Rolex Bluesy

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Bluesy

The Rolex Bluesy is the two-tone Rolesor Rolex Submariner Date fitted with a blue dial and a matching blue bezel. It is one of the most recognizable and continuously produced two-tone configurations in the entire Rolex catalog, with a 40-year production history spanning four reference generations from the original 1984 ref. 16803 through the current 126613LB. The blue-on-blue colorway with yellow gold Rolesor accents gives the Bluesy a distinctive warmth that sets it apart from both the all-steel Submariners and the full-gold references. WatchGuys carries authenticated pre-owned and unworn Rolex Bluesy examples across every era, each backed by a 2-year warranty and our Buyer Protection program.

What Is the Rolex Bluesy?

The Rolex Bluesy is the collector nickname for the two-tone Rolesor Submariner Date with a blue dial and blue bezel. The case and bracelet combine 904L Oystersteel with solid 18k yellow gold on the bezel, crown, and outer bracelet links. The nickname is a straightforward collector description of the watch's defining feature, the deep blue dial and matching blue bezel, and applies to every blue-on-blue two-tone Submariner Rolex has produced since 1984. Rolex itself does not use the Bluesy name, it is a collector term that has been attached to two-tone blue Submariner Dates for more than 40 years and is standard terminology across dealer and auction-house listings.

Four References Across Four Decades

The Bluesy nickname applies to four distinct reference generations. The Rolex 16803 (1984 to 1988) was the first two-tone Submariner Date, introducing the blue-on-blue configuration with an aluminum bezel and sapphire crystal. The Rolex 16613 and 16613LB (1988 to 2009) standardized the formula with the Caliber 3135 movement, retaining the aluminum bezel insert throughout its 21-year run. The Rolex 116613LB (2009 to 2020) was the first Bluesy with a ceramic Cerachrom bezel, the Maxi case, solid end links, and the Glidelock clasp. The current Rolex 126613LB (2020 to present) moves to a 41mm case with slimmer lugs and runs the newer Caliber 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve. One detail most buyers miss: the 116613LB uses gold dial text, while the 126613LB uses white. For a complete walk through the Submariner lineage, see our Rolex Submariner Buyer's Guide.

Rolex Bluesy Price

Pre-owned Rolex Bluesy prices at WatchGuys typically range from $10,000 to $22,000+. The older 16613LB with the aluminum bezel generally trades in the low to mid teens depending on year, condition, and whether the original bezel and factory polish are intact. The ceramic 116613LB sits in the mid to high teens, with unworn pieces pushing toward the top of the range. The current 126613LB commands the highest prices in the family, typically in the high teens to low twenties, reflecting both the updated 41mm case and continued waitlist pressure at authorized dealers. The Bluesy spans our Rolex under $20,000 and Rolex over $20,000 segments. For current market context across the wider Submariner family, see our Rolex Market Report.

Rolex Bluesy vs. Rolex Smurf

The two blue Submariners most often compared are the Bluesy and the Rolex Smurf (ref. 116619LB). Both share the blue bezel and blue dial, but the Smurf is cased entirely in 18k white gold rather than two-tone Rolesor. That material difference pushes the Smurf to roughly 2 to 3 times the price of a Bluesy, with examples typically trading from the high $30,000s to well over $40,000. The Smurf also uses a lacquered blue dial (brighter, flatter) where the Bluesy uses a sunburst blue dial (deeper, with a metallic shift under light). For buyers who want a blue-on-blue Submariner without the precious-metal premium, the Bluesy is the obvious choice. For those comparing all blue Submariner options including the current-production white gold Cookie Monster, our Smurf vs. Cookie Monster comparison covers the full precious-metal side.

Rolex Bluesy vs. 126613LN (Black Dial)

The current two-tone Submariner Date is offered in two configurations: the Bluesy (ref. 126613LB) with the blue dial and bezel, and the ref. 126613LN with a black dial and black bezel. Both share the same 41mm Rolesor case, Caliber 3235 movement, 70-hour power reserve, and Oyster bracelet with Glidelock clasp. The LN version is the more understated option and typically trades about $1,000 less than the Bluesy on the secondary market. Buyers who want the classic all-black Submariner look in two-tone choose the LN. Buyers who want the warm, distinctive blue-on-blue aesthetic that defines the Bluesy choose the LB. Both sit inside our Rolex 126613 collection.

Trusted Dealer

Why Buy a Rolex Bluesy From WatchGuys

The Bluesy spans 40 years of Rolex production, which means buying one well requires fluency across four reference generations. Every pre-owned Rolex Bluesy for sale at WatchGuys is authenticated in-house by our watchmakers and backed by the policies below, regardless of which reference or era you are shopping.

Common Questions

Rolex Bluesy FAQ

• What Is the Rolex Bluesy?

  The Rolex Bluesy is the collector nickname for the two-tone Rolesor Submariner Date with a blue dial and blue bezel. The case and bracelet combine 904L Oystersteel with solid 18k yellow gold on the bezel, crown, and outer bracelet links. The nickname applies to every blue-on-blue two-tone Submariner Rolex has produced since 1984, spanning four reference generations from the 16803 through the current 126613LB.

• How Much Does a Rolex Bluesy Cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Bluesy prices at WatchGuys typically range from $10,000 to $22,000+. The aluminum-bezel 16613LB generally trades in the low to mid teens. The ceramic 116613LB lands in the mid to high teens, with unworn examples pushing higher. The current 126613LB commands the top of the range, usually in the high teens to low twenties depending on year, condition, and accessories. Exact pricing varies by condition and whether the watch includes its original box and papers.

• What Is the Difference Between the Rolex Bluesy and the Rolex Smurf?

  The Smurf (ref. 116619LB) is a full 18k white gold Submariner with a lacquered blue dial and blue bezel. The Bluesy is two-tone Rolesor, combining Oystersteel with 18k yellow gold. The decision comes down to material and budget. The Smurf trades at roughly 2 to 3 times the price of a Bluesy because of the white gold case and bracelet. If you want the blue-on-blue Submariner aesthetic without paying the precious-metal premium, the Bluesy delivers effectively the same look in a wearable, durable Rolesor package.

• What Is the Difference Between the 116613LB and the 126613LB?

  The 116613LB ran from 2009 to 2020 in a 40mm Maxi case with the Caliber 3135 movement (48-hour power reserve) and gold dial text. The 126613LB replaced it in 2020 with a 41mm case, slimmer lugs, a broader dial opening, white dial text, and the newer Caliber 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve and upgraded Chronergy escapement. Both use the same blue Cerachrom bezel and blue sunburst dial, and both retain the Oyster bracelet with Glidelock clasp. The 126613LB wears slightly larger and more refined, while the 116613LB is the chunkier, more tool-watch-leaning option.

• Is the Rolex Bluesy Discontinued?

  No. The Bluesy is one of the longest continuously produced Submariner configurations in the Rolex catalog. The current 126613LB remains in production as of April 2026 and is still available at authorized dealers, though allocation is limited. The 40mm 116613LB was discontinued in 2020 when the 126613LB replaced it, and earlier references (16613LB, 16803) have been out of production for decades. All generations are available on the pre-owned and unworn market at WatchGuys.

• Why Is It Called the Bluesy?

  The nickname is a straightforward collector description of the watch's defining feature, the deep blue dial and matching blue bezel. The term has been attached to two-tone blue Submariner Dates for more than 40 years and is used across all four references. Rolex itself does not acknowledge the nickname, and the collector shorthand distinguishes the blue-on-blue two-tone configuration from the black-dial 126613LN and the full gold or full white gold Submariners.

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