A fake Rolex 116610 LV is a counterfeit copy of the Rolex Submariner Date 116610 LV, the 40 mm stainless steel dive watch with a green ceramic bezel and green dial that collectors call the Hulk. Genuine examples were made from 2010 to 2020, ran on the in-house caliber 3135, and now trade well above their original retail price. That spread is why the reference sits among the most replicated watches in the world.
What is the genuine Rolex 116610 LV?
The 116610 LV is a Submariner Date with a green Cerachrom bezel insert and a green sunburst dial. It uses a 904L Oystersteel case, a Triplock crown, and a solid-link Oyster bracelet with a Glidelock clasp. Rolex discontinued it in 2020 and replaced it with the 41 mm reference 126610 LV.
- Case size: 40 mm, lug width 20 mm
- Movement: Rolex caliber 3135, automatic, about 48 hours of power reserve
- Water resistance: 300 m / 1,000 ft
- Crystal: sapphire with a 2.5x cyclops over the date
- Production: 2010 to 2020
Why is the 116610 LV copied so often?
Demand for the Hulk far exceeds the number of watches Rolex made, so resale prices climbed and buyers looked for cheaper alternatives. Counterfeiters target it because a green dial and green bezel create strong visual recognition, which helps a fake pass at a glance. High-volume online sellers also market clones under search strings like fake rolex 1166 10 lv to catch shoppers who mistype the reference number.
How can you tell a fake 116610 LV from a real one?
No single detail proves authenticity. The strongest checks combine case geometry, dial printing, and movement inspection by a qualified watchmaker.
Bezel and dial
A genuine Cerachrom insert has a deep, slightly matte green with crisp platinum-coated numerals. Many fakes use a painted or stickered insert that looks glossy, flat, or slightly blue in daylight. On the dial, the text should be sharp and evenly spaced, and the sunburst finish should shift smoothly from dark to bright green.
Cyclops, date, and crystal
Rolex uses a 2.5x magnifier with an anti-reflective coating under the crystal. Counterfeits often magnify closer to 1.5x or 3x, and the date font can look thin, wide, or off-center. A faint blue halo or a hazy date window is a common tell.
Case, crown guards, and bracelet
Real lugs are thick with evenly polished and brushed surfaces, and the crown guards are symmetrical. Fake cases often have softer edges, uneven brushing, or end links that do not sit flush against the case. Weight is a useful signal: a real 116610 LV with a full bracelet weighs roughly 155 grams.
Rehaut and movement
The engraved inner ring, called the rehaut, should show an aligned ROLEX repeat and a serial at 6 o'clock. Counterfeit engraving is frequently shallow, misaligned, or laser-etched rather than cut. Only a watchmaker opening the caseback can confirm a genuine 3135 movement, its finishing, and its correct balance assembly.
What does "1:1 Swiss super clone" actually mean?
The phrase suggests a Swiss-made copy built to exact original specifications. In practice, most watches sold that way are assembled in China with cloned movements, generic sapphire, and aftermarket cases. Swiss movement parts from ETA or Rolex are not legally available to counterfeit operations, so the "Swiss" label is marketing.
Is buying or selling a fake Rolex legal in the United States?
No. Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 2320, carrying fines and possible imprisonment, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizes infringing shipments at the border. Rolex actively pursues counterfeits through civil litigation and customs recordation. Reselling a fake as genuine also exposes the seller to fraud claims.
How do you verify a real 116610 LV before buying?
- Ask for the original warranty card, box, and any service records.
- Match the serial and case reference between the card and the watch.
- Request high-resolution photos of the rehaut, date window, and clasp codes.
- Have a qualified watchmaker or an authorized service center inspect the movement.
- Budget for a real service, which runs several hundred dollars and up.
Frequently asked questions
What does 116610 LV stand for?
116610 is the case reference for the Submariner Date, and LV stands for lunette verte, French for green bezel. The combination identifies the green-on-green Hulk.
Can a fake 116610 LV pass as real?
A high-end counterfeit can fool a casual observer at a distance. It rarely survives close inspection of the bezel insert, cyclops magnification, rehaut engraving, and movement.
Is a super clone worth the price?
A clone costs a fraction of a genuine Hulk, but it holds no collector value, cannot be serviced by Rolex, and cannot be legally resold as a Rolex. The money spent on a high-end fake does not build toward a real watch.