The men’s Rolex Submariner was developed in 1953 and made its official debut during Basel Watch Fair the following year. One of the first dive watches to offer a 100-meter depth rating, the Submariner essentially paved the way for the modern dive watch as we know it today. Over the years, the Submariner has seen many notable upgrades, including the addition of a date display in the 1960s, the switch from acrylic to sapphire crystals in the late 1970s, and the change from radioactive tritium to photoluminescent lume in the 1990s. The Submariner was initially only available in stainless steel; a two-tone variant didn’t become available until 1984 via the ref. 16803.That brings us to the two examples that are featured here in today’s comparison video. The Rolex 16613 made its debut in 1988 and was the final aluminum bezel Submariner. The ref. 116613 was introduced in 2009 and features a completely redesigned feature set that swapped the aluminum bezel out for a tougher Cerachrom ceramic insert and features an all-new case and bracelet design. While both references are similar, they each bring a different aesthetic to the table.The Rolex Submariner 16613 was produced for over twenty years. During that time, it became available in many variations, including either a black or blue dial and bezel set, stunning champagne or silver “Serti” dials adorned with gems, lug holes on the case or no holes, and different luminous material on the dial. Two features that remain consistent among the reference variations are the two-tone steel and gold finish of the case and the aluminum insert on the bezel.With the unveiling of the modern 116613 Submariner in Yellow Rolesor (aka two-tone stainless steel and 18k yellow gold) came a newer-style “Super Case” which, despite offering the same 40mm diameter as the ref. 16613, appears slightly larger. The lugs and crown guard are wider, and the bezel received a new mounting design, giving the case a slightly more robust appearance and refined bezel action.
However, the 126710 Blue/Red GMT II which Noob just published saved face for them.In the past several years, Rolex GMT-Master Batman 116710BLNR has always been the most popular GMT watch. Till 2019, a lot of new Rolex GMT-Master II models were published, there were also a lot of factories manufacturing GMT-Master II, however, among so many watch manufacturers, no one is able to make them with 904L stainless steel and the same Rolex movement at the same time, except Noob. So, even you need to wait for a bit longer to get your ordered watches from Noob, sometimes it is worth to wait.Now, back to the review of this GMT-Master II, like other GMT-Master II from Rolex, this one is also measured to be 40mm in case diameter, the case thickness is 12.5mm. Both case and jubilee bracelet are made of 904L stainless steel, the bezel uses high quality ceramic material, it is in blue/red color, actually the red looks like brown, the bezel markers have platinum coating that will never fade. About movement, Noob installed a clone 3285 in this replica Rolex GMT, this is the first 3285 movement in our market that has correct hand stack and adjustable hour hand, its functions are completely the same as genuine Rolex 3285.Noob’s Rolex products are in good quality, some models represent the highest watch-making level in our market, some models have become the legend, for example, the black Submariner 116610LN. About this GMT-Master, if you pursue perfection in case design, dial details and even movement function, then choose from Noob. However, as I said before, the GMT-Master with Super Clone movement from Noob is not that stable, my clients who bought Noob GMT-Master before now all had some issues on their watches, what I want to say is that Noob still has not developed one movement for GMT-Master that is as stable as the Super Clone 4130 for their Daytona products.
The Rolex Two-Tone Submariner 16613 is available on a flat-link Oyster bracelet with hollow 18 karat yellow gold center links and an Oysterlock clasp. Like other Submariner watches, the clasp on the ref. 16613 features a wetsuit extension system that allows the length of the bracelet to be adjusted on the fly to fit comfortably over wetsuits.Depending on the year of production, Submariner 16613 bracelets can be found with slight differences between their clasps, end-links, and wetsuit extension systems. Earlier examples will have hollow end-links, all-steel clasps, and stamped wetsuit extensions, while later-era 16613 Submariner bracelets will have solid end-links, a link-style extension system, and a clasp featuring a 18k yellow gold strip through the center.The ref. 16613 is the result of Rolex’s tireless quest for perfection. Its long production run has spawned several variations, making it a fun watch to “hunt” for on the pre-owned Rolex market. It’s also a popular choice for its stunning two-tone steel and gold finish, and it is an excellent option for anyone who seeks a gold Rolex sports watch without the hefty price tag that accompanies an all-gold watch.
The chemical composition of synthetic green sapphire includes copper and aluminum oxide, with the copper being the element that is ultimately responsible for its signature green hue. The process of synthetic sapphire production is an expensive and exacting one; however, the additional obstacles that accompany the addition of copper – and the precision required to achieve the right amount of green tint without compromising the strength or clarity of the crystal are likely responsible for its exclusive use on the Rolex Milgauss line of watches.When synthetic sapphire is manufactured, the material has to “grow” over the course of a period of several weeks. Particles attract to one another, forming layers that fuse together to create a dense and ultra-hard substance. The end result of production is a “boule” – a solid piece of synthetic sapphire shaped like a chunky cylinder, which is then cut and shaped to its necessary dimensions.Due to the high costs of production, most watch crystal manufacturers cut their synthetic sapphire boules in a perpendicular fashion, as to maximize the number of crystals that can be created from a single boule. Although this is entirely unconfirmed, it is rumored that Rolex cuts the boule along a diagonal axis to maximize the clarity and strength of the finished crystal. In addition to complicating the cutting and shaping process itself, cutting the boule along a diagonal axis significantly increases the amount of waste, which further adds cost to an already expensive manufacturing process.Despite not making an appearance until just over ten years ago, the green sapphire crystal has quickly become one of the defining characteristics of the Milgauss line. Its pale green tint possesses no functional advantages over a traditional, clear/uncolored synthetic sapphire crystal; however, the green crystal that is exclusively fitted to the Rolex Milgauss 116400GV is one of the primary reasons that individuals seek out this particular reference. The green crystal is something entirely unique to the Milgauss collection and is not something that is found on any other Rolex watch, past or present.
Compared with V1, this version has a much slimmer movement. First, the watch is made of better material 904L stainless steel, whether the lugs and clasp, there are correct engravings. There are same correct engravings on the back side of the case back and movement plates. The movement plates have Rolex SEALs, the entire movement is decorated to the lookf of genuine Rolex 4130.The dial is blue, it has special sunray patterns, the texture is high quality. I do not know how did the factory do, but it really looks high quality. All hour markers have been filled with quality Swiss lume material, they will have a strong lume light in the dark conditions.The replica is equipped with a super clone 4130 movement. It is the best quality chronograph movement in replica watch market. Compared with the movement installed in ARF Daytona, this super clone 4130 movement can achieve a full chronograph function. By the way, the replica watch comes with one pair of free short rubber strap. The following are details of the replica.Movement: Super Clone 4130, Decorated Movement Plates and Auto Rotor to Look of Rolex Calibre 4130 Case: 40mm*12.5mm, Solid 904L Stainless Steel Bezel: Black Ceramic Crystal: Sapphire with Tiny Rolex Crown Logo at 6 o’clock Dial: Blue with Working Subdials, Blue Superlume on Markers and Handsn Bracelet: Top Quality Black Rubber with Deployant Clasp Water Resistant: 30m Daytona and Submariner are two models that have been mostly replicated in recent months. Both Noob and AR factories have brought us a lot of amazing replicas during this period, I can not share all of them with you here, so I chose some representative models to review. Today, I will introduce another novelty AR factory has brought to us, it is a Daytona replica watch, which is in full yellow gold. This is the latest V2 edition, AR updated its bezel, dial and bracelet on basis of V1. There are several selling points on this replica watch, please read the following article.First, the watch is fully made of 904L stainless steel, while on the surface of case and bracelet, there is a thick layer of 18K yellow gold, which is measured to be 5 mils thick. This is one of the selling points of the replica. Based on V1, this time AR factory made improvement on the case engraving and bezel engraved numerals. The black color of the tachymeter scales on the bezel is closer to genuine. About engraving, check the back side of each lug, it has correct symbol engraving like genuine watch case.Replica Rolex Daytona 116518LN The second selling point, it is the movement. Actually I did not recommend AR Factory Daytona before, because they do not have a full chronograph function, the subdials at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock have no function, only the second-chronograph hand on the center is working. However, when I think back, although the replica does not have a full chronograph function, its movement may be more reliable. Some features are sacrificed, this makes the movement to be slimmer and more stable. We know Noob also makes this Daytona with full chronograph function, all subdials are working like genuine, but I do not think the movement of Noob Daytona is more reliable than that of ARF Daytona. Besides, the ARF Daytona is sold at a much cheaper price.
Now, Noob factory updated the watch again, besides continuously improved the movement realiability and stability, this time the factory used 904L stainless steel on the case and bracelet, it is the first time for the factory to use 904L steel on replica watches. Now, let’s see more details on this replica 116610LV.Because it is the eighth time improvement Noob factory made on this watch, so we called this watch Submariner 116610LV V8. The case, bezel, case back and bracelet are all made of stainless steel 904L, which uses the same material as genuine watch. This is the greatest improvement I have found on all replica watches, because those watches made in our market all use 316L stainless steel. If you have some knowledge about Rolex, you will know the advantage of 904L steel. Absolutely the price is also higher. Besides the case material, the case size is also made to be exactly the same as genuine 116610LV, the case diameter is 40mm, thickness is 13mm. Green ceramic bezel insert, with dial, the green color is closer to genuine watch. Bezel engravings are platinum tone, just like original bezel.Dial is green. Genuine Swiss Blue SuperLume is applied on three-dimensional hour markers and hands. All hour markers have silver edge around, those Rolex Rehaut on inner bezel are correctly engraved. Dial letterings and date have the correct font that are closer to genuine than all previous 116610LV replicas published before. The replica has a correct date mag of 2.5X. Inside the case back, there is a great clone movement, named Super Clone 3135, whose auto rotor and bridges are fully decorated to be exactly the same as genuine Rolex 3135 movement.Here are some specifications of the replica 116610LV:Movement: Super Clone 3135 Automatic, 28800BPH, Decorated Rotor and Bridges Case: 904L Stainless Steel, 40mm*13mm Bezel: Green Ceramic, Uni-Directional, Anti-Clockwise Crystal: Sapphire, Tiny Crown in Crystal at 6 Dial: SuperLumed, Green Bracelet: 904L Stainless Steel with Deployant Buckle Water Resistant: 50m Two tone is the element that mostly represents the luxury of a watch.
Although the rotating bezel serves to record dive times, this has not stopped Rolex from making a few ultra-lavish Submariners with precious gem-set bezels that forsake the tool watch nature of the model. First, there’s the white gold Submariner 116649EMBR (presented in 2010) with a bezel set with 36 emeralds and 12 diamonds. Then in 2018, Rolex introduced the white gold Submariner 116659SABR with a bezel set with nine light blue sapphires (to mimic the first 15-minute markings), 27 dark blue sapphires, and 12 diamonds.To summarize, the history and evolution of the Submariner bezel is generally divided into three generations: bidirectional bezel with aluminum insert (early-1950s – late-1970s), unidirectional bezel with aluminum insert (late-1970s – late-2000s), and unidirectional bezel with Cerachrom ceramic insert (late 2000s until present). Which is your favorite type of Submariner bezel?
