A fake Rolex Submariner 16613 is a counterfeit version of Rolex's two-tone yellow gold and steel diver, introduced in the late 1980s and produced until about 2011. The genuine reference has a 40mm Oyster case, a polished gold bezel with black insert, and a matching gold Jubilee or Oyster bracelet. Most fakes fail basic inspection because they use the wrong materials, inaccurate dial printing, or a cheap quartz or low-grade automatic movement. The fastest way to spot a fake is to check the date window: the genuine 16613 has a Cyclops lens that magnifies the date 2.5 times, and under a loupe, the date should appear crisp and perfectly centered. Fakes often show flat or misaligned magnification.

Reference 16613 Identification Basics

The Submariner 16613 was an early two-tone model that combined 18k yellow gold on the crown, bezel, and center links with a stainless steel Oyster case. It used Rolex's calibre 3135 movement inside. In 2005, Rolex switched the aluminium bezel insert to CERACHROM ceramic for later 16613 examples, but the earlier models had a black or blue aluminium insert. Fakes frequently mix these period details, placing ceramic inserts on early-style cases or printing the wrong depth rating (300m = 1000ft) on the dial. Look at the dial text: the genuine dial says "Submariner" and "300m/1000ft" in white gold type. The fake often uses rough letters or incorrect spacing.

Quick Physical Checks for Counterfeits

  • Weight: A genuine 16613 with a full steel/gold bracelet weighs about 160 grams. Most fakes use hollow links or plated base metal, so they feel 30-40% lighter.
  • Date magnification: Hold the watch flat. The Crystal Cyclops should enlarge the date by 2.5x. If the date appears the same size as on unbranded watches, it's a fake.
  • Screw down crown: The crown on the authentic 16613 has a smooth, precise thread. Counterfeits often have a rough or interrupted screw motion.
  • Bezel click: Turn the bezel counter-clockwise. Genuine Submariner bezels have a firm, mechanical click that stops at each minute mark. Fake bezels are often loose or click irregularly.
  • Rehaut engraving: Modern genuine examples have "ROLEX" engraved around the inner bezel ring, visible only at a sharp angle. Many fakes skip this engraving or misplace it.

Movement and Serial Number Red Flags

Open the case back (or ask a professional to do it). Genuine 16613 watches have a solid screw-down case back, and inside is the calibre 3135 with a red gears reversal assembly near the automatic module. Fake movements often have a generic Chinese automatic with an engraved rotor bearing the Rolex name. The serial number on modern Rolex watches is located between the lugs at 6 o'clock. Fake watches may have serials that are too shallow, too deep, or made from several digits. Neither a genuine nor a high-quality fake will have visible screws on the case back. If you see them, it's a low-grade replica.

Why People Purchase Fake 16613 Replicas

Some buyers know they are purchasing a replica for fashion or to test the look before buying a genuine piece. Others are trying to pass off a fake as real. The replica market for the 16613 is active because the two-tone style is iconic but genuine pieces cost several thousand dollars. High-tier replicas use correct 904L steel and plated gold, but no replica exactly matches the gold grain, end-links fit, and crystal clarity of the original. Note that selling and owning many counterfeit goods is illegal in the US and most countries when you represent them as genuine.

Final Advice

If you have a suspected fake 16613, compare it to official Rolex photos and have a watchmaker check the movement. For anyone specifically shopping for a replica, accept that a fake 16613 will not hold value, will not be water-resistant, and may have a service life of only a few years. The safest financial and legal route is to save for a genuine watch or purchase a homage from a legal brand.