Throughout most of the 20th century, Rolex rarely used white gold for its cases and bracelets and usually only in the Day-Date and DateJust models. Horological scholarship has documented a few “one-of” pieces in white gold in Rolex’s vintage sports offerings, but by and large, white gold sports watches were not generally manufactured by the brand until the 21st century.

In 2008, Rolex released their first serially produced white gold Submariner, the reference 116619LB, as a luxurious yet robust offering for those preferring a more discreet, precious metal Submariner. “LB” represents “lunette bleu” referring to the blue color of the bezel, matching the blue dial. It retains all of the details that make Rolex tool watches so highly desirable – efficient, waterproof and rugged, yet beautiful.

These features include a scratch-resistant ceramic bezel in a vibrant aquatic blue with the numerals and markers coated in platinum. The vivid blue dial matches the bezel, and features hour markers and hands with white gold surrounds and Rolex’s luminescent Chromalight filling. Due to its proprietary white gold composition, alloyed in-house at Rolex’s foundries, the case and bracelet do not need to be re-plated with rhodium over time as is the case with typical 18K white gold jewellery and watches, but instead endures a warm silver lustre even with heavy use.

Offered with its international guarantee, presentation box and hangtags, the present Submariner, nicknamed “The Smurf” by collectors, is a great opportunity for any watch enthusiast.