Rolex Submariner 116619LB

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Submariner 116619LB

The Rolex Submariner 116619LB, known to collectors as the Smurf, is a solid 18k white gold dive watch with a lacquered blue dial and matching blue Cerachrom bezel. Rolex introduced it in 2008 as the first Submariner ever produced in white gold and discontinued it in 2020. WatchGuys carries pre-owned and unworn 116619LB watches, each authenticated in-house and backed by a 2-year warranty. Below we cover what the Smurf is, the detail that makes it unrepeatable, what it costs, and how it compares to the reference that replaced it.

What Is the Rolex 116619LB "Smurf"?

The 116619LB is a Rolex Submariner Date produced from 2008 to 2020 in a 40mm case built entirely from solid 18k white gold, including the bezel, crown, and every link of the Oyster bracelet. Rolex's white gold alloy carries a slightly grey cast and needs no rhodium plating, which is why the watch reads as steel at a glance and only announces itself by weight. The case uses the Super Case design with broader lugs and larger crown guards, and the bracelet carries the Glidelock clasp. The dial is lacquered rather than sunburst, giving it a deep, almost wet appearance that shifts with the light. Rolex's internal suffix "LB" stands for Lunette Bleue, French for blue bezel. Inside is the Caliber 3135 with a 48-hour power reserve and COSC certification, and water resistance is 300 meters.

One fact defines this reference more than any specification: the Smurf is the only white gold Submariner Rolex has ever made with a blue dial. When the Cookie Monster replaced it in 2020, Rolex kept the blue bezel but switched the dial to black, and no all-blue white gold Submariner has been produced since. Supply is therefore fixed at whatever left the factory before 2020, and unlike most discontinued references there is no current-production equivalent a buyer can substitute.

Rolex 116619LB Price

Pre-owned and unworn Rolex 116619LB watches at WatchGuys typically range from $39,000 to $50,000 or more. Where a specific piece lands depends on production year, condition, and whether the original box and papers are included, with late-production 2019 and 2020 examples trading at the upper end. The Smurf has been among the stronger performers in the Submariner family on the secondary market, which its fixed supply and singular dial configuration help explain. It sits above the current Rolex 126619LB and near the top of the wider gold Rolex range. For pricing on a specific piece in our inventory, contact our team directly.

Smurf vs. Cookie Monster vs. Yellow Gold

The Smurf's direct successor is the 126619LB, nicknamed the Cookie Monster, which arrived in 2020 with a 41mm case, slimmer lugs, the Caliber 3235 and its 70-hour power reserve, and a glossy black dial in place of the blue. It is the better watch mechanically and the more wearable of the two day to day, but it is not the same watch visually, which is precisely why the Smurf holds its own. Buyers weighing white gold against the warmer option should compare the yellow gold Rolex 116618LB, which pairs a sunburst blue dial with a yellow gold case from the same generation, or the black-dial Rolex 116618LN. For the blue-on-blue look at a fraction of the price, the two-tone Rolex Bluesy is the accessible alternative. Both white gold references sit together in our white gold Submariner collection, and the full Rolex Submariner lineup covers every other configuration.

Trusted Dealer

Why Buy a Rolex 116619LB From WatchGuys

Every pre-owned Rolex 116619LB Smurf for sale at WatchGuys is authenticated, accurately described, and protected end to end. Here is what comes with every purchase.

Common Questions

Rolex 116619LB FAQ

• Why Is the 116619LB Called the "Smurf"?

  The nickname comes from the bright blue dial and blue bezel set against a cool-toned white gold case, which collectors connected to the blue cartoon characters. Rolex has never used the name officially, but it took hold shortly after the 2008 launch and is now the standard way the reference is described across dealer listings and auction catalogs.

• Is the Rolex 116619LB Discontinued?

  Yes. Rolex produced the 116619LB from 2008 to 2020 and replaced it with the 126619LB, known as the Cookie Monster. Because the successor switched to a black dial while keeping the blue bezel, the Smurf remains the only white gold Submariner ever made with a blue dial, and secondary market supply is fixed at what was produced before 2020.

• How Much Does a Rolex 116619LB Cost?

  Pre-owned and unworn 116619LB prices at WatchGuys typically range from $39,000 to $50,000 or more. Production year, condition, and whether the original box and papers are included all affect where a piece lands, with late-production 2019 and 2020 examples trading toward the top. Contact our team for current pricing on a specific 116619LB in our inventory.

• Why Does a White Gold Rolex Look Like Steel?

  Rolex's 18k white gold alloy has a naturally cool, slightly grey tone and is not rhodium plated, so it reads much like Oystersteel from a distance. The difference is immediate on the wrist: solid white gold is substantially heavier than steel. For many owners that discretion is the appeal, since the watch carries precious metal weight and value without announcing it.

• What Is the Difference Between the Smurf and the Cookie Monster?

  The Smurf (116619LB) has a blue dial with a blue bezel, a 40mm case, and the Caliber 3135 with a 48-hour power reserve. The Cookie Monster (126619LB) replaced it in 2020 with a glossy black dial, the same blue bezel, a 41mm case, and the Caliber 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve. Both are solid 18k white gold. The Cookie Monster is mechanically newer; the Smurf is the only one of the two with a blue dial.

• What Size Is the Rolex 116619LB?

  The case measures 40mm. It uses the Super Case design with broader lugs and larger crown guards, so it wears slightly larger than earlier 40mm Submariner references, and the solid white gold construction adds noticeable weight over a steel model of the same diameter. The Submariner moved to 41mm with the 2020 generation, making the Smurf part of the last 40mm era.

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