Sub 116613LB Question

[Cockyteal]

Hi everyone

Question about the blue TT Sub-Mariner.

My understanding is this model comes with the regular blue dial (older) and the sun-burst dial (newer), but both models have the same reference number - is this correct? What year did the change-over in the dial occur?

I bought one new in mid-2013 so I'm guessing mine has the older dial. It's a 116613LB as per the tag. It doesn't seem super shiny outside in the sun.

[kilyung]

The new blue dial is an iridescent sunburst blue. You'd know if you had it.

[77T]

It's easy to get a pic posted and we can see it - but I agree with Mike, you likely have the "smurf" dial.

[Cockyteal]

Originally Posted by 77T

It's easy to get a pic posted and we can see it - but I agree with Mike, you likely have the "smurf" dial.

Thanks guys. Haven't quite worked out the photo thing here yet with the URL.

But I tend agree it's probably a "smurf". Might take it to an AD and have a look at the latest model for comparison.

[DCheeta]

Originally Posted by Cockyteal

Thanks guys. Haven't quite worked out the photo thing here yet with the URL.

But I tend agree it's probably a "smurf". Might take it to an AD and have a look at the latest model for comparison.

No need. Just check out the 116613LB owners thread here...

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...light=Sunburst

[Eric Chan]

You purchased yours right around the time Rolex released the sunburst dial. Based on what you are saying, yours is the flat blue dial.

[77T]

When Rolex makes a color shift within a given reference it can cause customer confusion. But they do use unique dial part numbers that you won't see on your warranty card.

Your watch's predecessor, a 16613, had its blue dial as a sunburst pattern that many other brands chose to mimic.

IIRC, BaselWorld 2009 was when Rolex introduced the new style LB "smurf" dial along with a newer case style.

Much hubbub about the color change amongst WIS - fast forward a few years and the sunburst blue dial has returned.

Relatively high production numbers will likely never create a rarity factor for the smurf. But I do predict that a decade down the road we will see sellers trying to prop up higher resale values by stating "this Sub has the often sought-after and seldom-seen smurf dial that Rolex made in limited numbers for just a few years"


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[Racerdj]

Here is a picture of the sunburst dial. There are several comparison pictures here in the forum.

[AK797]

Does it have this light blue streak in the sun/bright light?

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