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Rolex Submariner Date
Ref. 116618LB
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Stepping up in the same colour and case shape
The 116618LB sits in the middle of the Submariner's yellow gold lineage, introduced in 2008 as the successor to the aluminium-bezelled 16618 and discontinued in 2020 when Rolex moved to 41mm and the Calibre 3235. What distinguishes it within that lineage is the Super Case architecture — squarer lugs, heavier crown guards — which gives it a presence on the wrist noticeably more substantial than the nominal 40mm suggests. The blue Cerachrom bezel insert is scratch-resistant ceramic with gold-filled numerals, and the dial finish shifted during production: pieces made before 2013 carry a flat lacquer blue, those from 2013 onwards a sunburst that catches light across the face differently at every angle. At 227.5 grams in solid 18k yellow gold, it is a watch you are always aware of, which is part of what makes it coherent — nothing about it pretends to be understated. The Glidelock clasp allows bracelet length to be adjusted in 2mm steps without tools, a practical detail that matters on a diver rated to 300m. The Calibre 3135 inside is Rolex's own movement, running a Parachrom hairspring for antimagnetic resilience and a full balance bridge for shock resistance — unhurried engineering that prioritises longevity over complication.
- Reference
- 116618LB
- Brand
- Rolex
- Collection
- Submariner
- Case size
- 40mm
- Case thickness
- 12.2mm
- Lug width
- 20mm
- Case material
- Gold
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Blue
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Bezel
- Unidirectional rotating
- Movement
- Automatic
- Calibre
- 3135
- Functions
- Date
- Water resistance
- 300m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Gold
- Clasp
- Folding clasp
- Lume
- Super-LumiNova
- Retailer
- Goldsmiths
Additional specifications
- Lug-to-lug
- 48mm
- Power reserve
- 48 hours
- Gem set
- Yes
Learn more about Rolex
Hans Wilsdorf founded Wilsdorf & Davis in London in 1905 with his brother-in-law Alfred Davis, importing Swiss movements and casing them in England. He registered the name Rolex in 1908 — short, pronounceable in any language, and easy to fit on a dial.
Wilsdorf's conviction was that the wristwatch, then regarded as a woman's ornament and hopelessly fragile, could be made accurate and durable. He proved the first half in 1910 by obtaining the first chronometer certification for a wristwatch, and the second in 1926 with the Oyster case, sealed by a screw-down crown and caseback. Mercedes Gleitze swam the Channel wearing one in 1927, and Wilsdorf bought the front page of the Daily Mail to say so — arguably the first modern watch marketing campaign.
The Perpetual rotor followed in 1931, giving automatic winding in a form the whole industry eventually copied. The company relocated to Geneva during the First World War to escape British wartime duties.
The professional models arrived in a compressed burst in the 1950s: Submariner, Explorer, GMT-Master, Milgauss, and later the Daytona. Each was built for a specific job — diving, exploration, aviation, laboratory work, racing — and each became a design template.
Wilsdorf left his shares to a private foundation on his death, so Rolex answers to no shareholders. It remains the largest producer of certified chronometers in Switzerland by a wide margin.
- 1905
- Hans Wilsdorf founds Wilsdorf & Davis in London.
- 1908
- The Rolex name is registered.
- 1926
- The Oyster case introduces genuine water resistance.
- 1931
- The Perpetual rotor brings modern automatic winding.
- 1953
- The Submariner and Explorer launch.
- 1963
- The Cosmograph Daytona arrives.
Also in 5 collections
This watch appears in Automatic Watches (1,742), Blue Dial Watches (922), Sports Watches (830), Dive Watches (590) and Solid Gold Watches (162).
Manufacturer’s guarantee
What the specifications mean
A mechanical watch built to be worn hard and got wet.
Strengths
- 300m water resistance, rated for actual diving
- 40mm suits most wrists
- Sapphire crystal, which resists scratching
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
- Sits in the lower half of Rolex's range as we list it
Rolex Submariner Date alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | 116618LB | 8162-182B/10 | 1-36-13-03-90-33 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £34,250 | £24,300 | £25,400 |
| Case size | 40mm | 39mm | 43.2mm |
| Water resistance | 300m | 300m | 300m |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Leather strap | Rubber strap |
| Power reserve | 48 hours | 42 hours | — |
| This watch |
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Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Yes. At 300m it is rated for swimming, snorkelling and recreational diving.
Will the glass scratch?
Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.
Does it need a battery?
No. It is automatic — the motion of your wrist winds it, and there is no cell to replace.
How long does it run for when it's not worn?
About 48 hours fully wound — enough to survive a night off the wrist, but not a full weekend.
What size strap does it take?
20mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.
Will it fit my wrist?
Lug-to-lug is 48mm, which suits wrists from roughly 16.5cm (6½ inches) upward.
Lug-to-lug decides fit more than case diameter does.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as men's, though at 40mm it sits in the range that suits anyone.
Cheapest place to buy
Goldsmiths at £34,250 is the cheapest of 4 UK retailers, against £34,950 at the dearest — a difference of £700.
Who are Goldsmiths?
Goldsmiths has been selling watches in Britain since 1778 and is part of the Watches of Switzerland Group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. They are an authorised dealer, so a watch comes with the manufacturer’s own warranty.
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