB, Submariner, specifications, reference guide
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	\|image=Ref 116619LB hero 2.jpg		\|image=Ref 116619LB hero 2.jpg
	\|image_alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 116619LB		\|image_alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 116619LB
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	[[Category:Submariner]]		[[Category:Submariner]]
	~~[[Category:Working Draft]]~~