Short answer
The 126618LB is a genuine Rolex reference. It is a Submariner Date with a 41 mm case in 18k yellow gold, a blue dial, and a blue Cerachrom bezel insert. Rolex released it in 2020 as the successor to the 116618LB. Any watch sold as a "replica 126618LB" is an unauthorized copy. Rolex does not make it, does not sell it, and does not service it. Selling, importing, or trafficking in that copy is a federal crime in the United States.
What the 126618LB is
- Case: 41 mm, 18k yellow gold, Oyster case.
- Dial and bezel: blue sunray dial, blue ceramic bezel insert (the "LB" suffix means blue).
- Movement: Rolex Caliber 3235, automatic, about 70 hours of power reserve.
- Water resistance: rated to 300 m (1,000 ft) on the genuine watch.
- Bracelet: gold Oyster with Glidelock extension.
- Weight: the solid gold case and bracelet make the genuine watch heavy, above 200 g.
Retail prices for the 126618LB change by region and year. Rolex does not publish one fixed global figure. Buyers see listings in the low-to-mid $40,000 USD range, and grey market prices move above and below that.
What "replica" means in listings
Terms such as "1:1", "super clone", "AAA", and "Swiss grade" are seller labels. No independent body certifies them. No published test result defines them. They describe a copy, and a copy is not the reference. The visible gaps appear in the case metal, the movement, and the weight. Gold copies use steel or plated base metal, so the mass is lower. Movements are third-party units, not Caliber 3235. Water resistance testing is not performed to the Rolex standard, so any depth rating printed on a copy is a claim with no backing.
Legal status in the United States
Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. § 2320. Civil claims sit under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1114 and 1117. U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizes counterfeit watches at ports of entry. A buyer who imports one can lose the item. The same rule applies in most countries, including China, where production sites are often located.
What a copy does not include
- Rolex warranty and service.
- 18k gold content or gold hallmarks.
- A legal resale market in the US.
- Verified water resistance.
Checking a watch
Rolex does not run a public serial number database. There is no online lookup that confirms a specific watch. Authentication requires a Rolex service center or a qualified watchmaker with the watch in hand. Paperwork that does not come from Rolex is a claim, not proof.
Note: this page gives reference data and legal status. It does not list sellers.